Category: Australian News

South Australians are increasingly concerned about the prospect of a Radioactive Waste Dump in their state following the incident in WA where a tiny radioactive capsule was lost in transit from a mine site in the Pilbara.

Greens Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock, says constituents are expressing concern about the dangers of storing intermediate level waste at the proposed location near Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula. “There’s clearly a need for stronger safeguards and stiffer penalties if we are to have any faith in the protective regimes around nuclear materials,” she said.

“People were already concerned about this proposed waste facility prior to this incident but I’m now receiving messages from constituents who are alarmed about what’s happened,” Senator Pocock said.

“This incident exposes a major failure in the management of nuclear material in Australia and highlights the dangers that radioactive products pose to the community,” she said.

“People are frightened by the very thought that this kind of radioactive product can just fall of the back of a truck and not be discovered for days or weeks after it happened.

“Clearly, the code of practice for the safe transport of radioactive material has failed to protect the people of Western Australia and frankly, many South Australians are not prepared to take that risk,” Senator Pocock said.

“With an industry that produces waste that can be lethal to humans for thousands of years, failing to meet its own safety standards, how can we have faith that it won’t happen here?” She said.

There are many farmers on the Eyre Peninsula who are worried about the consequences that an incident like this could have on their crop markets. The European Union has implemented strict regulations governing the importation of food originating in third countries regarding exposure to radiation.

The Federal Labor Government is persisting with the LNP proposal to build a nuclear waste facility in South Australia despite widespread community opposition and a concerted campaign by First Nations custodians, the Barngarla people, who have instigated court proceedings to stop the dump.

“There was a piece of radioactive material the size of a tic-tac, lying on the side of the road in the Pilbara for the past two weeks and nobody had a clue where it was or how it was lost,” Senator Pocock said.

“Australia’s intermediate level radioactive waste should stay where it is at Lucas Heights until long term storage technology is available to keep everyone in Australia safe from nuclear radiation,” she said.

The Albanese Government has reached a major milestone – six months ahead of schedule – with more than 35,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers now in Australia.

In the October 2022 Budget, the Government committed to reaching 35,000 workers by June 2023. Latest data shows the milestone was reached in December.

When the Government came to office the total number of PALM workers in Australia was just over 24,400, as at the end of May 2022. As a result of the Government’s work to expand and improve PALM, the total number of workers has risen to over 35,100, as of the end of December 2022. This is an increase of 44 per cent in just seven months.

Reaching this milestone early demonstrates the Government’s commitment to immediately addressing long-standing workforce issues across key sectors in the Australian economy.

PALM workers are earning incomes, developing skills and filling workforce shortages across 28 industries, including agriculture, food processing, accommodation and hospitality and aged care.

The scheme is vital for filling workplace shortages in regional Australia, ensuring businesses can continue supporting their communities when there are limited local workers available.

Workers are employed under the same industry awards and legislation as Australian workers. PALM Approved Employers must meet stringent criteria to participate, including compliance with workplace regulations and health and safety laws.

Workers from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste are participating in the scheme, which is boosting economies and lifting families out of poverty. In a region where more than one third of people live on less than $1,000 per year, long term PALM workers send home an average of $15,000 each.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government is delivering on its commitment to reform and expand PALM and is already six months ahead of schedule.

“I was pleased to meet with PALM workers when I visited Fiji in July of last year, seeing firsthand the people who will make significant contributions to Australia’s workforce.

“This scheme is a practical measure that shows our respect for the Pacific and will build a stronger Pacific family.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong said:

“The PALM scheme is improving lives, mitigating critical skills shortages and contributing to the economic resilience of the region.

“We will continue to work with Pacific partners to achieve our shared aspirations.”

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke said:

“The wellbeing and working conditions of Pacific and Timorese workers in the PALM scheme is of central importance to the Australian government.”

“Site visits, a 24-hour PALM support line, and regular employer reporting are features of the compliance framework, with additional compliance activities funded in the Fair Work Ombudsman.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said:

“Reaching our commitment of 35,000 PALM scheme workers in Australia six months early demonstrates our commitment to immediately addressing the long-standing workforce issues in the agricultural industry.

These workers are now providing important skills and labour in our agricultural sector, helping Australian farmers and meat processors fill gaps in their workforce.”

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

“With the money they’re earning in Australia these workers are building new homes, putting children through school and kick-starting businesses in their home countries. It’s been heartening to see the impact on the ground – from Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.”

“The Albanese Government is making a significant contribution to Pacific economies, over and above our development program – which is highly valued by the leaders I’ve met across the Pacific.”

Prime Minister Albanese’s announcement today has reaffirmed that Labor has once again broken a promise – this time, to deliver 50 ‘urgent’ care clinics within their first 12 months in government.

On the eve of the election, the Prime Minister’s own Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher promised that an elected Labor Government would have 50 urgent care clinics up and running across Australia “within the first year”.

This promise has been consistently reiterated on the floor of Parliament and during the last Budget Estimates, despite the Government being unable to confirm even the locations of the clinics.

Now, the Prime Minister has announced Expressions of Interest for only three of the 50 urgent care clinics.

With the EOI period set to end on 24 March 2023, only two months before it was promised they would have all the clinics ‘up and running’, it is clear that the Government will not even be able to deliver the first three urgent care clinics within the timeline promised to the Australian public.

The Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston said, “This is not only another disrespectful broken promise to the Australian people, but it also leaves our hard-working and under-pressure hospital and healthcare staff in an ongoing state of complete uncertainty.”

“First, the Labor Government broke their promise to reduce electricity bills by $275, and then they disregarded their commitment to fund the aged care pay rise in full. Now, they are deferring their signature election promise aimed at supporting state and territory health systems, at a time when we are seeing ramping at an all-time high, concerning levels of deferred elective surgeries, and a crisis in general practice.”

“The Labor Government continues to prove that it is all headline and no delivery. They were willing to make headline promises to get elected, and they are just as prepared to abandon those promises now that they are in government,” Senator Ruston said.

Australians deserve better from this Government. It is time for the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health to deliver on their promises to support Australia’s under-pressure health system and implement tangible measures to support our healthcare professionals.

I am pleased to announce that the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to appoint Mr Tony Cook PSM as the Secretary of the Department of Education.

Mr Cook is currently Deputy Secretary, Higher Education, Research and International at the Department of Education. He has held a range of senior public servant positions at the Commonwealth and State levels, including as Director‑General of the Queensland Department of Education and Deputy Secretary at the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Mr Cook brings to his new appointment significant policy experience and strong stakeholder relationships, particularly in the education sector. He was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2014 in recognition of his work on school policy and funding reform.

Mr Cook’s five-year appointment will commence on 4 April 2023. I congratulate Tony on the appointment and look forward to working with him in this new capacity.

I would like to thank Dr Michele Bruniges AM for her service as Secretary of the Department of Education since April 2016. Dr Bruniges has made a significant contribution to education policy at the Commonwealth and state levels over a number of decades and I wish her well for the future.

A list of departmental Secretaries is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website.

The Big 4 consultancy firms are amongst the biggest corporate donors to the LNP and the Labor Party over the last financial year. Together, PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG donated almost $860,000 to the two major parties.

PwC donated more than $246,000 to the major parties in 2021-22 and received Government contracts worth almost $600 million in the same financial year.

PwC was embroiled in a scandal in recent weeks after a senior partner, now no longer with PwC, was deregistered as a Tax Agent after sharing confidential information obtained while being consulted by the Australian Tax Office on changes to the tax system.

“These political donations are more than just a case of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” said Greens Finance Spokesperson, Senator Barbara Pocock. “It’s more like you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours and give you a Maserati!” She said.

“We’ve got to have a close look at the whole regime of outsourcing government work to private consultancy firms.

“What confidence can Australians have in companies who make large donations to political parties and then receive major government contracts?” Senator Pocock asked.

“There are obvious conflicts of interest when the firms you hire as consultants are also major donors to your political party,” she said. “We need to regulate political donations so that Australian voters can be confident that there are no conflicts of interest amongst companies taking Government contracts.

“Without such action how can Australians be confident that our democracy is not for sale?” Senator Pocock said.

Last week Senator Pocock called for a review of the Government’s use of consultants and wants Labor held to its promise to reduce spending on external consultants.

Labor’s reported backtrack on a minimum wage for artists adds more weight to the Greens’ call for a Senate Inquiry into the Government’s National Cultural Policy launched on Monday. 

The Greens pledged support ahead of the 2022 election for legislating a minimum performance fee to provide stability for live performers. They also called for an Artists Wage pilot program which would pay minimum wage for up to 10,000 established or emerging artists for a full calendar year. The initiative would ensure artists are able to create without added pressures of living costs, and would give back to the economy through the work they create.

Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“I announced the Greens will be moving for a Senate Inquiry to examine the detail of the National Cultural Policy. Today we have another example of why it is important that the policy be fully examined, gaps identified and recommendations for improvement made. 

“A National Cultural Policy is very welcome, but we have an opportunity to make it the best it can be.

“Artists and creatives are confused to hear this backtrack on a minimum wage after comments by Labor to the contrary.

“If we truly value our artists and creatives as workers then they must be guaranteed payment for their work. 

“The Greens have backed calls for a minimum performance fee for artists performing at publicly funded events to be legislated. This will ensure live performers are recognised and remunerated for their work, and help provide some stability for artists. This fee reflects industry standards for payment as determined by industry bodies, and supports the call from key stakeholder, including Musicians Australia and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance for the Government to uphold the same standards.

“Australia also shouldn’t just sit by and watch the Basic Income for the Arts scheme being trialled in Ireland, we need to get on with our own. There will be immediate benefit from a trial for artists, our economy and our communities and it will be far more relevant for our own arts and culture ecosystem.

“The Greens will keep pushing Labor to deliver the best arts and culture policy we can have in this nation, with adequate funding and timely delivery.”

Political donations data published today by the Australian Electoral Commission shows that the Liberals, Nationals and Labor raked in a combined $241 million in donations in the 2021-22 financial year, with millions contributed by coal and gas corporations and their lobby groups.

Woodside, whose Burrup Peninsula gas project Scarborough has been supported by both sides of politics and was the subject of recent protests, donated $68,150 to the ALP, $21,700 to the Nationals and $20,080 to the Liberal Party. Gas lobby APPEA gifted $54,250 to the ALP, followed by $31,000 to the Liberals and $28,720 to the Nationals. Serial tax avoiding gas corporation Santos donated $83,360 to the ALP, followed by $38,000 to the Liberals and $32,300 to the Nationals.

Gas corporation Tamboran Resources donated $200,000, of which $138,000 went to the Coalition and $62,000 went to Labor. In the same financial year, Tamboran Resources received a $7.5m grant from the Coalition for natural gas exploration at the Beetaloo. The Greens attempted to disallow the grant in the Senate, but ALP supported the grant.

The Greens say the financial relationship between the fossil fuel sector and the Labor Party explains why Labor’s Safeguard Mechanism backs more coal and gas, which in its current form contravenes International Energy Agency and the UN Secretary General advice by allowing every planned new coal and gas project from the Morrison government to proceed. Reporting today indicates the Liberal Party are likely to vote against the Safeguard Mechanism in the Senate and the government will likely need the support of the Greens. Greens Leader Adam Bandt has previously said new coal and gas projects will be the sticking point for any negotiations.

Late last year, Senator Larissa Waters re-introduced a bill to ban donations from coal and gas corporations and other sectors with a track record of buying influence, and cap all other political donations at $1,000 per year.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“These dirty donations explain why Labor is allowing new coal and gas in the safeguard mechanism.

“Woodside and Santos donated more to the ALP than the Liberals and Nationals combined, and they’ve been repaid with free reign to open new projects and trash the climate.

“Labor is taking money from the coal and gas corporations causing the climate crisis and then proposing laws that allow new coal and gas projects to go ahead.

“It has become clear today that Labor’s climate plan was paid for by coal and gas. Labor’s plan for more coal and gas means floods, fires and food supply problems will get worse.

“The coal and gas donors’ fingerprints are all over Labor’s safeguard legislation.”

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

“Today’s data once again shows that money talks, with more than $241 million pocketed by the major parties in the last financial year.

“Coal and gas projects, energy companies and mineral and resource councils all feature heavily. Is it any wonder the fossil fuel sector continues to benefit? The Albanese government handed out $42.7 billion over ten years of fossil fuel subsidies in the last budget, turbo charging climate destruction.

“Santos, which is pushing to frack the Beetaloo basin, received $16 million in public money for its Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage Project and gave $154,000 to the major parties. That’s a pretty good return on investment!

“The Minerals Council, who recently threatened to ‘unleash an ad campaign against Labor unless it rules out windfall profits tax’, gave nearly a quarter of a million to the major parties in 2021-22. And there is still no windfall profits tax on the horizon.

“These are only the donations that Australians are told about. More than a third of all donations fall below the $14,500 disclosure threshold, and many ‘membership fees’ and cash-for-access event fees are not classed as donations so stay hidden from public view.

“The Greens have legislation to cap political donations to $1,000 per year no matter who the donor, and to ban donations from dirty industries with a track record of seeking to buy policy outcomes, including the fossil fuel sector.

“We will continue to use our balance of power in the Senate to push Federal Labor to cap political donations and ban them from influential industries, including the fossil fuel sector, gambling, banking, defence, and pharmaceuticals.

“The Greens have been campaigning for decades to clean up our democracy. It’s time for Labor to come to the table and work with us to ensure politicians work in the public interest, not the interest of their donor mates.”

The Albanese Government is today announcing the start of an Expression of Interest (EOI) period to establish seven Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) in the state.

The seven Medicare UCCs will ease pressure on West Australian hospitals and give WA families more options to see a healthcare professional when and where they need it. They will be bulk billed and open seven days a week.

Category 4 and 5 presentations to WA hospitals, non-life-threatening emergencies, represent 47 per cent of presentations to emergency departments. The Medicare UCCs will mean instead of taking up precious ED space, patients will be able to get care in their local community.

Medicare UCCs will be established in the following locations:

• Perth City
• Joondalup
• Rockingham
• Murdoch
• Midland
• Bunbury
• Broome

Medicare UCCs in Western Australia will be established through a phased approach beginning with Perth City, Joondalup and Rockingham.

The EOI will be run by the WA Primary Health Alliance, opening on 10 February 2023, with the submission period set to end on 24 March 2023.

The EOI will be available to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Government to deliver the seven Medicare UCCs.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics mean more families in Western Australia will get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department.

“The UCCs will take pressure off hospitals like the Fiona Stanley, Rockingham and Joondalup Health.

“These clinics are a key part of the Government’s plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.”

Minister Butler said:

“We know that doctors around the country, including in WA, are exciting to take up the opportunity of Urgent Care Clinics.

“This EOI means West Australian primary care providers, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services will be able to put their interest forward

“The UCCs will be bulk billed and open seven days a week, meaning families don’t end up in the emergency department for non-life-threatening care.”

The Albanese Government has reached a major milestone – six months ahead of schedule – with more than 35,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers now in Australia.

In the October 2022 Budget, the Government committed to reaching 35,000 workers by June 2023. Latest data shows the milestone was reached in December.

When the Government came to office the total number of PALM workers in Australia was just over 24,400, as at the end of May 2022. As a result of the Government’s work to expand and improve PALM, the total number of workers has risen to over 35,100, as of the end of December 2022. This is an increase of 44 per cent in just seven months.
 
Reaching this milestone early demonstrates the Government’s commitment to immediately addressing long-standing workforce issues across key sectors in the Australian economy.

PALM workers are earning incomes, developing skills and filling workforce shortages across 28 industries, including agriculture, food processing, accommodation and hospitality and aged care.

The scheme is vital for filling workplace shortages in regional Australia, ensuring businesses can continue supporting their communities when there are limited local workers available.

Workers are employed under the same industry awards and legislation as Australian workers. PALM Approved Employers must meet stringent criteria to participate, including compliance with workplace regulations and health and safety laws.
 
Workers from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste are participating in the scheme, which is boosting economies and lifting families out of poverty. In a region where more than one third of people live on less than $1,000 per year, long term PALM workers send home an average of $15,000 each.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said

“My Government is delivering on its commitment to reform and expand PALM and is already six months ahead of schedule.

“I was pleased to meet with PALM workers when I visited Fiji in July of last year, seeing firsthand the people who will make significant contributions to Australia’s workforce.

“This scheme is a practical measure that shows our respect for the Pacific and will build a stronger Pacific family.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong said

“The PALM scheme is improving lives, mitigating critical skills shortages and contributing to the economic resilience of the region.

“We will continue to work with Pacific partners to achieve our shared aspirations.”

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke said:

“The wellbeing and working conditions of Pacific and Timorese workers in the PALM scheme is of central importance to the Australian government.”

“Site visits, a 24-hour PALM support line, and regular employer reporting are features of the compliance framework, with additional compliance activities funded in the Fair Work Ombudsman.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said:

“Reaching our commitment of 35,000 PALM scheme workers in Australia six months early demonstrates our commitment to immediately addressing the long-standing workforce issues in the agricultural industry.

These workers are now providing important skills and labour in our agricultural sector, helping Australian farmers and meat processors fill gaps in their workforce.”

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

“With the money they’re earning in Australia these workers are building new homes, putting children through school and kick-starting businesses in their home countries. It’s been heartening to see the impact on the ground – from Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.”

“The Albanese Government is making a significant contribution to Pacific economies, over and above our development program – which is highly valued by the leaders I’ve met across the Pacific.”

The Australian Government is imposing targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on individuals responsible for egregious human rights abuses in Myanmar, as well as sanctions on entities enabling the repression of its people.

The Government is also imposing additional sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities over abhorrent abuses of human rights.

Sanctioned individuals include 16 members of the Myanmar military regime’s governing State Administration Council (SAC), as key individuals directly responsible for the coup d’état two years ago today.

Two Myanmar military controlled entities, Myanmar Economic Public Holdings Ltd (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), will also be subject to targeted financial sanctions.

Over the past two years Australia, ASEAN and international partners have repeatedly called on the Myanmar regime to engage in constructive dialogue and find a peaceful and durable resolution to the ongoing crisis.

Despite these calls, the regime has continued its anti-democratic actions against the people of Myanmar, including violence and recent steps targeting opposition voices.

The military regime has responded violently to any form of political expression, including peaceful protests. There is evidence thousands of civilians, including children, have been jailed, tortured, or killed.

Australia will continue to closely monitor the regime’s actions. We will be looking to see improvements for people on the ground and moves towards the restoration of democracy, including credible elections.

In this context, we will continue to keep our targeted sanctions toward Myanmar under review.

Australia strongly supports ASEAN’s leadership as a key element in responding to the Myanmar crisis. 

The Australian Government is also imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions on 16 Iranian individuals and one Iranian entity.

Among those subject to Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions are the Basij Cooperative Foundation, and senior law enforcement, political and military figures – including those within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – involved in the violent crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa ‘Jina’ Amini and the continued oppression of the people of Iran.

Additionally, Australia is joining partners to impose additional targeted financial sanctions on four Iranian individuals and four entities involved in the production and supply of drones to Russia.

Iranian-made drones have been used by Russia to target Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Australia stands with the people of Myanmar, the people of Iran and with the people of Ukraine.

We employ every strategy at our disposal towards upholding human rights – ranging from dialogue and diplomacy to sanctions – consistent with our values and our interests.

For further information on Australia’s sanctions frameworks, please visit: Sanctions regimes | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)