Category: Australian News

Annual political donations data will be revealed tomorrow and is likely to confirm that our democracy is still for sale to the highest bidder. It’s long past time to reform political donations laws, and the Greens are committed to pushing Labor to get it done.

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. Both the major parties accept huge sums of money from big industries, and their policies show it.

February 1st is the one time of the year we get to find out just how much these powerful industries are paying for their influence over the government.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:

“On 1 February we will learn just how much big money is spending to buy influence with political parties and buy our democracy. With Greens in the balance of power, we have the opportunity to remove the influence of big money from politics once and for all.

“Even before this year’s release, we know that over $230M in corporate donations have been made to Labor and the Coalition parties since 2012 – it’s our democracy for sale!

“Like every year before, tomorrow’s data will confirm it is long past time to reform the system and end the legalised bribery that sees big polluters buying policy outcomes.

“Coal, gas and oil corporations don’t donate millions every year to the Liberals, Nationals and Labor because they’re huge fans of democracy – they do it because it gets results. Let’s call this what it is: legalised bribery.

“The influence of dirty donations on government decisions is why Australia has waited so long for stronger environmental protections and real action on climate change. It’s why reforms to hold the financial sector to account keep stalling. It’s why governments continue to spend millions on consultants at the expense of the public service.

“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.

“It is also long past time we cracked the window open with real time disclosures, lower disclosure thresholds, broader definitions, and better data. We currently wait 18 months for an indecipherable data dump about less than half of all donations made to political parties.

“Voters should have information about who’s influencing their representatives when they are deciding who to vote for.

“We welcomed the recent commitment from NSW Labor to ban donations from the gambling sector. The Greens will continue to use our balance of power in the Senate to push Federal Labor to ban all political donations 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.”

BACKGROUND

The Greens are working for:

• Real time disclosure of all donations of $1,000
• A ban all political donations from the fossil fuel sector (and other dirty industries) and cap all other donations at $1,000 per year
• Definitions of “donation” that include membership fees, loans, and tickets to fundraising and cash-for-access events
• Preventing resource ministers and advisers from working for the fossil fuel industry within five years of leaving parliament
• Publishing a register of meetings between ministers and lobbyists (including in-house lobbyists currently excluded from the Lobbying Code of Conduct)

The Greens plan to clean up democracy also includes:

• Election spending caps
• Strengthening the Register of Interests and FOI laws
• Truth in advertising rules to prevent disinformation from undermining public debate
• Increasing the diversity of political representation so that parliament better reflects our community

More info on The Greens policy plan here.

The Greens have called on the Australian and NSW governments to withdraw funding from four elite Sydney schools linked with the extremist sect Opus Dei in the wake of Four Corners’ shocking report last night.

Combined, Redfield College, Tangara School for Girls, Wollemi College and Montgrove College, operated by the Parents for Education Foundation, received more than $20 million in state and government funding in 2021.

Australian Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Elite and extremist private schools that indoctrinate their students into an antiquated and harmful ideology should not receive one cent of public funding.

“It’s bad enough that we know the richest schools in the country use our money for extravagences like plunge pools for headmasters and business class trips to sporting events. But to use public funds to promote bigotry and self-harm is beyond the pale.

“Instead of continuing to fund insular, out-of-touch institutions, the NSW and federal governments should show some backbone and strip these schools of funding.

“The new National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) was an opportunity for the Albanese Government to restore equity to the school system, but they’ve kicked the can down the road, consigning public school kids to another year of disadvantage. 

“The Greens will continue to fight alongside unions, parents and carers to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard in the next NSRA.”

NSW Greens spokesperson on education, Tamara Smith MP said:

“Tangara School for Girls, which indoctrinates its students into a perverse ‘purity’ culture, received $5 million in public money in 2021. Meanwhile, just down the M7, students at Oran Park State School attend class in one of 27 demountable classrooms. About 12% of classrooms in NSW public schools are in demountables.

“Our public school system is in crisis. In NSW, public schools only receive 87% of their full Schooling Resource Standard allocation. In other words, they don’t even receive the bare minimum of funding needed to provide a decent education. Meanwhile, private schools receive 106% of their SRS.

“The NSW Greens’ education plan will increase teacher pay 15%, improve conditions for teachers and students, and ensure that NSW public schools reach 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard this year.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, to Australia on 7 February.

This visit will mark Prime Minister Hipkins’s first international trip as leader.

Australia values the priority that both countries place on the bilateral relationship. As partners and allies, our bilateral agenda is unparalleled in its scope.

Australia and New Zealand will celebrate important milestones in 2023, marking 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement – one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements in the world – and 80 years of diplomatic representation.

Prime Minister Hipkins’s visit comes as New Zealand begins its recovery from the serious flooding and loss of life in Auckland. Australia stands ready to support New Zealand as needed.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Hipkins to Australia. Australia and New Zealand have an extremely close relationship, underpinned by our shared history and generations of personal, business and government links.

“I offer my condolences to all those affected by the devastating floods and loss of life in Auckland. We stand ready to support our family and friends in New Zealand, if needed.”

“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Hipkins to Canberra and discussing ways to build on trans-Tasman cooperation.”

The Greens welcome the announcement of family law amendments aimed at putting children’s welfare first in family law matters.

After years of inaction, and unnecessary, damaging inquiries, we welcome the government’s willingness to listen to the experts instead of the political grandstanding that has traumatised survivors of family and domestic violence and provided a platform for hate and misinformation.

Fair, child-safety focussed outcomes can only be achieved with adequate resources, yet both the Federal Circuit and Family Court and the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children remain woefully underfunded.

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

“Finally, after years of wasted time and damaging misinformation campaigns – including Pauline Hanson’s toxic family law inquiry – we may start to see real improvements to the family law system.

“The evidence has repeatedly shown that gendered violence is a core problem at the heart of the family law system, and that children frequently bear the brunt of violent relationships and protracted legal matters.

“The sector has long called for removal of the presumption of equal shared parenting, strengthening the obligations of Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs) and family report writers, and definitions of family that respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and kinship. We are pleased to see the Labor government listening to the experts and implementing these changes to centre children’s safety.

“Children’s safety must be a key consideration in all situations, including matters under the Hague Convention. We know that many perpetrators of family and domestic violence have been able to weaponise the court process to continue their abuse and control. The proposed amendments will give the courts more capacity to identify and prevent systems abuse, and help to keep women and children safe.

“The Greens will review the proposed amendments and work with stakeholders and the government to ensure a strong, fair, and safe family law system.

“Failing to adequately fund the courts and frontline family and domestic violence services has created delays and gaps in the system that continue to put women and children at risk.

“The only way to strengthen the outcomes and timeliness of family law matters is to ensure they are heard by experienced, specialist judges. Funding for judicial training, as well as wraparound support services including safe rooms, risk screening and triaging programs, and cultural liaison workers are essential to the success of any reform.

“The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, released last year to great fanfare, has laudable goals. But ambitious aims need to be backed with funding.

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

“If the Attorney General wants these reforms to work, his government needs to stump up the funding for them to do so, as well as properly resourcing frontline domestic, family and sexual violence support services and prevention programs including age-appropriate education.”

The Albanese Government will invest $8.5 million to support those with a lived experience of mental health to shape the policies and programs that affect them.
 
Funding of $7.5 million will establish and operate two independent national mental health lived experience peak bodies – one representing consumers and the other representing carers, families and kin.
 
Lived Experience Australia will also receive $900,000 to continue its work to lead lived experience research and build the capacity of consumer and carers. Funding of $100,000 will establish a regular stakeholder forum to increase transparency, accountability and partnership with the sector.
 
These steps address recommendations made in recent inquiries including the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health and work undertaken by the National Mental Health Commission.
 
The announcement of two independent national peak bodies comes as the Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride hosted people with lived experience alongside experts, clinicians and service providers at the Mental Health and Equity and Access Forum in Canberra.
 
People with a lived experience of mental ill-health made up the largest cohort of the more than 80 attendees, sharing invaluable insights into a system in need of repair.
 
The Forum recognised the shared goals of Government, the mental health sector, and those with a lived experience, and a commitment to working together to continue to build an equitable mental health system.
 
Discussions at the Forum focussed on how to make services more affordable and accessible to those who need them most, as part of broader system of care.
 
The Forum follows the release of the independent Better Access evaluation by Melbourne University, which showed that while the program delivers promising outcomes, many Australians continue to miss out.
 
In 2022, less than half of people from low socioeconomic backgrounds in major cities were able to access treatment they needed – despite most services being delivered in these areas.
 
Minister Butler said:
 
“Mental ill health can affect every Australian, but we know that it hits some of us harder than others. Which is why we brought together people with lived experience alongside experts and clinicians to discuss how to improve mental health for everyone, whether you live in the wealthiest suburbs of our capital cities or the poorest parts of regional Australia.”
 
“Hearing from those with lived experience is incredibly important to making improvements in mental health. Progress will come from putting consumers and carers first.”
 
“These two independent national bodies will amplify the voices of consumers and carers to drive equitable reform in mental health.”
 
Assistant Minister McBride said:
 
“The further you live outside a big city the worse your access to mental health care is likely to be – this needs to change.”
 
“We are committed to build a system that works well for everyone, wherever they live and whatever they earn.”
 
“This investment puts the voices of people with lived and living experience at the centre of decision making as we work together to create a fairer, improved, system that meets the needs of Australians.”

Labor’s proposal to remove the equal shared parental responsibility provision from family law will lead to more broken families and unjust outcomes for both children and parents.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said Labor had form in supporting an unbalanced family law and child support system.

“Labor has tried to remove this provision before, when Graham Perrett introduced family law amendments in 2020,” Senator Hanson said. “It ignores the truth that both parents are equally responsible for bringing a child into the world, and therefore share equal responsibility for raising that child no matter what.

“Labor may have examined the recommendations of the family law inquiry I recommended the Coalition establish, but it doesn’t appear to have looked at the evidence presented in submissions and hearings by parents who’ve been through the system like I have.

“That evidence was quite clear – the system is weighted heavily against fathers. Lawyers take advantage of this, creating a highly adversarial system which can be weaponised by vexatious or vindictive partners.

“Under this system, step-fathers have more parental rights than actual fathers and children are treated as footballs. It’s in no-one’s interest – especially the child’s.”

Senator Hanson said that while she welcomed Labor’s support for expanding and extending the Lighthouse Project, she was disappointed sensible changes to the child support system were not being considered.

“The system needs to be made much fairer,” she said. “My recommendations would have done that: assessing net rather than gross incomes; ensuring parents weren’t left with annual incomes below $27,000; assessing salaries on a 38 hour week; basing child support on the number of children at the time of separation and not on additional children to other partners; assessing residential costs individually; including Family Tax Benefit in assessing incomes but excluding lump sums such as Workcover, TPI or superannuation payments; and having payments paid to a separate child support account.

“I will continue to advocate these measures to fix Australia’s broken child support system, and continue to advocate for a fairer family law system.”

A new chapter in Australia’s cultural story has begun.

The Albanese Labor Government’s new National Cultural Policy – Revive – has been released today and will set the course for Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector for the next five years.

Revive will empower our talented artists and arts organisations to thrive and grow – unlocking new opportunities, reaching new audiences and telling stories in compelling new ways.

It will bring drive, direction and vision back to the $17 billion industry – which employs an estimated 400,000 Australians – after a lost decade of federal policy drift and funding neglect.

Backed by $286 million in dedicated funding over four years, Revive’s centrepiece is the establishment of Creative Australia.

Creative Australia will be the Government’s new principal arts investment and advisory body.

The governing body of Creative Australia will continue to be known as the Australia Council.

Creative Australia will expand on and modernise the Australia Council’s work with additional funding of $200 million over four years – restoring the money cut by the former Liberal and National Government.

Funding decisions will be made on the basis of artistic merit and at arm’s length from Government.

Within Creative Australia four new bodies will be established:

• A new First Nations-led body that will give First Nations people autonomy over decisions and investments
• Music Australia, a dedicated new body to support and invest in the Australian contemporary music industry
• Writers Australia, to support writers and illustrators to create new works
• A new Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces to ensure creative workers are paid fairly and have safe workplaces free from harassment and discrimination

Revive is built on five pillars but puts First Nations first – recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the heart of our arts and culture.

That’s why in addition to the Creative Australia First Nations body, Revive commits the Government to:

• Introducing legislation to protect First Nations knowledge and cultural expressions, including the harm caused by fake art
• Developing a First Nations creative workforce strategy
• Funding the establishment of a National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs and an Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth
• Providing $11 million to establish a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between First Nations representatives and Australian governments

Revive also commits the Government to regulating Australian content on streaming platforms; improving lending rights and incomes for Australian writers; increased funding for regional art; and dozens of other measures.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“After a decade of neglect and funding cuts, today we start a new chapter in Australia’s art and culture sector.

“Our new cultural policy Revive will provide the support Australian artists need to thrive and grow.

“I am excited by the potential it will unleash, and to see our extraordinary and diverse Australian stories continue to be told with originality, wit, creativity and flair.

“It builds on the proud legacies of earlier Labor governments that recognised the importance of art and culture to Australia’s identity, social unity and economic prosperity.”

Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said:

“Under Revive, there will be a place for every story and a story for every place. It is a comprehensive roadmap for Australia’s arts and culture that touches all areas of government, from cultural diplomacy in foreign affairs to health and education.

“Our artists are creators and workers. This sector is essential for our culture and for our economy. As the sector recovers from years of neglect followed by the tough pandemic period, Revive will set the arts sector on a new trajectory with fresh momentum.”

To read the National Cultural Policy in full, visit: A new National Cultural Policy

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will travel to France and the United Kingdom.

The second Australia-France Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (2+2) will take place on 30 January in Paris and the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) will be held from 1 to 2 February in London and Portsmouth.

In France, discussions with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna and Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu will develop and align French and Australian responses to the increasingly challenging strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific and in Europe. Ministers will progress work towards a bilateral roadmap to strengthen collaboration across defence and security, resilience and climate action, and education and culture.

The meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will focus on modernising the bilateral relationship, elevating cooperation to tackle climate change, building economic resilience and contributing to global peace and security.

Senator Wong will also meet with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels. Australia’s partnerships with Europe and the UK work to foster a world that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and in which sovereignty is respected.

Following these meetings in France and the United Kingdom, the Deputy Prime Minister will travel to the United States to meet with his counterpart, Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP said:

“In an increasingly challenging strategic environment, our longstanding defence relationships with France and the United Kingdom are essential to promoting stability, protecting the rules-based order and avoiding further conflict.

“I look forward to working with my French and UK counterparts to continue supporting Ukraine and ensure an inclusive, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“The visit to the United Kingdom also provides an important opportunity to discuss AUKUS.”

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

“The Australian Government is committed to an enduring and productive bilateral relationship with France.

“Deepening practical cooperation with France in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting the priorities of our partners, is critical to our vision of regional stability.

“Close coordination with the EU is essential as we stand together to face challenges in Europe and in our region.

“We are modernising our longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom to face a changing world.”

Australia unequivocally condemns the horrific terrorist attack that claimed the lives of at least seven worshippers in Jerusalem on Friday evening.

Terrorism and violence against civilians can never be justified.

That such a cowardly and callous attack occurred on a day where we remember the atrocities of the Holocaust is utterly reprehensible.

Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, friends, and the Jewish community.

We are deeply concerned with escalating violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

We call on all sides to exercise restraint, and to refrain from actions that harm civilians. 

Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and security.

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments are making it easier for Tasmanians to see a doctor by delivering an innovative four-year program to support stronger rural healthcare in the state.

Under the program, GP Registrars, including Rural Generalist trainees, will have the option of being employed by the Tasmanian Health Service as salaried employees, allowing them to do their final placement in GP practices across the state instead of changing new employers with each placement of 6 or 12 months.

By providing GP Registrars with guaranteed income and entitlements such as annual leave, parental leave, sick leave and other remuneration and benefits received by doctors working in hospital settings, the single employer model (SEM) will make working in rural and general practice more attractive and improve recruitment and retention of GPs in rural communities.

This will give medical graduates the best opportunity to build their careers while supporting our medical workforce in rural areas, making it easier for Tasmanians to see a doctor.

This is a model that has worked in its previous trials, we know it offers the security that many young doctors are after, and it provides a sustainable pathway to increase the number of rural GPs and highly skilled Rural Generalists across Tasmania.

The Australian Government will provide $8 million to support the program from 2022-23. This funding is part of the Australian Government’s commitment in the 2022-23 October Budget to work collaboratively with states and territories to co-develop and pilot innovative primary care models that aim to improve care pathways and reduce pressure on emergency departments.

The Tasmanian Government will contribute $5 million over four years including:

• $1 million in capital works for the Rural Medical Workforce Centre at the Mersey Community Hospital, and
• $1 million a year to support mandatory Rural Medical Officer rotations in paediatrics and anaesthetics, and additional skills posts.

Up to 20 GP Registrars will work across the state in regional, rural and outer metropolitan areas of need.

The Tasmanian and Federal Governments are working together to finalise the implementation arrangements for the trial, with opportunities for GP registrars, including Rural Generalist trainees, to commence from July 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australians in every postcode deserve access to world class health care.

“For too long we’ve seen communities across Tasmania like Huon Valley, Bridgewater, Deloraine and in Latrobe not be able to retain doctors.

“My Government is committed to making it easier for Australians to see a doctor by strengthening general practice, especially in rural areas.

“We will work in partnership with Tasmania and the other states and territories to provide the best possible support to our next generation of rural GPs.”

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said:

“This is all about making sure Tasmanians in rural and regional areas get what they deserve: access to local GPs and the health care they need.

“A single employer model will make rural practice more attractive for doctors and this agreement is a significant win for Tasmania. It will allow us to recruit more doctors and strengthen our rural communities.

“Our government has long been advocating to trial a Single Employer Model for GP registrars, including rural generalists, to make rural practice more attractive for doctors and we now look forward to making it happen. I’m committed to working in partnership with the federal government putting Tasmanians first and to deliver real solutions.”

Minister Butler said:

“Across the country we know after a decade of cuts from the former Government it’s never been harder for Australians to see a GP.

“And we know that here in in Tasmania, the situation is particularly challenging.

“This innovative program will make training and working in rural general practice a more attractive option for young doctors and importantly it will make it easier for Tasmanians to see a doctor close to home”