Category: Australian News

Australia Day is our chance to celebrate just how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country on earth.

Importantly, it is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can make it even greater.

It was in that spirit that we celebrated the Australians of the Year last night.

The winners and nominees represent the very best of our national character: our compassion and generosity, our courage and initiative, and our sense of service to community.

Today we welcome new citizens joining us in the great Australian family.

In choosing Australia as their home, they are embracing the values and qualities we hold dear: our belief in opportunity for all, the respect we have for hard work, the optimism that drives our aspiration and the Australian instinct for fairness, decency and care and respect for each other.

Australians uphold these qualities every day, in good times and bad.

As we’ve also seen in times of pandemic, fire, drought and the recent devastating floods, the worst of circumstances bring out the best in our people.

If there is an upside to tough times, it is that they have shown us we can be confident that whatever challenges the future brings, Australians will rise to meet them.

In our joys, our blessings and our hard-won triumphs, we celebrate what we have.

Just as importantly, we celebrate what we can be: the even greater Australia that is at our fingertips.

Later this year every Australian will have an historic opportunity to live the values that define us as a people.

And we can do it by heeding the gracious, patient call of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and answering it with a vote to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our nation’s birth certificate, the Constitution.

What greater way is there of celebrating our unique privilege of sharing this island continent with the world’s oldest continuous culture.

It would be an expression of pride that would also send to the world a message about our maturity and unity as a nation. 

We have so much to celebrate, so much to be proud of.

And we know we can be greater still. More prosperous, more equal, a country where the doors of opportunity are open to all.

An Australia where the spirit of the fair go is alive in all of us.

One thing you can always rely on Labor to do well is muck things up.  The federal Labor government has proposed a significant change to our constitution, known as “the voice”.

Unfortunately, the only aspects of their plans that have concrete information are:

1. Silence any dissent and refuse funding to opposing voices
2. Award themselves large amounts of taxpayer money to fund the “yes” side under the guise of “misinformation” campaigns
3. .. and if the Prime Minister loses the campaign he plans to legislate for a “voice to parliament” regardless of what Australians want

Anthony Albanese is on record as saying he hasn’t even sought the legal opinion of government lawyers about the ramifications of the “voice”.

Former High Court Judges have stated that a “voice” poses a significant risk of being hijacked by those who will tie the federal government up in legal challenges to everything parliament decides without first consulting the proposed third chamber of parliament (“the voice”).

We cannot rely on Anthony Albanese’s promise that everything will be okay. Although the radicals have all the money and support from extremist organisations, there is no certainty Labor will win a referendum.

It is crucial that we take action to stop this proposed change to our constitution.

The only way to defeat the “voice” is through hard work and effort. Our members, supporters, and volunteers are the very Australians who will stop Labor’s proposed changes.

One Nation strongly condemns a proposal supported by Greens indigenous affairs spokesperson Lidia Thorpe for non-indigenous Australians to pay a race based rent tax.

The rent tax scheme would see millions of Australians thrown further into poverty as their rents balloon or families pay more on top of their ever-increasing mortgages.

The model would see Australian property owners pay a weekly “rent” tax to Indigenous groups based on their ancestral claim to the land.

Any “Pay the Rent” scheme, which is being promoted and backed by celebrities, would see homeowners voluntarily paying a percentage of their income to a body led by Aboriginal elders with no government oversight or intervention.

A rent tax proposal is not only unnecessary, it’s also deeply flawed and unjust.

It is a form of discrimination that penalises property owners simply because of their race, and it would be a financial burden on hardworking Australians who have already paid taxes to support their communities.

One Nation believes this proposal is a distraction from the real issues facing Indigenous communities, such as poverty, unemployment, and crime.

Instead of proposing a controversial and divisive race-based rent tax, One Nation calls for Australians to unite as one country and reject the left’s pro-apartheid madness.

This scheme is the worst type of discrimination, and it is not a solution to the problem of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

In conclusion, One Nation strongly opposes the proposed “Pay the Rent” model and calls for a renewed commitment to addressing the real issues facing Indigenous communities through effective and unifying government policies.

Today marks 50 years since Australia ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The NPT is central to the Australian Government’s ambition of a world without nuclear weapons.

Australia made a binding commitment under the NPT to never acquire nuclear weapons.

In 1997, Australia was the first country to implement enhanced NPT safeguards under the Additional Protocol, which offers the highest international assurances of adherence to our non-proliferation obligations, and which Australia continues to strongly advocate.

The NPT has been critical to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and has been fundamental to global security over the past five decades.

As we face a deteriorating international security environment, including Russia’s desperate and reckless nuclear threats, Iran’s refusal to comply with its non-proliferation obligations, North Korea’s provocative violations of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, and the opaque nuclear arsenal build-up occurring in our region, the work of the NPT is critical.

Australia was also a founding member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and remains a steadfast supporter of its vital role in upholding the NPT. The IAEA facilitates access to the peaceful benefits of nuclear science and technology for global prosperity and socioeconomic development.

The Australian Government will continue Australia’s proud history of championing practical disarmament efforts. We will further strengthen global non-proliferation standards and share the benefits of nuclear science and technology with the world.

The Albanese Government deals with the world as it is, and is committed to taking the practical and meaningful steps necessary to shape it for the better – and we will continue to work for a world free of nuclear weapons.

A new Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) report by the Commonwealth Ombudsman into immigration detention reveals the disturbing and inhumane reality for those being detained, the Greens say. 

“This report shows that people in immigration detention centers are being subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment, including physical restraint without proper justification or medical guidance,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The report also highlights the use of firefighting equipment on Christmas Island as a technique to control the movement of people in detention and to clear them from particular areas, which is completely unacceptable and must be investigated immediately.”

“Labor must now take responsibility for inhumane conditions in its immigration detention centres, and take immediate action to investigate and fix these issues.” 

“We cannot stand idly by as the basic human rights of those in detention are continually violated.”

“This report is yet another argument for a Royal Commission into offshore and onshore immigration detention, and an end to mandatory immigration detention.”

The report can be read here.

Over the weekend, the world marked the second anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On the 22nd of January 2021, this treaty became binding on all states parties, entrenching its place in international law. 

In 2018, the Labor party adopted a resolution that commits it to signing and ratifying the TPNW in government. We are yet to see this happen. 

On the 28th of October 2022, Australia had an opportunity to vote ‘yes’ to the TPNW. Instead, we abstained. This was a move in the right direction, but not a big enough one. This vote provided an opportunity for Australia to reaffirm its commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.

The co-chairs of the Parliamentary friends of the TPNW  released a joint statement, which can be read here:
 

Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“The Australian Greens will continue to call on the Australian Government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”

“Today marks 50 years since Australia ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Foreign Minister has been quick to announce the Government’s continued commitment to a nuclear free world, but wants “universal support” before ratifying the TPNW. This is a delaying tactic. “

“Last year, in a Senate urgency motion, Labor voted “no” that the government should instruct Australia’s representatives at the United Nations to vote in the affirmative during the upcoming UN First Committee vote on the Treaty on the Total Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and signal the government’s intent to sign and ratify the treaty. We are under no illusion as to the ALP’s intentions.”

“AUKUS will continue to undermine our commitment to a nuclear free world. Our friends in the region know it, Australians know it, and it’s time the government knew it too. Having nuclear submarines in our waters is destabilising the region. There is no doubt about this.”

“Across the globe and here in Australia, people are speaking up and opposing the continuing proliferation of nuclear weapons. . In opposition, Anthony Albanese was enthusiastic and explicit about the Labor Party’s commitment to sign the treaty. Yet, as Prime Minister, he has failed to show the political courage to do what is necessary. “

“The war in Ukraine and rhetoric about the use of nuclear weapons, particularly by President Putin, is a reminder that denuclearisation is urgent. The TPNW is the best instrument we have against this ever-present threat.”

“Australia must play a constructive role toward global disarmament, and we must not delay any longer. The Australian Greens will continue to work to make this a reality. “

“Almost 80 percent of Australians back the signing of the TPNW. The Labor party membership backed the signing of the TPNW. The Greens have been absolutely unwavering in our backing of signing the TPNW. Let’s get it done.”

Australian Greens Senator Larissa Waters has today written to the Iranian Ambassador stating her political sponsorship of Shaghayegh Khademi and Mahya Vahedi. 

Shaghayegh Khademi is a 23 year old who was abducted by security forces from her home in September 2022. After a 10 minute ‘trial’, in which she was not allowed a lawyer, she was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

Mahya Vahedi is a children’s and women’s rights activist. According to her brother, she was arrested at her workplace on 15 January 2023 with no explanation. Her whereabouts are still unknown, and Senator Waters’ letter includes a demand for information about her situation.

Their families and the Iranian diaspora in Australia are greatly concerned for both women, as Iranian authorities have continued to carry out executions of people who joined protests following Jina Mahsa Amini’s death. 

The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian Government to do more than the current sanctions that are in place on some Iranian officials. The current sanctions do not go far enough and are not as strong as those imposed by other countries, including Canada. 

The community is desperately calling for more to be done to show Iranian authorities that these abhorrent acts will not be tolerated. 

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

“Today I have written to the Iranian Ambassador, stating my political sponsorship of Shaghayegh Khademi and Mahya Vahedi. 

“Shaghayegh is only 23 years old, and faces 16 years imprisonment after a trial that was conducted in just 10 minutes – with no lawyer present. 

“Mahya is a children and women’s rights activist whose whereabouts remain unknown, since she was arrested with no explanation on 15 January 2023.

“We are in solidarity with protestors across Iran, and with all communities fighting for the rights of women. Until Iran is free, until women are free, we will join you and raise our voices until we are louder than the oppressors.

“The Australian Government’s response to Iran since Jina Mahsa Ahmini’s death in September 2022 has been too slow and has fallen short of what the community is asking for. 

“The Australian Greens remain in solidarity with the women of Iran. We condemn the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on protesters and request the release of all arrested protestors. 

“The Australian Government must clearly express to the Iranian regime that they, and countries like them, will face consequences from the international community for allowing violence against women and minorities within their borders.

“We are calling for the Australian Government to expand the Magnitsky sanctions to include financial asset freezing and further visa bans on people linked to the Iranian regime including key security officials, Basiji Militia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp and the morality police.”
 

There is a pressing need for a review of government use of private accounting firms and the Big Four consulting firms according to the Greens Finance spokesperson, Senator Barbara Pocock.

Her call comes in the wake of news that one of the ‘Big 4’ consulting firms, PwC, has breached confidentiality after the Tax Office consulted them on new rules to prevent multi-national tax avoidance.

“Sharing details of proposals to reign in tax avoidance with firms like these whose employees then behave unethically, is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.” Senator Pocock said in response to the scandal. “What confidence can tax-payers have that conflicts of interest like these are not widespread?”

“These companies, PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG, are raking in hundreds of millions of dollars each year doing work that should be done by the public sector, and without appropriate assurances about ethical behaviour,” she said.

The firms are among the biggest political donors to both major parties.  Last year PwC won Government contracts worth more the $300 million.

“The influence of the Big Four goes beyond donations and contracts,” Senator Pocock said. 

“They rip the heart out of the public service by poaching good people and are contracted often for hugely inflated fees to undertake policy analysis and run programs that could and should be done much more efficiently by a robust public sector – behaving ethically and without conflicts of interest” she said.

The Albanese Government has promised to cut down on consulting and last year’s budget indicates a proposed cut to ‘External Labour’ of $3 Billion over four years from 2022-23. But in response to a Question on Notice from Senator Barbara Pocock, the Department of Finance was unable to disaggregate cuts to consultants from other categories included under ‘External Labour,’ which makes it difficult to measure the Commonwealth’s actual  total spend on consultants and hold them to account.

Senator Pocock is calling for a review of the outsourcing of government work to external consultants. “We need to rebuild the capability of the public service and we need a thorough review of conflict of interest and ethical behaviour processes across the consulting sector where government work is underway,” she said. 

“These big companies are poaching some of our best and brightest public servants and, in this case, an employee has clearly misused information that they have become privy to in the process of consultation on sensitive government policies.

“This example of conflict of interest and dishonesty may be the tip of an unethical iceberg which the public deserves to know about – and it must be investigated and its wider prevalence prevented” Senator Pocock said.

The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and local communities to take action in response to the urgent challenges facing Alice Springs.

The Northern Territory Government will introduce immediate temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as a circuit-breaker measure to improve community safety in Central Australia.

The Northern Territory and Australian Governments have also agreed to appoint a Central Australian Regional Controller, Dorrelle Anderson, to lead consultation with communities regarding the reintroduction of alcohol restrictions and an opt out system for individual communities. This consultation will conclude by February 1st.

The Australian Government will invest $48.8m over two years in Alice Springs to tackle crime, keep women and children safe and provide support to young people in communities.

The plan to improve community safety in Alice Springs includes:

• $14.2 in additional funding for extra high visibility Police and law enforcement operations including targeting grog running, and increasing liquor licensing compliance inspectors and boosting security guards in public places.
• A $2m investment to improve CCTV, lighting and safety measures throughout Alice Springs.
• $5.6m for additional emergency accommodation and safe spaces to give young people a place to go to at night and boost the effectiveness of the night patrol program which starts in February and will help get young people off the streets.
• $2m for the Tangentyre Women’s Council to boost Domestic Violence services.
• Providing $25m to extend funding for safety and community services which are currently scheduled to end in June 2023 to provide certainty to providers and their employees and ensure this work continues.

The Australian Government has already targeted investment in Central Australia in the 2022-23 Budget including justice, health, community safety, infrastructure and housing.

Justice reinvestment

• $99 million for First Nations justice measures, including $81.5 million in funding for up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia, with Alice Springs identified as a priority site.

Indigenous Health

• $19 million for First Nations health infrastructure projects in Central Australia in partnership with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. This includes funding for the rebuild of the Muṯitjulu Health Service Clinic, funding for renovations of the Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) Clinic, and funding for a new health hub in Alice Springs.

Community Safety and Support

• $20 million for Gap Youth Centre and other youth services in Alice Springs, to continue to provide hands on support.
• $15 million provided to the Northern Territory Government under the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence National Partnership Agreement, to support family, domestic, and sexual violence responses and ensure women and children can access the support they need to live free of violence

Indigenous housing

• $100 million for housing and essential services in Northern Territory Homelands with an immediate boost of $25 million and a further $75 million allocated in 2023-24

By listening to and working in partnership with local communities, these circuit-breaker measures will improve community safety on the ground in Alice Springs.

We remain focused on working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and local communities, because we know that the best solutions come from local communities themselves.

Australia and the Republic of Serbia have signed a new social security agreement that will improve access to retirement benefits for eligible people who have moved between the two countries.

The agreement was signed last night in Belgrade by His Excellency Mr Daniel Emery, Australian Ambassador to Serbia, and Mr Nikola Selakovic, Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth welcomed the signing of the agreement and said it heralded a strengthening of Australia’s relationship with Serbia as well as greater benefits for retirees.

“This new agreement will improve access to social security for people who split their lives between Australia and Serbia or have moved from one country to the other,” Minister Rishworth said.

“This agreement will give people more freedom to move between Australia and Serbia, knowing their pension rights will be recognised and protected.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said the agreement is an important milestone in Australia’s longstanding relationship with Serbia.

“Our countries are working together to deliver real outcomes for Australians and Serbians, irrespective of where they are based.

“This agreement strengthens our bilateral relationship and incentivises further trade and investment between Australia and Serbia. Under the new agreement, former Australian residents living in Serbia will be able to claim the Australian Age Pension without having to return to Australia.

Conversely, former Serbian residents living in Australia will have better access to Serbian retirement pensions.

The agreement also includes provisions that allow people to combine periods of residence in Australia with periods of insurance contributions in Serbia to satisfy the minimum requirements for an Australian or Serbian pension, meaning they can access their pension sooner.

Additionally, workers temporarily seconded to Australia or Serbia will no longer have to pay compulsory superannuation and pension contributions in both their home country and host country, removing the onus of double payments and improving their retirement income.

The new social security agreement is expected to come into effect in 2024, following the completion of treaty, legal and administrative processes in both countries.

More information on international social security agreements is available on the Department of Social Services website.