Category: Australian News

The Greens spokesperson for schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, has written to Education Minister Jason Clare calling on the government to make public funding to private schools conditional on full transparency of how those funds are used.

The call comes after a report that headmasters in some Sydney private school are being paid five times more than their counterparts in government schools, and revelations earlier this year that the King’s School – which received $17.2 million in federal funding in 2020 – had planned to pay for a plunge pool for the headmaster’s residence and business-class flights for staff to attend a sporting event in England.

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

“The Department of Education conceded during budget estimates last week that they have no ‘clear line of sight’ to how private schools are using the money

“This is unacceptable. Not only is the federal government over-funding the non-government school sector by giving private schools more than the Schooling Resource Standard says they need, it has absolutely no idea how or where the money is being spent.

“The government has committed to $70 billion in private school funding over the forward estimates. It’s not unreasonable for Australians to want to know precisely how that $70 billion is being used, particularly during a cost of living crisis when most people are having to watch every dollar.

“In the next National Schools Reform Agreement the government should ensure that every non-government school is required to give a full, itemised accounting of how they spend government funding as a condition of receiving that funding.

“I also call on the government to ensure that every public school is funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard from the commencement of the next Agreement. The persistent underfunding of our public schools is a national shame that punishes students and families and widens inequality.”

Letter to Minister Clare

No child should be in detention. 

In WA First Nations youth are 21 times more likely to be incarcerated, making up 60% of the youth in detention. Most of the youth in detention under 14 are First Nations. 

However WA Premier, Mark McGowan, has categorically ruled out raising the age of legal responsibility to at least 14, defying the experts and his own party.

Greens spokesperson for resources, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“As a former police officer and researcher in this space, I know there are better solutions than locking children up and treating them like animals.

“Recommendations have previously been presented to the government so why are they now calling for a meeting with ‘stakeholders’? 

“When will the WA government start listening to the advice already presented to them from experts?

“We already have guidance on the solutions to the crisis, we should be looking at fast tracking the use of the $81.5 million dedicated to restorative justice by the federal Labor government.”

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Universities Accord process, expected to be announced later today, must begin the task of rebuilding and reimagining our public universities, and involve staff and students at every step.

Senator Faruqi said:

“After a decade of neglect, it’s refreshing to see the government take the future of our universities seriously. But we have to get this right.

“We can’t leave this task up to a few eminent people to run. Current staff and students should be brought into this process in a meaningful way from day one. Frankly, corporate voices should be deprioritised. 

“The review must really dig into university governance and democracy on our campuses. The corporate university model has been so damaging and corrosive.

“Greens analysis has found that over the last two decades, there has been a 43 per cent reduction in the number of elected positions on university councils. We have to give power back to staff and students.

“Casualisation and enormous workloads are completely unsustainable and crushing for university staff. The Accord process has to address this head-on. 

“Ultimately the government has to accept that a big boost to public funding – including to research funding – will be required to set our universities up for the long term. Universities are a public good and should be treated as such.

“The Accord process should not be used as an excuse to delay changes that can and must be made now: scrapping Liberal-era fee hikes and funding cuts, and tackling the student debt crisis.”

The Greens welcome the Government signing up to an aspirational 2040 recycling pledge, but stress Australians want evidence of urgent action now on reducing and removing plastics from the waste stream – especially given the shocking collapse of soft plastic recycler REDcyle.

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“The Government’s aspirational 2040 recycling target is welcome but should not be a distraction from the most important targets on the table: the 2025 packaging targets.

“Successive governments have spent decades delaying action on waste reduction, allowing big greedy companies to set voluntary waste reduction targets they had no intention of meeting, without any penalties or threats of regulation.

“We know voluntary approaches to reducing plastic packaging simply don’t work. The big plastic polluters have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Big packing companies care first about their profits, not the planet. 

“I think almost everyone agrees we need action right now, and that we can’t afford to wait until 2040. The only waste and recycling targets I want to hear about from the Minister are APCO’s 2025 packaging targets. 

“APCO is tasked with leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia, and we are expecting an update any day now on whether it is meeting its 2025 packaging reduction targets. 

“The Minister must be transparent about whether APCO has failed to meet its voluntary waste reduction targets, and about what action she will take if this is the case. 

“Mandating recycling targets with regulation is the only way to get big businesses to take waste reduction seriously. It’ll also provide the recycling industry certainty to underpin investments and upgrades in technology and capacity.

“A vague promise by the Government of regulation in three years is yet another three years of inaction. Everything should be built with its next life in mind. If it can’t be reused, repaired, refurbished, or recycled then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.”

Anthony Albanese said:

Today I met China’s President Xi Jinping in the margins of the G20 Summit Meeting.

This was another important step towards the stabilisation of the Australia-China relationship. 

China is a major power with global interests and it was valuable to exchange views on challenges to international peace and security, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

We also discussed bilateral, trade, consular and human rights issues, and looked forward to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in December.

I reaffirmed the Australian Government’s view that it is in the interests of both sides to continue on the path of stabilising and developing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

We are always going to be better off when we talk to each other, calmly and directly.

There are many steps yet to take. We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest.

1. Today, 16 November, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, held the second Australia-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. They welcomed the entry into force of the Framework Agreement between Australia and the EU, which marks a new milestone in the relationship.
2. Meeting against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and a changing strategic outlook in the Indo-Pacific, the Leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to their shared values, in particular democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and a rules-based multilateral order. They will work closely together to address the climate and biodiversity crises and other urgent global challenges, and promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. They underlined the importance of an open, free, fair and resilient multilateral rules-based trading system and agreed to work together to implement the outcomes achieved at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, including having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system by 2024. They reaffirmed their opposition to the use of economic coercion, which is inconsistent with the international legal order and undermines the global trading system and agreed to work together to respond to such practices.
3. They remain committed to working together to advance human rights and gender equality globally, including in their humanitarian action, development assistance and trade. They agreed on the importance of ensuring that the voices of Indigenous Peoples are heard at the international level, and on the need to learn from and embody their knowledge and experience.
4. The Leaders acknowledged efforts to emerge from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and be better prepared for future pandemic threats. They committed to working together to enhance the global health security architecture, including through the negotiation of a legally binding international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as founding donors of the newly established Pandemic Fund.

Russia / Ukraine

5. The Leaders condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. They strongly supported the Joint Statement of the G7 and NATO Leaders on the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali. The EU and Australia commended each other’s strong, principled and united response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and their collective show of support for Ukraine.  The Leaders firmly rejected and will never recognise either the illegal attempted annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, nor the illegal sham ‘referenda’ that Russia engineered, with their falsified and illegal results. These regions, as well as Crimea, are Ukraine. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its forces from within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine and cease its aggression. Russia’s actions blatantly violate international law, including the UN Charter. The leaders reiterated their firm commitment to holding Russia, and all perpetrators and accomplices, to account, their strong support for the International Criminal Court investigation, and acknowledged Ukraine’s efforts to secure accountability, including for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Australia and the EU concurred that Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable and that any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences.  They stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people and remain unwavering in their support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. 
6. The Leaders were committed to addressing the severe impact Russia’s war of aggression is having on people around the world through disruption and volatility of global energy and food markets. They supported the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative beyond its current period ending in November, and Australia welcomed the EU Solidarity Lanes which provided alternative routes to allow Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products to reach global markets.
7. In this respect, the EU acknowledges the role that Australia can play in contributing to the stability of global gas markets through its steady supply to the Indo-Pacific. The two sides will deepen exchanges on these issues, including in the context of the EU’s REPower EU Plan. They will also enhance cross-sectoral cooperation to increase food security, including through work with developing countries.

Climate change, environment, and energy transition

8. The Leaders emphasised their shared commitment to taking urgent and ambitious action to address climate change, natural disasters, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, and to support small, developing and vulnerable states, including Pacific Island countries, with resilience building and adaptation in responding to climate change impacts.
9. They remain deeply committed to full implementation of the Paris Agreement, noting the urgency to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees through rapid, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in this decade and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and will spare no effort to bring about ambitious action by all members of the international community.
10. The Leaders resolved to continue to work together in multilateral forums including at COP27 to deliver ambitious climate change outcomes in pursuit of the goals of Paris Agreement. We emphasise the urgent need to accelerate the transformation to renewable energy in this decade
11. Australia commended the EU’s leadership on climate action, including through the European Green Deal.  The EU welcomed the Australian Government’s determination to tackle climate change, its strengthened 2030 target to reduce emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030, as well as its decision to join the Global Methane pledge launched by the EU and the US in 2021.
12. Reflecting their shared resolve to accelerate the transition to becoming net zero/climate neutral economies by 2050, the EU and Australia are committed to deepening cooperation on climate change and global just energy transition towards climate neutrality pathways, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and cleanenergy supply chains. They will bring together experts, business and governments on both sides to discuss concrete solutions.   The responsible Ministers will meet in the first half of 2023 to push high impact opportunities for collaboration, and the next Australia-EU High Level Dialogue on Climate Change and High Level Dialogue on Energy will take place in 2023.
13. The Leaders also committed to cooperate to build resilient, ethical and sustainable critical minerals supply chains, by working together in relevant international initiatives, and by supporting greater trade and investment in critical and strategic minerals and energy through the future Australia-EU trade agreement. In parallel, they also agreed to an early start of discussions with a view to establishing a bilateral partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals.
14. They highlighted the importance of promoting best practice and alignment on sustainable finance, and the EU welcomed Australia’s interest in joining the International Platform on Sustainable Finance.
15. They recognised that climate change is a driver for disaster risks and noted their intention to expand their cooperation on climate change adaptation, including through disaster risk reduction and by building their respective capabilities in this respect.
16. The Leaders will continue to champion together global environmental ambition, including conservation of biodiversity, circular economy, negotiation of an ambitious international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution by 2024, the sustainable use of the ocean and promoting sustainable forest management. They committed to work together towards the adoption of an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15.2 in Montreal with clear and measurable goals and targets and a robust monitoring mechanism, and are committed to working towards the conclusion of a new legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction at the resumed fifth Intergovernmental Conference in 2023.

Indo-Pacific

17. The Leaders committed to enhance their cooperation in response to growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed the EU’s determination to further its engagement in the region, in full respect of international law, including support for the rules-based international order, sustainable development, and the region’s green and digital transition, as well as the value Australia places on the EU’s contributions. Australia committed to working with the EU, alongside regional partners, on implementing its Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo‑Pacific and Global Gateway. The leaders also reiterated the importance of ASEAN centrality and ASEAN‑led architecture in underpinning regional stability and prosperity, and the strong principles set out in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo‑Pacific.
18. The Leaders discussed the shared interest in an open and rules-based regional maritime architecture.  They acknowledged the primacy of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas. They reaffirmed their commitment to promote security and stability in the South China Sea, as well as to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. They underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight, and States’ ability to exercise their rights in relation to marine natural resources.
19. They reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo. They underscored the importance of de-escalating tensions and the role of diplomacy in avoiding the risks of miscalculation.
20. Noting the EU’s efforts to reinforce naval presence and diplomacy in the Horn of Africa and further into the Indian Ocean, the Leaders agreed to explore options for Australia’s participation in Operation ATALANTA in 2023. The implementation of the EU’s Coordinated Maritime Presence in the North Western Indian Ocean will also provide opportunities for cooperation. The Leaders also agreed to work together to enhance maritime security and safety in the Indo-Pacific, including through continued engagement on extending the EU’s Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO) capacity-building project. They agreed to enhance further cooperation on a range of security and defence issues.
21. They further noted the importance of high quality, sustainable infrastructure to regional sustainable economic development, prosperity and resilience, as recognised in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. They agreed that infrastructure development should be transparent, secure, inclusive, sustainable and enable well-informed investment decisions. They will further collaboration and pursue complementary actions in areas such as renewable energy and digital connectivity. The Leaders acknowledged the importance of a human-centric approach to the digital transformation, where the effective protection of personal data plays a crucial role and is a key enabler for cross-border cooperation.
22. The Leaders acknowledged G20 efforts to support vulnerable countries in managing economic challenges and drive sustainable growth. They reiterated their commitment to ensure the timely, orderly and coordinated implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatment, to enable an effective pathway towards debt sustainability. They also committed to continue working towards enhancing debt transparency.
23. They agreed to enhance cooperation on all matters affecting the Pacific, closely engaging with Pacific Island countries and working through Pacific-led regional architecture.  They also highlighted the opportunity to work together in multilateral fora and in relevant initiatives including the Kiwa initiative.

Trade Agreement and economic relations

24. The Leaders agreed to prioritise the conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement that generates new, commercially meaningful market access opportunities across all goods, services, investment and procurement. They welcomed the constructive 13th negotiation round in October, and the successful prior exchange of improved tariff, and services and investment offers. They acknowledged the vital role that trade andtrade agreements play in prosperity, food security, equity and inclusion, innovation, and in diversifying markets and supply chains, including for the transition towards climate neutrality. They agreed that the trade agreement should embrace cutting-edge environmental standards and workers’ rights; support green transition to more sustainable industries and production; incorporate state-of-the-art digital trade rules; and contribute to growth, skills and jobs.
25. Both sides agreed on the importance of negotiations between Australia and all EU Member States to expand the tax treaty network as a contribution to further strengthening overall economic relations.

Digital transformation and other bilateral items

26. The Leaders agreed to explore opportunities for future cooperation in areas of mutual priority, including those identified under Horizon Europe such as health and the green and digital transitions. The EU noted that it would welcome Australia’s association to Horizon Europe. The leaders also committed to work together to harness benefits and address risks of critical technologies, including emerging, cyber and space technologies. In this regard, they recognised the contribution of the Sydney Dialogue and welcomed the EU’s possible future participation. The leaders noted the intention to hold the inaugural Australia-EU Transport and Space Dialogues in 2023.
27. The Leaders reiterated the shared commitment of Australia and the EU to work together to eradicate child labour, forced labour and modern slavery, wherever they may occur.  Australia and the EU will increase cooperation on online safety policy, tackling all forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and abuse, child sexual abuse and trafficking in human beings. They were united in their objective that citizens should be able to engage safely online, including in the ways reflected in the Declaration on the Future of the Internet.
28. Building on Australia-EU cooperation in multilateral bodies, the Leaders agreed to work together to counter hybrid threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference, which erode trust in democratic institutions and the cohesion of societies.

On the eve of polls opening to early voters, the Greens have unveiled their priorities for a safe climate future for Victorians. The Greens’ plan stands in clear contrast to the Victorian Labor party, who have no clear plans to support coal workers as the energy sector decarbonises.

1. A legislated end to Victorian coal-fired plants by 2030. A job-for-job guarantee for coal workers, paid for by doubling royalties on coal and gas corporations.

The job-for-job guarantee would ensure coal workers get the just transition they deserve. The guarantee would ensure that coal workers get paid at the same rate to take up jobs outside the sector, through a subsidy to employers.

Workers unable to find a job that attracts the guarantee would receive an equivalent amount as income for 10 years, and workers aged at least 55 years who choose to retire would receive an equivalent amount as income until they reach pension age.

The Greens’ plan to phase out all coal-fired power plants by 2030 while supporting workers will be paid for by doubling the royalties on coal and gas mining, which is estimated by the PBO to net $214 million over the forward estimates.

With this revenue, the state would be able to afford the job-for-job guarantee for coal workers and deliver a budget position still $42.8 million in the black over the forward estimates period.

2. Increase Victoria’s legislated Renewable Energy Target to 100% by 2030, supported by $10 billion in new renewable energy generation, storage, and grid upgrades.

This fund would support:

• Large offshore wind developments capable of replacing entire coal plants
• Solar and wind farms across the state, including community and First Nations led projects where benefits are returned to local communities
• Expanding solar for homes, businesses and public buildings
• New big-battery and pumped hydro storage projects, including publicly-owned storage, to ensure Victorians control our own energy security and aren’t at the mercy of big corporations
• Retrofitting large energy users in our grid (like the Portland aluminium smelter) so they can increase and decrease their power usage and help stabilise energy demand across our grid
• Household batteries, microgrids and neighbourhood batteries to store more locally-generated energy close to where it is made and used
• Upgrading and expanding our transmission and distribution networks to create a stable energy system fit for the 21st century

3. Reviving clean manufacturing in Victoria

The plan also includes a bold proposal to revive Victorian manufacturing, powered by 100% renewable energy. This plan would secure Victoria’s position in the booming global renewables manufacturing sector by supporting local industries for heat pumps, solar panels and wind turbine components to be made in Victoria. It would address global supply chain challenges, creating jobs and accelerating the state’s rapid clean energy transition.

Initial actions to revive Victorian manufacturing include:

• A $902 million commitment to buy the Portland aluminium smelter, to produce aluminium with renewable energy, act as a “reverse battery” and keep jobs in Portland
• $12.5 million to build three publicly owned solar panel recycling and manufacturing plants at strategic locations across Victoria
• Local production of electric buses to accelerate the roll out of high frequency electric bus routes across Melbourne and regional cities
• A $190 million grant scheme for businesses to upgrade their energy systems and go gas-free
• Establishing an independent and fully-funded Latrobe Valley Authority to spearhead further clean manufacturing opportunities for Victoria, for example in offshore wind and electrification.

Previously announced Greens climate commitments:

• Up to $6000 in grants and zero-interest loans for each of 1 million households to replace polluting gas stoves, heaters and hot water with efficient electric appliances
• $15,000 grants for people to switch to electric vehicles and big investments in public and active transport
• A legislated end to native forest logging in 2023, a move which will save Victorian taxpayers $205 million by stopping the handouts that Labor currently gives to the logging industry
• A $1 billion per year Zero Extinction fund and the establishment of a Regenerative Agriculture Centre of Excellent to ensure Victoria’s landscapes can maximise carbon storage

Victorian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate and Energy spokesperson Ellen Sandell MP said:

“The Greens are the only party this election to present a comprehensive costed plan that puts Victoria on a pathway to zero emissions by 2035, in line with what climate science demands.

“Labor doesn’t have a plan to support coal workers. The Greens are the only party putting forward a real plan to support the communities in Latrobe Valley as we embark on this important economic transition.

“Our plan would guarantee Victorians a safer climate future while supporting coal workers to move into new jobs. It would also make Victoria a manufacturing powerhouse again, by encouraging companies to manufacture here in Victoria, powered by cheap clean energy.

“To get strong climate action here in Victoria, we need more Greens in Parliament to push Labor to stop drilling for gas near the 12 Apostles, and to plan for a transition out of coal.

“With Victorian-made heat pumps, solar panels, wind turbine components and more, Victoria can create jobs, shortcut global supply chain challenges and rapidly transition our state to 100% renewable electricity and away from polluting coal and gas.”

Victorian Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam said:

“Coal and gas corporations have banked massive profits while fuelling the climate crisis. It’s beyond time for polluters to pay, and that’s why we’re doubling coal and gas royalties to fund Victoria’s clean energy transition.

“This election, more and more voters are turning to the Greens as the only party committed to no new coal and gas, stopping gas drilling near the 12 Apostles and ending native forest logging next year.

“Pressure from the Greens has already pushed Labor to increase its clean energy commitments and even take up our policy to bring energy back into public hands. 

“With more Greens in the next Parliament we can stop gas drilling near the 12 Apostles and put Victoria on track for a safer renewable energy future.”

“This is a very distressing situation for families of those involved and for staff and other patients at the Adult Mental Health Unit. My thoughts are with the family of the deceased. 
 
“These sorts of incidents are also felt deeply by the health services staff who are extremely dedicated to caring for their patients, and I know many will be struggling with this news today. 
 
“Canberra Health Services is doing everything to ensure that patients and staff within the AMHU are supported at this time.
 
“As this is a matter for the police, I will make no further comment at this time.”

The ACT Government is launching public consultation on the future of the ACT Seniors Card Program.

More than 77,000 Canberrans aged over 60 benefit from the government concessions and local business discounts offered through the ACT Seniors Card Program.

“We are committed to fostering an age friendly city and we know that cost of living pressures are impacting older Canberrans. The purpose of this consultation is to ensure the Seniors Card Program is accessible and provides useful benefits to older Canberrans,” said Minister for Seniors, Emma Davidson.

“This is an opportunity for people to share how the card can be easier to use, what benefits they would like to see added and how their experience with the card has been.

“We also want to hear from businesses on their experiences as partners to the program and changes they’d like to see.”

As part of the broader review of the Seniors Card Program, McGrathNicol has been engaged to review the program and identify ways it can be improved.

Consultation closes February 2023.

For more information about the consultation and to have your say visit: www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/seniors-card

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today joined ASEAN and New Zealand counterparts to announce the substantial conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Once implemented the upgrade will strengthen and improve the trade agreement to ensure it is fit for the future for businesses and trade in the region. It will provide a stronger foundation for Australian businesses to expand their economic engagement with Southeast Asia.

The upgraded trade agreement, once in force, will benefit Australian businesses through new chapters and provisions, including on micro, small, and medium sized enterprises, trade and sustainable development and education services. The upgraded agreement will also include enhanced provisions on electronic commerce, competition, customs procedures and trade facilitation, trade in goods, rules of origin, trade in services and investment.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of focusing on trade facilitation to support businesses and secure supply chains. The upgrade will support traders to conduct business in the region, particularly when it comes to completing documentation – everything from origin certification to invoicing requirements.

The upgrade will also offer more opportunities for regional cooperation on issues such as the environment and climate change. ASEAN is a growing partner, particularly in renewable energy, as we work together to meet our climate objectives