Category: Australian News

Reports in today’s media suggest the government is considering a windfall tax on the coal and gas giants, which is a key part of the Greens’ plan to freeze electricity prices and support households and businesses to get off expensive and dirty gas.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP has welcomed the reports, saying the Greens campaign to push for tax on the record profits of coal and gas corporations is working and that the plan has overwhelming support amongst the public.

The Greens’ costed plan would freeze power bills for 2 years at pre-Ukraine crisis levels, funded by a temporary tax on the windfall profits of coal and gas corporations. A median household would save as much as $776.

Mr Bandt wrote to the Prime Minister this week urging him to adopt the Greens’ plan, which has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget office and would raise an additional $25b in revenue, which could be used to help households and businesses get off gas.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“These greedy coal and gas giants are the vampires of the 21st century, sucking the life out of our economy while killing the planet and its people. They are making record profits while paying barely any tax. Government needs to intervene and rein in these greedy energy corporations.

“We welcome what seems to be a shift by the government and Treasury towards the Greens plan to freeze power bills and support households and businesses to get off gas, funded by fairer taxes on the coal and gas giants.

“Coal and gas corporations are driving up power bills and profiteering from people’s pain.

“We’re in a cost-of-living crisis and instead of asking everyday people to pay more, Labor should freeze power bills and put a windfall tax on greedy coal and gas corporations.

“Other countries have had the guts to stand up to these greedy coal and gas corporations. Even the conservatives in the UK introduced a windfall profits tax, and we should too.”

Background

The Australia Institute released polling this week showing an overwhelming majority of Australians (86%) support a government intervention in the gas industry, either through export controls, a windfall profits tax, or both

In a letter from Minister for Resources, Madeleine King to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, it is revealed that despite the ongoing court case against the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC), preparatory works will be going ahead starting next week.

In Senate estimates last night, Senator Pocock pushed the Senator representing the Minister for Resources, Tim Ayres, for answers around the future of the Kimba Site.

SA Labor does not support the dump, the SA people do not support the dump and have not been properly consulted, the Traditional Owners have unequivocally opposed it at every opportunity. The Government is continuing to spend $50 000 per week of taxpayer money in legal costs for something with no social license.

Senator Tim Ayres used the ongoing court case to dodge Senator Pocock’s questioning throughout estimates. He stated that the Government would respect and not pre-empt the outcome of the case. Despite this, it’s clear initial works will be proceeding as early as next week as per Minister King’s Letter.

It’s clear the process of site selection was mishandled. The Labor government now has the opportunity to halt works and review the decisions made previously, to show the Kimba community and the Barngarla people that they are committed to proper consultation and respecting first nations voice and rights.

From Senator Pocock:

“Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, has today informed me that preparatory works will be starting on the Kimba Site next week. Although it is not construction of the facility yet, this is a significant escalation that goes against reassurance in last nights estimates that court proceedings will be respected.

“Throughout estimates questioning last night, Senator Tim Ayres repeatedly stated that they would respect and not pre-empt the outcome of the court case. The letter I received right before estimates is a direct contradiction to this statement.

“I am deeply concerned that these preparatory works are going ahead.

“The site selection process was done without proper community consultation. This is a terrible decision inherited from the previous government. Labor can still turn this around. They must stay true to their word and immediately halt all works.

Letter from Minister King 
Estimates Recording (Final question from Barbara at 21.18 – 21.29)

This weekend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending the 2^nd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 17^th East Asian Summit (EAS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Prime Minister’s attendance at the summits demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deepening our engagement with Southeast Asia and addressing the shared challenges facing our region. 

At today’s 2^nd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reiterated Australia’s commitment to working with ASEAN to address shared challenges including food and energy security, climate change and regional stability. 

The Prime Minister and ASEAN Leaders issued a Joint Statement on Cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) outlining their aspirations for the region Australia shares with ASEAN – one that is stable, peaceful, resilient and prosperous.

During the Summit, the Prime Minister articulated his Government’s commitment to deepening engagement with Southeast Asia including through the appointment of eminent Australian business leader, Nicholas Moore, to lead development of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which will set out a pathway to strengthen Australia’s economic engagement with the region.

The Prime Minister also proposed to ASEAN leaders that Australia host a Commemorative Summit in 2024, to mark the 50^th anniversary of Australia’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN. Australia was ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1974.

At tomorrow’s East Asia Summit, the Prime Minister will reaffirm Australia’s steadfast support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led architecture, and discuss key strategic issues with regional leaders, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the region’s energy transition and climate action, and food security. 

Alongside the Summit, Prime Minister Albanese is also holding bilateral meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister Chinh of Vietnam, Prime Minister Phankham of Laos and Foreign Minister Kuleba of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister will travel next to Bali, Indonesia to attend the G20 Bali Summit.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“The Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN at its centre, is pivotal to global prosperity and security. I was pleased to meet with Australia’s regional neighbours here in Phnom Penh to discuss the challenges we face and our shared ambitions for our region.”

“My Government is committed to working with our Southeast Asian regional partners on the issues that matter to us all – food and energy security, a net zero future and our collective prosperity and resilience.’

“I thank Prime Minister Hun Sen for his hosting of these Summits. ASEAN and Australia are neighbours and friends, linked by both geography and choice.”

“Deepening engagement with Southeast Asia is a key priority for my Government. We want to maximise the significant trade, investment and other economic opportunities for Australia and our region, and enhance our people-to-people ties.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh of Laos have today announced their intention to elevate the bilateral relationship between Australia and Laos to a Comprehensive Partnership.

The announcement followed their meeting in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the 2^nd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and East Asia Summit and is part of the Government’s strategy to deepen Australia’s engagement in Southeast Asia.

Australia and Laos enjoy a 70 year unbroken relationship that is built on mutual respect and understanding. The elevation of the relationship will explore further areas for bilateral and regional cooperation, including on energy, climate and transnational crime

The two Prime Ministers asked their Foreign Ministers to develop a plan to strengthen cooperation in accordance with the new Comprehensive Partnership.

The leaders also discussed developments in trade and investment, a shared commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and Australia’s appreciation for Laos’ role as our ASEAN Country Coordinator.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and I had a fruitful discussion today here in Phnom Penh.

“We spoke of the growing closeness of our two countries and plans to continue our constructive relationship with a formal Comprehensive Partnership.

“This is a sign of the growing substance of our relationship and our commitment to expanding and strengthening cooperation.

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside our Laos partners as we strive towards our shared goals for the region.”

Australia is contributing $50 million to the Pandemic Fund—a new global Financial Intermediary Fund to improve future pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The Pandemic Fund is the culmination of global efforts to ensure the world learns lessons from COVID-19.

It is an historic agreement designed to improve preparedness capabilities, to allow swifter and more coordinated responses to future pandemic threats. It will also provide additional, long-term financing to help strengthen national, regional and global pandemic preparedness and response.

The Pandemic Fund is hosted by the World Bank and draws on the technical expertise of the World Health Organization. It addresses gaps in pandemic financing and responds to the recommendations of high-level independent review processes including the:

• WHO-commissioned Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
• G20 High-Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

Australia is one of the founding donors of the Pandemic Fund which has current contributions totalling over US$1.4 billion.

This complements Australia’s $838 million support for regional and global vaccine access, including:

• $623 million to fund COVID-19 vaccine procurement and targeted support to national vaccine roll-outs
• $215 million to the COVAX Facility’s Advance Market Commitment.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“There is a clear consensus that the world needs to be better prepared to respond to future events—shared global finance is a big part of that.

“I welcome the Indonesia G20 presidency’s leadership in establishing the Pandemic Fund and look forward to shaping future pandemic plans.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong said:

“Indonesia has played a vital leadership role in delivering this important initiative to strengthen global health governance.

“Australia will play its part to promote a global response to pandemic preparedness and response efforts, and to ensure a strong focus on the needs of our region.”

Treasurer, Jim Chalmers said:

“The world was not prepared for COVID-19. We can’t afford to be unprepared next time. This is one of the most important investments we can make in limiting the impact of future pandemics.”

“A number of independent reviews have identified the absence of long-term financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response as a major gap.”

“A properly funded global response is an important step towards protecting Australians and our economy in any future global pandemic.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“Viruses don’t discriminate—so any future pandemic plans can’t be made in isolation.

“This Fund will go a long way to strengthening global surveillance and reporting systems.” 

The Australian Government has reviewed and relisted 27 persons and 36 entities for counter-terrorism financing sanctions due to expire in 2022, as part of our commitment to preventing terrorism at home and abroad.

The sanctions constrain terrorists and terrorist entities from obtaining arms, funds, and other material support which is crucial to the conduct of terrorism activities and attacks.

It is a serious criminal offence, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines, to use or deal with assets of, or make assets of any kind available to, listed persons or entities.

The sanctions will next be reviewed in 2025.

Australia also lists 256 persons and 91 entities subject to the United Nations’ ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida counter-terrorism sanctions regime.

The 2022 review was undertaken in line with Australia’s obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), affirming Australia’s commitment to international frameworks and a rules-based order.

Australia is committed to our domestic and international obligations to suppress terrorism and will freeze the assets of those involved in terrorist activities.

A consolidated list of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website: Consolidated List | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

NSW pharmacist Felix Chan has been sentenced to two years imprisonment yesterday by the Queanbeyan District Court after pleading guilty to defrauding taxpayers of almost $290,000 by lodging false Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims.

Mr Chan was found to have made 99 false or misleading PBS claims between 1 January 2018 and 31 July 2020 for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits which were not provided to patients.

Appearing in court on 29 August 2022, Mr Chan pleaded guilty to three counts of offences resulting in a fraud value of $288,595. The pharmacist has since repaid the entire amount.

This outcome is a culmination of the strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP), after investigating information obtained using the department’s tip-off line.

In the past 12 months, the department has received a significant number of tip-offs of suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments. It shows that Australians are willing call out those in the health care sector who try to defraud taxpayers. 

The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance by health care providers very seriously and all tip-offs are examined in accordance with the Department’s compliance assessment procedures.

The Department has a strong health provider compliance program that’s protects Australia’s health payments system through the prevention, identification and treatment of incorrect claiming and fraud by health care suppliers.

Any concerns can be referred to the Department’s tip-off form at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs and will be reviewed.

Today in Estimates we learned that women are being forced to wait an average of 28 business days to access the Government’s $5,000 Escaping Violence Payment, the majority of which is as vouchers – an approach initiated by the Morrison government and retained by Labor.

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

“For too many women, economic insecurity is a significant barrier to escaping an abusive relationship. Many are forced to choose between staying in a violent home or escaping into poverty and homelessness.

“To learn that women are waiting 28 business days to receive the Government’s $5,000 Escaping Violence Payment is shocking. Victim-survivors do not have 28 business days to decide whether to leave an abusive relationship, they need immediate support to ensure their safety.

“The fact that these payments continue to be provided as predominantly vouchers ($3,500) is patronising and cruel, adding unnecessary anxiety for women already dealing with the stress of leaving a violent situation.

“While it is good to hear that the Department of Social Services are undertaking research to determine this model of payment, reporting isn’t due until June 2023. So that’s 28 business days for vouchers now, and at least a year before anything changes.”
 

The Victorian Greens have called on all parties running in the state election to put the far-right and religious right last in their preferences before early voting begins on Monday.

The Greens are also calling on Labor to preference the Greens and other progressive independents ahead of the Liberals this election.

The Greens are focused on pushing the next government to go further and faster on climate action, housing affordability and integrity.

With the Liberal party lurching further and further to the right, the Greens will preference Labor above the Liberals in every seat across the state.

The Greens say that due to the undemocratic voting system in the Upper House there is a very real chance that a far-right candidate could be elected to the next cross-bench.

The voting system allows micro-parties to game the system by paying tens of thousands of dollars to ‘preference whisperers’ who then coordinate group voting tickets.

Victoria’s last state election saw a number of candidates with very small primary votes elected to the upper house, at the expense of others who had received ten times as many votes.

The Greens say with a number of far-right and religious right parties registered for the upcoming November 26 election, there is a risk that one of them could get elected even if it is against the will of the overwhelming majority of voters.

This election the Greens will be putting One Nation, United Australia Party, Freedom Party, Family First and the DLP last.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC said: 

“Parties like One Nation, United Australia Party and Freedom Party are anathema to the vast majority of Victorians. 

“The Greens-initiated inquiry into the far right earlier this year exposed how their conspiracy-driven Trumpian politics is a danger to our political system.

“Family First and DLP are running on explicitly transphobic and homophobic campaigns and their politics of hate has no place in the Victorian Parliament. 

“The failure of Labor to reform the corrupt group voting ticket system means a party can get elected into parliament on as little as 0.5% of the vote.

“To keep these hateful parties out of our parliament they need to be put last on everyone else’s group voting tickets this year.

“The Greens will be recommending preferences to Labor ahead of the Liberals in every seat in Victoria. If Labor is serious about a progressive parliament, they must commit to preferencing the Greens and progressive independents ahead of the Liberals across the state.

“What the Liberals do is up to the Liberals. We have not met with them and there is no Greens-Liberal deal. We’ll direct preferences to Labor and progressive parties across the state, and we’re calling on Labor to do the same.”

The Department of Education has admitted during Estimates that they have no visibility on how public funding to private schools is being spent.

Under questioning from Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne the Department conceded that they have “no line of sight” from the “cheques” they give to Independent and Catholic authorities in each state and territory to where and how that money is used.

The Department also acknowledged that even though recurrent funding to the private and public sector is determined by the Schooling Resource Standard, a needs-based model that takes into account loading for students with additional needs, funding is being distributed on entirely different models in each jurisdiction.

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

“Not only is the federal government giving private schools more than the Schooling Resource Standard requires, they don’t even know how that money is being spent.

‘We have elite private schools spending money on plunge pools for headmasters, but the Department of Education can’t tell us where all of those billions of dollars in private sector funding are going and whether they’re being used to support students who need it the most.

“We have public schools in crisis across the country, yet we’re giving private schools $70 billion over the next four years to do whatever they want with it.”

You can watch the full exchange here.