Category: Australian News

Australia has imposed additional costs on Russia for its unprovoked, illegal, and immoral war on Ukraine.

The Australian Government is extending the application of a punitive tariff on goods imported from Russia and Belarus for a further 12 months until October 2023.

The additional 35 per cent tariff on Russian imports, together with the prohibition on energy imports, has had a significant impact on trade.

The Australian Government has also directed Export Finance Australia to reject any requests for loans or other finance that support trade with, or investment in, Russia or Belarus. This legal direction will ensure Russia and Belarus do not benefit from any financing provided by Export Finance Australia.

These measures are intended to undermine Russia’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine.

We call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory.

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

“Russia’s war on Ukraine is an attack on the UN charter. It impacts all nations and all peoples. Australia is working together with the international community to diminish Russia’s ability to fund its illegal, immoral war.”

the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell said:

“The Australian Government condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine. We are maintaining the economic costs on Russia and Belarus by extending the application of an additional tariff on imports from these countries for a further 12 months. We reiterate our strongest support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.”

Today’s announcement on Marinus Link raises far more questions than answers on what was already a dubious project, the Greens say.

Tasmanian Greens Energy spokesperson Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP said:

 “Tasmanians have a right to know what impact Marinus would have on people’s energy bills, as well as what thesubsequent debt would mean for the state.”

“The Treasurer refused to answer our question in Parliament today about what the debt would mean for Tasmanians, or to table the cost allocation methodology that will be used. We are already in a cost of living crisis – to burden households with even higher power bills would be devastating.”

“There are also serious questions about the environmental impacts of this proposal, particularly on sensitive ecosystems in the North West.”

“Tasmanians were promised the world and delivered an atlas with Basslink – this can’t happen again with Marinus.”

Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said:

“Basslink proved to be a boon for coal-fired generators in the Latrobe Valley, and the very real danger is that Marinus will be the same.

“Marinus cannot be allowed to prolong the life of the dinosaur coal fired power stations in Victoria by providing another outlet to get their dirty electricity into Tasmanian homes and businesses.

“The federal government has serious questions to answer about the costs and benefits of this project including ecological harm and its impact on domestic and small business power bills.

“They need to explain why it would be more efficient than funding local renewable energy generation and storage, like rooftop solar and batteries, close to demand centres across the southern states.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ revelations that the cost of the Stage 3 tax cuts for CEOs, politicians and billionaires has surged over a quarter of a trillion dollars is further confirmation they should be scrapped, the Greens say.

“$254 billion is a staggering amount of money that would be far better spent putting mental and dental health into Medicare, wiping student debt and making childcare free,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Giving massive tax breaks to CEOs and billionaires while inequality and the cost of living are surging is a choice this government is making.”

“Next week’s budget will be a statement of this Government’s priorities – it is still not too late to scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts and invest in genuine, immediate cost of living relief.”

“Keeping them in place will be a slap in the face to all the Australians who are struggling to make ends meet.”

This has been a shambolic process, contemptuous of many stakeholders, all to make a completely unnecessary decision with shocking timing.

Last night the Foreign Minister’s office were officially telling journalists no change had been made to the policy of Australia recognising West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Just hours later the Foreign Minister has announced a complete reversal of Australia’s position on what is a significant matter of international foreign policy.

Astonishingly, the government was clumsy enough to announce this on a Jewish Holy Day and foolish enough to do so in the heated environment of an Israeli election campaign.

From what we can see today, the Labor Government ignored speaking with Australians who care about a two-state solution that provides peace and security for Israel and a future Palestinian state, and instead informed them of the Government’s decision only after it was made.

The Labor Government needs to explain not only why they have made this unnecessary decision, but also the chaotic process behind it.

Up to 500 ADF personnel will assist with the flood recovery in Victoria and New South Wales, as local communities continue to deal with the ongoing crisis.

The Australian Government has approved a request from Emergency Management Victoria to provide up to 400 personnel to assist emergency authorities or tasks including;

• Filling and distribution of sandbags
• Transport support to isolated families and emergency services stakeholders with high clearance vehicles
• Diversion of water from a small dam and construction of three levees
• Door knocking to support flood-affected residents

ADF personnel have been assisting communities in flood affected areas across regional Victoria. Two CH-47 Chinook helicopters are also supporting evacuation and resupply efforts.

Up to 100 ADF members are also assisting in New South Wales and a helicopter for night search and rescue on standby, primarily in Western New South Wales.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“The Australian Government is working closely with our Victorian and New South Wales counterparts to provide assistance as quickly as possible.”

“We’ve already seen our ADF members hard at work filling sandbags in Shepparton, building levee banks in Echuca and helping out in Wagga Wagga.

“Now they will also be supporting more people as we move to the clean-up phase of this disaster.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said:

“Once again, the Australian Defence Force have stepped up and are helping people across the eastern states, often in the very communities where they live

“Whether it’s checking on vulnerable people in flooded towns or getting supplies to isolated areas, our ADF personnel are supporting Australians in during their toughest times.”

Emergency Management Minister, Murray Watt said:

“Having the ADF step up and help is be greatly appreciated in flood-affected areas.”

“This is a short and sharp operation to complement the great work of the state emergency agencies and will assist our hardest hit communities.”

Joint clean-up funding, more operational support and wider relief payment eligibility has been made available today as tens of thousands of Victorians continue to deal with widespread flooding across the state.

Victorians whose homes and businesses are destroyed or damaged in the floods can have their properties cleared of hazards, and made safe, at no cost – thanks to joint funding from the Australian and Victorian Governments.

Clean-up assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements with an initial investment of $150 million to prioritise hazard assessments and clean-up.

This first phase of the jointly funded clean-up program will be coordinated by Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) – with registrations already open.

ERV will work with local contractors to demolish, remove and dispose of structures that were destroyed or damaged beyond repair by the floods.

They will also remove hazards and debris that pose a threat to property or work crews.

Additional ADF support has also been deployed to assist in the clean-up.

Emergency re-establishment payments have also been activated, providing up to $43,850 for uninsured households facing financial hardship whose homes have been damaged or destroyed to help pay for clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding and replacing essential household items.

These grants are for residents whose homes are uninhabitable for more than a week – a situation many in Victoria’s hardest-hit communities are sadly facing.

About 50,000 homes, 14 hospitals and 300 schools and early childhood facilities have been identified within flood impacted areas in Victoria to date – these numbers are expected to grow as higher water levels travel downstream in the coming days.

In addition, a one-off, non-means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child has been made available from 2pm today to people who live in the LGAs of Benalla, Boroondara, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Moonee Valley, Mount Alexander, Murrindindi and Yarra.

The assistance is already available to those in the Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie LGAs.

Disaster assistance funding for communities affected by the floods through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has also today been expanded to cover 46 LGAs.

Activation of these arrangements allows more councils to claim expenses from the joint State and Commonwealth funding for a range of activities including early relief and recovery activities such as the establishment and operation of Relief Centres, the removal of debris from residential properties and emergency works to urgently restore an essential public asset.

Activation across additional councils will occur as impacts of the floods are understood.

The additional local government areas that are now supported through these arrangements are: Ararat Rural City Council, Banyule City Council, Boroondara Council, Brimbank City Council, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire Council, Glenelg Shire, Golden Plains Shire Council, Hume City Council, Indigo Shire Council, Manningham City Council, Melbourne City Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Moyne Shire, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Warrnambool City Council, Whittlesea Council, Wodonga Council, Wyndham City Council, Yarra Ranges Council and Yarriambiak Shire Council.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“The first step in rebuilding is ensuring properties are made safe and hazardous debris isn’t putting families at risk – it’s an enormous job but we’ll be there with Victorians every step of the way.”

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews said:

“We’re ensuring Victorians can begin what will be a long road ahead with our full support – but without the expense and stress of having to navigate that initial clean-up on their own.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt said:

“We will continue to work quickly and collaboratively with the State Government to ensure Victorians are supported through this difficult time, as we move from the response to the recovery phase of this disaster.”

Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said:

“We’re getting Victorians the help they need to clear the debris sooner so that communities can recover faster – and we’ll make sure that uninsured Victorians who can’t return home because of these devastating floods aren’t left out in the cold.”

Property owners are encouraged to check their eligibility and register for the clean-up program at brv.vic.gov.au/cleanup  or by phoning 1800 560 760.

Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

The Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Chaired by Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, has today released its interim majority report. Evidence from months of hearings and over 100 submissions showed the reforms needed for working carers are so urgent that the committee has released immediate recommendations ahead of the final report.

Recent census data shows that 5 million Australians are combining work with unpaid childcare and/ or providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, a long-term health condition or due to old age.

The Government has pledged to make a number of IR reforms, but these will need Greens support in the Senate. The Greens-chaired committee recommendations, supported by Labor, indicate the areas that the Greens will seek action on.

Senate Committee Chair Senator Barbara Pocock and the Greens will be pushing Labor to urgently legislate these key recommendations for fixing the work and care crisis in Australia including reform to the right to request, the right to disconnect, roster justice, lifting the floor of wages, and improving paid parental leave.

Senator Pocock said:

“Australia’s work and care system is in crisis. Paid care workers are overworked and underpaid and are leaving the sector in droves. People who balance work and care too often experience unpredictable rosters and pay in inflexible workplaces. Carers and people needing care are paying the price and Australia has fallen behind international standards.
 
“The agreed Greens and Labor recommendations in this interim report are a fantastic first step to improving the lives of working carers if implemented but carers can’t wait years for these improvements. We have the evidence and sector agreement, now it’s time to act.  

“Women can no longer be expected to have jobs and care for the nation without support. Updating the work system to account for work and care would improve equality, female workforce participation and reduce the gender pay gap.

Right to disconnect – “People should have the right to turn off their phones, block their bosses calls, and switch off their emails when they’re finished work for the day. Millions of Australian workers are working from home, constantly connected to work through their phone or computer. Having the right to disconnect would allow workers to work their contracted hours and switch off afterwards which would improve mental health and family connections.

“We have seen a trend of “Quiet Quitting” born out of this need to disconnect. It’s clear our workplace relations system needs updating. Everyone should have the right to a life outside of work.

Right to Request Flexibility – “Australian workers need a right to request that works. An enforceable right to request flexible working arrangements is a key foundation block of a decent work and care system. Right now, Australian workplaces are rigid and inflexible and tipped too far in the employer’s favour. Workers need genuine opportunities to ask for flexibility and for employers to listen and try to accommodate.

Roster Justice – “Millions of Australian workers in areas like retail and hospitality don’t know what shift they’re working tomorrow. Last minute roster changes make it near impossible to find care arrangements. Roster justice is needed to give workers predictable rosters and certainty of hours.

Paid Parental Leave – “Australia is far behind the international standard of 52 weeks on paid parental leave. The report recommends increasing paid parental leave to 26 weeks as soon as is practicable.

“The Greens are calling for further improvements to the paid parental leave scheme including wage matching up to a cap, encouraging shared care with use it or lose it provisions for partners, including super, and a plan to bring us closer to international standards.  

Lifting the floor of wages – “The care economy is in crisis. Thousands of workers are leaving disability, aged and childcare jobs because they are overworked and underpaid. We need to lift pay across the care economy and properly reward working carers.

The Select Committee on Work and Care is at its midpoint with the interim report release. The final report will be released mid-February 2023. Further hearings will shortly be held in Brisbane, regional Queensland, Perth, Albany, and Adelaide.

Resources
Committee website and terms of reference
Interim Report

The landmark Green Economy Agreement (GEA) between Australia and Singapore may be the beginnings of an earnest move towards decarbonising the country.

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

“I welcome Australia’s new trade agreement with Singapore and look forward to the opportunity of strengthening Indigenous diplomacy between our two countries.

“In August, I was pleased to meet with High Commissioner to Singapore, Will Hodgman, and heard from him Singapore’s priorities for food and energy security. Australia is uniquely placed to be a renewables superpower, powering the world through locally produced green energy.

“Given the proximity of Darwin to Singapore, this is

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Mr Kishida Fumio, to Australia on 22 October as a Guest of Government.

Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida will meet in Perth for the Annual Australia–Japan Leaders’ Meeting. This will be the first visit to Australia by a Japanese Prime Minister since 2018.

Japan is one of Australia’s closest friends and a key partner in the region. The strong relationship between both countries is underpinned by a Special Strategic Partnership, shared values, and a common interest in a peaceful, stable, climate resilient and prosperous Indo‑Pacific.

This visit provides an opportunity for Australia to further deepen its relationship with Japan and explore new areas to strengthen cooperation, bilaterally and in the region.

Discussions between leaders will look to strengthen the defence and security partnership, and leaders will consider next steps to implement the Reciprocal Access Agreement which will enhance the ability of defence forces to operate and exercise together.

Leaders will also discuss ways to address the climate crisis and support our region to transition to net zero. This includes capturing opportunities to scale up investment in clean energy technologies and supply chains.  

Western Australia will provide the perfect backdrop for this visit. The state has played an important role supporting Japan’s energy security and will be vital to both countries’ plans for clean energy transition.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am honoured to welcome Prime Minister Kishida to Australia, on his first visit as Japan’s Prime Minister.”

“Japan is a close and trusted friend of Australia—our partnership is fundamental to both countries’ strategic and economic interests.”

“Prime Minister Kishida and I will discuss ways to strengthen our cooperation and achieve our shared vision for a peaceful, stable, climate resilient and prosperous Indo‑Pacific.”

“We are strengthening our longstanding trade relationship with Japan while also looking to seize new opportunities as our economies transition to net zero.”

“As Australia seeks to become a clean energy superpower, we will remain a steady and reliable supplier of energy to Japan including for new energy sources like hydrogen.”

The Albanese Government’s first investments from the Rewiring the Nation plan, will fast- track critical Tasmanian projects to unlock cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy and put downward pressure on energy prices.

The Albanese and Rockliff Governments have today signed a Partnership to jointly fund the critical Marinus Link transmission project, delivering renewable energy generation and storage for the mainland through Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation projects, and unlocking the next wave of renewable energy development in Tasmania, attracting investment and jobs in the state.

The project comprises two under-sea transmission cables connecting Tasmania and Victoria. It will create 1,400 jobs in Tasmania during peak construction, 1,400 jobs in Victoria, and deliver up to $4.5 billion in positive net market benefits, including to electricity users. This Partnership will supercharge investment in Battery of the Nation, which is expected to deliver up to 670 direct jobs across Tasmania.

Marinus Link will cut at least 140 million tonnes of CO2 to 2050, the equivalent of taking approximately one million cars off the road.

Marinus has been in planning since 2016, and today’s agreement, less than six months since the federal election, overcomes major barriers and delivers substantial benefits to Tasmania and the mainland.

Tasmania and the Commonwealth have signed a letter of intent that includes:

• Access to a concessional loan from Rewiring the Nation, through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for approximately 80 per cent of the project costs of Marinus Link, with the additional 20 per cent to be an equity investment shared equally between the Commonwealth, Victoria and Tasmania to get this critical project off the ground.
• Up to $1 billion of low-cost debt from Rewiring the Nation for Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation projects, including Tarraleah  Power Station redevelopment and Lake Cethana Pumped Hydro.
• Low-cost debt to link Cressy, Burnie, Sheffield, Staverton and Hampshire in Tasmania, known as the North West Transmission Developments (NWTD), which will increase the capacity of the network in Tasmania.

This low-cost financing from Rewiring the Nation will reduce the annual costs of Project Marinus to electricity customers by up to half.

Rewiring the Nation financing to support eligible Battery of the Nation and grid firming projects will put regional Tasmanian jobs at the heart of the energy transformation and support reliability across the National Electricity Market (NEM)

The NWTD projects will ensure Tasmania and the mainland reap the benefits of one of the world’s best wind energy resources located in North-West Tasmania, delivering jobs and cheaper power across not only Tasmania, but the broader NEM.

The Commonwealth, Tasmanian and Victorian Governments have reached this landmark partnership following months of cooperative and constructive work on key energy reforms, demonstrating what federal leadership can achieve. This partnership also provides a pathway through regulatory barriers with an agreement to pursue a change to a National Electricity Law rule change to support its implementation.

Australia’s electricity grid is changing rapidly, but the urgent upgrade of the grid has been stalled for years – today’s announcement is the first big step to turning that around.

Marinus Link is crucial to deliver Tasmania’s 200 per cent renewable energy target by supercharging Hydro Tasmania and renewable energy development in Tasmania more broadly and unlocking new investment in green hydrogen and offshore wind.

The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Integrated Systems Plan is the roadmap for Australia’s future grid – and Rewiring the Nation investments are guided by this blueprint to ensure the right projects are built at the right time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Rewiring the Nation has always been about jobs in new energy industries, delivering cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy, and bringing down emissions – today it begins doing just that.

“An electricity grid built for the 21st century is absolutely critical, but until the election in May there was no plan to deliver, let alone to do so at lowest cost for consumers.”

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said:

“This is the next economic frontier for Tasmania, and will not only create jobs and investment, but help our State to decarbonise so that families, households and businesses, both big and small, can benefit.

“This partnership provides much needed certainty for the project and a clear pathway to Final Investment Decision in late 2024.

“It secures Tasmania’s future through increased confidence for our energy companies, for developers about their investment decisions, and greater certainty of supply for affordable, reliable and clean energy that benefits all Tasmanians.”

Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy said:

“After more than six years of the federal Coalition dragging their feet on Marinus Link, the Albanese Government is thrilled to take this critical step with Tasmania after just six months.

“Today’s announcement shows what can happen when you have the states and the Commonwealth working together on energy policy focused on people not politics.”

“Australia can and should be a renewable energy superpower – Tasmania, the national leader in renewables, is a critical part of that jobs opportunity.”

Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett said:

“Importantly, equitable cost sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth, Tasmania and Victoria have been agreed, meaning that Tasmanian consumers will only pay their fair share.

“This low cost financing from Rewiring the Nation will reduce the annual cost of Project Marinus for electricity customers by up to half.  By working together, we have been able to achieve a solution that will see, once Marinus Link is built, Tasmanian customers to pay no more than 15% of estimated total project costs across both the Marinus Link and North-West Transmission Developments.

This will ensure their electricity bills will be lower than they otherwise would be in a world without Marinus Link.  These projects are also complementary to our green Hydrogen plans.

“If Tasmania is to support and attract new industrial and manufacturing industries to our State and support our transition to electrification, we will need more green energy.  Marinus will deliver that.

“The Project will still need to pass a Final Investment Decision in late 2024, but the design and approvals phase of Project Marinus continues at pace as other elements of the Project, like securing federal and state planning and environmental approvals and conducting tender processes, are progressed.”