Category: Australian News

The Greens welcome passage of the Bill to give employees access to 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. It is a long overdue reform that will save lives. 

But a lack of new funding in last night’s Budget means frontline response and prevention services will struggle to meet the expected increase in demand. 

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

“The Greens have championed paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave for years. Paid leave will help victim-survivors, who are predominantly women, to escape abusive relationships, protect themselves and their children, and rebuild their lives.

“But paid FDV leave cannot succeed if advice and support services for victim-survivors and employers don’t have funding to meet demand. The long-awaited National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children has now been released, but without any new funding commitments.

“The women’s safety sector has repeatedly called for a $1B per year investment to ensure funding meets demand. And yet the government’s budget response was to re-badge and re-shuffle previous funding commitments, adding only partial indexation and a fraction of the workers needed, with the Labor government instead choosing tax cuts for the rich and subsidies for donor mates. 

“The Greens moved a number of amendments today to strengthen the FDV leave scheme and prevent discrimination against employees who disclose family and domestic violence to their employers. 

“We know it can take several attempts and over 140 hours to escape an abusive relationship. We have called for employees to be able to request extra unpaid leave when 10 days is not enough. This would provide the best possible chance for women to keep themselves and their children safe. 

“Experts made it clear that dedicated FDV leave is essential to cultural change and removing the stigma of disclosing. The shame is on the perpetrator alone, so we did not support Senator Tyrell’s proposal to rename it emergency leave. But we were pleased to support amendments preventing employers recording FDV Leave on pay slips and confirming that any information disclosed must be kept confidential. This has strengthened the Bill and we will keep working to remove barriers to accessing this life-saving leave.

“We also moved amendments to ensure the Bill recognises the full range of situations people experiencing FDV may need to navigate so victim-survivors are not denied leave because their safety relies on something not in the list of eligible activities. 

“While our amendments did not get support today, we will push for the important issues they raised to be revisited in the statutory review of the Bill. Victim-survivors deserve a scheme that provides protection and support when they need it most.”

The test tonight for the federal budget was for the Government to build on the strong position it inherited from the Coalition to address the cost of living crisis bearing down on Australians.

Labor has failed this test.

Just before the election, the Prime Minister told Australians that they “will be better off under a Labor government.” In fact, by Christmas, the typical Australian family will be at least $2,000 worse off.

Tonight’s federal budget does nothing to assist your family budget.

There is no credible plan to deal with the source of inflation or to help families deal with immediate cost of living pressures.

Instead, there is an aspirational promise to build one million homes – starting in 2024.

This budget fails Australian families at a time when they really need a plan to address cost of living pressures.

This is a budget that’s heavy on partisan politics, but lacks an economic plan.

This budget confirms that:

• your cost of living is going up;
• your electricity and gas bills are going up;
• your tax payments are going up;
• government spending is going up;
• employment will go down; and
• real wages are forecast to go down.

We were told that this would be a ‘bread and butter’ Labor budget – and it hasn’t failed on that account. It’s a high-taxing and high-spending budget that does nothing to help you or your family get ahead.

As we emerged from the pandemic, the fundamentals of the Australian economy were strong – our jobs growth was better, and our debt was lower than any other advanced economy.

Every nation is facing challenges born from the pandemic and amplified by global economic headwinds. We approach these challenges in a stronger position than any other nation. Despite this advantage, Labor’s first budget fails to deliver for Australian families.

Electricity prices

The budget confirms that electricity and gas prices are expected to rise sharply over the next two years. Treasury has assumed retail electricity prices will increase by 50 per cent. Retail gas prices are up some 40 per cent in 2022 and 2023. Despite Labor’s pre-election promise to reduce your power prices by $275 a year, their own budget papers contradict this claim, and the Government has no plan to address rising prices.

Tax

Tonight, the Albanese Government has again failed to limit taxes imposed on Australians. Under Labor the tax paid by Australians will increase by $142 billion over the forward estimates. They have abandoned the 23.9 per cent of GDP tax cap. Families facing cost of living pressures should be able to keep more of what they earn. This budget delivers no certainty for the 10 million Australians on their legislated tax relief due in 2024.

Retiree Tax 2.0

The only new change to the tax system announced in this budget is a new tax on investments.

Labor’s sneaky new tax will slug people who invest their own savings and superannuation.

Despite ruling out these changes before the election, Labor will hit retirees and investors with a new $555 million tax – depriving investors of franking credits which they have previously relied on.

Labor’s billion-dollar black hole in multinational tax avoidance

At the election, Labor promised to crackdown on multinational tax avoidance to the tune of $1.9 billion over the next four years. The budget confirms this measure is now expected to only generate $950 million – resulting in a $1 billion black hole in Labor’s first budget.

The Albanese Government inherited an enviable set of economic circumstances from the former Coalition Government.

In just one year under the Coalition – between 2020-21 and 2021-22 – the budget position improved by over $100 billion, the largest budget turnaround since Federation.

The Coalition wants Australia to do well, but we are being hampered by a new government with no economic plan for the future.

Australians deserve better from a government that promised so much, but in its first economic test, has delivered very little.

The Albanese Government is boosting Pacific security and defence, supporting critical infrastructure across our region, expanding the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, and increasing Australia’s Official Development Assistance to the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

The comprehensive suite of measures deliver and build on what Australians voted for, and will significantly bolster the nation’s competitiveness, security and relationships at a time of global uncertainty.

Investments include $900 million over four years from 2022-23 to increase support to the Pacific family’s development and resilience.

More than $147 million over four years will advance Pacific security and engagement priorities including the continuing AFP deployment in Solomon Islands, an Australia- Pacific Defence School and training for defence and security forces, and upgrading aerial surveillance. The Government will expand the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s services and partnerships in the region, to ensure more Australian voices are heard across the region.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will also be funded to support the development of key economic sectors.

There will be more support for infrastructure investment in the Pacific and Timor- Leste through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific. This increases the Facility from $3.5 billion to $4 billion to support grant and loan packages, and additional funding to DFAT to strengthen project and risk management capabilities.

Financing packages will also be provided through the Facility for the Timor-Leste Airport Facilities project to support construction of airport related infrastructure, and for the Fiji Transport Infrastructure Restoration project to maintain and rehabilitate major bridges and roads in Fiji.

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme is being expanded and improved, and a new Pacific Engagement Visa will be created for up to 3,000 nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste each year to permanently migrate to Australia.

Additionally, the Government is increasing ODA for Southeast Asia by $470 million, as well as deepening Australia’s Southeast Asia capability by establishing an Office of Southeast Asia within DFAT.

This will ensure whole-of-government coordination of Australian efforts in the region, and develop a Southeast Asia economic strategy to 2040.

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

The Albanese Government is working to make Australia a partner of choice for the countries of our region, to ensure our shared security, our shared economic strength and to shape the world for the better.

“The Budget is a major step towards the goal of making Australia stronger and more influential in the world.

“Our assistance will help our regional partners become more economically resilient, develop critical infrastructure and provide their own security so there is less need to call on others.”

the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific said:

“The Albanese Government is bringing new energy and resources to the Pacific to help build a stronger and more united Pacific family, and a more secure region.

“Our additional investment in Australia’s Official Development Assistance will be the biggest increase over four years since 2011-12 and follows a decade of Liberal cuts.

“It will advance Australia’s interests by tackling poverty and supporting stability, prosperity and security in our region.

“And by improving and expanding Pacific labour mobility we will support Australian employers facing skills shortages and Pacific economies still struggling with the aftermath of COVID.”

In response to statements from the Treasurer tat the Budget will see wages go backwards for another two years and paid parental leave measures will also be delayed, the Greens say the government was delaying cost of living relief while making room in the Budget for Stage 3 tax cuts for the wealthy.

“Labor is spending over a quarter of a trillion dollars on Stage 3 tax cuts for politicians and billionaires while delaying cost of living relief for everyday people,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Labor’s budget gives Clive Palmer a $9,000 a year tax cut but makes everyday people wait years for a pay rise and cost of living relief.

“Axing the Stage 3 tax cuts would free up room in the Budget for immediate cost of living relief, like dental into Medicare and free childcare.

“Telling everyday people to wait years for a wage rise and cost of living relief is unacceptable. 

“Labor must axe the Stage 3 tax cuts and the billions in subsidies to coal and gas corporations and deliver immediate cost of living relief by getting dental into Medicare and making childcare free.”

The budget Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down tomorrow will be a test of Labor’s willingness to put the Australian people first.

Budgets are statements of a government’s priorities and tomorrow, this new Labor government’s true intentions will be exposed.

In a rapidly changing economic environment, Labor must use the budget to deliver a coherent plan to deal with the current cost of living crisis which is very real and painful for so many Australian families.

In the short term the government must:

1. Build upon the strong position the government has inherited from the Coalition and not deteriorate the bottom line. Labor has inherited the lowest unemployment rate in decades, economic growth over three per cent, and an improving budget bottom line. A high-taxing, high-spending traditional Labor budget will only make the Reserve Bank’s job harder next Tuesday.
2. Put downward pressure on inflation and interest rates without increasing taxes. The government should heed the calls of stakeholders and the community to commit to the Coalition’s tax to GDP cap of 23.9 per cent to put a speed limit on spending and include a plan to return inflation to within the Reserve Bank’s target of two-three per cent. The government’s budget cannot respond to growing cost of living pressures with increased taxes.
3. Deliver relief to supply side pressures in the economy by increasing productivity and participation. The government must reject changes to industrial relations that will start a wage-price spiral and damage the productivity of our struggling small and family businesses.
4. Avoid breaking promises made to the Australian people at the election to bring down power bills by $275, to implement the stage three tax cuts in full, to bring down the cost of living and to increase real wages.

In the medium term, the government must grow the economy and contain spending to reduce pressure on the Budget and adopt pro-growth policies that support innovation, enterprise, and reduce red tape.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the government’s first budget must make hardworking businesses and households a priority.

“Prices on just about everything are going through the roof. Australians are feeling it at the grocery checkout, in their power bills, at the fuel bowser, when they go out for a meal and when they’re buying furniture,” Mr Taylor said.

“The Treasurer must avoid the temptation of handing down a traditional big spending, big taxing budget that puts Labor’s big government agenda front and centre. A budget like this will only make the current cost of living crisis worse.

“Australians need Jim Chalmers to stop complaining about the challenges of this economy and instead deliver a plan to support Australians through this cost of living crisis.

“If the Treasurer can deliver on these priorities we will back him in. If not, we will hold him to account.”

Shadow Minister for Finance Jane Hume said tomorrow’s budget will be a test for Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

“Will the budget deliver a plan to bring down the cost of living while not adding to inflation, or will they continue to have no plan for the economy and the Budget?” Senator Hume said.

“This must be a budget that finally sets Labor’s fiscal policy and economic policy moving in the same direction as the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy.

“Labor inherited an enviable set of economic circumstances. The test for Labor is whether they will use this to deliver for the Australian people, or whether they will squander it.”

The NSW Government will continue to play a leadership role across important environmental policies, including work to develop a national framework that puts a value on biodiversity.
 
At the first meeting of Environment Ministers since April 2021 in Brisbane today, NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin said NSW is well placed to contribute to this critical work.
 
“In NSW, we’re leading the way nationally in our work to recognise natural capital,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“It is human nature to protect what we value, and natural capital is a key focus in NSW, setting us on a path to better value nature and biodiversity, and in doing so, conserving it for future generations, while rewarding those who make a positive contribution to our environment.
 
“In NSW, we’re already developing a suite of natural capital programs that make the economic cost of environmental impacts visible, the price of restoration certain, and the value of conservation both accurate and assured.”
 
Ministers also discussed the Australian Government’s commitment with nearly 100 nations to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, also known as ‘the 2030 pledge’.
 
In response, NSW will establish a panel of eminent Australians to provide advice by mid-2023 on how NSW can contribute to that national goal in a manner that is equitable, science-based and cost-effective, and optimises environmental, social and economic benefits for communities across NSW. 
 
“This is an ambitious target that will need to be considered by every jurisdiction, and I’m looking forward to further consultation with the Australian Government and my fellow Environment Ministers,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“NSW has a strong track record of protecting land in perpetuity, and I will ensure that any national level agreements capture the significant protections we’ve already delivered on our public and private estates.
 
“For example, 10.2 percent of the landmass in NSW is protected as part of the national parks estate, or through in-perpetuity private land conservation agreements, which is a fantastic achievement.”
 
Ministers considered strengthening protections for threatened species, and NSW reconfirmed its eagerness to share its nation-leading programs with other jurisdictions, including the Saving our Species program, and commitment to zero extinctions in the national parks estate.
 
“Ministers agreed to accelerate national efforts to prevent new extinctions, including through a NSW proposal to assess and develop emerging technologies for feral cat control,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“We know feral cats kill more than two billion native animals every year, as well as costing an estimated $6 billion annually in human health and livestock impacts.”
 
In relation to plastic bans, Minister Griffin supported a greater focus on alignment between states on the ban of plastic items, including the type and schedule of items for phase out and the need to coordinate research.
 
In relation to reducing waste and recycling, Mr Griffin presented a paper to progress better tyre recycling options to mitigate the social, economic and environmental impacts of waste tyres.
 
NSW also strongly supported the commencement of work to establish sufficient processing capacity for problem waste generated from renewable energy infrastructure and related industries.
 
“We need a nationally consistent effort and approach when it comes to waste and recycling and push towards a circular economy, especially with waste that is currently difficult to recycle,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“The NSW EPA is already delivering a $10 million Circular Solar program to reduce the landfilling of solar panels and associated batteries and increase recycling.
 
“Through the program, we’ve already provided funding to eight projects that will deliver more 10,000 tonnes of annual recycling capacity.”
 
NSW welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to responding to the Samuel Review recommendations by the end of 2022 and further consultation with states and territories on its response.

Light Horse Park will be transformed into a beautiful riverside recreational park in the heart of Liverpool thanks to the $5 billion WestInvest Fund.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean, Minister for Western Sydney David Elliott and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman today announced almost $28 million in WestInvest funding for Liverpool City Council to help deliver the $36.7 million Light Horse Park Embellishment and Upgrade project.
 
Liverpool City Council is contributing $8.9 million towards the project.
 
Mr Perrottet said the Light Horse Park Embellishment and Upgrade project would significantly improve amenity and safety for locals and visitors.
 
“This project will redevelop the foreshore to create an accessible, safe and welcoming park and construct a building to provide vital community services,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
Mr Kean said the park will become a key location on the river for local events and provide a place for people to exercise, play and relax.
 
“The city of Liverpool is built adjacent to the mighty Georges River, but Light Horse Park is hard to access and underutilised. WestInvest will bring this important riverside park back to life,” Mr Kean said.
 
Mr Elliott said the refurbished park will provide important connection pathways and points between the foreshore, Liverpool CBD and the railway station.
 
“This important project will not only provide greater access to the river but also make it easier for the community to move around the local area,” Mr Elliott said.
 
Mrs Tuckerman said the revitalised park would support the nearby residents, many of whom live in apartment buildings.
 
“This park will become a much-loved destination for the many families with children living in apartments in the surrounding area,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons said she is proud of the NSW Liberal and National Government’s continued investment in Liverpool.
 
“This investment will help to bring life back into an underutilised area and provide another place for families and young people to enjoy,” Ms Gibbons said.
 
“Our commuters will also benefit from a safer, more connected and pleasant walk to the station.”
 
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the project would provide a cool space for the community to gather on hot summer days.
 
“With this investment the millions of people who call western Sydney home will have an amazing place to play and enjoy for generations to come. The kids of the east have Bondi and now the kids of the West will have Georges River and Lighthorse Park,” Mr Mannoun said.
 
As part of the WestInvest Fund, $2 billion was reserved for priority Community Projects. This included $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in West and Southwest Sydney, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
 
Announcements on other LGAs will be made soon.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy.
 
A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups.
 
A total of $3 billion is also set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
 
To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

Australia and Japan have signed a new partnership on critical minerals to help build secure supply chains for critical minerals, which are crucial elements of clean energy technologies needed to help both countries meet net-zero commitments.

The new Critical Minerals Partnership was signed by Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King and Hirohide Hirai Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, during the Australian visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida.

The partnership will establish a framework for building secure critical minerals supply chains between Australia and Japan, and promote opportunities for information sharing and collaboration, including research, investment and commercial arrangements between Japan and Australian projects.

The partnership will support the further development of Australia’s critical minerals sector, to ensure Japan has the supply of critical minerals required for its advanced manufacturing sector.

Minister King said the new partnership underlined the ongoing strength of Australia’s deep ties and ongoing trade relationship with Japan and would build on existing trade supply chains.

“This new partnership will be a welcome boost to Australia’s critical minerals sector and will help Australia further develop its abundant reserves of critical minerals which will ultimately help both countries achieve their emissions reductions targets,” Minister King said.

“The partnership will help to open up more foreign investment in our critical minerals sector, and will increase collaboration between our two counties on the development of critical minerals.”

Australia has some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals, including rare earths, which are crucial components of clean energy technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles, solar panels and hydrogen electrolysers.

Minister King said the partnership was a natural progression of Australia’s long-established role as a stable and reliable supplier of minerals and energy to Japan, and underlined Australia’s growing role as a global supplier of critical minerals.

“The new partnership will help drive the development of Australia’s critical minerals sector and promote more foreign investment into crucial projects which will mine, develop and process these essential minerals,” Minister King said.

“The Australian Government is working with our international partners, state and territory governments and industry to position Australia as a world leader in exploration, extraction, production and processing of critical minerals.

“These resources not only support Australia’s standard of living, they will pave the way to a clean energy future for Australia, for Japan and for the world.”

The October Budget will deliver on the Albanese Labor Government pledge to jointly fund a world-class Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia.

The Commonwealth is partnering with and matching the McGowan Labor Government’s commitment to this important project with each Government contributing $50 million after jointly funding the feasibility study.

A Terrace Road site as the preferred location has been chosen primarily for its connection to the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), Heirisson Island (Matta Gerup) and Kings Park (Katta Koomba), all places of cultural significance to the Noongar people.

Planning for the project with extensive engagement is underway with Aboriginal people and communities across WA, under a Cultural Authority Framework.

This Framework is embedding Aboriginal-led community engagement and cultural decision-making processes in the development and ongoing operation for the centre.

This extensive state-wide consultation with Aboriginal people and communities will help shape the vision and key functions of the centre.

The centre will be an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and share it with the nation and the world.

As a centre of global significance it will celebrate the diversity of WA’s Aboriginal communities.

The Albanese Government is committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full and the Prime Minister has outlined a possible question and amendment to the constitution for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

A referendum on The Voice will be held in this term of Government.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“We committed to delivering $50 million for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and as promised, that money will be in this week’s Federal Budget.

“An Aboriginal cultural centre is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and share it with the nation and the world.

“My Government remains committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and will hold a referendum on the Voice to Parliament in this term of Government.”

Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians said:

“The world class Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be built on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people.

“It will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate Indigenous culture and promote a deeper understanding for visitors from across the county and the globe. “

Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Member for Perth said:

“This is the big, visionary project that Western Australia needs.”

“This funding ensures the Federal and State governments can work together to deliver a major cultural and tourist attraction for all Australians.

“It is now time for private and philanthropic contributors to get behind this project.

“I encourage all Western Australians to think on how we design and build this visionary addition to Perth’s skyline.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today announced the Commonwealth Government has committed $6 million towards this year’s Western Australia Telethon fundraising appeal.

Telethon is an annual televised fundraising appeal in Western Australia and is broadcast live for 26 hours.

Now in its 55th year, over the past five decades Telethon has raised more than $457 million for sick and disadvantaged children.

The funding supports medical research, children’s hospitals and critical services for children with a disability. Key beneficiaries include the Telethon Kids Institute, a medical research institute based at Perth Children’s Hospital, WA Child Research Fund and Lions Eye Institute.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Telethon is a Western Australian institution and it was an honour to attend today and announce the Commonwealth’s contribution to this worthy cause.

“Just a few weeks ago I met Emily and Ari, two of this year’s Little Telethon Stars, and I was blown away by their enthusiasm and excitement despite the individual challenges they have faced.

“Telethon wouldn’t happen without the generosity of Western Australian’s who dig deep every year.

“Thank you to the organisers and volunteers, Little Telethon Stars Ari, Emily and Leo, the WA Government, and businesses and the Western Australian community for donating to this very special cause.”