Category: Australian News

Australia and Singapore have signed a first-of-its-kind Green Economy Agreement (GEA).

The landmark bilateral agreement between Australia and Singapore—our largest two-way trading partner in Southeast Asia—will support Australian businesses to seize economic opportunities presented by the global clean energy transformation.

The GEA builds on existing cooperation between Australia and Singapore to take action on climate change and strengthen trade and investment in clean energy across our region.

The Green Economy will become a new pillar of Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore, signalling the resolve of both nations to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities faced in the transition to net zero. 

Today the Australian Government has announced an initial investment of $19.6 million over four years for new cooperation under the GEA that will support job creation at home and strengthen supply chains, trade and market opportunities by:

• facilitating trade and investment in green goods and services, including by identifying and reducing non-tariff barriers;
• promoting collaboration between Australian and Singaporean businesses to build capability in new green growth sectors;
• fostering harmonisation and collaboration on standards and conformance to improve the interoperability of markets.

The GEA demonstrates the Australian Government’s ambition to deliver on its trade diversification agenda, strengthen regional energy security, seize the opportunities of energy transformation and support global climate action.

Further details on the GEA can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website. 

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“The Green Economy Agreement extends well beyond a simple bilateral trade agreement.

“This world-first agreement establishes a framework under which our countries can advance work on the clean energy transformation and support businesses and industry.

“This is a model that will support both Australia and Singapore, and partners in our region to seize the economic opportunities of the global transition to net zero.”

Minister Farrell said:

“Our economic, trade, investment and business ties with Singapore will be further strengthened under the Green Economy Agreement.

“This agreement will boost new opportunities for businesses and investors in the global clean energy transformation.

“It will also open up new trade and investment opportunities, strengthen critical supply chains, and support our region’s transition to net zero.”

The Greens welcome the release of the new National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, but without additional funding or meaningful targets the ambitious plan is just words. 

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

“The Greens have been fighting hard for progress on a National Plan for decades alongside victim-survivors, activists and women’s organisations.

“The plan released today includes laudable goals and a welcome centring of the voices of victim-survivors. But without an increase in funding or meaningful targets, it offers little relief to those trying to escape family and domestic violence today. 

“No one should be turned away from a frontline support service when they seek help, but we know that is what is happening across the country because services are stretched beyond capacity. 

“The sector has repeatedly called for a $1B per year investment in response and prevention to ensure needs can be met. But their calls have so far gone unheeded by a government more focused on delivering tax cuts for the rich.

“The housing crisis is felt even more acutely by women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. Women are forced to choose between abuse or homelessness, because there is nowhere to go. 

“Urgent funding for crisis and emergency accommodation as well as long term affordable housing will benefit all Australians and should be prioritised over tax cuts for the rich. 

“We welcome recognition in the Plan that tackling unacceptable rates of violence against First Nations women is an urgent national priority. But there is little detail about when a standalone First Nations Plan will be in place, and no commitment on funding it. First Nations women deserve more certainty.

“Ending violence against women within one generation is possible. But a $1 billion problem can’t be fixed with a $0 plan.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee Hsien Loong to Australia from 16 to 18 October.

Australia and Singapore share one of the closest relationships in the region, underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and focused on common strategic and economic interests.

Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in Southeast Asia, and our fifth largest trading partner overall. We have strong education, defence and tourism ties.

During the visit, the Prime Ministers will hold the seventh Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting—the first such in-person meeting on Australian soil since 2018.

This visit will re-affirm both country’s commitment to taking urgent action in responding to the challenge of climate change, and capturing the economic opportunities presented by the clean energy transition.

Prime Minister Lee will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Gan Kim Yong.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Singapore is a key partner for Australia. We have strong trade, education, defence and tourism ties.”

“The ties between our countries are underpinned by deep levels of trust, mutual respect and the ability to talk frankly with each other.

“I look forward to meeting once again with Prime Minister Lee and continuing to strengthen the unique bilateral partnership Australia and Singapore share.”

The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have come together to prepare the Centre for National Resilience at Mickleham to provide crisis accommodation for Victorians affected by widespread flooding.

From Tuesday, 250 beds at the Mickleham facility will open to help people whose homes have been inundated. As well as accommodation, residents will be provided with food and support services both on-site and remotely.

The Commonwealth, which built and owns the Mickleham facility, has agreed to its use as crisis accommodation after the centre closed as a quarantine hub last week.

Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) and COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) are working together to stand up the facility, using former quarantine staff and service providers who can get on the ground to start providing support quickly.

The Centre has dedicated car parking onsite for residents, as well as a shuttle bus providing free regular transport to and from Craigieburn train station and the local shopping centre, as well as other short transport requests if residents need.

Unlike the Centre’s time as a quarantine facility, residents will be free to move around the facility, socialise with each other, and come and go as they see fit.

Each room comes complete with toiletries and other necessities, and residents will be provided with three meals each day, and snacks and drinks on arrival. Charities will provide assistance with items like clothing that families may have had to leave behind or lost during the floods.

ERV and CQV will provide colouring books, puzzles, sporting equipment and other children’s activities for residents – making an uncertain and stressful time easier for families, and helping to welcome children to the Centre and reduce the anxiety they will be feeling.

Pets will also be welcome at the Centre, but must be on a leash or in carriers when outside their cabins.

There are also additional services specifically tailored to the new residents’ crisis needs, including Commonwealth assistance through Centrelink and case management service to help Victorians whose properties have been affected by the floods through one easy contact point.

Medical care will be available onsite around the clock – including mental health support, and specific support for any trauma residents may be experiencing as a result of the flooding emergency.

Emergency Management experts toured the facility to assess its possible use during a disaster earlier this year – and Victoria has been working closely with the Federal Government to ensure the hub could be activated quickly if needed.

Responders on the ground in flood zones will help determine who is most in need of accommodation at the centre – and from Monday, Emergency Management Victoria’s support service on 1800 560 760. will help refer anyone who needs immediate shelter as soon as they make contact.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “We’re ensuring Victorians can have a safe roof over their heads immediately following a major flood event.”

“We have not hesitated to make the Centre for National Resilience available in this time of crisis.”

“We will be on hand to help in any way we can during this crisis and in its aftermath.”

Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the Commonwealth Government for working with Victoria to ensure flood affected Victorians could quickly access crisis accommodation and financial support to help them through this challenging time.

“We thank the Albanese Government for working with us to quickly ensure flood-affected Victorians will have a safe, comfortable place to sleep, and food on the table,” Mr Andrews said.

“As we’ve always said – we wish we didn’t need to use the hub, but we’re grateful it’s here to support Victorians who have been so profoundly affected by this flooding event.”

“Whether it’s crisis accommodation or financial support for families doing it tough, we’ll do everything we can to support Victorians while the waters are still rising, and long after they’ve receded.”

The Australian Government has moved quickly to support people in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales affected by the ongoing extensive flooding, making disaster assistance payments for individuals available across an additional 44 Local Government Areas.

In Victoria, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the 23 LGAs of Alpine, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Horsham, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Mitchell Shire, Moira, Moonee Valley, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Strathbogie and Wangaratta.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance has been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. DRA is taxable.

In Tasmania, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the 17 LGAs of Break O’Day, Burnie, Central Coast, Central Highlands, Circular Head, Devonport, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Kentish, Latrobe, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Waratah-Wynyard, West Coast and West Tamar.

In New South Wales, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the additional 4 LGAs of Central Coast, Coonamble, Goulburn-Mulwaree and Parkes, bringing the total number of NSW LGAs receiving support from the Australian Government for this event to 31.

In addition, in recognition of the number of homeowners affected in particular LGAs, the one-off, non-means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people who live in the Victorian LGAs of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie and in the Tasmanian LGAs of Central Coast, Kentish and Meander Valley, who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.

Claims are available to be made from 2pm Sunday and they can be made 24 hours a day.

For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Services Australia website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It’s heartbreaking to think that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude.”

“Over the last few years our resilience has been tested time and time again, and many people are doing it tough.”

“I want everyone in a flood affected region to know that the Commonwealth stands ready and committed to provide support now and through the recovery.”

Bill Shorten, Minister for Government Services said:

“These are the toughest of times for people and we want to help communities get back on their feet.”

“This is a modest payment to help flood victims doing it hard.”

“Services Australia’s priority is to help people to access essential disaster assistance, and staff have been mobilised to provide on-the-ground support.”

“People affected by the flooding can check their eligibility for Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance on the Services Australia website at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents, before lodging a claim for assistance.”

“The easiest way to claim is online through my.gov.au. Online claiming is available 24×7. Claims can be submitted from 2pm Sunday.”

“If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 from 2pm Sunday.”

Murray Watt, Minister for Emergency Management said:

“This is a very serious situation across multiple states and the Albanese Government has worked closely with state and local authorities to make financial help available as swiftly as possible.

“We know that there may be more communities impacted by these flooding events over the coming days.

“As the full extent of the damage starts to become more apparent, we will keep working to provide assistance when it’s needed.”

The Greens welcome the Albanese government’s announcement to extend Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to 26 weeks with shared care, but will continue to call on the government to increase it to be paid at a replacement wage, with super, and immediately.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Australia has one of the weakest parental leave schemes globally; yes it should be paid for longer, but without super, or an increase to the amount paid, women are still losing out. And phasing this in over four years is an insult when women have waited for over a decade for decent paid parental leave. 

“Women deserve fair PPL, and immediately – it improves their economic security, reduces the gender pay gap, increases the likelihood of mothers returning to work.

“Experts and business groups are united in their calls for fairer PPL for its economic and social benefits – now, not staggered over the next six years.

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone – parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.

“Labor needs to decide if they are a government for the rich or for women”, concluded Senator Waters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic toured ABC Refinery in Marrickville today and viewed the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy.

ABC Refinery is part of Pallion which employs more than 300 people in Marrickville, and hundreds more across Australia, processing, refining and working precious metals.

Pallion employs metallurgists, chemists, assayers, engineers, traders, jewellers and gold and silver smiths.

Pallion refine and manufacture billions of dollars of precious metals each year, including gold bars and coins, jewellery items, through to trophies including the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup is mined, processed, refined, crafted and manufactured by highly trained goldsmiths here in Australia – not one element in this process occurs overseas.

Australia is the second largest gold producer in the world, with gold our fifth-largest export commodity, valued at $23 billion in 2021-22. Our gold production was 308 tonnes in 2021-22, and is forecast to reach 331 tonnes in 2022-23.

An Albanese Government will rebuild our proud manufacturing industry through our Future Made in Australia policy.

As part of that policy, we want to take the raw minerals we mine and value add by using local highly trained workers, before we export to the rest of the world.

The Albanese Government will establish the National Reconstruction Fund to provide finance to support projects that create secure well-paid jobs, drive regional development, and invest in our national sovereign capability, broadening and diversifying Australia’s economy.

Our policies will support local jobs, create training and apprenticeship opportunities in key industries and show the world the value of Australian manufacturing.

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE said:

“Pallion is a great local business, right here in my electorate, that employs hundreds of local workers and delivers top quality unique products including the iconic Melbourne Cup.

“The Melbourne Cup trophy is mined, refined and manufactured right here in Australia – not one part of this process occurs overseas.

“This is the definition of Australian made and shows what we can achieve when we back Australian businesses.

“Through our ‘A Future Made in Australia’ policy, we will strengthen local manufacturing and create good, secure jobs for Australians.”

MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE ED HUSIC said:

“A Future Made in Australia means investing in a future for all Australians.

“The Albanese Labor Government backs local businesses. Pallion is a prime example of self-sufficient manufacturing right here in Australia, based on our resources and our renowned know-how.

“The National Reconstruction Fund will be central to rebuilding our industrial base. It will show faith in Australian ideas, Australian manufacturing and deliver secure, well-paid jobs in the cities and the regions.”

The Albanese Labor Government will deliver the biggest boost to Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme since it was created by the former Labor Government in 2011, giving every family with a new baby more choice, greater security and better support.

Labor will add an additional six weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for families, bumping the total leave payable up to 26 weeks. A full six months.

Increasing PPL was one of the most frequent proposals raised by participants at the successful Jobs and Skills Summit in September. The Albanese Government has listened, has continued to consult and will now act to extend PPL to boost productivity, boost the economy and increase the time parents have with their newborns.

Families will have access to more leave and enjoy greater flexibility, with extended PPL able to be taken in blocks between periods of paid work. Single parents will be entitled to the full leave payable so their children don’t miss out.

Importantly, the government will maintain “use it or lose it” weeks to encourage and facilitate more dads and partners to access PPL, so that both parents can share in those precious early days and share the caring responsibilities more equally.

Labor made commitments around gender equality during the Federal Election and we are determined to deliver on them.

This reform has a significant benefit to families, and is an investment in women’s economic equality and in the broader Australia economy.

The Government will introduce reforms to modernise the system and improve flexibility from July next year. From 1 July 2024, the Government will start expanding the scheme with two additional weeks a year until the scheme reaches its full 26 weeks from July 2026.

The inaugural Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, will examine the optimal model for 26 weeks and what mix of flexible weeks and use it or lose it component for each parent will deliver the best outcome for families and encourage more shared parenting.

Further detail of this important measure will be released on Budget night.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “This is a modern policy to support modern families. We know that investing in parental leave benefits our economy. It is good for productivity and participation, it’s good for families and it’s good for our country as a whole”.

“More generous and more flexible paid parental leave rewards aspiration and provides every parent of a new baby with greater choice and better support.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said boosting women’s workforce participation and encouraging more dads to take parental leave was a priority for the Government.

“This will benefit mums, it will benefit dads, it’s good for children, and it will be a huge boost to the economy,” Minister Rishworth said.

“We know that treating parenting as an equal partnership helps to improve gender equality.

“It is important that we have a Paid Parental Leave scheme that supports modern Australian families and that complements other parental leave schemes offered by a growing number of employers.”

Minister for Women and Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher said that this investment in families would not only boost individual choice but would have flow on benefits to the broader economy.

“The issue of increased flexibility and access to Paid Parental Leave was consistently raised at the Jobs and Skills Summit and today’s announcement is evidence that the Albanese Labor Government has listened and taken action to deliver for Australian families.”

“Having a child shouldn’t be an economic barrier for families or indeed act as a handbrake on the broader economy.

“Right now, this burden is borne disproportionately by women but we know that good women’s policy is also good economic policy and this decision is evidence of that,” Minister Gallagher concluded.

Public submissions are invited to inform the design of Australia’s new international development policy, announced by the Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly.

The Government is designing a new policy to set the long-term direction for Australia’s Official Development Assistance, which is being increased by more than $1 billion over four years.

The policy will deliver on Australia’s commitment to work in partnership with our neighbours to achieve a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

It will also see Australia contribute to a global system that can help meet present and future development needs.

The Government is listening to the priorities of our partners and seeking their ideas on how we can work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Public submissions to inform the design of the new policy can be made until 30 November 2022.

More information, including the Terms of Reference and submissions process are available on the DFAT website.

The first hearing of the Greens’ led Senate inquiry into the nature and extent of poverty and cost of living pressures in Australia begins on Thursday in Melbourne. 

The inquiry will hear from community organisations and those experiencing disadvantage with the first hearing focused particularly on housing.

On the first day of anti poverty week Greens spokesperson for social services, Senator Janet Rice, is calling for a raise of all income support. 

Senator Rice said:

“The theme for anti-poverty week this year is halving child poverty by 2030. 

“Poverty is a political choice and currently one in six kids are living in poverty in Australia. No parent should have to wonder how they’re going to pay the rent, feed their kids this week or afford new school shoes that their kids desperately need. Currently income support payments are up to $40 a day below the poverty line, and there are 300,000 female single parents relying solely on Centrelink as their source of income.

“Poverty is a political choice and the Labor Government is choosing tax cuts for the wealthy instead of making life easier for these families. 

“The Greens are calling on Labor to raise the rate of all income support payments above the poverty line and provide people with a guaranteed liveable income. 

“Everyone deserves the right to live in safety with a roof over their head, food in their cupboard, medical care and hot showers. Families are having to decide which of these they will have to sacrifice right now. The Labor Government can change this through a guaranteed liveable income.

Parliamentary poverty inquiry first hearing this Thursday 20th October

Senator Rice said:

“Poverty is impacting so many Australians and it is only getting worse. With skyrocketing rents, interest rate rises, and months of inflation, so many are struggling to get by. From not being able to afford nutritious food, an education, housing, the resources to get a job, this is having a significant impact on their physical health and mental wellbeing.

“This inquiry will hold wide-ranging hearings across the country. It’s about time we heard from the people who have been forced to rely on woefully inadequate payments to have their voices heard, and take that evidence into Parliament.

“There are over 120,000 people waiting for a safe, affordable home in Victoria. The first inquiry hearing this Thursday will give a voice to some of those people.”