Category: Australian News

The latest OECD Education at a Glance report reveals unforgivable cuts to public education spending in Australia during the Covid pandemic, the Greens say. Federal, state and territory governments must properly fund public education to ensure everyone in our community has access to high-quality lifelong learning.

Lines attributable to Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Education:

“Decades of neglect has left public education in Australia undervalued and under-resourced. “When disaster struck in 2020, our entire education system was thrown into crisis — from early learning through to university and TAFE. But the government’s response was to cut spending rather than boost it.

“The Albanese government must change course and properly fund public education. The future of this country quite literally depends on it.

“The report reveals an alarming reliance on privately-run childcare compared to OECD countries. Education is a public good, and should never be run for-profit.

“Instead of spending $244 billion on the obscene Stage 3 Tax Cuts, the federal government should be investing in high-quality, fee-free public education for all. The urgency of this investment cannot be overstated.”

Lines attributable to Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Schools:

“The OECD report shows that not only does Australia have one of the most unequal school systems in the developed world, the gap between the haves and have-nots grew even wider during the pandemic.

“While students at the richest schools were able to rely on the best resources and technology to support them through Covid, students at the poorest schools fell back even further.

“We have enough money to deliver a quality education to all students, but far too much is being funnelled into private schools – many of which don’t even need it. We need a fundamental rethink of education funding that prioritises a good public education for all.

“Labor needs to use the new National School Reform Agreement, currently under development, to focus on equity in Australian education, and we need to see more money in this month’s Budget for public schools.”

The Australian Government will impose further costs on Russia for its unilateral, illegal and immoral war on Ukraine.

Additional targeted financial sanctions and travel bans will be imposed on 28 Russian-appointed separatists, ministers and senior officials.

Among them are individuals who are flouting international law to legitimise Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine through sham referenda, disinformation and intimidation.

Russia’s sham referenda in occupied areas of Ukraine are illegitimate and have no legal effect.

The regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are sovereign Ukrainian territory. President Putin’s annexation is illegal and any claims that these territories are now part of Russia are baseless and false.

Australia has also filed an intervention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by Ukraine against Russia, supporting Ukraine’s claims Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).

Australia continues to call on Russia to immediately comply with the ICJ’s legally binding order of 16 March 2022 to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We remind Russia that as a member of the United Nations, Russia is legally obliged to comply with decisions of the ICJ in any case to which it is a party.

Australia will continue to coordinate closely with our partners to impose high costs on those responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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

“These additional sanctions reinforce Australia’s strong objection to the actions of President Putin and those carrying out his orders.

“The areas of Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces are the sovereign territory of Ukraine. No sham referendum will change this.

Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP said:

“We stand with Ukraine in bringing these proceedings against Russia before the International Court of Justice.

“Our intervention underscores our commitment to upholding fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”

Today I announce new appointments that strengthen Australia’s diplomatic capability and match people with the right qualifications and expertise to senior postings.

The Albanese Government is reversing the previous government’s approach and rebalancing appointments towards qualified senior officials, consistent with position requirements and community expectations.

In certain circumstances there is a clear advantage for Australia to be represented by people who have had distinguished careers beyond the public service, such as businesspeople and former parliamentarians.

The eminence of Australia’s relationship with the United Kingdom has long been reflected in the appointment of a former senior Cabinet minister.

In keeping with this tradition, the Government intends to appoint the Hon Stephen Smith as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Mr Smith was a member of the Australian Parliament for 20 years, and served as the Minister for Defence, and prior to that, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Trade.

It is intended that he will commence his posting at the completion of the Defence Strategic Review in early 2023. Until then, Lynette Wood will continue as Acting High Commissioner.

A replacement for the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO will be announced ahead of the completion of his posting as Ambassador to the United States of America in February 2023.

A DFAT recruitment process will be carried out to appoint experienced public servants as heads of mission in Singapore, New Delhi, Tokyo and at the United Nations in New York.

The Hon Will Hodgman will conclude as High Commissioner to Singapore in February 2023.

The Hon Barry O’Farrell AO will conclude as High Commissioner to India in February 2023.

The Hon Mitch Fifield will conclude as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in June 2023.

Today I also announce the appointment of six career diplomats to lead Australian overseas posts:

• Dr Simon Twisk as Ambassador to Argentina.
• Dr Axel Wabenhorst as Ambassador to Egypt.
• Ms Melissa Kelly as Ambassador to Kuwait.
• Ms Indra McCormick as Ambassador to Portugal.
• Mr Tony Huber as Consul-General in Istanbul, Türkiye.
• Mr Andrew Goledzinowski AM as Ambassador to Vietnam.

Our foreign service is the driver of Australia’s engagement with the world and responsible for ensuring our national interests today and into the future.

I thank outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in these countries during their respective tenures.

Today the Federal Government’s Native forest biomass in the Renewable Energy Target consultation paper was released with submissions open to the public on some key questions. 

This comes after the Greens secured a commitment from the government to look at removing a Coalition loophole from the Renewable Energy Act, which allows the destruction and burning of native forests to be classified as renewable energy. 

Greens forest spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice said:

“The Greens welcome the release of this discussion paper which is now open for public submissions. This discussion paper is an acknowledgement that classifying the burning of native forest as renewable is a real concern. We look forward to a positive outcome for precious native forests and a just transition of affected workers.

“Burning native forest wood is a disaster for the environment. The evidence heard by the Senate committee made clear that native forest biomass should not be classified as renewable energy. 

“If the means used to generate energy results in harm to threatened forest ecosystems and more carbon being emitted than coal, it simply cannot be classed as renewable or clean.

“This process is a clear opportunity to reverse an Abbott-era change that Labor opposed at the time. The Greens will be working with the government to seek the action we need to end the farce of classifying native forests burning as a ‘renewable’ energy source.”

The Australian Government rejects today’s court ruling in Myanmar against Australian Professor Sean Turnell and calls for his immediate release.

Professor Turnell was tried in a closed court. Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires and consular officials in Myanmar made every effort to attend the verdict but were denied access to the court.

The Australian Government has consistently rejected the charges against Professor Turnell during the more than 19 months he had been unjustly detained by the Myanmar military regime.

We will continue to take every opportunity to advocate strongly for Professor Turnell until he has returned to his family in Australia. We acknowledge the strong international support shown for him, including from our region.

Professor Turnell is internationally respected for his work to support the people of Myanmar and their economic development.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide consular assistance to Professor Turnell and his family for as long as required.

We ask that his family’s request for privacy continue to be respected.

The Australian Government condemns the deadly and disproportionate use of force against protesters in Iran, following the tragic death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini.

We have raised concerns into the circumstances surrounding her death in custody with the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.

Australia supports calls led by the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for a prompt, impartial investigation into Ms Amini’s death by an independent body, which ensures her family has access to truth and justice, with those responsible held to account.

We are alarmed by reports that dozens of people have been killed and many more injured, including teenagers, during heavy-handed measures Iranian authorities have implemented to crack-down on ongoing protests.

Australia supports the right of the Iranian people to protest peacefully and calls on the Iranian authorities to exercise restraint in response to ongoing demonstrations.

Reports of internet restrictions are also deeply troubling and suggest an effort to stifle freedom of expression.

Australia regularly raises Iran’s significant discrimination against women and human rights violations with officials in both Tehran and Canberra, as well as in multilateral fora.

Australia stands with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment, and we call on Iran to cease its oppression of women.

Australia is committed to promoting gender equality and women’s human rights, empowerment and ending violence against women and girls worldwide.

AGL’s announcement today that it will be shutting the Loy Yang A power station in the Latrobe Valley nearly a decade earlier than planned adds to the growing pressure on the government to establish a National Energy Transition Authority, the Greens say.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, introduced the party’s National Energy Transition Authority Bill to parliament on Tuesday. The bill has been referred to the Senate Economics Committee for inquiry with a reporting date of March 14, 2023.

Senator Allman-Payne will meet with stakeholders and hold a community consultation in the Latrobe Valley on Wednesday next week.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Today’s announcement by AGL that it’s bringing forward the closure of the Loy Yang A power station is great news for the climate and for our chances of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

“But we can’t afford to let this inevitable transition to a zero emissions economy happen in a haphazard way. Without a national body to plan and coordinate our shift to renewable energy the workers and communities who have for generations relied on the jobs and investment the coal industry has provided will be left behind.

“Decisions to rapidly bring forward the closure of coal fired power plants, however welcome, should not be announced via a company’s media release to the ASX. It should be a planned and coordinated process that allows local workers control.

“The transition to renewables represents a once-in-a-generation nation-building opportunity that can create tens of thousands of green, secure jobs, open up new export markets and reinvigorate regional Australia.

“We know from similar energy transition bodies in Europe that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide pooling or benefit from early retirement.

“There is wide support among workers, unions and businesses for a transition authority and during the Senate inquiry I look forward to hearing directly from communities and Traditional Owners about what they need to make the transition to a zero emissions economy.

“With Labor’s support we can make a National Energy Transition Authority a reality during the life of this parliament. Let’s get it done.”

Analysis by the Parliamentary Library estimates that renters across Australia would be $7.1 billion better off if rents had been frozen nationwide for the past 12 months. With rents increasing by 14% nationwide, the average renter is paying $3,151 more for their home than last year. 

The Greens recently called on the Federal Government to intervene in the housing crisis by freezing rents nationwide for two years, followed by ongoing rent caps and an end to no grounds evictions, minimum standards for rental properties and tenant rights to make minor improvements to the home.

Over the last 12 months, rents have grown seven times faster than wages in capital cities,  putting millions of Australians into severe rental stress and seeing rents hit record highs in 85% of Australian suburbs.

Max Chandler-Mather MP, Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness said:

“A rent freeze could put an extra $3000 in the pockets of the average Australian renter and provide real and immediate cost of living relief.“

“For families choosing between buying food and paying the rent, $3000 could mean the difference between eviction into homelessness and keeping a roof over their heads.” 

“Rents are out of control, millions of Australians are struggling to pay the rent, and families are facing living in tents and cars because they can’t afford record rent increases.” 

“When Australian renters have paid an extra $7 billion in rent over the last year alone, no wonder so many are struggling.”

“Along with a major and immediate investment in social housing, phasing out negative gearing and capital gains discounts, and a 2 year rent freeze, followed by ongoing rent caps will help stop this housing crisis boiling over into a national disaster.”

“If the government is serious about cost of living relief, if they’re serious about affordable housing, then it’s a no-brainer to freeze rent rises.

We are pleased to announce that the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), has accepted the advice of the Government to appoint the Honourable Justice Jayne Jagot as a Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Justice Jagot will commence on 17 October 2022 upon the retirement of the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane AC.

Justice Jagot is the 56th Justice of the High Court and the seventh woman appointed to the Court. This is the first time since Federation that a majority of Justices on the High Court will be women.

Justice Jagot is regarded as outstanding lawyer and an eminent judge. She is currently serving as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

The Government congratulates Justice Jagot on her well-deserved appointment. It is a role that she will fill with distinction.

The Government consulted extensively in the lead up to this decision, including with all state and territory Attorneys-General, the Shadow Attorney-General, the heads of the Federal Courts and state and territory Supreme Courts, state and territory Bar associations and law societies, National Legal Aid, Australian Women Lawyers, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and deans of law schools.

Throughout this consultation, Justice Jagot’s legal acumen and sterling reputation on the Bench was noted.

The Government is grateful to all who provided nominations and assisted with its consideration of suitable candidates for this significant position.

We also take this opportunity to again thank Justice Keane for his nine years of distinguished service on the High Court and wish him well in his retirement.

A short biography of Justice Jagot follows.

Biography of Justice Jayne Jagot, Justice of the High Court of Australia

Current and previous positions:

• Judge, Federal Court of Australia
• Additional Judge, Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
• Deputy President, Copyright Tribunal of Australia
• Judge, Land and Environment Court of NSW
• Barrister
• Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (Hons I), University of Sydney, 1990
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons I), Macquarie University, 1986

Australia has a housing affordability problem, with many Australians struggling to rent or buy a home, according to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) released today.

“The NHHA is intended to improve access to affordable housing, but it is ineffective. It does not foster collaboration between governments or hold governments to account. It is a funding contract, not a blueprint for reform,” Commissioner Malcolm Roberts said.

“Over the life of the NHHA, housing affordability has deteriorated for many people, especially people renting in the private market. The median low-income renter spends over a third (36 per cent) of their income on rent. About 1 in 5 low-income households are left with less than $250 after paying their weekly rent.

“With the private market becoming less affordable, demand for homelessness services and social housing is rising.”

As governments develop a new intergovernmental agreement and a national plan, there is an opportunity to better target the $16 billion they spend on housing assistance.

“As a first step, the Commission is recommending that all housing assistance be brought under the next intergovernmental agreement (the NHHA covers just 10 per cent of government spending on direct housing assistance). This will help governments prioritise spending to the people in greatest need.

“A two-track approach is needed to ease the pressure on low-income renters — the capacity for low-income renters to pay for housing needs to be improved and constraints on new housing supply need to be removed.”

The $5.3 billion Commonwealth Rent Assistance program should be reviewed. There is a strong case to improve its adequacy and targeting. At the same time, State and Territory Governments should commit to targets for new housing supply and accelerate planning and other reforms.

“The safety net — homelessness services and social housing — should be improved. More support is needed for homelessness prevention and early intervention programs. As governments invest more in social housing, they should also test more flexible and timely ways to assist people,” Commissioner Romlie Mokak said.

“The Commission is recommending the new NHHA have a greater focus on coordinated policy action across jurisdictions, homelessness prevention and early intervention, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing.”

A full copy of In Need of Repair: The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement is available from the Commission’s website: www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/housing-homelessness/report

Key facts: Key points

Australia has a housing affordability problem. Australians, particularly those on low incomes, are spending more on housing than they used to. Many low-income private renter households spend a large share of their income on rent. Demand for social housing is rising. More people are seeking help for homelessness and more are being turned away. Home ownership rates are falling, particularly for young Australians.

The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement — intended to improve access to affordable, safe and sustainable housing — is ineffective. It does not foster collaboration between governments or hold governments to account. It is a funding contract, not a blueprint for reform.

The next intergovernmental Agreement (and the proposed National Housing and Homelessness Plan) is an opportunity for governments to work together on a national reform agenda to make housing more affordable. Rising rents and low vacancy rates are placing private renters under pressure, which increases demand for government-funded housing and homelessness services.

The focus of the next Agreement should be on improving the affordability of the private rental market and the targeting of housing assistance. Improving the capacity of low‑income renters to pay for housing and removing constraints on new housing supply are key to making housing more affordable.

• The Australian Government should review Commonwealth Rent Assistance as a priority. There is a strong case for changes to improve its adequacy and targeting.

• State and Territory Governments should commit to firm targets for new housing supply, facilitated by planning reforms and better co-ordination of infrastructure.

• The $16 billion governments spend each year on direct housing assistance could achieve more if it was better targeted to people in greatest need. The nearly $3 billion given to first home buyers works against improving affordability. This money would be better spent preventing homelessness.

• Social housing is an important part of the affordable housing solution, but it has a number of shortcomings. Governments should trial a housing assistance model that provides equivalent assistance to people in need regardless of whether they live in public, community or privately‑owned housing. It should also test innovative ways to help people at risk of homelessness sustain tenancies in the private market and assist social housing tenants move to the private rental market.

These changes will help more low‑income households in the private rental market and reduce the number of people who experience homelessness or need social housing.

The next Agreement can support these changes by including:

• principles to guide how housing assistance should be provided and assistance dollars spent

• a broader scope, covering all forms of direct housing assistance

• achievable and measurable targets focused on outcomes for people

• a new performance monitoring framework with annual reporting on outcomes and performance indicators

• effective governance, including oversight by a ministerial council and channels for key stakeholders to be involved in the design and delivery of major programs

• a new approach to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing and homelessness services

• a greater focus on building the evidence base essential for good policy and accountability.