Category: Australian News

The Australian Government is seeking public expressions of interest from individuals to be considered for the Ambassador for First Nations People.

The Government is delivering on its commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and embed Indigenous perspectives, experiences and interests into our foreign policy.

Australia’s foreign policy should reflect our modern diversity and the rich heritage of First Nations people.

The Ambassador will head an Office of First Nations Engagement within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to listen to and work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This is the first time an Ambassador position has been open to a public expression of interest, enabling qualified and interested individuals to apply.

Further information on the expression of interest process for the Ambassador for First Nations People is available at First Nations EOI.

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

“The Ambassador for First Nations People will lead work to embed Indigenous perspectives, experiences and interests into our foreign policy, including to help grow First Nations’ trade and investment.

“The Ambassador will also lead Australia’s engagement to progress First Nations rights globally.

“This role will enhance our engagement in the Indo-Pacific region by fostering cooperation on shared interests.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP said:

“Appointing an Ambassador for First Nations People is an opportunity to ensure the unique perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are included in our international engagements.

“An Ambassador for First Nations people will be supported to engage with likeminded countries to share our commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and experiences of treaty and truth telling processes”

Senator Patrick Dodson said:

“This is the first time Australia will have a dedicated level of First Nations representation to inform the way we engage with the world.”

In a landmark hearing, Federal Court Justice Mordecai Bromberg, has ruled Santos failed to consult with Traditional Owners over its Barossa gas project. 

As a result Santos’ approval for the project from the offshore regulator, NOPSEMA, has been ruled invalid and it must stop drilling in the region. 

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

“Today’s ruling shows mining companies and governments can’t be trusted to do the right thing without legislative pressure. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) clearly states that free, prior and informed consent is a human right. We need to fast-track the Private Senator’s Bill for UNDRIP and its implementation in our laws, policies and practice.

“This judgement sets the standard for consultation with Traditional Owners. If Labor wants to talk about recognising First Nations people, they must start with their own departments.

“It is great to see the courts acknowledge the importance of Sea Country to First Nations peoples culture and way of life. 

“The regulator has clearly failed the Munupi people. NOPSEMA has not only ignored its responsibility to First Nations peoples, but all Australians. There needs to be a full investigation into previous decisions it has made around adequate consultation with Traditional Owners.

“If Labor wants to meet their own emissions target, we cannot keep opening up new coal and gas, especially on the back of ruining First Nations cultural heritage.”

Australians will honour the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a National Memorial Service to be held in Canberra on Thursday 22 September.

The service will be broadcast live across the nation, beginning with one minute’s silence at 11am AEST.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) will be joined at the Service by official representatives from around the country.

Attendees will include the Federal Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Peter Dutton MP, State and Territory First Ministers, Members of Federal Parliament, High Court Justices, and members of the foreign Diplomatic Corps.

Broadcaster Melissa Doyle AM will be the Master of Ceremonies, with Anthony Callea and the Australian Girls Choir – who sang for the Queen during her 2011 trip to Australia – performing as part the service.

The iconic 1954 Sir William Dargie painting of The Queen will serve as the centrepiece of the service. It will be surrounded by golden wattle—Australia’s floral emblem—and sweet peas and dahlias, some of The Queen’s favourite flowers.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened Australian Parliament House in May 1988 during her Royal visit with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Service will be held on the National Day of Mourning which is also a one-off national public holiday.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“The National Memorial Service is an opportunity for all Australians to pay respect to our faithful monarch for the past 70 years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“As we pay tribute to Her Majesty, I encourage all Australians to reflect on her remarkable life of dedication and service with one minute’s silence at 11am.

“Her Majesty had a deep affection with Australia and Australians have remembered her fondly since hr passing.

“The Queen lived her life with an air of dignity and grace that will be remembered for centuries to come.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will lead Australia’s delegation to the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York from 19 to 24 September.

Australia helped create the United Nations and ensuring its strength and effectiveness remains in our interests today.

The United Nations Charter has been the foundation of our peace and prosperity for almost 80 years, but it is under threat.

Minister Wong will deliver Australia’s national statement outlining our commitment to strengthening the global rules based order, and demonstrating that Australia is a ready and able partner for all countries that seek a world that is peaceful, prosperous and where sovereignty is respected.

The Foreign Minister will engage with a broad range of partners to promote the priorities of Australia and our region on peace and security, human rights, development and action on climate change.

Senator Dodson will join the Foreign Minister in New York to explain and advance the Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

He and the Foreign Minister will hold discussions to listen and learn from the experiences of other countries and Indigenous representatives, as Australia moves to deliver a First Nations foreign policy.

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

“It’s in Australia’s national interest to ensure a world where countries operate by agreed rules and norms, and where outcomes aren’t decided by power and size alone.

“That means we need to work with others to solve shared problems and advance our interests.”

QSenator Patrick Dodson said:

“In Australia we are currently having a conversation about how we bring First Nations perspectives to the forefront of all that we do, and this includes foreign and trade policy.

“First Nations experiences and practices can enrich our diplomacy and strengthen our relationships with other countries, including in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The Greens will introduce the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to deliver 26 weeks of paid leave paid at replacement wage capped, with super paid on leave, and ‘use it or lose it’ incentives for partners to encourage shared parenting.

Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said: 

“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.

“The Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill will reduce the amount of time women are missing a pay cheque and provide families with more incentives, and more support, to share caring responsibilities more fairly.

“Australia has one of the weakest parental leave schemes in the developed world, especially for fathers. There was unanimous support from the Jobs and Skills Summit participants for that to change.
 
“If the government is serious about increasing women’s workforce participation, it needs to do more than to nod sagely while a panel of expert women says these things. Labor needs to actually act.
 
“The current parental leave scheme tends to lock mums into the role of primary carer and the loss of work opportunities that comes with it. We need to do much more to encourage both parents to share the parenting load, and to normalise working arrangements that help families juggle work and caring responsibilities. 

“We know from the experience in other countries that more equitable parental leave, coupled with free childcare, has a significant impact on women’s workforce participation. It also helps to shape long term sharing of childcare and unpaid household tasks.

“Use it or lose it” provisions in Scandinavian countries saw a huge jump in the number of dads taking leave and that fairer sharing of care has been sustained for more than a decade.  
 

Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens spokesperson on Employment said:

“I heard unanimous support for fairer paid parental leave at the Jobs and Skills Summit.The Greens are turning talk into action, giving notice of the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to increase Paid Parental leave by six weeks, to 26 weeks, with salaries matched up to $100k p.a., superannuation and incentives for parents to share care.

“As Chair of the Parliament’s first Senate Select Committee on Work and Care I know that the evidence on paid parental leave is overwhelming: we need it, and we need more of it. As an economist I know that without kids – and the care put into raising them – there is no economy. It is that simple. 

“Having children is hard labour and it should be recognised with decent recovery time and paid leave. It has been known for more than a century that economies benefiting from women’s work should ensure recovery and bonding time when they have a baby.’

“Australia came late to paid parental leave in 2011. And, with no significant improvements since, we have fallen behind the international standard again now. The world has moved on: It is time to play catch up and make sure new parents get the support they need.

“It’s time we recognised women’s role in our economy. Talking about women and equality is not enough, we must act. 

“It helps both women and the economy because paid leave gives women a greater connection to the workplace. That’s what we need in this time of skill shortages.

“Decent paid parental leave is a cornerstone of a good work and care system. At the moment we are lagging: it’s time to catch up.

Origin Energy’s decision to step back from fracking the Beetaloo Basin is welcome, Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said today, but warned that the fight to stop the project is still ongoing.

Despite this announcement, Origin have promised to remain a customer of the project.

With growing backlash to opening up the Beetaloo Basin to fracking, which would unleash 34 billion tonnes of carbon emissions, Adam Bandt said that the government should provide certainty by blocking new coal and gas.

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“This is a win for the First Nations peoples and climate activists who have been fighting to stop this terrible project for years,” Mr Bandt said.

“However, the fight is not over. Origin has clearly decided that they don’t want their name attached to this dirty project in partnership with a Russian Oligarch on US, UK and Australian sanctions lists.

“The Beetaloo Basin is a climate bomb no matter whose name is on the fracking wells. Whether Origin Energy is involved or not, cracking open the Basin would increase Australia’s total carbon emissions by up to 11%.

“Tamboran have already demonstrated that they have zero interest in meaningfully engaging with the problems caused by the project from First Nations opposition to entering a commercial relationship with a blacklisted Russian billionaire. They have refused to show up to a Senate Inquiry into the project – potentially leaving them in contempt of Parliament, and facing fines or even jail time. 

“First Nations people and climate defenders shouldn’t be forced to engage in a years-long game of whack a mole with the Beetaloo Basin. Anthony Albanese should come out and commit to stopping the project, so that the whole country can focus on investing in clean energy.”

Greens spokesperson for Resources, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:
“Origin are either in or they’re out – everything else is greenwashing. You can’t remain a customer while trying to distance yourself from this dirty climate bomb,” Senator Cox said.

“The Beetaloo project relies on manufactured consent and the destruction of First Nations land and Sea Country. Tamboran must consult and engage with all Traditional Owners and obtain free, informed, prior consent before proceeding with this project.

“Traditional Owners and climate defenders will continue to petition to stop this project. It’s past time for governments to listen to Traditional Owners and the science.

“Traditional Owners and grassroots organisations are the last line of defence for protection of our Land and Sea Country. We need investment in cleaner, greener renewable energy projects that preserve cultural heritage and First Nations’ way of life.”

Australia will provide a further $3 million in immediate humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating flooding in Pakistan.

The water, now covering over one-third of the country, is expected to take months to subside. This is having enormous and ongoing impacts on crops, food security and livelihoods.

Pakistan estimates that as many as 1.7 million houses have been lost, as well as one-third of their cotton crop.

The Australian Government’s deepest sympathies are with the families and communities that have been, and continue to be, greatly affected.

Australia’s support will be delivered through the World Food Program to address emergency food and livelihoods needs, including for women and children who remain disproportionately affected.

This will bring Australia’s total humanitarian response to the floods to $5 million. 

Today Parliament will begin hearing evidence from industry and community groups about juggling work and care responsibilities.

The Select Committee on Work and Care will be Chaired by Senator Barbara Pocock.

Senator Pocock not only is an expert in working life, but has also lived the reality of being a carer for her children, parents, and now as a grandparent.

Senator Barbara Pocock will be joined by six Senators from across the political spectrum to begin this wide-ranging inquiry, which will make recommendations about how to better help the working carers of our future.

The Inquiry has received over 100 submissions so far. It will hold hearings across Australia.

Senator Barbara Pocock said:

“I’ve been a working carer for most of the last 33 years. I know first hand the challenges and the joys that it can bring.

“Working carers make up a huge proportion of the Australian workforce. In 2022, 2 million Australians provided unpaid assistance to others with a disability, long-term health condition or due to old age (ABS, 2022). Many others are working parents.

“Research tells us that combining care responsibilities with paid work results in unexpected time pressure and a complex juggle which can affect our health, earnings, relationships, productivity, and the way we work.

“We provide care work out of love, but it is time to acknowledge the impact it has on lifetime earnings and gender equality

“This inquiry will point to ways to ease the pressure on working carers. I am expecting recommendations about quality, affordable childcare and respite care, flexibility at work and improved paid parental, sick and holiday leave.

Alison Brook, CEO of Carers Australia said:

“We are pleased with this opportunity to appear before the Senate on this important Inquiry, and are hoping to explore the three pillars we believe are needed to effectively support Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers to continue their care responsibilities and also participate in the paid workforce.

“These are carer-inclusive workplaces, including the need for carers leave in Australia to be brought in-line with other OECD countries, the need for increased substitute care options such as respite care, and reform related to the Carer Payment”

Save Our Songlines, a grassroots campaign led by Murujuga Traditional Custodians, remains vigilant in its fight to protect their sacred rock art and song lines from the ‘Burrup Hub’, which includes Woodside’s Scarborough gas project and Perdaman’s urea plant.

Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, has bowed to pressure from the campaign and granted a full assessment of the impact of all industry in the Burrup Peninsula on cultural heritage, under Section 10 of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHPA).

Although welcome news, the Minister’s denial of a Section 9 application from the group last month, means work can commence as scheduled and the movement of the rock art will take place while the Section 10 assessment is being completed.

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

“If Labor wants to meet their climate targets, they can’t allow the Burrup Hub to continue producing some of the dirtiest LNG in the world to fire the Perdaman plant.

“The North West Gas Shelf, and now Perdaman, will make their huge profits off the back of destroying First Nations’ cultural heritage while setting off a climate bomb that will cause irreversible damage to the environment.

“This Labor government can not talk about recognition, they are silencing the voices of traditional owners and ramping up another Juukan Caves. When Traditional Owners say no, governments need to listen. None of this work has ever received free, prior informed consent and this is why our grassroots organisations need to find legal assistance to make them listen.

“Murujuga National Park is due to bid for World Heritage listing in February next year, we need this fast-tracked to protect it from destruction. Murujuga contains the world’s largest collection of rock art, one of the oldest women’s law grounds in the world, as well as the Seven Sisters dreaming song-line linking stories across Australia and the world.

“We cannot continue to allow projects to go ahead that wreck the climate and destroy cultural heritage. We need investment in cleaner, greener renewable energy sources now, and for this Government to stand on the right side of history and protect Australia’s First Peoples stories and sacred places.”

Today National Cabinet met virtually to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and receive an update from Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.

First Ministers agreed to extend the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (PLDP) at current rates beyond 30 September 2022.

The payment will remain available for as long as mandatory isolation periods are applied by all States and Territories.

First Ministers agreed to cap the maximum number of PLDP claims an individual can make in a six month period to three.

National Cabinet agreed the Commonwealth and States and Territories would continue 50:50 cost-sharing arrangements for the payment.

First Ministers also agreed to a National Cabinet Statement on the National Day of Mourning to honour the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II on 22 September 2022. A copy of the statement is available on federation.gov.au.

The National Cabinet remains committed to working together on national priorities and will meet again in Canberra at the end of the month.