Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government is turbocharging Australia’s green hydrogen industry, with a $70 million investment to support the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville.

The Government will today release guidelines for the competitive Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program, which will deliver $70 million towards projects that accelerate the development of a hydrogen industry in North Queensland

With matched funding, the region will see a $140 million investment in renewable hydrogen for our own use or to supply the rest of the world as fuel, energy generation and storage, or as a chemical feedstock. 

The Townsville Hydrogen Hub will create regional jobs, support Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy, and encourage decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors, such as industrial processing and transport. 

The region’s port facilities, workforce capacity, and proximity to Asian trading partners make it an ideal location for a green hydrogen hub.

The Government’s investment in hydrogen hubs is now more than $525 million, including the $454 million Regional Hydrogen Hubs program for projects in places like Gladstone, the Hunter Valley, the Pilbara, Port Bonython and Bell Bay.

The Government is also investing $89.5 million to help the transport sector make the switch to hydrogen, including through hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia’s busiest freight routes.

By 2050, Australia’s hydrogen industry could generate $50 billion in additional GDP and create over 16,000 jobs, as well as an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to power the production of green hydrogen.

Producers, consumers, and potential exporters of hydrogen across industrial, transport, export and energy markets are eligible to apply for the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program. Guidelines are available at: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-hydrogen-hubs-townsville-region

Grants from $30 million to $70 million will be available under an open and competitive application process when applications open in March 2023.

Applicants will be assessed in two stages, with an initial open competitive process. This will be followed by a formal application process for shortlisted applicants.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will provide an information session for potential applicants in the coming months.

Please register your interest at hydrogenprograms@industry.gov.au.

Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia said:

“This is an important development for Australia and North Queensland. Australia is already one of the largest exporters of energy in the world; a thriving hydrogen industry here in North Queensland will be critical for us to become a renewable energy superpower as well.

“The hub will help secure jobs and economic growth in Queensland, delivering on one of our key commitments, and could also pave the way for exports to our valued trading partners in Japan, South Korea and across Asia.”

Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy said:

“Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy transformation and create jobs for technicians, tradespeople and engineers, as well as significant opportunities in related businesses and service industries.

“It is important that we support hard-to-abate sectors, including heavy industry and transport, to reduce their emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.

“These regional hubs will give our green hydrogen industry an early-stage springboard to scale, which will help to promote further growth and investment in clean technology.”

One of South Australia’s biggest tourism and sporting events, the Tour Down Under, begins today.

Santos, a major fossil fuel company and carbon emitter in the Asia-Pacific region, has been the naming rights sponsor of Australia’s premier cycling event since 2010.

Greens spokesperson for Resources and Tourism, Yamatji-Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“The Tour Down Under is an internationally-regarded, much-loved event that showcases the natural beauty of South Australia and draws tourists to the state, like the cycling grand tours of Europe. I call on Events South Australia to look for alternative sponsorship arrangements that better align with the protection of that natural environment.

“Santos is a huge contributor to climate change, yet its sponsorship of important events like the Tour Down Under goes unchallenged.

“Holding the long-standing naming rights sponsorship of the Tour Down Under demonstrates how fossil fuel companies use the soft power of sport to greenwash their operations and climate action credentials.

“Saying no to new coal and gas projects and expansions, also means saying no to the invasive, greenwashing sponsorship deals that fossil fuel companies covet.

“Last year, we saw athletes and supporters from cricket, netball and Aussie Rules football speak out against sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies that don’t align with their values. 

“Tennis Australia ended its partnership with Santos with years left on their deal after bushfires and poor air quality impacted the Australian Open. This proactive climate-first approach was welcomed by the broader community.

“Transitioning away from coal and gas sponsorship is not impossible, as the move away from tobacco sponsorship shows. It’s time that we apply that same commonsense to fossil fuel companies sponsoring sporting, cultural and tourism events.”

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured the flood ravaged Kimberley region with the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt, and Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan announcing funding for impacted families and individuals.

Upon seeing the extent of the damage and destruction, Prime Minister Albanese committed the Commonwealth Government to providing whatever support the Western Australian Government requires to rebuild and recover as quickly as possible from the unprecedented flooding event.

WA Greens Senator and Yamatji-Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox said:

“There’s a huge amount of work ahead to rebuild the lives and livelihoods of the communities in the Kimberley. We must guarantee that those families who lost everything do not suffer extended periods of displacement and are able to return home and be on Country as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“The individuals, families, organisations and businesses of Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and the smaller communities along the Martuwarra, must be provided all the same support and funding opportunities that other flood affected Australian communities have received.

“The Disaster Recovery Allowance of up to 13 weeks of income support is currently available to those who are eligible, but the one-off, means-tested, Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child remains outstanding as the Commonwealth waits for data to be released by the WA Department Fire and Emergency Services before these much needed payments can be activated. Why are these families who have lost everything and are in crisis still waiting?

“Past recovery efforts in our cyclone-prone regional areas have been slow and have unduly impacted struggling communities. With the support of the Commonwealth, the McGowan Government can capitalise on the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, to ensure an effective, long-term recovery in the Kimberley.

“Immediate support for families and small businesses is important, but the region relies heavily on the $2 billion dollar tourism industry, and we need to start planning for its recovery now as well.

“Following two tourist seasons of border closures, Broome and the Kimberley are going to need significant sector-specific stimulus funding to ensure international and domestic tourists return to the region as soon as possible.

“This flood is unprecedented in scale, but it won’t be the region’s last natural disaster. We need a policy framework that addresses climate change adaptation and mitigates loss and damage for regional and remote communities.

“The Albanese Government is committed to supporting our Pacific neighbours on the existential issue of loss and damage associated with the catastrophic effects of climate change. Now it must demonstrate that commitment to the First Peoples of the Kimberley who are impacted by a worsening climate.

“The Australian Government took a leadership role in the final days of negotiation at the COP27 in Egypt, when delegates were struggling to agree on how to fund and support poor and vulnerable nations to adapt to climate change. Now, they need to come good and start funding impacted communities in their own backyard to do the same.”

The rental system is totally broken. 
 

Already exorbitant Sydney rents have risen yet again to record highs, according to new rental data released today.
 

NSW renters desperately need an immediate rent freeze – until longer-term rental reform can be implemented, including cutting rents and ending unfair, no-grounds evictions.
 

So far all we’ve heard from Labor and Liberal are hollow words that tinker around the edges of the housing affordability crisis and refuse to face this rental crisis head-on.
 

Greens are committed to putting renters first and pushing the major parties to freeze and cut rents.

Years of special treatment for greedy developers and big investors have created this crisis.
 

Renters are being forced out of their homes and neighbourhoods, queuing up with hundreds of people just for an inspection, giving up precious family pets and avoiding basic maintenance requests because of fear of retribution.
 

This crisis isn’t going anywhere until we cut rents, end unfair, no-grounds evictions, and stop the special treatment of landlords and big investors profiting from what should be a basic human right.
 

The Greens will push the next government to freeze and cut rents, stop unfair, no-grounds evictions, properly tax mega-mansions and trophy homes, and build a system of housing that works for everyone, not corporate profiteers.

Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has today written to the Iranian Ambassador stating his political sponsorship of Majid Kazemi following the Iranian authorities sentencing him to death on 9th January 2023. 

The Iranian diaspora in Australia is greatly concerned for Majid Kazemi, as the Iranian authorities have continued to carry out executions of people who joined protests following Jina Amini’s death. The United Nations Human Rights office has said that the recent executions of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini followed “unfair trials based on forced confessions”.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian Government to do more than the current sanctions that are in place on some Iranian officials. The current sanctions do not go far enough and are not as strong as those imposed by other countries, including Canada. 

The community is desperately calling for more to be done to show Iranian authorities that these abhorrent acts will not be tolerated. 

Senator Steele-John, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Peace and Nuclear Disarmament said:

“Every day we wake up to the news that more Iranian freedom protestors have been sentenced to death. This must end. The international community must keep putting pressure on Iranian authorities to free those innocent civilians who are subject to fatal penalties because they were crying out for freedom in their country.”

“Today I have written to the Iranian Ambassador, stating my political sponsorship of Majid Kazemi. Majid Kazemi has family in Australia and he was sentenced to death on 9th January 2023. 

“The Australian Government’s response to Iran since Jina Ahmini’s death in September 2022 has been too slow and has fallen short of what the community is asking for. 

“The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian government to expand the Magnitsky sanctions, including financial asset freezing and further visa bans on people linked to the Iranian regime including key security officials, Basiji Militia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp and the morality police.

“The Iranian diaspora community has been calling for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be listed as a terrorist organisation, and the Australian Government must start listening. This would send a strong signal that Australia will not stay silent in the face of human rights abuses and will act to punish perpetrators who are accountable for these heinous crimes.

“The Australian Greens will continue to call on the Iranian government to end its violent crackdown on protesters and request the release of all arrested protestors. We will continue to pressure the Australian Government to do more.”

The draft Safeguard Mechanism rules released by the Federal Labor government today don’t go far enough and risk continuing to be captured by coal and gas interests.

The safeguard mechanism is primarily about regulating coal, oil and gas, with 57% of emissions covered by the scheme coming from those sectors. 

The Chubb Review into carbon credits also released yesterday reinforces the Greens’ concerns about allowing unlimited offsetting as part of the Safeguard Mechanism reform. The use of Australian Carbon Credit Units instead of actual emission cuts, including those represented by Safeguard Mechanism Credits, risks filling the scheme with hot air.

The government is likely to need the Greens’ backing in the Senate for the rules, which are a disallowable instrument, and to pass the enabling legislation currently before the Parliament.

The Greens want to work with the government to ensure the Safeguard Mechanism delivers real and deep cuts to pollution, not just dodgy offsetting and an excuse for coal and gas to expand and keep polluting.

More than half of the facilities currently covered by the Safeguard Mechanism are coal or gas projects and the 118 coal, oil and gas projects in the investment pipeline will sabotage the Safeguard Mechanism unless they are dealt with by the government.

Acting Greens Leader Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Labor’s Safeguard Mechanism is giving coal and gas a green light to keep expanding as long as they buy enough offsets.

“Coal and gas are making record profits. Buying offsets is just coins down the back of the couch for them. Coal and gas can’t be allowed to just buy their way out of real pollution cuts with dodgy offsetting.

“Coal and gas are causing the climate crisis, but Labor wants more.

“Labor says this law is about Australian industry, but really it’s directly about coal, oil and gas, with 57% of the pollution covered by the law coming from those three climate-destroying industries.

“The Greens want to work with the government to ensure the Safeguard Mechanism delivers real and deep pollution cuts, not just dodgy offsetting and an excuse for coal and gas to expand and keep polluting.

“The Greens will use our balance of power position to push Labor to stop opening up new coal and gas projects and ensure real cuts to pollution, not just hot air.

“The more we let coal and gas off the hook, the more everyone else will have to do. Australian households and manufacturing shouldn’t be asked to do more just so coal and gas can keep on expanding.”

The Australian Government is announcing an additional $65 million for the Nowra Bypass planning project, bringing the total joint commitment with the New South Wales Government to $105 million.

The additional funding will allow robust planning and preparatory works to occur on this priority project for the people of Shoalhaven.

A bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel times, improve safety for all road users and increase amenity for the community and businesses of Nowra.

The $105 million Nowra Bypass planning project is being funded by both governments, with the Australian Government committing $97 million and the NSW Government $8 million.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:

“Today’s announcement is an important step towards the planning for a bypass, which we know has been a priority for the area for some time.

“This is yet another example of the Australian Government working in partnership to address the critical transport infrastructure needs of the residents of the south coast.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said:

“Locals across the South Coast know how much of a bottleneck the Princess Highway can become through Nowra, particularly during this busy summer holiday period.

“We want to make sure that commuters can travel as quickly and safely as possible across this beautiful region, spending less time sitting in traffic and more time with family and friends.

“The planning work already underway is an important step in making this long awaited bypass project a reality for the people of Shoalhaven.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“We are committed to working with the NSW Government to deliver good infrastructure investment that creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity.

“By easing traffic congestion and improving safety through Nowra, a bypass will improve the liveability and workability of the region – supporting freight, local businesses and tourism.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said:

“Since 2011, $5.15 billion has been committed to upgrading the Princes Highway from Albion Park to the Victorian border to bust congestion and make getting from A to B easier for families, truckies and other motorists who depend on this route.

“We’ve delivered an Albion Park Rail Bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade and the new Nowra Bridge is on track to open next year. A Nowra bypass is the next step in our plan to build the infrastructure that matters to make daily life easier for the South Coast community.”

Australia has lost a shining light in the field of neuroscience and stem cell research with the passing of Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim AM.

While instantly recognisable in academia and biomedical research, it was Professor Mackay-Sim’s work in the laboratory which set him apart.

Recognised as Australian of the Year in 2017, Professor Mackay-Sim’s expertise and studies led to effective drugs for many neurological diseases, and his work on patient sourced stem cells has improved the lives of many thousands of Australians.

Professor Mackay-Sim’s prestigious accolades also include Queenslander of the Year in 2003 and 2017, the 2018 Neil Hamilton Fairley Medal for outstanding contribution to medicine, the 2017 Australasian Neuroscience Society Distinguished Achievement Award, and the 2011 Eureka Science Prize.

Professor Mackay-Sim’s contribution to health and medicine cannot be overstated.

He was also a proud supporter of Australia’s next generation of health and medical researchers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim’s work in understanding the human brain and stem cells was game-changing and improved countless people’s lives. A dedicated and innovative researcher, he garnered respect and recognition for Australian science around the world.”

“Professor Mackay-Sim’s work continues to benefit people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and schizophrenia. He lived an inspiring life, and I offer deep condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said:

“While the honours awarded to Professor Mackay-Sim cannot give full measure of the man, those honours are many. His ground-breaking work has had an enormous impact on science and medicine.”

“I offer my sincere sympathies to Professor Mackay-Sim’s family, his wife and children, and his friends. His loss will be sorely felt, but his contribution to medicine in Australia and globally will live on.”

Victoria Daly regional communities in the Northern Territory affected by severe weather and heavy rainfall brought on by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie have access to disaster assistance to support emergency relief and recovery efforts.

The assistance, jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), may include:

• Help for people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
• Personal hardship and distress payments
• Support for local councils and residents to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his Government would work with the Territory Government to get people the support they need now and long after the waters have receded.

“This was a one in a 50-year flood in Timber Creek, and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all of our hard working emergency services personnel and volunteers for their hard work and assistance during this unprecedented event.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the severe weather and flooding had significantly impacted communities in the region.

“This was a one in 50-year flood in Timber Creek and I’d like to thank emergency services for their coordinated response that ensured residents were taken to safety as houses became flooded,” Minister Watt said.

“The Federal and Northern Territory Governments have made this financial assistance available to support impacted residents with their immediate needs to help them get back on their feet and into their homes.

“This funding will also assist councils to cover the costs of clean-up, repairing flood-damaged infrastructure back to a usable condition, and undertaking counter disaster operations.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring communities are better prepared and can recover quicker from natural disasters.”

Acting Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Hon Nicole Manison MLA said the Northern Territory is continuing to monitor the situation.

“While some residents have returned home, there are a number of dwellings that need more work,” Minister Manison said.

“We are working with all partners in the community to provide support where it is needed.”

“We thank all the hardworking people who have helped Timber Creek deal with the flood emergency and the recovery efforts, as well as the Commonwealth for their support through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”

Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said by working together collaboratively, all levels of government have been able to provide support to some of the most isolated communities in the country.

“We have been monitoring this disaster closely since it arrived and have been in constant contact with communities to provide the assistance required as quickly as possible,” Ms Scrymgour said.

“This funding will ensure that the recovery can begin as rapidly as the response.”

The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a jointly funded program between the Australian Government and state and territory (state) governments, through which the Australian Government provides financial assistance to support state governments with disaster recovery costs.

Eligible costs include assistance measures for individuals and families, businesses, primary producers, non-profit organisations and local and state governments.

Under these arrangements, state governments determine what assistance measures will be activated, and the areas in which they will be made available.

The Australian Government may then reimburse state governments for up to 75 per cent of these costs.

State governments are responsible for administering the DRFA assistance measures.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website, and the Northern Territory Government’s emergency information and response Secure NT website.

Disaster recovery assistance has been made available to flood-affected communities in Western Australia’s Kimberley region after heavy rainfall associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie has caused significant impacts to the area.

The shires of Derby West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham East Kimberley and Halls Creek are eligible for assistance measures through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Eligible costs include assistance measures for individuals and families, businesses, primary producers, non-profit organisations and local and state governments.

Under these arrangements, state governments determine what assistance measures will be activated, and the areas in which they will be made available.

This funding can be allocated to emergency assistance, temporary living expenses, replacement of essential household goods, housing repairs, personal and financial counselling assistance.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie crossed into Western Australia from the Northern Territory on December 28, 2022.

Since December 30, widespread rainfall totals between 200-500mm have been recorded across the Kimberley region.

Major flooding has occurred along the Fitzroy River to Fitzroy Crossing, reaching record levels of 15.81m.

Major roads and associated infrastructure have been damaged and floodwaters have isolated towns including Fitzroy Crossing and many remote indigenous communities along the Fitzroy River.

Some local communities have chosen to relocate to safer areas until the threat passes. Community infrastructure and homes have also been impacted by the event.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Commonwealth would provide any support requested by the Western Australian Government.

“We have already deployed aircraft to assist with evacuations and to transport crucial supplies, and will continue to provide support now and long after the water recedes,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“I’d like to thank all of our hard working emergency services personnel and volunteers for their hard work and assistance during this unprecedented event.”

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, said the flooding was unprecedented for the Kimberley region and had wrought devastating impacts on local homes, businesses, and communities and the recovery process would take some time.

“This is a once-in-a-century event so the State and Federal Governments will work for as long as it takes to ensure communities recover and rebuild.

“We’ll continue to work cooperatively with the Federal Government to get support out to the communities affected and I thank everyone who has been assisting in the response for their efforts.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the rainfall in the north-west of the country was extraordinary.

“This sheer amount of water that is flowing through the region is just staggering and the impact this is having on these communities is immense,” he said.

“We have responded quickly by making assistance available to help with the cost of repairs to damaged infrastructure that is vital to supply chains and access for local communities.

“We have also deployed two C-27J Spartan and one C-130J Hercules transport aircraft to evacuate residents and transport supplies to cut-off communities following requests for support from the Western Australian Government.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring communities are better prepared and can recover quicker from natural disasters.”

WA Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson, said the McGowan Government had been in regular contact with the Federal Government to fast-track the activation of the DRFA, which will provide much-needed support for the community.

“First of all, can I say thank you to the community that’s been impacted for their resilience.

“People in the Kimberley are experiencing a one-in-100-year flood event, the worst flooding Western Australia has ever seen.

“While our primary focus has been on ensuring people’s lives and livelihoods, we must eventually pivot to recovery actions and support.

“With this in mind, we have been working closely with the Commonwealth Government to make sure people in impacted communities will have access to Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”