Category: Australian News

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for International Aid and Global Justice, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on Foreign Minister Penny Wong to take urgent action to protect the more than 50 boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which are carrying vital, lifesaving aid for the victims of Israel’s genocide and forced starvation. Seven Australians are on board the Flotilla.

Senator Faruqi is calling on Minister Wong to uphold her recently launched ‘Declaration for the protection of Humanitarian Personnel’ at the UN.

Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice:

“Right now, hundreds of people on the Flotilla are risking their lives to deliver food, water and medical supplies directly to the people of Gaza, who are being deliberately starved by Israel. Minister Wong must honour her commitment to those delivering humanitarian aid and guarantee the Government will do everything in its power to protect the Flotilla and its mission.

“Just last week, the Foreign Minister said we must protect aid workers who deliver the food, water and medicine that civilians need to survive. Now is the test of whether she actually meant it, or whether it was just more of the empty words we have come to expect from this Government.

“There is no place more dangerous to be an aid worker than Gaza, where Israel’s bombardment of Palestinians has also targeted health workers, journalists, and aid workers, yet these courageous people from across the world are sailing to Gaza to deliver urgently needed aid.  

“Minister Wong has touted her commitment to aid personnel on the world stage, and this will be the first test of whether the Australian Government will stand up to Israel and demand free passage of humanitarian aid. 

“The Labor Government allowed the Israeli Government to whitewash the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom with a sham investigation. Zomi’s killers continue to walk free, and not a single person or entity has been sanctioned for her killing. The time for impunity is over.

“I am also deeply concerned to hear that the Government has all but abandoned consular support for the Australians on the Flotilla and their families. This is unacceptable. 

“If the Labor Government recognises the State of Palestine, it must also recognise the genocide Palestinians are experiencing under Israeli occupation. The Albanese Government must sanction Israel and support every effort to break the illegal Israeli blockade that is killing Palestinians every day.

“We live in hope that Minister Wong will finally do something tangible and take action to stop Israel’s genocide and war crimes. The Genocide Convention requires it, international law requires it, and her conscience must require it.

“The flotilla represents the best of humanity—ordinary people stepping forward where governments have failed. The Labor government must break its silence and publicly support and protect this humanitarian mission.”

The Australian Greens have labelled the federal government weak after revelations the Environment Minister bowed to pressure from Woodside to weaken proposed protections for rock art from Woodside’s North West Shelf project, and relied on dodgy state government documentation.

The “statement of reasons” document shows the Cook Western Australian government misrepresented the damage that the gas plant caused, and will continue to cause, the World Heritage listed Murujuga rock art.

It also found that conditions imposed on Woodside by the WA Labor government were “not sufficient to prevent harm” to rock art, yet federal Labor still caved to gas industry pressure by approving the 40-year extension.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:

“This incredibly incriminating document shows just how weak the Labor government is in letting Woodside write their own rules at the expense of ancient rock art and the climate.

“Labor has again conceded to their corporate donors letting them dictate the conditions on the approval of a carbon bomb.

“Woodside should not have had any say on the conditions, but when Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill asks for them to be watered down to protect their profits, Murray Watt delivers for her. 

“The statement of reasons document proves that Minister Watt knew about the risk to the World Heritage Murujuga ancient rock art, yet he approved Woodside’s 40-year extension anyway.

“If our environmental laws allow the destruction of Murujuga’s irreplaceable cultural heritage and the climate, it is clear they are broken. 

“Passing the buck onto state governments is not working, WA Labor time and time again prove to be working on behalf of Woodside’s interests over that of Country, the community, and our climate.

“It is disgraceful that Minister Watt sided with WA Labor and Woodside over the protection of irreplaceable cultural heritage and a climate safe future.

“Until we have strong federal environmental laws and a genuinely independent EPA, decisions will keep being made to protect industry and political careers, not to protect the environment or heritage.”

The Albanese Government is delivering on our ambitious trade diversification agenda through the entry into force of the landmark free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 1 October.

This agreement builds on the Government’s commitment to create new market access opportunities. It means more trade opportunities for Australian businesses and more high-paying local jobs for Australian workers.

When fully implemented, more than 99% of Australia’s exports will enter the UAE duty free – saving Australian farmers, miners, manufacturers and other exporters $185 million in its first year alone.

The UAE is already Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East, with over $12.3 billion in two-way goods and services trade in 2024. Under this agreement, trade will accelerate, with independent modelling estimating an additional $678 million in Australian goods exports to enter the UAE annually.

The agreement will help attract some of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world to Australia and will facilitate investment opportunities across the economy, including in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture and minerals.

Details on the full package and key benefits to Australia are published on the DFAT website.

The commencement of the free trade agreement coincides with 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the UAE, and the elevation of the relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

The Strategic Partnership will provide the framework to take forward our shared interests with the UAE on economic, security and people to people cooperation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This trade agreement with the UAE delivers on my Government’s commitment to open new export opportunities and create more jobs in Australia.

“Our first trade deal in the Middle East provides Australian businesses with a competitive advantage in this fast-growing region. More trade means more opportunities for economic growth.

“As an important global logistics centre and hub, the UAE will serve as a gateway for Australia’s exports to the broader region and beyond.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:

“Australia’s free trade agreement with the UAE delivers for Australian businesses, consumers, and our economy.

“The removal of tariffs on key Australian exports to the UAE, from red meat and dairy to alumina, steel, and cosmetics, opens more opportunities for Australian businesses and creates more high-paying local jobs for Australian workers.”Media release

The Albanese Government is implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to reduce suicide and suicidality among current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members.

Today, the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) begins operation as a powerful force for change, overseeing sustained improvement in how we protect the lives of those who protect us.

For the first time, veterans and their families have a government entity with a specific, singular focus on preventing suicide among current and ex-serving ADF members.

Operating independently of government, and backed by significant evidence-gathering powers, the DVSC will drive ongoing, systemic reform across the defence and veteran ecosystem.

The creation of the DVSC implements Recommendation 122 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – to create a new, independent statutory entity. 

This recommendation was described by the Commission as its most important.

Standing up the DVSC is a foundational step in the Government’s ongoing program to implement Royal Commission recommendations.

A key element of its mandate is to hold government to account by monitoring and reporting on progress to implement recommendations.

Families of veterans who have died by suicide have made it clear they expect this body to be at arm’s length from Government. 

That is why the Government will introduce standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission, with a Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor-General to ensure their independence and enhance oversight of the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations, and include defence and veteran families in the Commission’s functions.

Penny McKay will serve as Acting Commissioner while a merit-based recruitment process for the inaugural permanent DVSC Commissioner is underway right now.

Ms McKay comes to the role with a distinguished career that’s included serving as Deputy Commonwealth and Defence Force Ombudsman.

The Albanese Government acknowledges and thanks the Interim Head of the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission, Mr Michael Manthorpe PSM, for his strong commitment and sound independent advice in establishing the new Commission.

Further details of the recruitment process for the inaugural Commissioner may be found at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Further details about the DVSC can be found at www.DVSC.gov.au. 

Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel:

“The Royal Commission said creating an independent body to oversee reform was its most important recommendation. 

“Today, less than a year after the Albanese Government accepted that recommendation, it is up and running.

“Now, veterans and their families have a powerful champion in their corner with a sole focus on fixing what has been a broken system.

“The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission has a singular focus – to drive the reforms that, guided by the best evidence, will lower suicides and suicidality among current and ex-serving ADF members.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his official visit to the United Kingdom.

In London, the Prime Minister met with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, to discuss defence and security cooperation, climate and energy transition, and trade and investment opportunities.

The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the AUKUS partnership, which will expand security, create thousands of jobs in each nation and deliver significant industry and workforce benefits for all partners.

Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and critical technologies, particularly across the defence sector.

Prime Minister Albanese joined Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland at the Global Progress Action Summit. He had bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Spain and Canada while at the Summit.

The Prime Minister had an audience with His Majesty King Charles III at Balmoral Castle.

The Prime Minister spoke at the UK Labour Party Conference at the invitation of Prime Minister Starmer.

The Prime Minister will now travel home to Australia, stopping off in Abu Dhabi where he will meet with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and discuss the historic commencement of the landmark Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Our focus always when representing Australia overseas is how it can benefit Australians at home.

“As old friends, the UK and Australia are working together to realise new opportunities for Australians and the British people on both sides of the world.

“It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister Starmer and reaffirm the strength of the Australia–United Kingdom relationship, including through the AUKUS partnership with the United States.

“It was an honour to be received by His Majesty The King at Balmoral Castle.”

The Greens have written to the Aged Care Minister, Sam Rae, urging him to act to prevent aged care recipients from having to pay up to $50 each day just to get support with showering and taking medication when changes are introduced, as the ABC reported this week. 

Under the new co-payments system for aged care, due to come into effect on November 1, older Australians receiving home care for “non-clinical” supports will be subject to co-payments. 

The Inspector-General of Aged Care has raised concerns that the co-payments system will cause older Australians to forgoe essential care, and have downstream impacts for hospitalisations and premature entry into the residential care system.

The Greens opposed the new co-payments system and were the only Senators to vote to remove it when the Aged Care legislation moved through the Senate last year.

No one assessed for Aged Care after 12 September 2024 will be grandfathered or subject to the “no worse off” principle, meaning potentially hundreds of thousands of participants will be on the new rules from 1 November, many of whom may be unaware that they are about to face new charges due to the confusion of the government’s reforms.

Extract from the letter from Greens spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, to the Minister for Aged Care, Sam Rae:

“All Australians want to have faith that they will be looked after in their old age, and be able to access the care that they need at the time that they need it.

“But unfortunately, these aged care reforms are taking Australia in another direction, where the worse your health is, the more you’ll pay. And many older Australians will be squeezed out of care entirely by the Government’s price increases.”
(full text available here)

Revelations that executives at major for-profit childcare companies, including G8 and Affinity, pocketed bonuses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars despite repeated safety and quality breaches are yet more evidence that the for-profit model is failing families. 

Bosses at Australia’s largest for-profit providers received pay rises and bonuses of up to $500,000 last year even as centres under their watch were cited for multiple safety breaches. 

The Greens have consistently called out the failings of the for-profit childcare system. Currently, only 13% of private providers are rated as “exceeding quality standards”, compared to almost a third of public and not-for-profit centres.

The Greens have secured a Senate Inquiry into the safety and quality of early learning which is examining how the system, including the lawed childcare subsidy, props up private cowboy operators and undermines safe, high-quality care.

Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“As a parent of young kids myself, families are right to be outraged that executives are pocketing bonuses for hitting short-term KPIs while private providers charge parents through the roof and still deliver lower standards of care.

“These operators treat children like line items on a balance sheet , chasing enrolments and shareholder returns at the expense of safe, high-quality care. And the evidence shows kids are being put at risk.

“Trust in the early learning system is at an all-time low, and these bonuses are further proof the for-profit model prioritises profit over quality care and education.

“Leaving early learning to the market is both flawed and dangerous. That’s why we’ve  secured a vital Senate Inquiry into early learning safety and quality, which is now underway.

“Ultimately, we need a universal, affordable system that treats early learning as a public good, not a private commodity. 

“At the very least, money going into executive bonuses should instead be spent lifting quality and properly paying educators.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his first visit to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. During the 80th session he engaged with world leaders and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to working with partners to address global challenges.  

The Prime Minister delivered Australia’s National Statement to the General Assembly, outlining Australia’s strong support for the UN and the multilateral system.

At UN Headquarters, the Prime Minister hosted an event attended by world leaders on protecting children in the digital age and showcased Australia’s landmark social media minimum age laws.

The Prime Minister also shared Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target at the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action.

Showcasing Australia as an attractive investment location, the Prime Minister met with senior US business leaders to highlight how the Future Made in Australia agenda will capture the opportunities of the global net zero transformation.

The Prime Minister also joined other partners in announcing Australia’s recognition of the State of Palestine, and addressed the Two-State Solution Conference, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This visit was focussed on taking forward Australian’s national and economic interests at home.

“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to engage with world leaders on the issues we face as an international community, and advocate for Australia’s interests.

“It was important to highlight global issues at the United Nations that matter to everyday Australians, including the protection of young people online and the global transition to net-zero.

“I was also proud to bring Australia to the world stage and showcase our Future Made in Australia agenda.

“Global challenges require global action, and it’s only together we can solve the problems we face as an international community.”

A police officer has now been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm of Hannah Thomas, who was punched in the face at a peaceful anti-Israel protest outside weapons-plating corporation SEC Plating in Belmore in June. This has renewed pressure to stand down Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden after he told the media he had reviewed the body camera footage that showed the assault, and saw “no information at this stage that’s before me that indicates any misconduct on behalf of my officers”.

Greens MP Sue Higginson has today written to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, the Police Commissioner and the Police Minister Yasmin Catley calling for McFadden to be stood down as an Assistant Commissioner, and for an immediate investigation into his conduct.

Labor Premier Chris Minns is also facing pressure to repeal his anti-protest laws, which are claimed to be contributing to an escalation in police brutality toward peaceful protesters.

Charges initially laid against Ms Thomas have now been withdrawn and she and four fellow protesters have been awarded over $40,000 in costs. Ms Thomas has also lodged a civil claim against the NSW Police.

NSW Greens MP, Justice Spokesperson and solicitor Sue Higginson said:

“It’s a just and welcomed step to see charges finally laid against the police officer who brutally assaulted Hannah Thomas while she was attending a peaceful protest. But there is more to the police brutality and misconduct on that day, there are now serious questions over the police misconduct following the incident and we must confront the source of this injustice, the impunity given to police by Labor Premier Chris Minns through the anti-protest laws and rhetoric he espouses,”

“It would now appear that Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden blatantly tried to cover up the violent assault on Hannah Thomas. Commissioner McFadden reviewed body camera footage that shows Ms Thomas being assaulted, and then told the media he saw no evidence of police misconduct. He excused police violence towards an innocent woman, he argued against further oversight, and under his leadership police issued statements criticizing the very protesters they had assaulted,”

“Assistant Commissioner McFadden needs to stand down immediately. I have written urgently to Police Minister Yasmin Catley, the Police Commissioner and to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission calling for him to be stood down and for an investigation into his misconduct,”

“Police should not have been given the power or the impunity to issue move-on directions to peaceful protesters who were committing no crime. We saw that police referenced Chris Minns’ new draconian anti-protest laws in their fact sheet, referring to a place of worship in Belmore to justify the violent arrest of Hannah Thomas and her fellow protesters,”

“The Premier now also needs to apologise for laying the blame at Ms Thomas’ feet and implying she was responsible for her own assault, without even viewing the body camera footage himself,”

“It is really concerning that Hannah Thomas was not made aware that these charges had been laid, the first she heard was in media reports. There’s a complete disregard towards victims of police brutality from NSW Police and it’s got to change,”

“This demonization of peaceful protest is reckless political behaviour and it leads to innocent people of good conscience getting hurt. Innocent people have the right to peacefully call for an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and they have the right to do so without being victims of heinous police brutality at the hands of an emboldened NSW Police force”.

Victorian Greens Leader and local Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell has said separated bike lanes must be installed on Macaulay Road as a matter of urgency, and the dangerous intersection urgently reviewed, following the tragic death of a cyclist yesterday in Kensington, where Ms Sandell also lives.

A young cyclist reportedly tragically died in a crash with a truck near the intersection of Macaulay Road and Rankins Road on Monday afternoon, close to Kensington train station. This follows several other cyclists who have died or been seriously injured following collisions with trucks in the last few years in the electorate of Melbourne, including Angus Collins in West Melbourne.

However, despite the Council approving funding for separated bike lanes along Macaulay Road every year since 2021, the bike lanes have been constantly delayed due to the Victorian Government Department of Transport not approving them.

The Greens have also called on the City of Melbourne to urgently review the safety of the Rankins Rd/Macaulay Rd intersection where the death occurred.

As part of this review the Council should also explore whether the current traffic management plans have been sufficient amid all the construction happening in Kensington, and increase in trucks using local roads.

The Greens say that, while the circumstances are not yet fully known, it would be heartbreaking if yesterday’s death could potentially have been avoided if safer transport infrastructure like separated bike lanes had been installed.

To prevent future cyclist injuries, collisions, and deaths on Victorian roads, the state must make improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure a matter of priority.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:

“My thoughts are with the man who was tragically killed on his bike yesterday, and his loved ones.

“Every year in Australia nine cyclists are killed on our roads, yet Governments often make safety for cyclists an afterthought. Pedestrians and bike riders should be able to use our roads without fear of being killed.

“Yesterday’s tragic death needs to be a wake-up call for the State Labor Government. Too often, Labor makes safe bike lanes an afterthought, when they must be a priority, so no more bike riders die after being hit by cars and trucks.”