Category: Australian News

The independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has confirmed the Labor Government’s policies will result in higher debt and deficits.

Analysis in the PBO’s 2022 Election Commitments Report confirms Labor’s policies will result in a deterioration in the Budget position.

If fully implemented the Labor Government’s platform will see increased deficits across both the forward estimates and the medium term.

The independent body has also shown Labor failed to meet the same high standards for transparency during the election campaign. Despite waiting until the eve of the election to publish their costings, the report confirmed Labor’s costings document hid commitments from voters.

By contrast, today’s independent report confirms the Coalition adopted a transparent and fiscally responsible approach to costing its policies at the election.

The PBO’s report independently confirms the Coalition’s strong economic management and election commitments would have improved the deficit over the 2022–23 Budget forward estimates period.

The Coalition adopted best practice throughout the campaign by submitting all commitments for independent costing and public scrutiny before election day.

The independent analysis confirms the Coalition’s Budget was balancing the task of Budget repair while supporting Australians with the rising cost of living.

This builds on the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook released in April, which found:

• The Coalition left the Budget bottom line with the largest and fastest improvement in over 70 years, with $103 billion of improvements compared with last year.
• Australia was on course to stabilise and then reduce debt over the medium term.
• Resilient economic growth despite the shocks of the COVID pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• A strong and improving labour market.

This is compared to Labor’s poor excuse for a costing document which has finally been independently reviewed by the PBO.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the independent report confirms that every year debt and deficits are higher under Labor.

“The impacts of Labor’s increased spending will constrain the government’s ability to provide cost of living relief and Budget repair without increasing taxes,” Mr Taylor said.

“With the Budget position confirmed to decline over the forward estimates under Labor, the Government must promise it will not increase taxes and will clearly commit to the previous Government’s tax cap.”

Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Jane Hume said despite promising greater standards of transparency, it has taken 54 days since the election for the Australian people to learn the full costs of Labor’s policies.

“The Government needs to explain to the Australian people why they failed to disclose all their policies and their costs to the Australian people before the election,” Senator Hume said.

Senator Hume said the Government should explain to Australians why now is the time to send the budget further into deficit.

“Anthony Albanese has said that if you don’t repair the budget, households wear the cost. Today we’ve confirmed that the Albanese Government’s plans – including those they never costed – will make sure households will wear that cost. They have no plan for fiscal responsibility and no plan to get spending under control,” said Senator Hume.

Economic and financial abuse of older people is a serious issue with wide-ranging impacts for victim-survivors and their families. To better understand this type of abuse in the context of domestic and family violence (DFV) further research is required, according to a UNSW Sydney report into economic and financial abuse funded by Commonwealth Bank (CommBank). 

Understanding Economic and Financial Abuse and Older People in the Context of Domestic and Family Violence is the fifth report in a partnership between CommBank and UNSW’s Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN).

The partnership forms part of CommBank Next Chapter, which aims to help victim-survivors of financial abuse achieve long-term financial independence. Through the partnership, CommBank and UNSW’s GVRN hope to increase community and industry understanding and the prevention of financial abuse. With the release of the fifth report, the completed research series is one of the most comprehensive compendiums of evidence on economic and financial abuse in Australia.

GVRN conducted a comprehensive review of academic and policy literature to examine existing research on financial and economic abuse among older people. They found the term ‘elder abuse’ can obscure situations where financial and economic abuse may have been perpetrated as part of DFV.

“This can drastically impact service providing spaces and create barriers for victim-survivors seeking help,” says Professor Jan Breckenridge, Co-Convenor of GVRN at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.

“Financial institutions have a key role to play in identifying and responding to economic and financial abuse of older people perpetrated in the context of DFV.”

The report also found evidence that traditionally gendered financial management may enable economic and financial abuse against older people, including within First Nations communities. This includes the patriarchal norms around inheritance and the expectation for older women to play caretaking roles.

Effective responses to prevent financial abuse of older persons included family mediation, better training for health and legal professionals to detect and identify abuse, and formal regulations around transactions within families. However, the research found service providers who are responding to the economic and financial abuse of older people face a range of barriers to providing support, including: reluctance of the victim-survivor to disclose the abuse, and a lack of resources and training to handle suspected abuse.

The report suggested areas for further investigation, such as: deepening the conceptual definitions and data on economic and financial abuse against older people in the context of DFV, improving the understanding how gender roles and culturally and linguistic diversity influence abuse, and the impact financial and economic abuse has on older people’s financial security.

“At CommBank, we know elder financial abuse is prevalent and it can have a devastating impact on family relationships. This report is an important step in developing our understanding of this issue, and ensuring we continue to provide the right support for anyone impacted by elder financial abuse in the context of domestic and family violence,” says Claire Dawson, Executive Manager of Community Investment at CommBank.

The Australian Government welcomes today’s announcement by Telstra of the finalisation of its acquisition of Digicel Pacific.

Digicel Pacific is the leading mobile telecommunications and network services provider in the Pacific and plays a vital role in the economic development of the Pacific region.

As a trusted and experienced industry leader, Telstra brings strong capabilities to ensure secure, reliable and high-quality services are provided to Pacific communities, including in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Nauru.

The Government is providing USD1.33 billion in a financing package, through Export Finance Australia (EFA), to support Telstra’s commercial acquisition.

Telstra will own and operate Digicel Pacific.

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

“The Australian Government’s support for this transaction reflects our commitment to help build a stronger Pacific family through investment in high-quality infrastructure.

“Telecommunications and digital access are critical to sustainable economic growth and development outcomes into the future.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell said:

“The finalisation of Telstra’s acquisition marks a significant milestone in Australia’s economic engagement with our Pacific family.

“This transaction sends a positive signal of business confidence in the Pacific region, and we hope it will encourage further investment in the region from top tier Australian companies.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:

“Telstra will be able to bring its extensive experience in the telecommunications sector to build on Digicel Pacific’s strong track record in support of economic development across the region.

“Now more than ever, the region needs access to high quality telecommunication services as it recovers from the economic impact of COVID-19.”

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said:

“Telstra’s acquisition of Digicel Pacific is a positive development for our neighbours in the Pacific, who will experience a number of social and economic benefits through improved telecommunications infrastructure.

“Accessing reliable telecommunication networks is essential for families, businesses, communities and governments to connect and share information, which is why the Australian Government is pleased to support this acquisition.”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s attempts to rewrite history and issue ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatums to the Parliament, Greens Leader Adam Bandt has warned that the Prime Minister risks misreading the national mood for co-operation on climate.

Mr Bandt added that Labor needs to understand its vote went backwards at the election and that while the government has a slim majority in the Lower House, the Greens also have an increased mandate in the Senate, and that the government risks creating 3 years of conflict by starting with belligerence.

“The Greens are willing to work constructively with Labor, but it seems Labor’s approach is ‘take it or leave it’,” said Mr Bandt.

“Labor risks letting their idea of the perfect be the enemy of the good.

“This ‘my way or the highway’ approach from Labor is setting Australia up for a very long three years.

“The government should choose co-operation over confrontation.

“Let me be clear. The Greens are willing to negotiate on climate. But it seems Labor isn’t. 

“The Greens want to see a stop to new coal and gas projects, as do the Pacific Islanders, the UN, the International Energy Agency and the world’s scientists. Even Labor’s weak climate targets will be blown if they proceed with new gas projects like the Beetaloo Basin, which will lift greenhouse pollution by up to 13%.

“Labor would do well to understand the recent history of the election, where their vote went backwards, less than a third of the country voted for the government and voters put the Greens in balance of power in the Senate. 

“The government needs to work constructively with the Senate this term if it wants to get things done. This could be one of the great reforming Parliaments of all time, and I’m sure there are Ministers that want to get a lot done during their term, but that will involve working with the Greens in the Senate.

“Three years is a long time.”

Fijian Prime Minister Hon. Josaia V. Bainimarama and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP have launched a major infrastructure project to enhance Fiji’s maritime capabilities.

Building on the long-standing Vuvale Partnership, Fiji and Australia will construct the new Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Lami, Fiji.

The MESC will house the Republic of Fiji Navy Headquarters, Suva Radio Coastal Station, Fiji Maritime Surveillance Coordination Centre, and Fiji Hydrographic Office.

The project is valued at $83 million AUD (approx $124 million FJD) and will generate significant work for Fijian construction companies and local workers to support Fiji’s COVID-19 recovery.

Importantly, it will boost Fiji’s leadership in responding to natural disasters, protect local fishing industries, and increase naval and coastal rescue capabilities.

The project is due for completion in 2024 and will be managed by Icon.

Prime Minister Bainimarama said:

Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama thanked the Australian Government for its tremendous support towards the development of new Maritime Essential Services Centre.

“This Maritime Essential Services Centre is set to become a crucial pulse point from which we will be able to better monitor Fijian waters; secure our Blue Economy from internal and external threats and undertake the expansion of our maritime protected areas in our journey towards achieving 100% ocean sustainability – just to name a few.

“The Centre will house the Republic of Fiji’s Naval Headquarters, the Fiji Hydrographic Office, the Fiji Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the Fiji Maritime Fusion Centre, and the 3DP Suva Coastal Radio.

“The creation of the Maritime Centre is estimated to be completed in 2024 and will inject around $56.2 Million Dollars into the Fijian economy, creating more than 445 jobs across the nation. Good blue jobs that are purpose-built for the future every Fijian wants for ourselves and our children and grand-children.

“Honourable Albanese, on behalf of the people of Fiji I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Australian Vuvale for your ongoing support, your efforts towards helping Fiji advance securely and sustainably — and your invaluable friendship.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia is helping to build a stronger Pacific family and I am proud to partner with Fiji in the next steps of our Vuvale Partnership.

“The Maritime Essential Services Centre will play a role in enhancing Fiji’s security and prosperity.

“It will protect local fishing industries—an issue of great importance to our Pacific neighbours—and deliver cutting-edge hydrographic monitoring facilities.

“Consistent with our commitment to addressing climate change, these essential services will be housed in an environmentally sustainable facility designed to withstand natural disasters.”

Community Legal Centres across the country are in crisis, forced to turn away thousands of people in desperate need of legal assistance, after more than a decade of Coalition cuts. 

The Greens are today calling on the new Labor government to urgently distribute the funds they promised the sector in the election to meet immediate needs. 

We need the urgent rollout of Labor’s election promises. This can’t wait months and months because every day it’s delayed means hundreds more people being denied the most basic justice. 

Senator David Shoebridge, the Greens spokesperson for Justice said: 

“A fair go in the legal system shouldn’t only be available to the rich. To make this happen the new Parliament needs to step up with ambitious investment in access to justice. 

“The Coalition cuts to funding are being felt right now by real people seeking help often on the worst day of their lives. “The funding cuts and uncertainty faced by Community Legal Services mean vulnerable people who need urgent legal help are being turned away, with potentially catastrophic consequences. 

“It’s time to move away from the uncertainty of funding these essential services year by year, and commit going forward to long term generous investment in access to justice. 

“We know who is most harmed by a lack of access to community justice and legal centres, it’s those in our community who are already struggling, it’s women, First Nations families, CALD communities and people without a job. It’s well past time their needs were prioritised in the legal system,” Senator Shoebridge said

LSenator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations said: 

“First Nations families and communities are experiencing ongoing deaths in custody, child removal, family violence and Aboriginal Legal Services are having to shut their doors because of inadequate funding from state and federal Governments. 

“An independent review found that lawyers at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) are paid approximately 20-24% less than the equivalent at Legal Aid Commissions, ATSILS service demands have increased by up to at least 20% each year and no further funding was allocated in the 2021-22 Budget.

“How can First Nations people expect justice in this country, when our lawyers are overworked, underpaid and demand for legal assistance grows without any additional resources? The Greens are calling on the Albanese Government to do better and give the people in this country equal access to legal services. No justice. No peace.” 

Federal Government disaster payments are available now to eligible residents in eight additional local government areas (LGAs) affected by the severe storms and flooding that continue to impact large areas of New South Wales.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is now available in the local government areas of Cumberland, Mid Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Randwick and Warren, which brings the number of LGAs receiving disaster payments as a result of this event to 37.

The assistance has also previously been made available in the local government areas of: Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Dungog, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Liverpool, Maitland, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Sutherland, The Hills, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.

The one-off AGDRP of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people who live in those LGAs and who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury. It is a non-means tested, tax-exempt payment.

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

Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said as areas were disaster declared, the Albanese Government was making sure financial support was extended to residents.

“The floods were widespread and lasted several days, and as the extent of the damage is reported, we are continuing to make sure support is made available,” Minister Watt said.

“This funding will help to provide for immediate needs, including temporary accommodation, food and clothing.”

Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten said Services Australia’s priority was helping people access essential disaster assistance.

“Staff from Services Australia are processing claims as quickly as possible to ensure people have money available to meet their immediate needs,” Minister Shorten said.

“Almost 528,000 people affected by the severe storms and flooding in New South Wales have already received more than $436 million in Australian Government disaster assistance.

“The fastest and easiest way for people in these additional LGAs to claim is through myGov.

“If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.”

The Australian Government Emergency Information Line is available Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and this coming weekend from 9am to 4pm.

More information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents

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

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency’s website at www.recovery.gov.au

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Fiji on Wednesday, 13 July for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Suva.

It will be his first visit to the Pacific as Prime Minister.

The first in-person Leaders’ Meeting since 2019 will bring together Pacific leaders to discuss important issues including Pacific unity, climate change, regional security and economic recovery from COVID-19. 

The Forum has been gathering for more than fifty years and brings together heads of government and representatives from the Forum Members.

The Prime Minister will return to Australia on Friday, 15 July.

The Prime Minister said:

“It is a privilege to visit Fiji to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum. I look forward to meeting my fellow Pacific leaders, hearing their priorities and learning from their experiences.

Australia’s partnership with the Pacific is longstanding. The Pacific Islands Forum is the heart of Pacific regionalism – and Australia is a proud founding member.

A strong, united Pacific Islands Forum is vital to protecting our shared interests in a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region and to addressing the pressing challenges our region faces.”

The Federal Environment Minister must rule out approving the 27 new coal projects set to come across her desk according to analysis by the Sunrise Project, the Greens say.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Approving new coal and gas mines that pollute the environment and make climate change worse is a climate crime.

“The Environment Minister needs to stare down the fossil fuel lobby and take a stand for our environment. 

“No mine should be given approval from the Minister without assessing the climate pollution it will create, alongside the the impact on our threatened species. 

“It is a furphy to give ‘environmental approval’ for a coal or gas mine without considering the environmental damage of climate pollution.

“There are 27 coal projects the Environment Minister could rule out today. The cumulative emissions from these projects is 35 times Australia’s annual emissions, there is absolutely no way they can go ahead and any climate target that prevents further warming be met. 

“The Great Barrier Reef will be gone, there will be more fires and floods, and our iconic native species like the koala will no longer exist in the wild. 

“If the environment is really back, then the Minister will prioritise it over new fossil fuel projects that destroy it. 

“The Greens will be pushing in the new parliament for an overhaul of our broken environment laws and the inclusion of  a ‘climate trigger’ that assesses the climate impacts of a mine, development or land clearing proposal. 

“The Albanese Government has an opportunity to rule out any new coal and gas projects at the Pacific Forum this week, and show our neighbours it is serious about tackling the climate crisis and saving our environment.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called on the government to promise Pacific Leaders that Australia will stop opening coal and gas projects, ahead of the Quad energy meeting with Pacific regional powers in Sydney on Tuesday and the PM’s diplomatic trip to Suva on Wednesday.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Coal and gas will be the real test for Australia in Pacific diplomacy this week.

“Pacific leaders have been explicit: climate action is key to our nations’ relationship, and climate action means no new coal and gas projects.

“New coal and gas projects mean climate destruction. Our Pacific neighbours are already experiencing turbocharged cyclones, storms, landslides and flooding.

“The floods we’ve seen at home in NSW and QLD are becoming business-as-usual across our region.

“Climate change is the number one national security threat to our region. It’s the foundation for all the relationships between the Pacific, Australia and China.

“The strongest action our new Prime Minister can take for national security is promising our neighbours that we will stop opening new coal and gas projects.”