Category: Australian News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has no faith in his own promise to bring down power prices.

When asked today when bills will actually fall and by how much, he refused to answer.

Instead of standing by his plan, he dodged, deflected and smeared.

That is not the confidence of a leader who believes in his policy, it is the behaviour of a disappointing Prime Minister who knows his word cannot be trusted.

What Australians do know is power prices have not come down by $275 as promised by Anthony Albanese, instead they’re up $1,300.

Incredibly today Energy Minister Chris Bowen claimed that the Climate Change Authority’s advice, that there would be a 20 per cent reduction in household energy prices within the decade, or $1,000 annually “was not a political commitment.”

He did this because he knows the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) gave evidence to a senate inquiry last year that it could make no guarantees on lower prices with more renewables.

This is advice the Government is basing its entire emissions policy on yet Minister after Minister have refused to back its claim on power prices.

The truth is Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen have lied to Australians before and now they have no confidence in their new fantasy.

If they had confidence in their plan they would tell Australians how much it was going to cost and put a dollar figure on what it will do to power bills.

As the Prime Minister jets off overseas once again Australians will be left with the bill and left disappointed in the years ahead.

The Greens (WA) condemn Housing Minister John Carey’s claim that WA’s rental crisis fuelled by a growth in short-term accommodation is the responsibility of local councils, and urge the Cook Labor Government to do more to address its devastating impact on the long-term rental market.

In an ABC News article published this morning, Minister Carey said the state government “had done all it could” on the rental crisis, placing the responsibility for solutions instead onto local councils.

In Australia, housing laws and policies are overwhelmingly the responsibility of state and territory governments.

The Greens (WA) are calling on the Cook Labor Government to introduce bold regulatory reforms in order to push more investment homes into the long-term rental market and ease the squeeze on renters.

This should include greater incentives to push short-term accommodation back into the long-term market, and greater financial penalties and restrictions on short-term accommodation. 

Tim Clifford MLC, Greens WA spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness:

“Minister Carey has hit a new low by throwing local councils under the bus for a rental crisis his government is responsible not only for fixing, but for creating in the first place.

“It absolutely beggars belief that the Minister thinks this is what the state government doing its job looks like.

“Minister Carey says he wants to see fewer short-term rentals and yet he seems totally unwilling to do anything meaningful about it. Has he forgotten that he’s the Housing Minister, for God’s sake?

“Renters need immediate relief while we work on long-term solutions, like building the new houses the government continues to point to as a panacea. 

“That means looking at stronger regulations, rental reforms like banning no-fault evictions, vacant property taxes, and limiting short-stay rentals to 90 days a year.

“Last week the ACT Parliament passed Greens-led legislation enshrining housing as a human right. 

“The Greens will take every opportunity to achieve the same bold reforms we need here in WA – because if what Minister Carey says is anything to go by, WA Labor has done its job already.”

Dr Brad Pettitt MLC, Greens WA spokesperson for Housing (Planning):

“It’s deeply troubling to hear Minister Carey say the state government has done all it can to address what is clearly a spiralling rental crisis.

“All they have done is create a list with rental numbers that we already knew.

“This government must do more to discourage the move towards short-term accommodation in what is the worst housing crisis in living memory.

“We need stronger incentives for bringing short-term rental properties back to the long-term market, but carrots alone are not enough. 

“We also need sticks in the form of new regulations and penalties for those who choose to stay in the short-term market and make a substantial profit. 

“That could look like limiting the number of nights a dwelling can be rented for short stays, or imposing a targeted tax on residential properties left to sit vacant.

“There’s no doubt there is a place for short-stays, but the status quo is unsustainable, unfair to renters, and leaving families homeless.”

Effective today, Sunday the 21st of September 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine.

In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.

Australia’s recognition of Palestine today, alongside Canada and the United Kingdom, is part of a co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in the atrocities of October 7, 2023.

Today’s act of recognition reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples.

The international community has set out clear requirements for the Palestinian Authority.

The President of the Palestinian Authority has restated its recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and given direct undertakings to Australia, including commitments to hold democratic elections and enact significant reform to finance, governance and education.

The terrorist organisation Hamas must have no role in Palestine.

Further steps, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of embassies, will be considered as the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its commitments to reform.

Already, crucial work is underway across the international community to develop a credible peace plan that enables the reconstruction of Gaza, builds the capacity of the state of Palestine and guarantees the security of Israel.

The leadership of the countries of the Arab League and the United States is vital to this task.

Australia will continue to work with our international partners to help build on today’s act of recognition and to bring the Middle East closer to the lasting peace and security that is the hope, and the right, of all humanity.

After a year-long diplomatic effort to drive global action to protect humanitarian workers in conflict zones, Australia has today launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel joined by more than 100 countries.

At a ceremony at the United Nations in New York, we honoured Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and the 674 humanitarian personnel killed since the start of 2024.

The more than 100 countries – representing more than half of the United Nations – include Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, who partnered with Australia to develop the Declaration.

Together, we are pledging to new, concrete measures to keep humanitarian personnel safe and enable them to do their lifesaving work in conflict and disaster zones.

This global pact delivers real protection for humanitarians risking their lives to protect others, at a time when they are facing unprecedented threats to their lives and safety.

These measures include a commitment to facilitate access and protect humanitarian personnel, ensure faster and more efficient visas and work permits, new joint training for military personnel and aid workers to protect innocent lives.

The Albanese Government will also provide $15 million in support for practical measures that better protect humanitarian personnel through the UN Department of Safety and Security, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Australia will provide funding to Legal Action Worldwide and the Red Family Fund to support aid workers and their families and to Humanitarian Outcomes to maintain the Aid Worker Security Database.

Australia is proud to lead this global effort to protect those who risk everything to help others.

We know that to protect civilians, we must also protect aid workers who deliver the food, water and medicine civilians need to survive.

This Declaration is a powerful recommitment to the rules that safeguard humanity and ensure aid reaches those who need it most.

Humanitarian workers save lives. This work should never cost them their own.

Together with our international partners we are reinvigorating commitment at the highest political level to protect aid workers in conflict zones.

The Declaration honours those that help others in their darkest hours and pays tribute to their legacy.

Today at the UN General Assembly, Australia finally joined the vast majority of the world in recognising a Palestinian state. 

This step is a victory for the hundreds of thousands of Australians who have been pressuring the Government, but it will not end the genocide in Gaza. The Albanese Government must now sanction Israel for its criminal actions the same way it has sanctioned Russia for its criminal invasion of Ukraine. 

The UN and a consensus of genocide scholars have all made it clear that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Far from doing everything in its power to prevent the genocide, the Albanese Government has continued to engage in a two-way arms trade with Israel and failed to sanction the extremist Netanyahu Security Cabinet. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said

“Statehood and the right to self-determination are fundamental rights of all people. Recognising this right of Palestinians is long overdue. 

“In making this decision, Australia has gone from an international outlier with the United States and a handful of its client states, to the international mainstream.  Recognising Palestine is complying with basic international principles, but it is not enough in the face of a genocide.

“It is no longer, and has never been, a choice between recognition and sanctions. There is an urgent legal and moral obligation now on the Albanese Government to do everything possible to end the genocide in Gaza. 

“Today’s actions will not end the genocide, it will not stop the starvation or the occupation, material action is needed. 

“It’s a brutal fact of this appalling genocide that Israeli F-35 fighter jets are being used in Gaza, and they can only operate with Australian-made parts.

“Whatever today’s votes, Australia is still purchasing billions in Israeli-made weapons, which have been tested on Palestinians in Gaza. This two-way arms trade must end and comprehensive sanctions need to be put on the Israeli Government.

“The Albanese Government should be using this time at the United Nations to work with other countries to build a global sanctions regime and work together to ensure there is a lasting and just peace.”

Older Australians will pay up to $50/hour for basic care at home under Labor’s aged care changes coming on November 1 according to reporting from the ABC based on Department of Health data.

Older Australians will be forced to forgo the care they need due to cost.

Minister for Aged Care Sam Rae and Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler reportedly declined to be interviewed in the ABC’s story and would not answer direct questions. The government has previously admitted 30% of full pensioners and 75% of part pensioners would pay more under Labor’s changes.

Labor have been desperate to hide the true impacts of their aged care policies. It took a Senate inquiry and weeks of pressure just to get straight answers on the true nature of the aged care waitlist, with over 200,000 older Australians waiting for care. 

Those revelations eventually lead to the Government’s first defeat in the Senate as a successful push from the Greens, crossbench and opposition led to the urgent release of 20,000 home care packages.

Greens spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Under Labor’s Aged Care Act the worse your health, the more you’ll pay.”

“Labor have been keeping older people in the dark about these changes since they passed last year, but it’s becoming clearer by the day that these changes aren’t about improving care, only about propping up private providers profits.”

“The Greens tried to remove co-payments when the bill came through parliament last year and we were the only ones to oppose the new laws.”

“The Aged Care Minister Sam Rae needs to stop hiding, come clean about how much he expects older people will pay under the new system and how many people are going to miss out on care.”

“Older Australians should be able to access the care they need, not just the care they can afford.”

“Labor’s bleeding pensioners dry while giving tax-dodging corporations a pass.”

Under the urgent carrier licence condition, the Communications Minister has the power to appoint an independent technical expert to oversee Optus’ Triple 0 capability. This only requires cabinet sign off, not parliamentary, which means that it could be done today.

Greens Communications spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“This is a catastrophic failure of Optus, and a devastating regulatory failure too.

“Optus have put profits before safety and our telecommunications regulations have failed to protect the community.

“We need better regulation and better oversight and that’s why I am calling on the Communications Minster today to immediately put in place independent oversight of Optus.

“The Communications Minister has the power to intervene and put in place an independent technical expert to oversee Optus’ delivery of Triple 0. Given how little public faith there is in Optus now, the Minister should take this issue to Cabinet for sign off immediately.

“How many more strikes does Optus need? The company clearly can’t be trusted to do the right thing on its own. We don’t need another review for the Minister to take immediate action, she has the power to act and can intervene today.

“This is a matter of life and death and at the end of the day, responsibility sits with the Government to ensure that this most essential service is delivered to Australians.

“People need to know that when they dial Triple 0 they will get an answer. This is an industry that is largely self-regulated and it’s time that ended. We need direct regulation of these essential serv

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will depart on Saturday 20 September to travel to the United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.

In the United States, the Prime Minister will lead Australia’s delegation at the United Nations General Assembly for High Level Week. He will have a range of bilateral meetings with some of our major international partners.

This visit will allow Australia to continue working with our international partners to address the growing economic and security challenges facing the world today and to take forward outcomes that benefit Australian people at home in their everyday lives.

During High Level Week, the Prime Minister will promote investment in Australia, particularly in renewable energy and manufacturing, share Australia’s world-leading experience in protecting children online, and highlight our practical action on climate change.

The Prime Minister will attend a major conference on the two state solution hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Australia is a longstanding supporter of a two-state solution as the only pathway to a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Prime Minister Albanese will then travel to London and meet with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and hold a series of other high level meetings. The United Kingdom is Australia’s second-largest source of foreign investment and our second-largest destination for outgoing investment.

The UK is also our 11th largest two-way trading partner – with $31 billion in goods and services trade in 2022-23 – as well as our 12th largest export destination and our 9th largest source of imports.

On the return to Australia, Prime Minister Albanese will stop in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and meet President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss Australia’s critical Free Trade Agreement with the UAE, the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), coming into force.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Albanese is overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

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

“I will be promoting investment in Australia in line with our Future Made in Australia agenda, highlighting world leading steps Australia is taking to keep children safe online and delivering Australia’s new climate target to the United Nations in line with our Paris Agreement obligations.

“This will be an opportunity to meet with some of Australia’s major international partners to discuss trade and economic opportunities that help to create jobs and growth at home.

“During the visit I will address the United National General Assembly for the first time as Prime Minister as part of High Level week.

“Australia played a pivotal role in the founding of the United Nations – because we have always understood how important it is for middle powers as well as smaller nations to have their voices heard in the big challenges facing our world.

“Australia’s commitment to the United Nations and the multilateral system is enduring – our sovereignty and prosperity are strengthened through global institutions and rules.”

Pine Gap’s involvement in assisting the Genocide of Palestinians in Gaza will be heard

in the Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday the 23 rd and 24 th September, as two

defendants contest charges for blockading the joint Australian – US military spy base in

Pine Gap Military Spy base, on the outskirts of Alice Springs, provides crucial

surveillance to the Israel Occupation Forces, aiding in the targeting of civilians and

infrastructure in Gaza. Pine Gap’s surveillance operations in Palestine implicates

Australia in assisting in war crimes and genocide.

This court case coincides with last week’s United Nations report, concluding that Israeli

authorities “Intended to kill as many Palestinians as possible” and have committed, and

continue to commit, the crime against humanity of extermination.

Members of Mparntwe for Falastin will be speaking to media outside the local court to

highlight the connections between Pine Gap and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The Minns Labor Government’s landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 has received strong backing from industry, local government and stakeholders following its introduction to Parliament yesterday.

The changes proposed in this Bill will modernise the nearly 50 year old Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, cutting red tape and delays that have been holding back housing and infrastructure delivery across New South Wales.

Stakeholders from across the housing and planning sector have welcomed the reforms as a commonsense and long-overdue reset of the planning system to help get more homes built, faster.

CEO of Urban Development Industry Association Stuart Ayres said:

“This is the planning reform that NSW needs to help industry build the homes people need. I am confident these reforms will see more homes built faster.”

Sydney YIMBY said:

“We think it’s great that the Minns Government is putting this forward, and that the Opposition leader Mark Speakman has said that they’re “pro-housing, pro-reform”. We encourage them to back this change in and set up a planning system that will provide for our children and grandchildren in decades to come.”

Committee for Sydney said:

“We’re on the verge of the biggest reform the planning system has seen in decades. The planning system we have has created headaches for communities, councils and developers alike. Too often, good projects for housing, infrastructure and development are caught in a maze that can run through as many as 22 agencies.”

Chair of the Housing Now! Alliance and Executive Director of Business Western Sydney David Borger said:

“This is the kind of system reset we’ve been calling for.”

CEO of Urban Taskforce Australia Tom Forrest said:

“Making housing a central Object of the EP&Act represents a seismic shift in how NSW approaches planning and housing supply.”

NSW President of the Planning Institute of Australia Sue Weatherley said:

“Planners support a risk-based approach to development assessment – where low-risk, straightforward development can proceed through streamlined pathways – freeing up resources for more complex or higher-risk proposals.”

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said:

“It represents a major step forward in modernising the NSW planning system – the reforms will help to clear the backlog of smaller, simpler projects and free up important resources to get on with the more complex projects that drive jobs, housing and economic growth.”

Master Builders Incoming NSW Executive Director Matthew Pollock:

“The Government deserves credit for taking on a system where unconstrained rules and regulations, unnecessary inconsistencies and duplication is holding builders back from getting on with tackling the housing crisis.”

The Green Building Council said:

“The bill represents the most significant overhaul of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act in almost 50 years.”

Mayor of the Inner West Council Darcy Byrne said:

“Simplifying and modernising our State’s planning legislation is the single most important thing that must be done if we are to stop the exodus of young people from our city.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The reaction to this bill demonstrates there is consensus that reform is essential.

“The broad support we’ve seen shows these reforms are the right step to deliver more homes, faster, and give young people and families a fair shot at living where they want.

“I am encouraged by the supporting statements that the Opposition have made. I would say to everyone let’s not delay these reforms and play politics with them. Let’s get on with it.”