Category: Australian News

Ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), the Australian Government announces its $2.9 million contribution to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF).

Australia’s contribution to the STDF helps developing and least-developed countries build capacity to participate in, and benefit from, the multilateral rules-based trading system.

The STDF assists developing countries implement quarantine standards to gain access to international agricultural markets.

This contribution builds on Australia’s long-standing support to help Indo-Pacific countries access the benefits of digital trade.

Australia’a $5.6 million E-Commerce Fund has helped over 850 small businesses in our region access the benefits of digital trade through e‑commerce skills development.

The Fund has supported draft e-commerce laws in Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, a one-stop national digital tourism booking platform in Vanuatu, and a mobile application to promote major commodity production and compliance in Vietnam.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting developing countries to enhance their ability to export, their international competitiveness, and their engagement in the global economy.

As we approach MC12, the Australian Government also reiterates its support for Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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

“An effective, rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core is fundamental to the global economy – including the stability and prosperity of our region.

“Our priority is to ensure our partners can support their development goals by exercising their WTO rights and fulfilling their WTO obligations’”

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

“Australia is one of the Standards and Trade Development Facility’s most active supporters.

“We are proud to be boosting support for countries in the Indo-Pacific region to access the benefits of the global agriculture market.”

Experts have warned that the 2022 flu season will redefine what it means for Australia to be ‘flu ready’ as the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reported over 65,775 confirmed cases of influenza in May. 

This compares with 30,372 cases in May 2019 which was until now the highest number of confirmed cases recorded in the month of May.⁴

Meeting today at BioMelbourne Network’s Flu resurgence – what does it mean for our sector?² event, a panel of Australia’s leading influenza and biosecurity experts discussed the implications of flu re-emerging in 2022.

According to Professor Ian Barr, Deputy Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza: 

“Influenza is definitely back in the Southern Hemisphere in 2022. Countries like Argentina have seen similar outbreaks, while Brazil saw an outbreak of Influenza A viruses in summer this year. In Australia, we’re seeing Influenza A viruses dominate with very little circulation of influenza B viruses.”

“From the samples that are being sent to us at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, we’re seeing vaccine components that are well matched to the Influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) that are circulating in Australia. While it’s too early to assess vaccine effectiveness, this is a positive start.”

“Australia is really at the forefront of the fight against flu, with a number of the viruses in this year’s vaccines being isolated at the WHO labs here in Melbourne.”

Dr Jonathan Anderson, Seqirus Executive Medical Director International Regions, said that this year’s flu season will provide lots of lessons for how we prepare and implement public health strategies in the future.

“Australia is in a unique position in that we are one of the first countries to face COVID and a simultaneous flu season that is similar to pre-COVID levels. It’s clear that the rest of the world will be watching our flu season closely and learning from our successes or failures,” said Dr Anderson.

“In the face of an early and significant season, it’s important that we focus on innovative technology that can help protect us from flu both now and in the future. This flu season, more Australians than ever are opting for protection with flu vaccines that are the product of innovation. 

“As we look towards future flu seasons, further innovation that is still to proven in studies such as adjuvanted cell-based vaccines and self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) may be the next frontier in vaccine technology. sa-mRNA is the second generation of today’s mRNA and works by instructing the body to replicate mRNA, amplifying the amount of protein made, stimulating the body’s immune response and leaving an immune blueprint to recognize future infection.”

According to Dr Felicia Pradera, General Manager of Health Security Systems Australia at DMTC Limited and Program Manager – Medical Countermeasures Development at Defence Science and Technology:

“Vaccines and treatments are important tools for managing infectious diseases and pandemics but it’s important that we use all the tools at our disposal and develop a whole of system approach. This includes considerations like PPE, modelling and simulation, decision support tools, medical devices, surveillance, real world evidence and more.”

“We can take a number of lessons from COVID-19 to enable better response and recovery planning in relation to influenza and other pathogens. From improved real time data sharing, faster sharing of research and investing in the development of platform capabilities that can then be rapidly modified or trained to a target pathogen. There’s also greater potential for us to implement and leverage public-private partnerships, similar to Operation Warp Speed in the US, to ensure we can tackle Australia’s key health priorities.”

Australia strongly condemns North Korea’s launch of eight ballistic missiles this week – which violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions and undermines the global non-proliferation regime.

The test on 5 June is the latest demonstration of the regime’s reckless and destabilising behaviour.

North Korea has launched a total of 31 ballistic missiles so far this year, including six intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Its apparent preparations to undertake a nuclear test are likewise gravely concerning and a threat to the peace and security of our region.

Australia calls on the Security Council to respond decisively to North Korea’s continued violation of its legally binding resolutions.

We further urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and return to meaningful dialogue with the United States and the Republic of Korea. Permanent peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula can only be achieved through dialogue.

Effective sanctions enforcement requires a global effort. Australia will continue to strictly enforce all UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea and we encourage all countries to do likewise.

Australia will also continue to keep our autonomous sanctions against North Korea under review.

The Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, says the ‘coalkeeper’ subsidy to ageing coal power plants will slow the overdue modernisation of the Australian energy network.

The Labor Resources Minister has called for coal-fired power stations to be brought online as Energy Ministers meet to discuss the dramatic increase in energy prices caused by Australia’s failure to reduce reliance on coal and gas.

The ACT Minister attending the meeting today will be ACT Greens Leader, Shane Rattenbury, who led the territory’s transition to 100% renewable energy, which has delivered a reduction in energy bills for Canberrans as the rest of the nation faces steep rises. 

Adam Bandt MP said:

“Propping up coal-fired power stations is throwing good money after bad.

“No amount of patching up these dirty clunkers will fix the problem. 

“We need accelerated investment in new wind, solar, transmission and batteries, not more money for coal.

“The lesson from the ACT could not be clearer: go 100% renewables, break up with fossil fuels and reap the benefits of cheaper, cleaner, reliable energy.

“The Greens took a comprehensive plan to the election to phase Australia out of coal and gas by 2030 through a big government build of renewables and grid upgrades and we’re putting it on the table in this Parliament.” 

A series of NASA rockets will be launched into space from the Northern Territory later this month, with the Australian Government signing-off on a history-making moment for the local space sector.

Three scientific suborbital sounding rockets will be launched between 26 June and 12 July 2022 from the Arnhem Space Centre, which is owned and run by Equatorial Launch Australia.

This will be the first time NASA launches rockets from a commercial facility outside of the US. They will also be the first NASA rockets launched from Australia since 1995, when launches were conducted from the Royal Australian Air Force Woomera Range Complex.

Around 75 NASA personnel will be in Australia for the launches. The NASA missions will investigate heliophysics, astrophysics and planetary science phenomena only observable from the southern hemisphere. 

The Arnhem Space Centre is located on the Dhupuma Plateau near Nhulunbuy, on the lands of the Gumatj people, who are the Traditional Custodians and Landowners. Traditional owners have been consulted as part of the approval process.

NASA has a ‘clean range policy’ which means that everything involved in the launch is removed from the site. At the conclusion of the launch campaign all spent motor cases and payloads will be recovered and returned to the US.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“We can trace Australia’s celebrated connection to the space industry back to the 1950s.

“As a nation we have to build on that legacy.

“This project will bring together global and local industry to take Australia’s space sector into a new era.”

Minister Husic said:

“This is an important milestone that will further enhance Australia’s position as a launch destination.

“We know just how valuable this advancement is to the growth of the Australian space sector.

“Australia has a proud history of scientific endeavours and international collaboration with our allies like the United States.

“By backing Australia’s space sector, we’re backing a better future for all Australians and for industry.

“Space strengthens our economy—including in regional areas—and creates jobs across a diverse range of skillsets.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said:

“This is a landmark occasion for the Top End.

“We have backed this project from inception, which I have seen firsthand, and now we’re less than a month away from seeing the launch of NASA’s first sounding rocket from the Arnhem Space Centre.

“NASA is adding capacity and rocketing East Arnhem Land into the global spotlight for investors—this will help our industry grow, create more jobs for locals and more opportunities for businesses to expand.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said:

“This is another signal that Australia is go for launch—and will further cement our reputation as a nation that global space players want to do business with.

“The growth of launch related activities in Australia is helping to open up the full value chain of space activities, which will grow the sector and create new businesses and job opportunities here at home.

“This launch campaign extends and strengthens Australia’s long standing partnership with the United States in the peaceful uses of outer space.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP will visit Singapore from 10-12 June 2022 to attend the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue.

The visit will be Deputy Prime Minister Marles’ first overseas engagement as Minister for Defence, providing an invaluable opportunity to meet with regional counterparts from over 30 nations.

“I am honoured to represent Australia at such an important forum to discuss security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region in complex and challenging times,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.

“The Indo-Pacific is in the midst of the most consequential strategic alignment of our time. I welcome the role this Dialogue plays in shaping robust conversation on strategic challenges and regional security dynamics.”

The Shangri-La Dialogue is the largest regional security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific, attended by high-level international representatives.

This year’s Dialogue is an important opportunity for in-person regional engagement at ministerial level, which was limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Australia remains committed to working with our partners across the region to promote our shared interests of a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.

“I look forward to sharing Australia’s strategic outlook at the Dialogue, and outlining our regional priorities.”

While in Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Marles will participate in the tenth Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense, Kishi Nobuo and United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.

Secretary of Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty, and the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell will also attend the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Further information on the Shangri-La Dialogue can be found at https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2022

Senior Lawman and Tiwi Traditional Owner Dennis Tipakalippa is taking the federal offshore oil and gas regulator to court to challenge its decision to approve Santos’ plans to drill the Barossa gas field, saying he and his people were never consulted about the drilling. 

Santos received approval in March 2022 from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to drill up to eight gas production wells off the Northern Beaches of the Tiwi Islands. 

Mr Tipakallipa, who was chosen by his community to represent them, is asking the Federal Court to set aside Santos’ drilling approval, saying, contrary to Santos’ legal obligations, he and his community were never consulted about the drilling plans. 

Plaintiff and Munupi Senior Lawman, Dennis Tipakalippa: “Santos say they did consultation for this drilling project, but no one spoke to me as a Traditional Owner and Senior Lawman for the Munupi clan. My clan, the Munupi, own these Northern Beaches. It’s our land that’s closest to the drilling site. We are the ones who are going to be affected. They never came to me in person or face to face. I think they couldn’t face my people. 

The legal action was filed just as Santos is set to commence drilling, with Tiwi Islanders saying the drilling proposal poses a fundamental threat to their food sources, culture and way of life, and that they should have been consulted. 

Mr Tipakalippa: “We spend a lot of time out in the water – hunting, fishing. We only ever take what we can eat in a day, no more. We respect our homelands, our sea country and it looks after us. Santos should have respected us and consulted in the proper way. They think they can just go ahead with drilling our sea country without even talking to us. Enough is enough.” 

Mr Tipakalippa and his community are particularly concerned by impacts on their sea country if an oil spill occurs. He is also worried that increased shipping may interfere with the breeding patterns and nesting grounds of turtles, dugongs, whales and other marine species essential to Tiwi ceremonies, songlines and cultural practices. 

“The drilling may be out in the ocean, but that’s our sea country and we know how the waters move. I’m also worried about all the noise from the choppers overhead and all those big ships going by. The turtles could be killed by those ship propellers. Their shells all chopped up. Or they will be scared away and not nest here anymore,” Mr Tipaklippa said.

Marine scientist & energy campaigner for the Environment Centre NT, Jason Fowler, concurs with the Tiwi Islanders concerns: 

“Drilling production wells in the Barossa field will have a huge impact on marine life in the Timor  Sea because it means two years of non-stop heavy industrial shipping activity and huge volumes of chemicals, cement and waste dumped into the sea during the drilling process. 

“Any mistake at the Barossa field, such as a well blowout or ship collision, could be devastating to the Tiwi Islands, particularly during the summer monsoon when strong northwest trade winds will push any oil spill towards the Tiwi coast. Tropical cyclones regularly cross the Timor Sea which greatly increases the chances for these disasters to occur. 

“Santos have rejected key safety measures such as locating oil spill clean up equipment at Port Melville on the nearby Tiwi Islands, ceasing drilling during cyclone season and ruling out the mandatory use of double hulled ships. This all adds up to increased risk to Tiwi Islanders who will have limited ability to react if an oil spill occurs.” 

Santos was required by law to consult with people who might be impacted by the drilling plans, including Tiwi people. Lawyers from the Environmental Defenders Office will argue that because Santos failed to consult Mr Tipakalippa and his community, the decision by Australia’s offshore regulator, NOPSEMA to approve the environmental plan is invalid. 

Alina Leikin, Special Counsel for the Environmental Defenders Office: 

“In seeking approval for this project, Santos had a legal obligation to consult with people who might be impacted by the drilling. Our client is arguing that consultation did not occur, and so the approval is invalid.  

“The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Tiwi community. Their food source, their traditional practices, their culture and the country they’ve protected for millennia will be at risk if this drilling goes ahead. These waters and the life within them mean everything to Dennis and his community, but they didn’t have a chance to voice their concerns before the drilling was approved. They were sidelined from the consultation process. 

The outcomes of this case will be significant, given that it is Australia’s first ever legal action brought by a First Nations person challenging an offshore project approval because of lack of consultation. 

Ms Leikin: “This case could establish what constitutes adequate consultation with First Nations people in relation to offshore gas developments. It could have significant implications for how mining companies view their consultation obligations with First Nations people.”  

This case is not the first time that Tiwi Traditional Owners have voiced their concerns over a lack of consultation by Santos. In February 2022, Traditional Owners from the neighbouring Jikilaruwu clan took the South Korean government to court in an attempt to stop it from financing the project, about which they said they had not been consulted. 

Mr Tipakalippa: “It’s all about our future generations. That’s what I worry for. What are they going to have, who are they going to be? Our lives are not just lived on the land, but in the sea – this home that we have loved for thousands of generations.  

The latest Australian Charities Report shows a major rise in total sector revenue and expenses.  

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner Dr Gary Johns said the report, released today, illustrates Australian charities’ major contribution to the economy and to thousands of communities. 

“Pleasingly, the eighth edition of the Australian Charities Report shows that we have a resilient charity sector. It is hugely important economically and employed more than 10 per cent of Australia’s workforce in the 2020 reporting period. Enormous public support for charities is clear, with donations increasing to $12.7 billion. However, expenses also increased by $10.2 billion,” Dr Johns said.

“It was a landmark year for the sector, starting with devastating bushfires in many parts of Australia. Charities responded to help impacted communities with the generous support of the Australian public. There was unprecedented disruption with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing many charities to change, reduce or cease operations for varying periods. Nearly 2,000 charities did not operate, with 650 citing COVID-19 as a reason.

“The disruption may have led to charities incurring additional costs as they tried to shift and change to meet changing needs and requirements. It meant the need for sustained support was never felt as keenly as it was in 2020. There may be some bruises and scars to show for it, but there is no doubt that charities are built on a strong foundation of resilience, innovation and, importantly, public support, trust and confidence.”

The report is mainly based on data 49,000 charities submitted in their 2020 Annual Information Statements — most reporting on the 2020 calendar year or the 2019 –20 financial year. It also includes JobKeeper data supplied by the Australian Taxation Office.

JobKeeper payments to ACNC-registered charities supported an estimated 331,000 individuals between April and September 2020. This reduced to approximately 128,000 individuals between October and December 2020, and 86,000 between January and March 2021.

“JobKeeper helped relieve the financial stress brought about by the response to the pandemic for some charities. Total revenue in the sector rose to $176 billion, an increase of $10 billion on the previous year, which suggests many charities were able to navigate the challenges of 2020 with the support of government,” Dr Johns said.

This edition captures charity program data for the first time, giving an insight into the work of the sector across 75,000 programs. Approximately 7% of charities reported that they operate overseas, in 217 countries or regions. The five most common countries were Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya and Papua New Guinea.

Explore the interactive data (including state by state figures) and download Annual Information Statement data by visiting the ACNC section on data.gov.au               

Key stats

In the 2020 reporting period:

• Charities’ revenue rose to $176 billion — up by more than $10 billion on the previous period
• Donations rose by 8% to $12.7 billion
• Revenue from government rose to $88.8 billion — up $10.7 billion on the previous period, accounting for 50.4% of total revenue  
• Other major revenue sources were goods and services (32.5%) and donations or bequests (7.2%)  
• The 50 largest charities by revenue accounted for 33% of total sector revenue
• Expenses increased by $10.2 billion
• Charities employed 10.5% of all employees in Australia — 1.38 million people
• There was a rise in the proportion of full-time and part-time staff
• Education charities employed the most staff — more than 330,000
• Volunteer contribution was high at 3.4 million volunteers, but decreased by 220,000 on the previous period
• 51% of charities reported no paid staff
• Environment charities reported the most volunteers — 810,000
• Approximately half of the sector’s expenses were employee expenses

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Trade Minister Senator Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic, and Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM, will travel to Indonesia for the Annual Leaders’ Meeting with President Widodo in Jakarta.

They will be joined on the visit by a high-level delegation of Australian business leaders.

The Prime Minister will depart Australia on Sunday 5 June, returning Tuesday 7 June.

During the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, the Prime Minister and President Widodo will discuss bilateral trade and investment, cooperation on climate and energy, and regional and global interests.

Especially important will be both sides’ ambition to unlock the potential of the Indonesia‑Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, including to take forward the Government’s proposed $200 million climate and infrastructure fund with Indonesia.

In Jakarta, the Prime Minister will also meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi to discuss the Government’s commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN centrality.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Indonesia is one of our closest neighbours, which is why I committed to visiting as soon as possible.

“Our two countries have a long history of cooperation and friendship, and my Government will work with Indonesia to deepen this.

“We partner together closely on issues of trade, development, education, and regional security.

“During my visit, I look forward to building our ties further, including to revitalise our trade relationship and promote climate, infrastructure and energy cooperation.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said:

“The Australian Government is serious about our engagement in Southeast Asia, and this visit demonstrates the importance we place on our partnership with Indonesia.

“We share a fundamental interest in promoting a more prosperous, stable and secure region, where sovereignty is respected.

“Australia’s partnership with Indonesia has never been more consequential to this objective.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell said:

“The Albanese Government will deliver the economic expansion promised in the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“Revitalising our trade and investment relationship will boost the economies of both Australia and Indonesia.”

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said:

“Australian industries will benefit greatly from a reinvigorated partnership with Indonesia.

“Working with Indonesia is central to the Albanese Government’s Trade Diversification Plan, which will provide new opportunities for businesses in both nations.”

Today the Albanese Labor Government has recommended to the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panel conducting the Annual Wage Review that they ensure that the real wages of Australia’s low paid workers do not go backwards.

One of our election commitments was to put forward our own submission to the Fair Work Commission advocating for an immediate wage increase for Australia’s low-paid workers, and today we are delivering on that promise.

For nearly a decade, low wages were a deliberate design feature of the Liberal National Government.

That era is now over.

Economic conditions are highly unusual and challenging given inflation is at a 21-year high of 5.1 per cent and is expected to increase further in the near-term due to persistent and compounding supply shocks.

High and rising inflation and weak wages growth are reducing real wages across the economy and creating cost-of-living pressures for Australia’s low-paid workers.

The Government does not want to see Australian workers go backwards; in particular, those workers on low rates of pay who are experiencing the worst impacts of inflation and have the least capacity to draw on savings.

Many low-paid workers are young, female, in casual employment, and are far more likely to find themselves experiencing financial hardship.

These low-paid workers were also on the front line delivering essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the retail, hospitality, aged care, cleaning, and childcare sectors.

Over the past decade, in 9 out of 10 years, the Panel has increased the minimum wage rate in line with, or above, inflation. The largest increase in recent years was in 2018–19 where a 3.5 per cent increase was ordered, when inflation was only 1.9 per cent.

Our submission does not suggest that across-the-board, wages should automatically increase in line with inflation, and our broader economic plan has been calibrated to boost productivity, which is the key driver of real wages growth over the longer term.

Ensuring that real wages for low-paid workers do not go backwards will protect the relative living standards for these workers and give them the best chance possible to earn a decent living, keep up with skyrocketing costs of living, secure more opportunities and actually get ahead.

An increase in wages for Australia’s low-paid workers will also complement our efforts to help close the national gender pay gap.

The economy we inherited from the previous government is weaker than was expected before the election and there are significant challenges ahead.

The Albanese Labor Government has immediately started work on building a better future for all Australians, including through this Annual Wage Review submission.

We thank the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panel conducting the review for the opportunity to make a submission and look forward to their decision later this month.

New Australian Government Submission to the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2022 PDF 598 KB | DOCX 147 KB