Category: Australian News

The Morrison Government is providing a further boost for a range of school-based, online and community programmes aiming to reduce the risk of suicide and suicidal behaviours among young people across the country.

The funding forms part of the $114 million National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Programme (NSPLSP) grant opportunity, a key pillar of our Government’s historic National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan first announced in the 2021-22 Budget.

The NSPLSP is supporting key suicide prevention activities across several significant themes, including national leadership, research and training, education and awareness, lived experience in suicide prevention, youth suicide prevention, Indigenous suicide prevention, men’s suicide prevention and veteran’s suicide prevention.

The youth suicide prevention component announced today provides more than $13 million over three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 for key organisations to deliver national services to support the mental health and wellbeing of younger Australians.

Successful organisations include:

• ReachOut Australia, which will receive $1.17 million to develop and deliver two evidence-based national digital media campaigns focussed on supporting young people aged 16 to 25. The campaigns will raise awareness of suicide and the help available, and will deliver a suite of digital information, resources, and interactive content;
• Orygen, which will receive $1.35 million to extend its #chatsafe program to include updated guidance on safe online communication about suicide and self-harm for young Australians, families, educators, Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and the social media industry;
• MacKillop Family Services, which will receive $4.89 million to support young people at risk of suicide by building the capacity of leaders and educators in schools and communities to deliver the Seasons for Growth evidence-based education programs;
• Youth Insearch Foundation, which will receive $4.74 million to pilot a youth lived experience workforce program in rural communities; and
• Youth Live4Life, which will receive $0.87 million to build on their successful, locally-driven, evidence-based program for improving youth mental health and reducing suicide, and expand it into new rural communities.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Morrison Government recognised how important it was to give young people extra support at crucial times.

“Every life lost to suicide is a terrible tragedy and has a devastating impact on families, friends and communities,” Minister Hunt said.

“By developing and delivering support that works for young people we can save precious lives and protect our communities from enormous suffering.”

The projects focus on supporting young Australians, as well as those who work with, care for and support them.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the grants supported existing and successful programs as well as new and innovative approaches.

“The program reflects our multifaceted approach to suicide prevention which aims to ensure that every Australian can be supported in the way that works best for them,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“Youth mental health is a key commitment for our Government and we are prioritising mental health education, support and research to protect young Australians and help them reach their full potential.”

Suicide prevention is a key pillar of the Government’s landmark $3 billion National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.

The Plan recognises Australians deserve a system that acts early to help people before mental health conditions and suicidal distress worsen, and that whole-of-government and whole-of-community changes are needed to deliver preventative, compassionate, and effective care.

Since 2012–13, the Coalition Government’s investment through the Health portfolio in mental health and suicide prevention has more than doubled, growing from $3.3 billion to an estimated $6.8 billion in the 2022–23 Budget.

This is in stark contrast to Mr Albanese’s time in Cabinet, where Labor cut funding for mental health.

In the 2011-12 Budget, Labor announced a $580 million cut to Medicare subsidised mental health services, including a reduction in the number of Medicare sessions available under Better Access from 18 to 10 per year and a reduction in Medicare rebate for preparation of mental health treatment plans by GPs.

Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Recipients

ReachOut Australia	Develop and deliver two evidence-based national digital media campaigns targeting broad and at-risk youth populations (16–25) across Australia. Each campaign will be supported by a suite of digital assets including social media tiles, videos and a campaign landing page that will host dedicated web-based information, resources, and interactive content.	$1,170,000
Orygen	Extend the #chatsafe program to include: updated guidance on safe online communication about suicide and self-harm, social media campaigns targeting the general youth population, at-risk groups and school-aged young people, web-based resources and social media campaigns for families, educators, Primary Health Networks and the social media industry, webinars, training sessions and Facebook Live event.	$1,350,375
MacKillop Family Services	Support young people at risk of suicide by building the capacity of leadership and staff in Australian schools and communities to deliver the Seasons for Growth evidence-based change, loss and grief education programs.	$4,895,919
Youth Insearch Foundation (Aust) Inc.	Pilot development of a youth Lived Experience Workforce in rural communities to reduce suicide risk in at-risk youth.	$4,742,860
YOUTH LIVE4LIFE LTD	Build on the development of Live4Life, a successful, evidence-based, evaluated community impact model for improving youth mental health and reducing suicide across rural communities called. Expand to more communities and include an evaluation.

The Morrison Government has today pledged to create 450,000 more jobs in regional Australia over the next five years as part of our plan for a strong economy and a stronger future.

This commitment to regional Australia is part of our pledge to create 1.3 million more jobs over the next five years, with more than one in three of those jobs to be in the regions, and is supported by our plan to build Australia and strengthen our regions.

The Prime Minister said boosting job creation in the regions was part of the Coalition’s plan for a stronger economy.

“Only the Coalition has a plan for 450,000 new jobs in the regions and runs on the board to deliver them,” the Prime Minister said.

“Since we were elected, we have created over 1.9 million new jobs, and our unemployment rate is down to four per cent, the equal lowest level in 48 years, and forecast to fall further.

“Regional Australia can trust the Coalition to deliver on an economic plan for the regions because creating opportunities – city and country – is part of our DNA.

“We understand that regional Australia is the lifeblood of our country – it’s home to one in three Australians, accounts for almost a third of our national economy and a similar share of small businesses.

“Our economic plan is backing our regions to grow even more, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs, with more than $21 billion in the budget being invested into developing Australia’s regions.

“This includes job-creating investments including $7.1 billion for our Energy Security Regional Development Plan, $2 billion for our Regional Accelerator Program to drive growth and productivity in regional areas, and $1.3 billion for regional telecommunications.”

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Australia’s regions are the economic powerhouse of the nation.

“The Coalition Government’s Energy Security and Regional Development plan will boost regional income and create jobs for years to come,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“This is on top of the substantial investments already in place to make our regions an even better place to live and work.

“Our regions are the powerhouse of our economy, the source of around two thirds of our export income, and the reason we can pay for so much of our health care, education, roads, rail and more. This is why we must invest in them.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the unemployment rate in regional Australia had declined from 5.7 per cent under the Labor Government in September 2013, to around four per cent under the Coalition Government today.

“Anthony Albanese and Labor have no plan for regional Australia or for regional jobs. All they have is a track record of increasing unemployment in regional Australia,” the Treasurer said.

“Despite fires, floods, a pandemic, a global recession, economic coercion from China and now a war in Europe, there are almost 50,000 fewer unemployed people in regional Australia than when the Coalition came to office.”

Minister McKenzie said the Government’s targeted investment in regional Australia would secure investment in new and existing industries, driving economic growth and job creation.

“The Regional Accelerator Program will supercharge job creation in the regions by driving economic diversification with the creation of new industries and growth of existing industries in regional centres,” Minister McKenzie said.

“Our record investment in the regions will grow regional economies, unlock the growth potential for our regions and enable people living in our regions to get the job they want.”

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the jobs growth would span generations.

“Under the Morrison Government’s economic plan we will boost regional apprentices by providing an additional five per cent wage subsidy in the first year of a regional apprentice over and above that for the rest of the country,” Minister Robert said.

“We will also provide $22.6 million for more than 29,000 additional in-training support places to ensure regional apprentices have the support they need.”

More than three million Australians living in poverty desperately need additional support to survive as surging inflation puts household necessities out of reach, according to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals inflation rose 2.1 per cent in the March quarter, up 5.1 per cent over the past year. As the ABS states, these are the largest quarterly and annual rises since the introduction of the GST.

St Vincent de Paul National President Claire Victory said ballooning household costs come during an election in which the most vulnerable people in the community have largely been forgotten.

‘This neglect was shown by the brutal decision of both major parties to leave JobSeeker at $46 a day, which holds recipients well beneath the poverty line and exposed to rising cost of living pressures.

‘Expecting people to survive on $46 a day is cruel. It demonstrates a lack of understanding, or care, for people doing it tough and the growing challenge of making ends meet as prices for basic goods surge.

‘Whichever party wins government next month will be forced to urgently address this issue unless they want to preside over a ballooning poverty crisis,’ Ms Victory said.

Ms Victory said caution from both parties about increasing the national debt was understandable, which is why the St Vincent de Paul Society had commissioned modelling to demonstrate budget-neutral options available to fund changes that would release Australians from poverty en masse.

‘Our research shows Australia can easily fund a significant boost to JobSeeker, alongside an increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance, by making simple and affordable changes to our tax and welfare system. The only problem is we lack political leaders with the courage to countenance such a plan,’ Ms Victory said.

‘Our modelling shows you could release over a million Australians from poverty through minor changes to capital gains tax and superannuation tax that would only marginally affect the very highest income-earners. Australia contains both incredible wealth and heartbreaking poverty. Our incapacity to fix one with the other is a failure of politics, not a budgetary restraint,’ Ms Victory said.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Federal Election statement includes a suite of practical and compassionate policies to create A Fairer Australia.

https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/News/National_Media_Releases/National_media_releases_2022/A_Fairer_Australia–federal_election_statement_2022/

With joint state and federal funding set to run out in June, the Greens have pledged $30 million to extend the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program and fund a coordinated eradication program in Townsville, protecting North Queensland’s ecological health and tourism industry from one of the world’s most invasive species.

The Greens will provide:

• $20 million to the Wet Tropics Management Authority to continue its Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program for five more years, including intensive monitoring to be confident of complete success
• $10 million to fund a coordinated Townsville eradication program.

Greens deputy leader and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters said:

“A responsible government would recognise that failing to invest in finishing the job threatens the eradication work done to date and puts the Wet Tropics tourism drawcard at risk. But the Morrison Government is more interested in space lasers and throwing billions at coal and gas multinationals.

“Eradicating Yellow Crazy Ants will help to protect biodiversity, strengthen agricultural productivity, improve the region’s resilience to other threats – particularly climate change –  and protect thousands of jobs.

“It should be a no-brainer, yet funding for the eradication program in the Wet Tropics runs out in barely two months. Meanwhile, there is almost no funding to manage the Townsville outbreak they’ve been warned of for years.

“Full eradication within the Wet Tropics must be the end goal, and is still possible with proper investment. That must be matched with a fully-funded eradication program in Townsville, built on the successful WTMA model. 

“The Greens will fund both programs for five years to get the job done, protecting nature, farmers and the tourism industry. We’re calling on the Federal and Queensland Governments to match our commitment so critical eradication gains made to date are not undone.”

The Greens have announced they will establish a new and fully-funded Australia Network, pushing Labor to go further in a minority government.

While responding to Labor’s announcement today of $8m to the ABC to deliver Australian content to Pacific nations, Greens Spokesperson for Communications and Media, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“What we need is a new Australia Network, fully funded, engaged, and with a purpose of connecting us as a nation to our neighbours and our region.

 “The Liberals under former PM Tony Abbott, destroyed The Australia Network and with it, soft diplomacy in the Pacific. They were warned the real cost of this budget cut would be much higher and now we are seeing that play out with the relationship between the Solomons and China. 

 “Instead of broadcasting current affairs and quality Australian content, the Morrison government has been paying for “Married at First Sight” to be broadcast into the Pacific.

 “Labor’s commitment is welcome, but it’s tiny, modest at best, and far more is needed. We need a publicly funded Australia Network, managed by the ABC and funded properly to do the job.

“The Greens have pledged that in the balance of power, we will push Labor to restore the funding cut by the Abbott Government in its entirety. This means that at a minimum, $22m per annum should be restored to deliver the services properly.

“Today we are talking about the Solomons and the Pacific, but The Australia Network reached 46 countries across Asia, the Pacific and the Indian sub-continent, so where will the Morrison Government have failed in their diplomatic efforts next?

“We are seeing the consequences of the Liberal Party’s attacks on the ABC play out in real-time on a national security level. 

“While China was courting the Solomons, shows like Married at First Sight were airing on televisions in the Pacific. 

“If these trashy so-called reality tv shows are how we show Australia to the world, it’s no wonder we have diplomatic issues.  

“We need quality news and Australian shows from our public broadcaster to be aired instead. 

 “The Greens have been fighting Abbott’s attacks on the ABC since 2014. We now have a real opportunity to kick the Libs out and push the new government to fully restore funding to our public broadcaster in the next parliament.”

An Albanese Labor Government will restore Australia’s place as the partner of choice for the countries in the Pacific.
 
Labor will secure our region and build a stronger Pacific family, to help face our shared challenges and achieve our shared goals.
 
Scott Morrison has dropped the ball in the Pacific, and as a result Australia is less secure.
 
The vacuum Scott Morrison has created is being filled by others – who do not share our interests and values.
 
Our plan brings together Australia’s defence, strategic, diplomatic and economic power to reassure the region that they can rely on Australia.
 
By combining effective climate leadership, vital development assistance and improvements to Pacific worker programs – along with defence and security cooperation and enhanced diplomatic capability, we will leverage Australia’s strengths to secure our region.
 
An Albanese Labor Government will:

• Establish a new Australia-Pacific Defence School to provide training for members of defence and security forces from Pacific Island nations, ensuring Australia’s defence engagement in the region delivers practical support for the region’s needs and builds deeper institutional links between the ADF and its regional counterparts. The new Australia Pacific Defence School will be funded at $6.5 million over four years through existing Defence resources. 
• Double Australia’s funding for the Pacific Maritime Security Program which provides aerial surveillance of Pacific Island countries’ enormous exclusive economic zones, helping Pacific governments to recoup some of the US$150 million a year in revenues which are estimated to be lost due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Labor will step up Australia’s support for aerial surveillance activities as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) by increasing funding by $12 million a year from 2024-25. 
• Deliver an Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy that boosts Australian public and commercial media content to audiences in our region, increases training for Pacific journalists and enhances partnerships with broadcasters in our region. We will increase funding to ABC International by $8 million a year over the forward estimates to expand ABC transmission and deliver Australian television, radio and online media content to more audiences in the Pacific, as well as Southeast Asia and South Asia. 
• Boost Australian Official Development Assistance for Pacific countries and Timor-Leste by $525 million over the next four years, to help address the decade’s worth of development gains that have been lost due to the pandemic. This will include $5 million for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, to strengthen regional health preparedness in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. 
• Restore Australia’s climate leadership, and listen and act on Pacific Island warnings of the existential threat of climate change. We will establish a Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership to support climate and clean energy infrastructure projects in Pacific countries, in addition to our bid to co-host a future UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Australia with our Pacific partners. 
• Reinstate regular bipartisan Parliamentary Pacific visits to demonstrate to the Pacific family that stronger Pacific partnerships are in Australia’s national interest. Bipartisan visits were undertaken under Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop, but have been abandoned by Scott Morrison and Marise Payne. 
• Address Pacific economic challenges and ease Australia’s agricultural worker shortages by reforming the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme’s Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and expanding the PALM Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). 
  • We will ensure the Federal Government meets upfront travel costs for Pacific workers under the Seasonal Worker Program – costs which currently have to be met by Australian farmers. This will increase the attractiveness of the Seasonal Worker Program for Australian farmers. 
  • We will make it easier for Pacific workers to fill labour shortages in Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme by allowing participants to bring family members to live and work in Australia. 
  • We will establish a dedicated Agriculture visa stream under the PALM, creating a robust and sustainable four-year visa, with portability, strong oversight mechanisms, and protections and rights for workers. These protections will be consistent with the protections under the PALM-PLS and PALM-SWP.
• Boost our people to people links across the Pacific family by encouraging more Pacific permanent migration to Australia through a new Pacific Engagement Visa, modelled on New Zealand’s Pacific Access Resident visa.

Rather than just talking tough with no follow through, Labor will provide practical support for our neighbours to improve their security and protect their economies.
 
Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific than climate change. As Pacific leaders themselves put it plainly in the first article of the 2018 Pacific Island Forum’s Boe Declaration on Regional Security:
 

We reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

But rather than help Pacific Island leaders, Morrison Government ministers have mocked their concerns.
 
It costs us little to tell a positive story about Australia in the region, but Scott Morrison has squandered Australia’s natural advantage of shared values with Pacific neighbours.
 
Labor will draw on the strength of who we are – a generous, respectful and reliable nation.
 
A country that many Pacific Islanders call home, and that will always step up in times of need.
 
A partner that will invest in the long-term stability and prosperity of our region.
 
A partner that will listen, and that will strengthen the Pacific family.

The Morrison Government’s economic plan is supercharging Queensland’s energy and resources sectors to create thousands of new jobs, support existing industries and expand export opportunities for the entire state.

Two new hydrogen hubs will be established, with one in Townsville in North Queensland and the other in Gladstone in Central Queensland. Three early-stage development project grants will also be funded.

In addition, six carbon capture utilisation and storage projects will be supported by the Morrison Government across Gladstone and the Surat Basin to help reduce emissions from power generation and heavy industry.

The Morrison Government is committing over $275 million to these clean hydrogen and carbon capture projects bringing the total private and public co-investment for Queensland to more than $535 million.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more than 5,700 jobs are set to be created in Queensland when the projects are operational from 2025, with even more possible when the industry scales up.

“We are backing Queensland to play a leading role in Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry, to build a strong economy for a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.

“Queensland has got the goods, it has the natural resources that the world wants and the skills and know-how that are needed to seize new opportunities.

“Ensuring affordable and reliable energy, while meeting our emissions reductions targets, is key to our national economic plan.

“Queensland is playing an important role in delivering on our economic plan by supercharging the state’s position as a global energy powerhouse, growing export opportunities and creating thousands more jobs, particularly in regional Queensland.

“There is a clear choice at this election and Australians can vote for a stronger economy under the Coalition or a weak economy under Labor with higher taxes and real consequences on your mortgage repayments, grocery bill and household budget.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the range of these projects demonstrates Queensland’s ability to use existing skills from its world-class liquified natural gas (LNG) industry.

“Queensland has great potential to become a clean hydrogen producing powerhouse, with its access to local low-cost gas, carbon capture opportunities and renewables potential,” Minister Taylor said.

“There is a lot of interest in both Gladstone and Townsville from key hydrogen consumer countries including Japan and Korea. Today’s announcement will help to secure this important international investment and partnership into regional Queensland communities.

“We can also help to make our LNG sector even more attractive to our international customers through proving up affordable and world-leading carbon capture technologies. This will not only reduce emissions from LNG production, but can also capture emissions from other processes such as electricity generation or cement production.

“Our support will ensure Queenslanders and all Australians can benefit from a new clean hydrogen industry.”

A re-elected Coalition Government is committed to delivering up to $70 million to establish a clean hydrogen hub in Townsville.

In addition, the Government is delivering up to $2.4 million for Ark Energy H2 Pty Ltd’s Han-Ho H2 Hub Feasibility Study, with a total project value of more than $4.8 million.

The Government will also invest in hydrogen projects in Gladstone:

• Up to $69.2 million to establish Stanwell Corporation Limited’s The Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub (CQ-H2 Hub), with a total project value of more than $148 million
• Up to $1.25 million for Origin Energy Future Fuels Pty Ltd’s Origin & ENEOS MCH Gladstone Project, with a total project value of $2.5 million
• Up to $3 million for Vena Energy Services (Australia) Pty Ltd’s Euroa Energy Project, with a total project just over $6 million
• Up to $44.9 million for Fortescue Future Industries’ Green Hydrogen Gigafactory – Electrolsyer Manufacturing Facility at Aldoga in Gladstone, with a total project value of $136.2 million.

As part of our investment in carbon capture technology the Government is committing:

• $25 million in funding, matched by industry, for Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development (ANLEC R&D) to assess the feasibility of a zero emissions Allam-Fetvedt Cycle dispatchable generator in the National Electricity Market
• Up to $20 million for CTSCo’s Surat Basin Hub Scale Storage Appraisal and Development Project, with a total project value of $50 million
• Up to $15 million for CTSCo’s Surat Basin Test Injection Project, with a total project value of $50.3 million
• Up to $15 million for Bridgeport (Surat Basin) Pty Ltd’s Moonie CCUS Project, with a total project value of $42.5 million
• Up to $5 million for KC8 Capture Technologies Ltd’s Potassium carbonate absorption for clinker emissions reduction (PACER) project, with a total project value of $12 million
• Up to $5 million for a feasibility study for the Zero Degrees Rosella 1’s zero emissions Allam-Fetvedt Cycle generator and hydrogen production project, with a total project value of $32.7 million.

Clean hydrogen exports could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs in renewable energy infrastructure construction. Clean hydrogen production for both export and domestic use could generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.

The Morrison Government’s economic plan is creating jobs by helping small and medium businesses save money on their energy bills through a new $60 million Powering Business program.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will offer grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses, and up to $50,000 matched funding for medium businesses to support energy efficient equipment upgrades to save businesses money.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the program backs small and medium businesses, and would boost investment and grow jobs.

“Affordable and reliable energy is part of our economic plan,” the Prime Minister said.

“By empowering small and medium businesses to invest in cost-saving, energy efficient upgrades we’re building a strong economy for a stronger future.

“By investing in energy efficient equipment, thousands of businesses can save thousands of dollars on their energy bills, putting more money back in their pockets to reinvest and create more jobs.

“Whether it’s replacing air conditioners, upgrading cool rooms, installing new equipment, this will help Australian businesses from the farm, to retail, to manufacturing, to cut energy bills and get ahead.

“Under the Liberal and Nationals Government, energy prices have fallen. Business energy costs are down 10 per cent, and energy bills for Australian families have fallen by eight per cent across the National Electricity Market over the past two years. Under Labor, power prices doubled.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the program continues to build on the Morrison Government’s strong record of backing businesses and delivering affordable, reliable power.

“Small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and improvements to their energy productivity can make a big difference in helping them reduce their overheads,” Minister Taylor said.

“This program could support thousands of SMEs reinvest in their businesses, building on the success of the Energy Efficient Communities and Hotel Energy Uplift programs, which have already supported over 1,300 businesses invest in new initiatives to help lower their energy bills.

“Providing funding to help SMEs make these investments will provide genuine and lasting savings on power bills with a positive flow on effect for jobs and the competitiveness of small and medium businesses into the future.”

Grants of up to $25,000 will be available to small businesses, with a turnover up to $10 million and up to 20 employees, with no requirement for matched funding. Grants of up to $50,000 will be available to medium businesses, with a turnover up to $50 million and up to 200 employees, with a requirement for matched funding.

Some of Australia’s most loved film industry personalities have combined to create a compelling plea to act on climate change: These futures aren’t inevitable.

The short feature depicts a three generation Australian family gathering to celebrate a newly born baby and pondering what the future holds for the child.

It was directed by Rachel Ward, a filmmaker and regenerative farmer; written by Margaret Morgan, an Australian screenwriter and novelist with a background in law and science ; and produced by The Truth and Integrity Project, an independent body campaigning for real climate change action and the end of lies and corruption in Australian politics.

The cast is Rachel Ward, Marcus Graham, Michael Caton, Jenny Wu, Tim Franklin, and Joshua Nichols.

Margaret Morgan said “I wrote These futures aren’t i nevitable because I realised that what we know intellectually about the urgency of climate change needs to be connected to our emotions before we will act. By showing the future that we’re currently creating for our children, I hope I’ve brought that message home.”

Rachel Ward said: “At a time when it is hard to find actions that fit the enormity and urgency of our climate crisis, I welcomed the chance to be part of this.”

The feature doesn’t advocate voting for any particular political party, but its closing message is that lack of action on climate change is not inevitable. We can choose to vote for parties who pretend to act on climate change, or we can choose to vote for parties and candidates committed to effective action.

The feature will be shown in selected cinemas around Australia and be part of the Truth and Integrity Project’s social media campaign.

The Truth and Integrity Project was founded by veteran Australian film producer Bob Weis, and its patrons are Barry Jones AC and John Hewson AM.

The Truth and Integrity Project aims to reach out to all Australians – whatever their differences are or have been – to promote a fair and successful Australia where truth, integrity, policy and decency are the core of politics.

The feature can be seen at: https://bit.ly/3rRrr2Q

Cast

Rachel Ward

Marcus Graham

Michael Caton

Jenny Wu

Tim Franklin

Joshua Nichols

Filmmakers, crew and post production

Director: Rachel Ward

Screenwriter & Producer: Margaret Morgan

Producer: Bob Weis
Cinematographer: Jack Shepherd
Casting Director: Greg Apps

Editors: Nick Meyers & Karen Johnson
Sound engineer: Andy Wright

Original Score: Robert Hart
Archivist: Melissa Garner

Lighting: Mikey Hamer

Focus Puller: Thomas Austin

Sound operator: Dante Florez

Continuity: Maxine Verbruggen

Runner: Martien Verbruggen

Sound and picture post production services: Soundfirm.

The Australian Workers’ Union has today welcomed Labor’s agriculture workforce policy which contains a range of measures to secure the workforce Australian farms require, without rolling out the welcome mat to more abuse and exploitation.

The plan announced by the ALP today rolls David Littleproud’s failed ‘ag visa’ into the more successful and established PALM (Pacific Australia Labor Mobility) scheme. Under Labor’s policy workers on the scheme will have the ability to apply for more permanent migration, and the government will play a more active role in covering the costs of travel.

The policy also includes higher standards on inductions and stricter rules around approved employers.

Vitally, employees will also have the right to change employer so they will no longer be accused of ‘absconding’ if they leave an exploitative employer.

“David Littleproud’s tenure as agriculture minister has been calamitous, unethical, and embarrassing. Thankfully the policy announced by Labor today would help clean up the ungodly mess he’s made,” said AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton.

“Instead of begging the Foreign Minister to convince her Asian counterparts to accept a ‘trust us’ frankenstein visa with no safeguards, Labor’s plan would build on the success of the established PALM scheme, which would strengthen existing ties with our Pacific neighbours.

“Australia doesn’t need to run an agriculture sector that turns an intentional blind eye to worker exploitation and abuse. We can uphold Australian working standards on farms while continuing to grow our industry. Labor has laid out a plan for how this can be achieved.

“Crucially, under Labor’s plan, ethical farmers who do the right thing will no longer be undercut by dodgy operators whose business models rely on exploitation.

“The election battle lines are now clear. Labor now has a plan to reward good farmers who do the right thing. Littleproud and the Nationals have a plan to reward unethical farmers who like to exploit foreign workers.”