Category: Australian News

I am pleased to announce I have recommended the Governor-General appoint Ms Meghan Quinn PSM as the new Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Ms Quinn has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sector.

In the public sector, Ms Quinn has been focussed on the Commonwealth Treasury portfolio, undertaking a number of senior roles, including as Deputy Secretary of the Markets Group, and the Macroeconomic Group. She was also central to the preparation of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper in 2012.

She has also worked for BHP and the Bank of England.

In 2009, Ms Quinn was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the development of climate change policy.

Ms Quinn’s five-year appointment will commence on 22 August 2022. I congratulate her on the appointment and look forward to working with her.

APS Departments and Secretaries as at 5 August 2022

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	Prof Glyn Davis AC
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO
Attorney-General’s Department	Ms Katherine Jones PSM
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water	Mr David Fredericks PSM
Department of Defence	Mr Greg Moriarty
Department of Education	Dr Michele Bruniges AM
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	Ms Natalie James
Department of Finance	Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	Ms Jan Adams AO PSM
Department of Health and Aged Care	Prof Brendan Murphy AC
Department of Home Affairs	Mr Michael Pezzullo AO
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	Ms Meghan Quinn PSM [from 22 August 2022]
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts	Mr Jim Betts
Department of Social Services	Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC
Department of the Treasury	Dr Steven Kennedy PSM
Department of Veterans’ Affairs

AUSTRALIA is a step closer to becoming an offshore wind superpower, with a landmark new offshore wind announcement touted to bring jobs and economic opportunities, after years of waiting for the door to open on this booming global industry. 

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen today announced six proposed regions for NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and WA that have world-class offshore wind potential. 

Tim Baxter, Climate Council Senior Researcher and energy expert said: “This is an exciting and critical step in realising a cleaner, cheaper, healthier future that is free of coal and gas.

“Just like the new Climate Bill and yesterday’s historic proposed rejection of the Queensland coal mine – this announcement is a symbol of Australia’s climate shift. This is exactly the kind of urgent action we need to reduce pollution this decade.

“While Europe takes great advantage of its offshore wind resources, foot dragging by the previous federal government means Australia – with world class offshore wind resources – still has no industry at all.

“Taking advantage of offshore wind brings many advantages to the grid, further improving the reliability of our power supply. Australians can see the importance of this in the current energy crisis which has been exacerbated by the fleet of failing coal and gas generators.”

Dr Madeline Taylor, Climate Councillor, energy expert and senior lecturer at Macquarie University, School of Law said: “The mapping of offshore wind zones represents an exciting opportunity and important step forward to harness our excellent offshore wind resources. It also provides a positive market signal for industry and communities.

“Australia’s wind resources are among the world’s best, comparable to the North Sea, an area that’s leading the world in offshore wind generation. In fact, if all of our proposed offshore wind farms were built, their combined energy capacity would be greater than all of Australia’s coal-fired power stations.” 

The Climate Council recommends the Albanese Government build on its climate agenda to deliver deeper emissions cuts by 2030 by: 

• Speeding up the transformation of our energy system to renewable power. 
• Ending all government support for fossil fuel expansion.
• Focusing on electrification and energy efficiency. 
• Growing good jobs by giving a major boost to clean manufacturing. 
• Ending land clearing and accelerating efforts to restore degraded land and forests.
• Strengthening the laws and agencies that underpin Australia’s transition to a zero emission economy. 

The Greens welcome reports of record coral recovery on parts of the Great Barrier Reef but warn the Government not to jeopardise its survival by supporting more oil and gas. 

CGreens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“The Greens absolutely welcome reports of coral recovery on the Great Barrier Reef, however we can’t overlook that the fast-growing corals responsible for an increase in coral cover are also those most at risk from marine heatwaves and pest species. 

“I was fortunate to dive on the Great Barrier Reef recently with experts who explained that these new corals are first to grow but also first to go – meaning the reef is still very much fragile and in danger.

“We know that Labor’s current climate targets equate to 2°C global warming. Make no mistake: this will result in the death of Great Barrier Reef as we have been lucky enough to know it.

“Like it or not, the survival of the Great Barrier Reef is a political choice and Labor’s current climate targets are a death sentence for the reef.

“If Labor wants to end the climate wars they can start by stopping new coal and gas, because as scientists will tell you it’s fossil fuels or the reef – you can’t have both.”

Australia’s tax transparency laws have been significantly strengthened, with the Government supporting Greens amendments to lower the reporting threshold to a turnover of $100 million for Australian private companies.

“This is a massive step forward for tax transparency in Australia,” Greens Treasury and Economic Justice spokesperson Nick McKim said.

“We already know that big corporations are paying too little tax – today’s changes mean we can have a much clearer picture for many more companies.”

“The Australian public has a right to know this information.”

“Corporate tax transparency is critical for applying political pressure to make sure the big corporations pay their fair share of tax.”

“This shows what the Greens can achieve in balance of power, and what Labor and the Greens can do when we work together.” 

Australian Greens Statement on anniversary of revocation of Article 370 and downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory. 

On the eve of the third anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the Australian Greens are calling on the Australian Government to do more to ensure people’s human rights are upheld. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs said:

“August 5th is a day of mourning for people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Australian Greens acknowledge that the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir are currently facing a humanitarian and human rights crisis that requires urgent international attention.

“The Australian Greens are calling on the Indian Government to restore and respect the human rights of the people in Kashmir and Jammu,  their right to self determination and peace. 

“The Australian Government must do more. Particularly to ensure community members are safe, and have and have access to healthcare, education, food, and clean water. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens said:

“On the third anniversary of the stripping away of Kashmir’s constitutional protections, the Australian Greens stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and the diaspora here in Australia and around the globe. 

“The Australian Greens acknowledge the right of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir to freedom and self-determination. We also acknowledge and support the work of the diaspora to bring awareness of this human rights crisis in Australia and beyond.

“The Australian Government has an obligation to raise the attacks on Jammu and Kashmir in its diplomatic engagements with India. This is about Australia speaking the truth to our friends and acknowledging the universal right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to basic human freedoms.”

The Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will extend the Back Home grant to renters, landlords and homeowners impacted by the June-July flood event, with a total of $47 million available to get people home sooner.

The grants will be available across the 17 local government areas (LGAs) deemed to be the most severely flood impacted: Blacktown, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Penrith, Port Stephens, Singleton, Sutherland, The Hills and Wollongong.

The grants can go towards any clean-up costs to restore housing to a habitable condition, such as:

• Inspection and safe reconnection of electrical, gas, water, hot water and sewerage equipment not otherwise the responsibility of utility companies; 
• Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged essential household goods such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and microwaves;
• Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged equipment such as computers and tools and other essential household contents;
• Moving to a new property if you are a tenant; and
• Necessary structural repairs including roof, flooring, walls, fittings (owner-occupier/owner).

“This Federal Government will be one that works across all levels of Government, with all organisations and communities to provide the support to those affected by natural disasters,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“We know recovery is a long road ahead and we stand with the New South Wales Government in helping victims of the recent devastating floods get their lives back on track.”

Premier of New South Wales Dominic Perrottet said the grants would help renters, homeowners and landlords repair properties and replace belongings lost in the flooding.

“Whether a home needs electricity reconnected or structural repairs, this fund provides cash support to ensure this can happen fast. It also makes up to $5,000 available for the replacement of essential household items such as beds or kitchen equipment,” Mr Perrottet said.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said under the Back Home grant scheme, households declared damaged or destroyed by the June-July flood event would be eligible for up to $20,000.

“The priority is to get people and families affected by floods back into a safe and dry home as quickly as possible,” Minister Watt said.

“This program will help their homes to become habitable again by contributing to the cost of replacing appliances, reconnecting utilities, fixing roofs, connecting electricity and making other necessary repairs.”

New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said helping people return to their homes is a key part of the recovery process.

“It’s vital people have a roof over their head as they recover from this devastating flooding. The Back Home grant is aimed at helping people return to their properties as quickly as possible,” Ms Cooke said.

The Back Home program is in addition to a series of other jointly-funded clean-up and funding programs underway, including up to 16 weeks in rental support payments, rural landholder grants, small business and not-for-profit support, and an $80 million clean-up support program.

The grants will go live in coming days. Register to be notified at: Floods grants and other support.

Further information on assistance available as a result of the June-July flood event is available at: National Recovery and Resilience Agency.

Today, National Cabinet met virtually to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, Monkeypox (MPX), Foot and Mouth Disease and the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit.  

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation, including the uptake of vaccine booster doses and COVID-19 treatments.

The Commonwealth, State and Territory leaders discussed the continuing impact of COVID-19 on health system capacity and that they would work together to plan and prepare for likely future waves of COVID-19.

First Ministers agreed to continue to work together to manage the response to Monkeypox, following an update from Professor Kelly on the emerging situation.

The Chief Medical Officer declared MPX a Communicable Disease of National Significance on 28 July following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (23 July).

Internationally, there have been ten MPX deaths reported this year.

First Ministers also discussed the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia and work to ensure FMD preparedness in Australia.

The Commonwealth is providing a $14 million biosecurity package to bolster Australia’s frontline defence and provide more technical support for countries currently battling FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease.

Through this package, the Commonwealth continues to increase its biosecurity measures, including additional biosecurity officers, detector dogs, sanitation foot mats and increased messaging at airports.

First Ministers agreed to continue to work collaboratively on FMD preparedness to protect Australian livestock and businesses from the devastating impacts of this disease.

The Prime Minister also provided an update on the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit and National Cabinet discussed how states and territories would work together on priority issues for consideration at the Summit.

The National Cabinet remains committed to working together on national priorities and will continue to meet as necessary.

The Albanese Government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 has passed the House of Representatives today.

The Bill will enshrine into law an emissions reduction target of 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

It has brought together business, industry, unions, farmers, community and conservation groups, all of whom have asked the Parliament to put Australia on the path to net-zero emissions.

For nine years, Australia has stumbled from one policy to another, and this overdue legislation will provide energy and investment certainty and usher the next generation of economic growth and opportunity.

It locks in 43 per cent as Australia’s target to reduce emissions and ensures a whole-of-government approach to drive towards that target.

It ensures accountability through an annual update to Parliament by the Climate Change Minister on the progress being made towards the target and empowers the Climate Change Authority to provide advice to Government on future targets.

Passing this Bill in the House of Representatives only 75 days after the election is an important step towards implementing the Albanese Government’s Powering Australia plan to create jobs, put downward pressure on power bills and reduce emissions by boosting renewable energy.

“This Bill records the Government’s ambition to take the country forward on climate action – and it reflects our determination to bring people with us,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“It will help open the way for new jobs, new industries, new technologies and a new era of prosperity for Australian manufacturing.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said: “As we said in the Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC, we expect that with government, business and the community all pulling in one direction, our emissions reduction can be even greater” said

“I want to thank all members of the House of Representatives that voted in favour of the legislation and their constructive contributions in its formation.

“The passing of this bill in the House of Representatives starts a new era of climate and energy certainty, one that is well overdue.”

The Bill will now proceed to the Senate to be debated in upcoming sitting weeks.

Tonight, I will travel to Cambodia to attend this week’s ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

I look forward to meeting with regional leaders and ministers to continue to deepen the Australian Government’s engagement with Southeast Asia.

In ASEAN meetings, I will underline Australia’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, furthering cooperation through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas of shared interest including combatting climate change, building health security, and advancing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

At the EAS and ARF, I will outline Australia’s vision for the region and our positions on the Myanmar crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

My visit to Cambodia coincides with the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. I will meet with members of the Cambodian Government to discuss economic recovery, education ties, health security, and human rights.

I will also visit the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) to open its new campus. ACE has delivered English language training to more than 500,000 Cambodians since it was established 30 years ago.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt speaking at the National Press Club today, confirmed that following negotiations with the Labor government which led to improvements to the climate bill and a commitment to pursuing other matters further, the Greens would support its passage through the Parliament.

Mr Bandt confirmed the focus would now shift to stopping new coal, oil and gas projects which would blow the government’s weak climate targets.

The Greens will push for new coal and gas to be addressed in the government’s reform of the Safeguard Mechanism and for a climate trigger in national environment laws.

Speaking at the National Press Club Mr Bandt said:

The fight against new coal and gas:

“The Greens have improved a weak climate bill and we will pass it, but the fight to stop Labor’s new coal and gas mines continues, and in this Parliament, the only obstacle to stronger climate action is Labor.

The fight begins now to get Labor to stop opening coal and gas mines.

In this Parliament where less than a third of the country voted Labor, Labor has some mandate and the Greens have some mandate, but more important is our mandate from the planet and the laws of physics. If Labor continues to open up new coal and gas, the planet will burn and that is the mandate we all need to listen to. That is why we are bitterly disappointed that Labor has made it so clear over the last few weeks that they want to continue to open new coal and gas projects.

People need to be clear eyed about the importance of this bill, and that this government is bringing a bucket of water to a house fire. Worse, even this smallest of steps along the road to tackling the climate emergency could be wiped out by just one of the 114 new coal and gas projects in the government’s investment pipeline.”

Changes to the Bill:

“While the government has been unwilling to adopt science-based targets and place a moratorium on new coal and gas, we have been able to secure improvements to the bill, ensuring the target can be ratcheted up over time and that it is now Dutton-proofed with a genuine floor which means the target can not go backwards.

Changes have also been made to put in place greater transparency, accountability and strengthened requirements on the Climate Change Authority.

Government agencies, such as Export Finance Australia, that in the past have funded coal and gas projects, will for the first time be forced to take climate targets into account, which should see them curbed from supporting fossil fuels. They join a range of other agencies with new limits, including Infrastructure Australia and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund.” 

Next steps in the fight:

“The Senate inquiry will be critical, as we expect the Senate inquiry will show that the government cannot meet the targets in this legislation if it opens new coal and gas projects, and that a change will be required to the government’s approach.

The Greens in balance of power in the Senate here will be crucial, as the safeguard mechanism can be disallowed.

Coming out of the negotiations, I can also announce that because the safeguard mechanism will deal with the question of new coal and gas projects, the government will have further discussions with the Greens as it designs this mechanism.

Further, the government will also consider Greens proposals to support coal and gas workers and communities, including the establishment of a transition authority. This was a crucial part of our election campaign and this has to be the Parliament that provides job and wage security to coal and gas workers as we do our part to tackle the climate challenge.

We will comb the entire budget for any public money, any subsidies, handouts or concessions going to fossil fuel corporations, and we will amend the Budget to remove them. 

We will push to ensure the safeguard mechanism safeguards our future by stopping new coal and gas projects. 

We will push for a climate trigger in our environmental laws. 

And we will continue to fight individual projects around the country, like Beetaloo, Scarborough and Barossa. 

And I call on all Australians to join this battle. This battle to save our country, communities and indeed our whole civilisation from the climate and environmental crisis.”