Category: Australian News

The Australian Greens Party Room has met and had its first discussion regarding the government’s Climate Change Bill and has empowered Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP to enter formal negotiations with the government on the Bill.

Areas of concern remain the adequacy of the target, the need for targets to be ratcheted up and for the bill to operate as a floor not a ceiling, the lack of enforcement mechanisms, and new coal and gas projects that would lift pollution.

Greens Party Room will continue to get updates on the negotiations, on the basis of which a final position on the bill will be reached in the coming weeks.

Adam Bandt MP said:

“The Greens will begin formal negotiations with the government on its climate bill, but we’re concerned that the government’s desire to open new coal and gas mines will make the climate crisis worse.

“Europe is burning and Australia’s environment is collapsing, but the government wants to open new coal and gas mines. You don’t put the fire out while pouring petrol on it.

“As well as the weak target that means more fires and floods, the Greens are concerned that the bill as drafted is a barrier to government lifting the weak 43% targets, isn’t ‘Dutton-proof’ against a future government that wants to lower the targets, doesn’t require government to actually do anything to cut pollution and allows more coal and gas. 

“We will engage in good faith negotiations with the government, and we hope the government will drop its insistence on having a weak target and opening more coal and gas. 

“The State of the Environment report and the Pacific Island leaders give the government all the justification it needs to do more. Our preference is to improve and pass this bill, but the government must come to the table.”

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured court orders for a total of $36,000 in penalties and back-payment against the former operator of a real estate agency in northern NSW.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed a $4,000 penalty against David Stuart McElveney, a sole trader who formerly operated an agency based in Lennox Head trading as ‘One Agency Ballina-Lennox Head’.

The penalty was imposed in response to Mr McElveney failing to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring him to back-pay entitlements to a worker he employed as a real estate agent under a commission-only written agreement between November 2018 and February 2021.

In addition to the penalty, the Court has ordered Mr McElveney to pay the worker $32,000 in commissions owed, plus interest and superannuation.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face court-imposed penalties on top of having to back-pay workers.

“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements,” Ms Parker said.

“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”

The FWO commenced an investigation after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker.

The Compliance Notice was issued in April 2021 after an inspector formed a belief that the worker had not been paid commission payments he was entitled to on the sale of two properties.

Australia is experiencing a significant increase in cases of the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron strain.

These variants are highly infectious and have an ability to evade the immune protection from either previous infection or vaccine. Although three or four doses of vaccine remain very effective at providing protection against severe disease from BA.4 and BA.5, vaccination alone is not effective at stopping infection or transmission of the virus from person to person.

All indications, including previous experience with the BA.1 Omicron variant in Australia in January this year, as well as recent experience with the BA.4 and BA.5 variants in other countries, along with our weekly forecasting reports, suggest that cases will continue to rise in Australia over the coming month.

This wave of infections is already leading to an increase in the number of people with COVID-19. This will increase pressure on our hospitals which are already experiencing high levels of patients, and absenteeism due to illness in staff. Due to the number of cases, we may also see a rise in the number of people dying with COVID-19, particularly among those who are at higher risk of severe disease, most notably people over the age of 80 and those who have not received all recommended vaccine doses.

We cannot stop this wave of infections, but we can slow the spread and protect the vulnerable. We have done this before and we can do it again. In fact, a range of measures and advice provided in the past two weeks gives us a clear, scientifically-based path to achieve these dual aims.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has reiterated its advice on reinfection periods, testing and isolation, mask wearing, vaccine boosters and treatments and called on employers to allow work from home if feasible.

Employers should review their occupational health and safety risks and mitigations, and their business continuity plans. They should consider the feasibility of some employees working from home, wearing masks in the workplace and support employees to take leave when sick.

All of these recommendations are based on what we know works to either reduce the spread of the virus or protect those at highest risk of severe disease.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has widened its recommendations on fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Very pleasingly, this has had an immediate effect, with almost 560,000 fourth doses administered in the first week of the expanded rollout, compared with approximately 180,000 the week before – a threefold increase.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has also widened and simplified the criteria for the availability of oral antiviral treatments which can be prescribed by general practitioners and dispensed from community pharmacies. We do not yet have data on prescribing since the announcement of these changes but expect a major increase, given that the number of prescriptions had already more than doubled from 5,657 in mid-June to 13,441 in early July.

Last week, numerous measures were introduced to increase the protection of aged care residents. As part of this, I wrote to all residential aged care facilities to stress the importance of having readily available antiviral medications within 24 hours of a positive test and a comprehensive winter plan to protect residents against COVID-19.

Modelling and forecasting provide a range of possible scenarios which are completely dependent on what we do now. We know this from our experience of the past two years where we have all taken actions which have changed the course of history.

What has been predicted before has led to appropriate actions by individuals, communities and government which has led to fewer cases and protected the most vulnerable members of our community – older Australians, people living with a disability, those with chronic disease or lowered immunity and First Nations peoples. By working together, we can do that again. This is not about individual responsibility but concerted and sustained community action.

I encourage everyone who is eligible for their fourth dose and who has not yet had it to make an appointment as soon as possible to receive it. I also remind any Australian who has not had a third dose of vaccine that two doses of the COVID vaccines simply do not provide adequate protection against severe disease. Having the recommended vaccinations for your age group or risk profile is the single most important thing Australians can do to prevent severe COVID requiring hospitalisation or even death.

I also encourage everyone to follow the recent advice of the AHPPC and wear masks when outside the home in crowded, indoor environments, including on public transport. This is important to protect yourself and others.

Physical distancing, where possible, and following good hygiene practices provide additional layers of protection. Undertake a test if you have any symptoms and stay at home if you have COVID-19.

Check your eligibility for antiviral treatments with your usual health provider and make a COVID treatment plan so that you know exactly what to do to access that life saving treatment before you get sick.

Reducing the impact of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for everyone. We can all play a role in protecting ourselves and our loved ones, our hospitals and the wider health system, those most at risk, and society as a whole.

Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) today welcomes the release of the State of the Environment report, and calls on the government to act urgently to cut emissions and keep our regional communities safe.

Australians are facing an increasingly high bushfire-risk environment that is driven by climate change. Bureau of Meteorology data shows there are 10 times more extreme fire danger days than there were in the 1960s.

BSCA president Jo Dodds said the report underscored the importance of making deep emissions cuts this decade.

“Our regional towns deserve safety and security,” Ms Dodds said. “We need to stop burning coal, gas and oil to reduce the risk of bushfires and other extreme weather events.

“I know too well what it’s like to experience the effects of a climate change-fuelled emergency, and call on our leaders to invest in solutions to reduce emissions – we know this will help keep our regional communities safe while also supporting their economic growth.”

Australia is steadfast in our enduring commitment to seek truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragedy which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew, including 38 people who called Australia home.

Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones.

Since 2018, Australia has maintained that the Russian Federation is responsible under international law for the downing of Flight MH17. This is based on the strong body of evidence presented by the Joint Investigation Team.

Australia and the Netherlands are committed to our pursuit of accountability through our dispute against the Russian Federation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

We commend the progress in the Dutch criminal trials of four individuals for their alleged involvement and look forward to the delivery of verdicts.

Australia condemns Russia’s unilateral, illegal, and immoral aggression against the people of Ukraine. It is a painful reminder of the tragic circumstances surrounding the downing of Flight MH17.

While we cannot take away the grief of those whose loved ones died as a result of Russia’s actions, the Australian Government will pursue every available avenue to ensure Russia is held to account.

Today the National Cabinet met virtually to discuss the evolving situation with the COVID 19 pandemic and agreed several new measures.

The Commonwealth and all States and Territories remain committed to working together collaboratively to support the COVID-19 health response, as Australians continue to manage the impacts of this pandemic.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the pandemic, including new variants and their potential impact, and the impacts on hospital capacity and broader health system. Australia is beginning to see a new wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub variants, which will increase the pressure on our health system.

In recognition of the risks associated with more infectious new variants through the winter period, the Commonwealth agreed to reinstate the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to 30 September 2022. Eligibility for the payment will be backdated to 1 July 2022, to ensure that anyone unable to work owing to isolation requirements in this period, without access to paid sick leave, is supported. Access to these payments will commence from Wednesday 20 July, with existing eligibility requirements to continue.

We have agreed to share the costs of the payment 50:50, between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories.

In addition the Commonwealth Government will also reinstate the Crisis Payment – National Health Emergency (COVID-19) until 30 September 2022, with eligibility also to be backdated to 1 July 2022. This will ensure people affected by COVID-19 isolation requirements who receive an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and who are in severe financial hardship, continue to receive support through the winter period.

The Commonwealth has further agreed to create a new, temporary telehealth item so GPs can spend longer with their patients to assess their suitably for oral COVID-19 antivirals. This will enable those most vulnerable to COVID-19 to quickly access medical treatments and help ease the burden on hospitals.

State and Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers also shared updates from across each jurisdiction, including noting initiatives such as increasing access to supplies of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

All First Ministers agreed:

• Jurisdictions will utilise existing RAT stocks funded through 50/50 cost share arrangements with the Commonwealth to support the public health response.
• Jurisdictions and the Commonwealth will provide consistent health messaging encouraging Australians to follow the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s recommendations on health behaviours including wearing masks indoors, getting tested and practising good respiratory hygiene.

The National Cabinet remains committed to working together on national priorities, including supporting all Australians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. National Cabinet will continue to meet as necessary.

The Australian Government will provide $1.5 million to support Indonesia’s response to the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The funding will provide at least 1 million FMD doses for Indonesia’s vaccination program, following a formal request for assistance from the Indonesian Government.

Indonesia’s vaccination program is focused on support for the small-holder farming sector, which makes up around 90 per cent of Indonesia’s cattle industry.

This support is in addition to Australia’s existing commitment of 435,000 Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine doses that are currently being distributed to affected Indonesia provinces.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt discussed Australia’s support with Indonesian Minister for Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo in Jakarta today.

Minister Watt also met with Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority head and Chief of the Indonesian Task Force for Foot and Mouth Disease, Lieutenant General Suharyanto.

The Australian Government has also committed an initial $500,000 to Meat and Livestock Australia, responsible for coordinating support from Australian industry for the Indonesian feedlot sector’s emergency response to these diseases.

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

“Safeguarding the biosecurity of our region is a shared concern for Australia and Indonesia – this was something confirmed during the recent Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting.

“The provision of 1 million vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth disease underscores Australia’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s response to the outbreak.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said:

“During my meeting with Lieutenant General Suharyanto we offered to share Australian expertise on emergency disease management and biosecurity.

“The Albanese Government is taking a two-pronged approach to preventing the incursion of Foot and Mouth disease, first by strengthening biosecurity measures at the Australian border, and also by supporting efforts to curb the spread overseas.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Telstra will own and operate Digicel Pacific.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said:

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

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