Category: Australian News

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape have welcomed $158 million (PGK415 million) in agreements under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to upgrade key power and road networks across Papua New Guinea.

The two Prime Ministers recognised the importance of working together to deliver high‑quality, transformational infrastructure projects, which are critical to Papua New Guinea’s prosperity, and economic recovery from COVID-19.

Australia will support an $86 million (PGK226 million) financing package to improve Papua New Guinea’s national power infrastructure and connect more than 30,000 households, schools and clinics to electricity. Access to electricity is key to improving development outcomes. This partnership will connect many communities in Morobe and East New Britain provinces to the grid for the first time.

Australia’s financing is part of the PNG Electrification Partnership, and supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s objective of connecting 70 per cent of PNG’s population to electricity by 2030.

Australia is also investing $72 million (PGK189 million) to upgrade road infrastructure in key economic corridors across Papua New Guinea, connecting communities and supporting improved access to markets.

The financing will enable the rehabilitation and maintenance of approximately 359 kilometres of priority roads, including the Sepik Highway in the East Sepik and West Sepik provinces, and the Wau Highway in Morobe Province.

Prime Minister Marape welcomed the agreements.

“This financing will assist my Government to progress our priority Connect PNG Strategy, increase strategic connections across Papua New Guinea, and build up critical infrastructure in the power sector,” Prime Minister Marape said.

Prime Minister Morrison said the partnership would support the development of critical infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, and provide a significant boost to the local economy.

“Australia is pleased to support the development of high-quality infrastructure across Papua New Guinea’s diverse regions, and build on our strong record of supporting critical infrastructure across the Pacific,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“This partnership will employ Papua New Guinean workers and use local materials where possible to help stimulate the local economy and assist in its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The agreements recognise the critical importance of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partnership and build on the joint ambition established through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).

Australia will continue to partner with governments and the private sector in Papua New Guinea, and across the Pacific, to respond to infrastructure needs and support our shared interest for an open, resilient and inclusive Pacific region.

Today in Beijing, Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei faced a closed trial on charges of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. At the end of proceedings, the court deferred its verdict.

The Australian Government respects the sovereignty of China’s legal system. However, Ms Cheng’s case has lacked transparency and the Australian Government has never been provided with details of the charges.

Australia’s Ambassador to China and officials were present at the court entrance, reiterating Australia’s support for Ms Cheng and our concerns with what has been a closed and opaque process.

Regrettably, the Ambassador was not permitted entry to the court. The continuing lack of transparency is concerning and further undermines confidence.

Since Ms Cheng was detained in August 2020, the Australian Government has consistently stated the fundamental importance of procedural fairness, basic standards of justice and China’s international legal obligations.

Following Ms Cheng’s trial, we renew our calls for China to uphold these principles and to allow Ms Cheng unimpeded access to her lawyer.

We will continue to provide consular assistance to Ms Cheng under the terms of our bilateral Consular Relations Agreement, and to advocate for her rights, including for her to be able to speak to her two young children in Australia, with whom she has had no contact since her detention in 2020.

Australia stands by Ms Cheng and her family at this difficult time.

Last night, the Greens Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe successfully introduced a Private Senators Bill that will ensure this Country complies with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP.

This Bill is the first step towards implementing UNDRIP into our laws, policies and practice. The Senate also passed a motion, introduced by Senator Thorpe and Senator Cox, that will establish an inquiry into the application of the UNDRIP.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the UNDRIP in 2007, after 144 countries voted in favor and Australia was one of four nations who voted against it. After endorsing UNDRIP in 2009, this Country is finally taking action thanks to the Greens.

Australian Greens Senator for Victoria: Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung woman Lidia Thorpe said:

“This is a historic development for the rights of First Nations people in this country. For too long, all levels of government have been making decisions about us, without us.”

“The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is about First Nations people having the final say on First Nations affairs. It’s about protecting our right to free, prior and informed consent on what happens to our Country, our culture and our people.”

“Senator Payne said in 2007 that something as important as the UNDRIP should not be rushed. For 15 years, successive governments have failed to act on UNDRIP. Last night, the Greens did.”

“First Nations people are strong and capable. We are proud to stand here with the backing of our Greens colleagues and give this Parliament and this Government solutions to the shame of this country’s past. Together, we can find a better way forwards.”

“The bill requires the Government to develop a fully funded national action plan to implement UNDRIP and to audit existing laws, so they are compliant with UNDRIP. It’s time to fix the broken system, and the Greens will get it done.”

“This is a big step forward for Blak justice in this country. This is what having Greens in Parliament can do.”

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the reported winding back of the ban on live sheep export to the Middle East during the Northern Summer will result in completely avoidable animal death and suffering.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Sheep will suffer and die because of this decision. It is a betrayal of the animals and all those who fought hard for the Northern Summer ban just a few short years ago.

“While it certainly wasn’t perfect, the Northern Summer ban clearly did provide some protection to Australian sheep from terrible heat stress and mortality.

“Veterinary and animal welfare experts have repeatedly confirmed that voyages carrying live sheep to the Middle East during the Northern Summer cannot be supported.

“Yet again, the government is folding to their mates in the live export industry for whom profit will always trump animal welfare.

“I find the timing of this decision very devious given the current Senate sat for the last time on Wednesday and now we will not have the opportunity to disallow the regulations before the new arrangements commence.

“Polls repeatedly show that a clear majority of Australians want to see an end to live export. Instead, the government has decided to ramp it up on the eve of an election,” she said.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, has backed in calls from aged care workers and their unions for a 25% wage increase for the aged care sector, saying their forthcoming fully-costed aged care policy will include a $6b yearly fund to help meet the pledge, along with other measures to be announced. 

The Greens support large parts of Labor’s aged care plans announced in Anthony Albanese’s Budget in Reply, and will go further when the party releases its own aged care policy in coming weeks, but said Labor’s announcements did not include any clarity on what pay rise the workers could expect. In the next Parliament, the Greens say they will push in balance of power for aged care workers to get the full 25% wage increase they are seeking.

The Greens have said a permanent, full increase is required for some of our country’s most essential but underpaid workers.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Underpaid and overworked aged care workers deserve a 25% pay rise. 

“We desperately need to turf the Liberals out, but if the next government doesn’t commit to lifting aged care wages by 25%, the problems we’ve seen in aged care will continue. 

“In balance of power, the Greens will kick the Liberals out and push the next government to lift aged care workers’ wages by 25%.

“By taxing billionaires and unwinding the privatisation of aged care we can more than meet the cost of this essential wage increase.” 

Greens Aged Care spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice said:

“Aged care workers do vital work caring for older Australians, but their wages are insultingly low. 

“The aged care sector is in crisis and one in five workers are planning on quitting within the year. The Morrison government has failed older Australians and the workers who care for them.

“Aged care staff have worked tirelessly through the pandemic supporting our most vulnerable people, yet they are on some of the lowest wages in the country. It’s no wonder workers are leaving the sector in droves. 

“Aged care workers need a permanent pay rise. A couple of one-off payments, that look suspiciously like an election bribe, doesn’t cut it. We don’t even know if all the workers have received those payments even though it was announced over a month ago.

“If the Greens are in balance of power after the election, we will push to ensure older voters and the working class aren’t left in the dust again by a future Labor government.”

The Morrison Government will provide $6 million to MATES in Construction to boost support in mental health and wellbeing for remote workers in the construction, mining, energy and manufacturing industries.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said MATES in Construction will work with these industries to drive better mental health and suicide prevention in the Fly In, Fly Out (FIFO) and the Drive In, Drive Out (DIDO) workforce. 

“Australian FIFO workers spend great amounts of time away from family, friends and loved ones throughout their working lives, which can cause mental health concerns,” Minister Hunt said.

“These workers experience higher levels of psychological distress—including anxiety and depression—with 33% of FIFO workers reporting ‘high’ or ‘very high’ levels of psychological distress.

“Our Government recognises the strain FIFO and DIDO work can cause and we are committed to working with groups like MATES in Construction to ensure these workers have access to the support they need.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the program would help reduce the suicide rate, particularly for men who represent 75 per cent of all suicides.

“This program builds on the Government’s commitment to work towards zero suicides and reduce suicidal behaviour across the Australian population,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“In particular, the program aims to improve the mental health of workers in industries with a high male presence.

“MATES in Construction will use existing networks and relationships within the construction and mining industries to deliver programs that benefit workers, leaders, counsellors and families of FIFO and DIDO workers across Australia.”

The Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22, doubling since 2012-13. This includes $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.

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.

In addition, Australians looking for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.

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.

The Morrison Government is reforming the way suicide prevention activities are undertaken across the country, with $46.7 million in the 2022-23 Budget to strengthen suicide prevention at the local level.

For the first time, every region in Australia will have a local leader focused on suicide prevention, ensuring early intervention and suicide prevention activities are better coordinated and right for the local area.

Suicide Prevention Response Leaders will work within their community to bring together service providers, local councils, emergency services, schools and community groups. They will also have funding to back local approaches and services to reduce suicide.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Morrison Government recognises the devastating impact suicide has on individuals, families and communities, and is committed to working towards zero suicides.

“Every suicide is a tragedy. While the rate of suicide declined by 6.2 per cent in 2020, 3,139 Australians lost their lives,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“As we work towards our goal of zero suicides, we are building upon our record investment in suicide prevention.”

To continue to drive the suicide rate towards zero, the Morrison Government is investing through the 2022-23 Budget:

• $10.4 million to establish a Suicide Prevention Regional Response Leader in each of Australia’s 31 Primary Health Networks (PHN), to lead engagement, coordination, and integration of early intervention and suicide prevention activities in their region.
• $30.2 million to strengthen the ability of PHNs to implement regional and community-based suicide prevention responses nationally, delivering initiatives tailored for local communities. These may include developing services for at-risk groups in the community, improving care coordination by mapping local service pathways for those at risk of suicide or who are bereaved by suicide, or building the capacity and capability of the local workforce through activities such as scholarship and training programs.
• $4 million to boost suicide prevention research, by providing a further two years of funding for the Suicide Prevention Research Fund delivered by Suicide Prevention Australia.

“These new initiatives were informed by strong evidence for new approaches to suicide prevention, gained through the National Suicide Prevention Trials.

“The trials highlighted the importance of localised approaches and having dedicated response leaders in each PHN. We’re now using the lessons from these trials to deliver services and suicide prevention initiatives across the country that are tailored to meet the needs of local communities.”

Assistant Minister Coleman said the Suicide Prevention Regional Response Leaders will be located in all areas of Australia, ensuring regional, rural and remote communities are fully included.

“Every single PHN area that covers regional and remote Australia has a higher suicide rate than those that cover metropolitan areas.

“It’s imperative that suicide prevention initiatives reach into communities that have historically been hard to reach and where services may have been limited.

“Key to this is the fact that the new Suicide Prevention Regional Response Leaders will not be bound to a desk, they will be out in the community building relationships, determining where the gaps are and working to address these in partnership with the community.”

These new suicide prevention initiatives are a key part of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, with the Morrison Government investing almost $3 billion towards its implementation since 2021-22.

More than $344 million is for specific suicide prevention measures, which includes working with the states and territories to deliver universal aftercare for all Australians discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt, funding national postvention services to support those bereaved or impacted by suicide, and the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Office to lead cross government work.

As part of the Plan, the Government is also investing more than $96 million into mental health and suicide prevention measures for Indigenous Australians whose suicide rate is more than double that of non-Indigenous Australians.

This includes funding to establish regional suicide prevention networks in each jurisdiction, implement culturally sensitive, co-designed aftercare services with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations being the preferred service providers, and to create a culturally appropriate 24/7 crisis line that is governed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Anyone experiencing distress can also 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

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au 

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe will lead a Strategic Advisory Committee to develop the nation’s strategy for health and medical research for the next two decades – the Vision 2040 Strategy.

Supported by a Strategic Advisory Committee, Dr Woodthorpe will set research directions for policy and funding bodies across governments, and the not-for-profit and private sectors.

The Vision 2040 Strategy will provide a holistic perspective that will integrate health and medical research – from theoretical to applied – at a national level to deliver a common vision for the next two decades.

Dr Woodthorpe has held a broad range of management and board positions in Australia and overseas. She has a deep understanding of technology-oriented industries including medical devices, with a strong background in commercialisation of research.

Working in collaboration with the Department of Health., Dr Woodthorpe and the Strategic Advisory Committee will consult widely with stakeholders, review the sector, and provide recommendations in setting out a long-term vision for health and medical research.

The Strategic Advisory Committee has a breadth of experience and expertise from across the fields of medical research, Indigenous health, entrepreneurship and innovation, the consumer sector, and the economy.

The Strategic Advisory Committee members are:

•           Dr Katherine Woodthorpe (Chair)

•           Dr Janine Mohamed

•           Professor Carol Hodgson

•           Ms Jan Donovan

•           Professor Vlado Perkovic

•           Professor Robyn Ward

•           Professor Danny Liew

•           Ms Nadia Levin

The Morrison Government is investing an additional $24.3 million through the 2022-23 Budget to implement new community-based treatment services and fund existing support and treatment services for Australians with an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are among the most complex and deadly of psychiatric illnesses, and the Morrison Government recognises the importance of making sure everyone can access evidence-based care when and where they need it most.

The number of people in Australia with an eating disorder at any given time is estimated to be around one million, and almost a third (31.6%) of Australian adolescents engage in disordered eating behaviours in any given year.

This new funding, combined with the Morrison Government’s support for innovative new treatment and therapy approaches, will see more care available in more places, improving the chances of recovery for those impacted.

The funding includes:

• $20 million for community-based eating disorder treatment services. These services will focus on local needs, using innovative and evidence-based models of care that are free to those who access them.

• $1.3 million to the Wandi Nerida residential eating disorder treatment and recovery centre on the Sunshine Coast.
• $1.6 million for the National Eating Disorders Collaboration for ongoing development of clinical resources, implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy, support for clinical workforce development, and provision of independent, expert advice to Government.
• $1.1 million for the Butterfly Foundation to continue to develop the eating disorder peer workforce, provide advice to state and territory governments on the establishment of the community-based residential eating disorder treatment centres and build on and expand the Butterfly Body Bright program in primary schools.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the funding will provide more services for more people.

“Eating disorders are extremely complex and dangerous and prolonged care is often needed,” Assistant Minister Coleman said. “But it is possible for many people to make a full recovery if they get the right treatment at the right time and that’s what these new services will deliver.”

“These new services will fill current treatment gaps within the community, ensuring more wrap around support for those who require ongoing care outside a hospital setting.”

“The service providers of these programs will also work closely with the National Eating Disorder Research Centre to inform important eating disorder research and contribute to the evidence-base for future eating disorder treatments and supports.

“As a Government, we are deeply committed to helping Australians affected by eating disorders and body image issues, and ensuring those impacted have the best chance of recovery.”

Since 2012-13, the Government has committed $268 million to eating disorder initiatives, with more than $71 million in 2021-22 alone. This is up from just $500,000 for specific eating disorder initiatives in 2012-13.

The Morrison Government is delivering a number of vital initiatives to ensure continuity of care and access to high quality treatment and support for people affected by eating disorders and their families and carers.

In November 2019, the Government provided $110.7 million to introduce 64 new Medicare items for eating disorders. These items enable patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders with complex needs to access up to 40 psychological and 20 dietetic services a year.

A further investment of $63 million was provided for six new community-based residential eating disorder treatment centres across Australia.

$26.9 million was also included in last year’s Budget to increase the availability and quality of care options for people affected by eating disorders, including:

• $1.9 million to improve access to specific timely, high quality care for eating disorders in Australian Government funded mental health centres such as headspace and Adult Mental Health Centres;
• $300,000 to enable Eating Disorders Families Australia to continue operation of the “strive” program, providing mental health support for families and carers of people with eating disorders;
• $2.5 million to deliver the final phase of the workforce credentialing project to ensure all Australians have access to high quality care delivered under the Medicare eating disorder items; and
• $13 million to establish a National Eating Disorder Research Centre to coordinate and conduct world-leading research into eating disorders.

The funding reinforces the Morrison Government’s strong commitment to achieving better mental health for all Australians, with expenditure on mental health services estimated to be a record $6.8 billion in 2022-23 alone.

Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Butterfly Foundation’s ED HOPE helpline (1800 33 4673), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

An Albanese Labor Government will deliver cheaper child care to almost every family in the system after locking in a more generous subsidy rate for families with more than one child under six if Labor forms government.
 
In his first Budget Reply speech as Leader, Anthony Albanese announced Labor’s plan to deliver cheaper child care by increasing the maximum subsidy rate to 90 per cent for families up to $80,000, removing the annual subsidy cap, and smoothing the taper rate down more gradually from the new 90 per cent rate.
 
Scott Morrison was dragged into making modest changes to the system in the 2021 Budget, which matched Labor’s policy to remove the subsidy cap and introduced a higher subsidy for families with more than one child under six – changes which meant hundreds of thousands of families missed out on more support.
 
Labor will lock this higher rate in – meaning under Labor, 96 per cent of all families in the system will be better off. 1.26 million families will be better off – five times more than under the Morrison Joyce Government.
 
Labor’s plan for Cheaper Child Care will:

• Lift the maximum child care subsidy for one child care;
• Increase CCS rates for every family with one child in care earning less than $530,000 in household income; and
• Lift CCS rates for the second and more children in care.

Importantly, Labor’s policy extends to outside school hours and vacation care – which miss out under the Liberals.
 
Labor also get the ACCC to design a price regulation mechanism to drive out of pocket costs down for good, and the Productivity Commission will conduct a comprehensive review of the sector with the aim of implementing a universal 90 per cent subsidy for all families.
 
Scott Morrison’s child care system has completely failed Australian families.
 
The cost of child care has never been higher than it is now.
 
Over the past 12 months, child care costs soared by 6.5 per cent – almost double the rate of inflation. Fees have increased by 41 per cent since the Liberals formed government. For the average family, this means they are paying almost $5,000 more in fees.
 
Child care costs are eating a bigger and bigger hole in household budgets and are putting more financial strain on Australian families.
 
Under Scott Morrison’s recent changes to the subsidy, hundreds of thousands of families will miss out on relief compared to Labor’s Cheaper Child Care Plan. And the Government still has no plans to control fees in the future.
 
Only Labor has a plan to fix child care.
 
We also know that improving our child care system is a fundamental economic reform that will boost workforce participation and drive productivity growth.
 
Conservative estimates show a return on investment of $2 for every $1 invested, and economists have estimated a GDP boost of between $4-$11 billion per year.