Visit to Indonesia, the Holy See and Singapore

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will depart on the first international visit of his second term to meet with world leaders from 14 May to 20 May 2025.

Prime Minister Albanese will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia from 14 to 16 May 2025 to meet His Excellency Mr Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesia was also Prime Minister Albanese’s first bilateral visit following his election in 2022.

The Prime Minister will be joined in Jakarta by Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong and Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke MP.

Prime Minister Albanese and President Prabowo will discuss the close relations between Australia and Indonesia, and how our countries can deepen our partnership.  

The Prime Minister will then travel to the Holy See to attend the inauguration of Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome, on Sunday 18 May 2025.

Since 1973, the diplomatic relations between Australia and the Holy See have helped foster strong links with the Catholic Church, including its humanitarian efforts around the globe, and the five million Australians of the Catholic faith.

During his visit to Vatican City, Prime Minister Albanese will meet with a number of other world leaders also in attendance.

Prime Minister Albanese will invite Pope Leo XIV to Australia for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress in 2028.

On Tuesday 20 May, the Prime Minister will meet His Excellency Mr Lawrence Wong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, before returning to Australia.

Singapore is one of Australia’s closest partners, with a friendship anchored in strategic trust and deep cooperation, and a shared regional and global outlook.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Albanese is overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“My first overseas visit after my Government’s re-election reflects our enduring commitment to some of our closest partners in the region.

“I am honoured to be a guest of President Prabowo Subianto. There is no country more important to Australia than Indonesia. We have a long history of cooperation and friendship, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations last year.

“Together we are setting an ambitious agenda to deepen our ties.

“It is also a great honour to represent Australia at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration — a historic occasion for the Catholic Church.

“The event will connect Catholics around the world, and the millions of Australians of Catholic faith, as they celebrate and welcome the new Bishop of Rome and Pontiff to amplify his message of peace and social justice for all humanity.

“I look forward to reinforcing Australia’s strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.

“I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Wong. The close partnership between Australia and Singapore is underpinned by our shared interest in an open, stable and prosperous region.”

Slow down and look out for animals on country roads

Motorists are reminded to slow down and look out for animals on country roads as Transport for NSW launches its annual ‘Animals on country roads’ public education initiative between 19 May to 30 June.

Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary, Safety, Policy, Environment & Regulation, Sally Webb said driving on country roads often involves driving around livestock and wildlife that can be unpredictable and move quickly.

“It’s important to always take care, follow the road signs and expect the unexpected when driving around animals to ensure we protect both human lives and our wildlife.” 

“One in every 41 crashes on country roads involves a vehicle hitting an animal, so it’s important that drivers and riders know the best way to react when an animal approaches,” said Ms Webb.

From 2014 to 2023, there were 1,344 crashes that involved an animal which sadly resulted in 27 people dying and 1,503 people injured.

“This campaign is a great reminder to all motorists about the risks of driving around wildlife and to be vigilant and cautious.

“Animals can be more active at sunrise and sunset, when visibility is reduced. Stay alert when driving on country roads and if you see an animal when driving or riding, don’t panic, apply your brakes carefully and in a controlled manner and don’t swerve to avoid an animal,” said Ms Webb.

 

To help reduce the risk of a crash and keep everyone safe, motorists should always do the following: 

•    Reduce your speed – slow down and look out for wildlife on or near the roadside 

•    Stay alert – Animals can be fast and unpredictable. Stay alert and expect the unexpected 

•    Brake safely – Apply your brakes in a careful, controlled manner. Leave space and pass with care when it’s safe to do so 

•    Don’t swerve – Take great care if you manoeuvre to avoid an animal. You may lose control of your vehicle if you swerve too harshly 

•    Follow animal warning signs – Take note of warning signs alerting you to the presence of animals in the area. If you see these signs, slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop if required 

•    Report injured wildlife – Call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your area.  

Social media, radio and digital displays are now rolling out to remind motorists how to stay safe around animals on the roads. For more information on road safety and driving tips in animal-prone areas, visit the www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/animals 

Plans for locally-made trains roll forward

The NSW Government is one step closer to locally manufactured trains today, as it launches industry engagement for the Future Fleet Program, which is seeking to revive domestic manufacturing, create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.

The NSW Government has committed to start procuring the replacement of the ageing Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by early 2027, with a 50 per cent local content target for designing, building, and maintaining the new fleet.

Today Transport for NSW (TfNSW) commenced a comprehensive market analysis and engagement campaign with manufacturers and suppliers to gather insights, identify key considerations, and help it shape the direction of further engagement for the Future Fleet Program.

New South Wales is committed to developing one of the strongest rail manufacturing pipelines in Australia – starting with the Tangara replacement fleet, which will require the manufacture of around 450 new train carriages.

Through the fleet pipeline, the NSW Government wants to leave a strong community legacy of secure and skilled rail manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships in a revitalised domestic rail manufacturing industry.

Domestic rail manufacturing businesses are strongly encouraged to visit the TfNSW Industry Portal to access the survey and to register with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) so we can better understand local industry capacity and capability and continue engaging with industry during the Future Fleet Program’s development, and in the lead up to commencement of procurement.

Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary of Infrastructure Projects and Engineering Camilla Drover said “NSW had a long and proud history of rail manufacturing, and we are delivering on our commitment to revitalise the industry and create new jobs and economic opportunities.

“By establishing a rail manufacturing pipeline, we will start the critical work of rebuilding skills and confidence in our manufacturing capability.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said “The Tangara fleet was built in Newcastle and has served us well for more than 35 years.

“We want to ensure our future fleet will stand the test of time and support local jobs and local manufacturing.”

The industry survey opens today (Monday 19 May) will run until Friday 6 June. The NSW Government will return to industry in August 2025 on how it will implement the survey findings.

Train Disruptions

Central Coast & Newcastle Line

Details

Limited buses are replacing trains between Newcastle Interchange and Fassifern in both directions due flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek. At this stage there is no forecast for when the line will reopen. Power supply issues at Strathfield may also affect Central Coast & Newcastle Line services. Allow plenty of extra travel time, check transport apps or information screens for service updates.

Trains are not running on Hunter Line

Details

Due to flooding at Sandgate, no trains are running on the Hunter Line.

Limited buses are replacing trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange in both directions.

Please allow plenty of extra travel time as trips will take longer than usual.

At this stage, there is no forecast for when the line will reopen. Check transport apps and listen to announcements for the latest service updates.

Man charged with child sexual assault and kidnapping offences – Hunter Valley

A 22-year-old man has been charged following an investigation by Child Abuse Squad detectives into the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Hunter region earlier this month.

On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a 14-year-old girl added a man previously unknown to her to a list of friends on a social media account. The man told the girl he was aged 17.

The following day, the 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl met with the man on the Central Coast.

It is alleged that over the following days, the man sexually assaulted the younger girl and later prevented both girls from leaving their location.

About 7.00pm on Monday 19 May 2025, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended a house in the Hunter Valley area to check on the welfare of the two girls. Police then arrested the 22-year-old man at the home.

He was taken to Singleton Police Station.

Following a coordinated response by detectives from State Crime Command’s Newcastle Child Abuse Squad and Hunter Valley Police District, the man was charged with aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16, aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, take person intend commit serious indictable offence and intentionally sexually touch child between the ages of 10 and 16.

The man was refused bail and appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Tuesday 20 May 2025), where he was further refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 16 July 2025.

Schools remain closed due to flooding

More than 80 schools are closed due to flooding in parts of the Mid North Coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions, with adverse weather expected to impact communities further north.

Parents and carers have been and will continue to be updated by their schools, which are their first source of advice.  

Deputy Secretary of Public Schools Deb Summerhayes said the department continues to take a safety-first approach and make decisions with information and advice provided by emergency services. 

“Please do not send your child to school if it is closed,” she said.

“Our communities around Taree, the Great Lakes and Port Macquarie are experiencing heavy rain and high winds, and we may need to close more schools in the coming days.

“The decision to temporarily close schools is always done with the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff in mind.”

While the schools are temporarily closed, students will be provided with learning from home resources. 

Schools do not offer minimal supervision when they are temporarily closed due to flooding.  

The department will keep families updated via their schools and reopen schools as soon as it is deemed safe to do so – following advice from the NSW State Emergency Services.

“We have had no reports of major damage or flooding at schools so far. We’ll assess our schools for damage as soon as it is safe to do so,” Ms Summerhayes said.

The NSW Department of Education also requires all early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to operate safely, including during extreme weather events.

The department urges services to assess the risk of severe weather in their community and if necessary, activate their emergency plans and procedures. We encourage services to follow the advice of local authorities and the SES.

There have been 73 early childhood education and care services closed due to the flooding, along with TAFE NSW campuses in Taree, Ourimbah, Kempsey and Wauchope.

Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in flood water, and any avoid unnecessary travel. Download the Hazards Near Me App to stay across the latest warnings and information. 

Call the NSW SES on 132 500 if you need emergency assistance in floods and storms. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au 

Visit our website for information on schools that are closed. 

Sentencing of Oscar Jenkins

The Australian Government is appalled at the sham trial and 13-year sentence given to Australian man Oscar Jenkins.

As a full serving member of the regular Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war.

The Australian Government has made clear to Russia that Mr Jenkins must be given the protections afforded to him as a prisoner of war. Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment.

We continue to hold serious concerns for Mr Jenkins. We are working with Ukraine and other partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to advocate for his welfare and release.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to provide consular support to Mr Jenkins’ family.

Progressive Parliament with a politics of heart – incoming Greens Leader Larissa Waters outlines “firm but constructive” approach for her leadership

The Greens federal party room has unanimously elected Senator Larissa Waters as the new leader of the Australian Greens.

The leadership ballot was uncontested.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters will be ably supported by a team of proven performers:

  • Senator Mehreen Faruqi will remain in the role of Deputy Leader
  • Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be the Greens Manager of Business
  • Senator Nick McKim will be Party Whip
  • Senator Penny Allman-Payne will be Party Room Chair and Deputy Whip

Larissa Waters was elected to federal parliament in 2011 after a career as an environmental lawyer working on high profile cases protecting biodiversity, world heritage-listed sites, stopping native species extinctions and broadening environmental impact assessments.

Larissa has held various portfolios in the Greens, most notably the women’s portfolio and climate spokesperson in the Senate.

In the women’s portfolio, Senator Waters established the Issues related to menopause and perimenopause senate inquiry which gave voice to legions of women and resulted in cheaper  menopause treatments being included on the PBS. She also instigated the Universal access to reproductive health senate inquiry to protect Australia’s abortion rights from global threats under the first Trump administration, which highlighted the lack of accessibility and affordability of abortion and the need for free contraception.

A strong advocate for women’s rights in the workplace, Larissa made history in 2016 as the first MP to breastfeed in federal parliament. Larissa was also the first person to say the word perimenopause in the federal parliament in 2023.

Larissa is the single mum to two school-aged kids and resides in Meanjin/Brisbane.
Portfolio allocations are decided by the Greens Leader, and will be allocated at a later date.

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:
“I call today for politics with heart – for a progressive parliament that gets outcomes for people and genuinely tackles the problems we’re all facing.

“This parliament could achieve real progress: climate and environment action, dental into Medicare and free childcare.

“The Greens will be firm but constructive in our approach with the Labor government, and work for outcomes that help improve peoples’ lives and protect nature and the climate.

“Voters across this country delivered the Greens the sole balance of power in the Senate and we take that responsibility really seriously.

“Labor will have a choice: work with the Greens for climate action and dental into Medicare, or work with the Liberals to keep opening up new coal and gas and tinker around the edges of the housing and cost of living crises.

“I thank my party room colleagues for their unanimous support today, and I also want to pay tribute to Adam Bandt for his leadership and dedication to our movement over the last 15 years.”

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
‘I’m delighted to get the trust of my colleagues to continue on as the deputy leader with Larissa as leader.

“I’m really excited that for the first time there are two women at the helm of our Greens ship and we are ready to start the work our members, voters and the community have given us to do.

“Migrant and multicultural communities in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have backed us for speaking the truth and standing against the genocide in Gaza.

“To the right wing media, the billionaires, the big corporations and the Albanese Government this is my message: We will not be taking a step back on climate action, on the environment, on housing and on Palestine. People want us to fight for them and the planet, and that is exactly what we will be doing.

“This moment demands more from us, not less. The planet is burning, inequality is deepening, and young people cannot afford a Government that tinkers around the edges as their future disappears.

“We will deliver the hope, courage and transformation this moment demands.

“People have voted for the Greens to hold the sole balance of power in the senate and we will not let them down.

Former Greens Leaders welcome Larissa Waters’ ascendancy to the Australian Greens leadership

Former Greens Leaders Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Richard Di Natale and Adam Bandt offer their sincere congratulations to Queensland Senator Larissa Waters, new leader of the Australian Greens.

We are delighted that Larissa has stepped up to take the leadership baton and she has our full support and encouragement.

“Larissa is a dedicated Environmental lawyer, feminist, mother and an all round warm, caring person of integrity. She is a team player and is exactly the right person to lead The Greens as we drive serious climate and Nature policy. The Parliament is dominated by fossil fuel corporate interests and who better to take them on than Larissa?” said the first woman to lead the Greens, former Senator Christine Milne.

“The world is facing an existential crisis in which extinction is happening before our eyes, and collapse characterises ecosystems from the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to our native forests. With the Albanese Government saying it intends to address our weak and outdated Nature laws, it is critical that there is a strong Greens voice injecting the dire state of the natural world into the debates. Larissa will do that splendidly,” said Bob Brown.

“Larissa has fifteen years experience in Parliament working hard to strengthen our democracy, create a more just society and uphold the rights of women. She was a terrific Deputy during my time as Leader and I always appreciated her policy expertise, and her sheer hard work,” said Richard Di Natale.

“As Australia faces a growing climate crisis and as inequality gets worse, Larissa’s integrity, intelligence and strong sense of justice are just what this country needs,” said Adam Bandt

Larissa is a great role model for women in politics. She broke new ground when she became the first woman in Australian history to breastfeed a baby on the floor of the Senate. As a Greens leader, she will inspire another generation of young women to consider entering politics to drive environmental and social change.

Damning report reveals Transport Minister was warned about botched MyWay+ system pre-launch and did nothing

Today, a damning independent report undertaken in the month before MyWay+ went live. The report revealed that the Transport Minister, Chris Steel, was advised that the system was ‘sub-optimal’, the ACT Government was avoiding robust conversations with the contractor, and there was a lack of planning for the transition.

“This report reveals shocking evidence that Minister Steel let the MyWay+ go live – without question, despite extensive warnings about the system’s issues,” said Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Transport.

“The report highlights that there was ‘avoidance of robust conversations’ between Transport Canberra and NEC due to the desire to maintain positive working relationships. Minister Steel chose his relationship with a consultant over the basic rights of Canberrans to access public transport in their city.

“Despite promises to bring Canberra’s public transport network into the future with ‘seamless’ experience and ‘world-class’ capability, NEC and Transport Canberra agreed to reduce the functionality of the system ahead of launch and even described the system as a ‘minimum viable product’.

“It is insulting that our Transport Minister has such low standards for public transport in our city. Canberrans deserve the world-class system that they were promised.

“Since launch, validators have not worked, senior Canberrans and those with a disability have been locked out from the system, and Canberrans’ personal and payment information has been put at risk to hackers. There is nothing seamless or world-class about an inaccessible and insecure transport system.

“While we are still awaiting the Assembly Committee findings, this report is incredibly damning and supports the evidence that has been gradually coming to light through the Committee Hearing process.

“What more do we need to find out before Minister Steel apologises to Canberrans for this botched MyWay+ rollout and before he addresses the issues that continue to plague commuters?” said Mr Braddock.