Category: Australian News

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP has labelled the deal between the Nationals and Liberal Party as a ‘fraudulent’ deal that does nothing to stop the climate crisis, bakes in 2030 targets that endanger our kids and puts more coal and gas into the system.
To put genuine action to the Liberal, Labor and National target, Mr Bandt will today introduce a bill that will prohibit new thermal coal projects, phase out thermal coal exports completely by 2030 and support our rapid medium-term transition to a thriving renewable economy.
Australia is the world’s third biggest exporter of fossil fuel pollution after Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Australian coal exports are primarily sold to Japan, China, and South Korea. All three countries have pledged net zero, leaving Australia economically exposed when they phase coal out of their electricity system.
Government Agency ABARES found that climate damage is already costing each Australian farmer $30,000 in lost income at the current level of 1.1 degrees of warming. Australia’s current emissions reduction targets are associated by the independent Climate Council with 3–4 degrees warming.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“In the middle of a climate crisis, Liberal and Labor want more coal. They’re throwing petrol on the fire.
“Liberal, Nationals and Labor all now back more coal and gas, and a 2050 delay instead of 2030 action. 

“This whole 2050 fiasco was an attempt to distract from the real action we urgently need by 2030, which includes phasing out coal.
“Australia’s targets are consistent with 3–4 degrees of warming, which means turbocharged droughts and fires, global insecurity due to rising sea levels, and proliferating serious threats from disease.
“If we want our kids and grandkids to survive the next century, without fear of mass global insecurity, droughts, fires and water wars, we urgently need to lead the global transition away from coal.
“Coal is the next asbestos and it is time we regulated it as such. It is toxic and dangerous. We need to stop exporting coal.
“Either we plan the transformation out of coal – on our own terms – or we let other countries make the decision for us, without warning.
“Australia has every opportunity to be a renewable energy superpower, exporting clean, cheap renewable energy instead of coal. But we have to act now.
“We are the only party with the courage not to lie to the Australian people about the future of coal. The only party with the courage to release a roadmap that embraces a renewable energy future and creates tens of thousands of new jobs so that no worker or community is left behind.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has introduced the Privacy (COVID Check-in Data) Bill 2021 into the House of Representatives today.
The bill addresses growing privacy concerns about the use of Covid check-in data by police, which may dissuade people from using check-in apps. It places a clear ban on check-in data being used by Commonwealth, State or Territory authorities for law enforcement purposes, ending the different rules that apply in different states and territories. Some jurisdictions have already banned the use of check-in data for law enforcement and this bill would make the ban nationwide.
Mr Bandt has previously written to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition requesting their urgent support for the passage of the bill. A copy of the letter is attached.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“People won’t cop the police snooping on their check-in data. If we don’t close these loopholes, one of our key COVID protections could degrade.”
“Going to the pub or a cafe shouldn’t mean telling the police where you are or have been.”
“Check-in data should be used for contact tracing and nothing else.”
“The national opening-up plan is built on vaccines and continued contact tracing, so if people don’t use the check-in apps the plan falls over.”
“Police will always collect any information they can get and that is what has been happening. We need a nationally consistent approach and a clear rule that check-in data is only used for contact tracing, because that’s how we support our public health system.”
“As restrictions ease and people again move across States and Territories more freely, it is important to have a nationally consistent approach so that people feel comfortable scanning in wherever they are.”
“Parliament needs to fix this problem before the end of the year. I call on the PM and Leader of the Opposition to get on board.”

Today in senate estimates, interrogation by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young revealed that fossil fuel industry go-to modeller Brian Fisher was contracted to oversee and verify the cabinet modelling for net zero.
Fisher, the former head of ABARE, and managing director of BAEconomics, developed controversial modelling that was used by Minister Taylor to bludgeon Bill Shorten’s climate policy at the 2019 election. He has now been rewarded with $100,000 in contracts by Taylor’s Department.
Full details of Fisher’s net zero 2050 plan have not yet been revealed, however elements leaked to The Australian show gas, resources and agricultural ­exports will continue to grow and even exceed current levels by 2050.
Renew Economy has documented Fisher’s previous commissioned modelling for the fossil fuel industry, investigation by the ombudsman and claims by various media outlets of misleading reporting.
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:
“Climate denial is at the heart of the government’s modelling used to win over the Nationals on net zero.
“Burning more gas in a net zero world, as this modelling ‘predicts’,  shows the 2050 deal is a fraud.
“Just when we thought this government couldn’t get any more disgraceful, they stoop lower.
“Employing a known friend of the fossil fuel industry to model net zero while expanding gas exports proves this government has no interest in curbing the climate crisis.”

US President Joe Biden’s push for a 2030 Global Methane Pledge further puts Australia’s climate policies at odds with the rest of the world at Glasgow.
Methane emissions are a potent greenhouse gas, assessed by the IEA as 28 times more potent than CO2. With the focus of Glasgow being on 2030 and actions this decade, cutting methane gas use is set to be at the top of the agenda.
In Australia, reports suggest that the National Party have demanded the government not sign the Biden pledge at Glasgow as part of their negotiations on the fraudulent mid-century net-zero target.
Liberals and Labor continue to back a so-called ‘gas-led recovery’, voting together to give public money to gas corporations to open up Northern Territory gas fields, which together hold the equivalent of 70 years worth of Australia’s complete national emissions from all sectors.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Gas is as dirty as coal. Joe Biden knows that and it’s why he’s bringing together a global alliance to rapidly reduce gas use.
“At Glasgow a major global alliance will form to pledge to cut gas use by at least 30% this decade.
“Meanwhile, Liberal and Labor want more coal and gas, funded with public money.
“Joe Biden understands that gas is cooking the planet and knows that this is the critical decade to act.
“Australia’s last dash for gas will be looked back upon as both climate denialism and economic self-sabotage.  In a climate crisis, Liberal and Labor are using public money to build gas mines and export terminals.
“As the world turns its back on gas, for the good of the planet, Australia will find itself with expensive stranded assets that the public footed the bill for.
“Labor and the Liberals are acting in the interest of their gas corporation donors and doing long-term damage to our country, its reputation and its economy.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt says that Scott Morrison’s 2050 plan is a climate fraud and will be treated like a sick joke in Glasgow.
Mr Bandt said there is no detailed plan, just a rehash of last year’s Technology Roadmap, and up to half of the claimed emission reduction relies on offsets, accounting tricks and unproven technology.
The so-called plan has no new money, no new policies, no increase to 2030 targets and will mean more coal and gas. The Prime Minister boasted in his press conference that the plan is based on “existing policies”.
The Glasgow Summit is meant to be about increased 2030 targets instead the Prime Minister will keep Tony Abbott’s almost decade old target and his claimed “meet and beat” projections will still cook the planet and our kids.
The Greens will take to Glasgow a policy of a legislated 75% reduction target by 2030 and net–zero by 2035.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“When they see this document in Glasgow, they won’t be calling Scott Morrison heroic, they’ll be calling him a joke.
“This isn’t a plan, it’s a climate fraud. There’s no new money, no new policies, more coal and gas and 2030 targets that will cook our kids.
“The only thing we will “meet” is our alarming trajectory towards 1.5 degrees of warming. The only thing we will “beat” is our previous heatwave and bushfires records.
“Weak 2030 targets are a death sentence. Morrison’s plan is dangerous and will cost our kids their future.
“We need a plan to phase out coal and gas and we need it now. But after 8 years in government, after all the warnings, at five minutes before the most important climate conference in a generation, they’re expanding coal and gas and refusing to lift 2030 targets.
“After attacking anyone who had a climate policy and tearing them down to get himself ahead, today Scott Morrison wants applause for putting our lives at risk and making the climate crisis the next government’s problem.”

The Morrison Government will act in a practical, responsible way to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 while preserving Australian jobs and generating new opportunities for industries and regional Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor today released Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan (the Plan), to deliver net zero emissions by 2050.
The technology-driven plan sets out a credible pathway to net zero by 2050, while preserving our existing industries, establishing Australia as a leader in low emissions technologies, and positioning our regions to prosper.
The Plan is based on our existing policies and will be guided by five principles that will ensure Australia’s shift to a net zero economy will not put industries, regions or jobs at risk.
The principles are: technology not taxes; expand choices not mandates; drive down the cost of a range of new technologies; keep energy prices down with affordable and reliable power; and, be accountable for progress.
The Plan focuses on driving down technology costs and accelerating their deployment at scale across the economy.
Over the next decade, our existing $20 billion investment in low emissions technology is expected to unlock at least $80 billion of total private and public investment, including in clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and energy storage.
The Plan also identifies the potential for continued technology advances and breakthroughs to unlock ultra low cost solar. As part of the annual update to the Technology Investment Roadmap, we have set a stretch goal of solar electricity generation at $15 per megawatt hour (MWh). Australia is a world leader in renewable energy, and cheap, clean electricity is integral to lowering emissions in the electricity sector and other industries in Australia.
The Plan shows how our priority technologies will deliver 85 per cent of the emissions reductions necessary to achieve net zero by 2050. This is achieved through our strong track record, with emissions already more than 20 per cent lower than 2005 levels, the Technology Investment Roadmap which will reduce emissions by around 40 per cent, global technology trends that will reduce emissions by 15 per cent, and high-integrity offsets that will achieve at least a further 10 per cent reduction.
It recognises the role future technology breakthroughs will play in closing the gap, with new and emerging technologies to reduce emissions by a further 15 per cent by 2050.
The Plan rules out taxes or a legislated mechanism, because these regressive approaches would impose costs on households, businesses and regions least able to afford them.
It includes five-yearly reviews that will enable us to evaluate progress, and adapt to advances in technology.
The Prime Minister said the Plan would continue to reduce Australia’s emissions while keeping our economy growing, maintaining affordable, reliable energy, and ensuring our regions remain strong.
“Australia now has a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and we have a clear plan for achieving it,” the Prime Minister said. “The Plan outlines responsible, practical action to achieve net zero that is in our national interest.
“The Plan will deliver results through technology, not taxes. It respects people’s choice, and will not force mandates on what people can do or buy. It guarantees that we keep downward pressure on energy prices and secures reliable power. It will ensure Australia continues to serve traditional markets, while taking advantage of new economic opportunities.
“The Plan has the prosperity and wellbeing of regional Australia at its core. We have an opportunity to act now to harness existing regional strengths, unlock new areas of growth, and diversify economic activity in regions. We will invest in rural and regional Australia to ensure it succeeds and is protected under the Plan.
“Australia will continue to build on our record of reducing emissions and achieve our targets in the Australian way.”
Minister Taylor said Australia’s emissions reduction story had been one of consistent achievement, and the Plan had been designed for Australia.
“Our Plan continues the policies and initiatives that we have already put in place and that have proven to be successful, while preserving existing industries and jobs, and supporting regional Australia,” Minister Taylor said. “It will not shut down coal or gas production, or require displacement of productive agricultural land.
“Between 2005 and 2021, Australia’s emissions fell by 20.8 per cent, outpacing the reductions of the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and every other major commodity exporting nation in the world. The most recent forecast shows we will cut our emissions by up to 35 per cent by 2030.
“Under our Plan, the Technology Investment Roadmap and global trends will see Australia reduce its emissions by 85 per cent by 2050. We are committed to closing the gap to net zero over the next three decades in a way that is consistent with Liberal Party and National Party values.
“Our Plan is built on a set of key principles; the most important being technology, not taxes. Unlike Labor, we won’t introduce a carbon tax that drives Australian jobs overseas and punishes the most vulnerable in our community through higher prices for electricity and other essentials.”
Latest official projections released today show Australia is on track to reduce emissions by up to 35 per cent by 2030, well above our target of 26 to 28 per cent.
The Plan will maintain this momentum.
The Plan can be found at: https://industry.gov.au/LongTermEmissionsReduction
More information at: https://positiveenergy.gov.au and http://industry.gov.au/AEP2021

The Morrison Government has announced the membership of the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The new Council will play a key role in supporting the NHMRC in its mission of building a healthy Australia.
The Council will serve a three-year term to June 2024 and will be chaired by Professor Caroline Homer AO.
Membership of the Council brings together expertise in biomedical science, clinical and public health, nursing, health care training and the medical profession, as well as business and consumer perspectives, and expertise in the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Eleven of the 15 non-ex-officio members are women, a record in female membership of the Council.
Professor Homer is an internationally-renowned midwifery researcher, scholar and leader in maternal and newborn health care and service delivery. With more than 25 years’ experience in clinical practice, research, education and international development, she is Co-Program Director of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health at the Burnet Institute and an Emeritus Professor of Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney.
Professor Homer is current Deputy Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board and Chair of the NHMRC’s Peer Review Analysis Committee. She was a member of the Council in 2018–2021 and has previously been a member of the NHMRC’s Research Committee and Chair of the NHMRC’s Women in Health Science Committee.
The NHMRC is the nation’s leading body supporting excellent health and medical research to improve health outcomes for all Australians. It provides the foundation for Australia’s medical research capability, funding the best research and researchers, ensuring consistent health standards and advising on ethical issues in health. The Council’s role is to ensure that robust expert advice reflecting a wide range of perspectives is provided to the NHMRC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Anne Kelso AO, to support these functions.
I would like to thank the former Chair of the NHMRC Council, Professor Bruce Robinson AC, and all members of the former Council for their contributions and commitment to supporting the work of the NHMRC throughout the previous triennium (2018–2021).
NHMRC Council 2021–2024:

The Morrison Government is helping improve access to an important treatment for Australians battling a form of breast cancer.
From 1 November 2021, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of Verzenio® (abemaciclib) will also be expanded for use in combination with fulvestrant.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with approximately 55 Australians diagnosed every day. 1 in 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
The treatment will be accessible for non-premenopausal breast cancer patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) inoperable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Verzenio® works by inhibiting two proteins that drive the growth of tumour cells and when used in combination with fulvestrant can slow the progression of breast cancers in some patients.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the expanded PBS listing will benefit around 1,600 Australians and their families each year.
“Without this PBS subsidy Australian patients would pay around $80,000 per course of treatment, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines,” Minister Hunt said.
“This listing will help improve the lives of many Australians, ensuring they can access the treatment they need, while reducing their out of pocket costs.”
In April 2021, the Government expanded the listing of Kisqali® (ribociclib) for use in combination with fulvestrant on the PBS for this patient group, this new further treatment option gives hope to more Australians battling breast cancer by providing access to a choice of treatments.
Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.8 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.
These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

From 1 November 2021, patients with chronic bowel inflammation will be able to claim a Medicare rebate for non-invasive laboratory tests, reducing the need for diagnostic endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
The Morrisonac Government is listing faecal calprotectin testing to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
Its use means that fewer patients will require diagnostic endoscopy and colonoscopy, with faecal calprotectin shown to be an effective, safer and significantly cheaper alternative.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – collectively known as IBD – are chronic diseases that require complex and long-term care.
Two new items will be listed on the MBS – one to test faecal calprotectin levels for diagnostic purposes as requested by a medical practitioner and another for follow-up testing for diagnostic confirmation when requested by a specialist gastroenterologist.
Patients presenting to a medical practitioner must have been experiencing symptoms suggestive of inflammatory or functional bowel disease for more than six weeks, be under 50 years of age, and have had infectious causes excluded to be eligible for the MBS rebated test, which will assist in distinguishing inflammatory from functional bowel disease.
A further test can be requested by a specialist gastroenterologist when an initial test is inconclusive.
The new items have been recommended by the expert Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the Australian Government has agreed with the recommendations.
Consultation has been undertaken with key stakeholders, clinical experts and providers, and consumer health representatives as part of the MSAC process.

The Morrison Government is helping improve access to an important treatment for Australians battling a form of breast cancer.
From 1 November 2021, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of Verzenio® (abemaciclib) will also be expanded for use in combination with fulvestrant.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with approximately 55 Australians diagnosed every day. 1 in 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
The treatment will be accessible for non-premenopausal breast cancer patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) inoperable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Verzenio® works by inhibiting two proteins that drive the growth of tumour cells and when used in combination with fulvestrant can slow the progression of breast cancers in some patients.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the expanded PBS listing will benefit around 1,600 Australians and their families each year.
“Without this PBS subsidy Australian patients would pay around $80,000 per course of treatment, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines,” Minister Hunt said.
“This listing will help improve the lives of many Australians, ensuring they can access the treatment they need, while reducing their out of pocket costs.”
In April 2021, the Government expanded the listing of Kisqali® (ribociclib) for use in combination with fulvestrant on the PBS for this patient group, this new further treatment option gives hope to more Australians battling breast cancer by providing access to a choice of treatments.
Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.8 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.
These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.