Category: Australian News

The Greens say an investigation is needed into the offsets for the Western Sydney Airport, after revelations that consortiums including advisors to the NSW government made millions from the development.
An investigation by Lisa Cox at The Guardian revealed that over a quarter of all offsets sold in the NSW scheme were collected by the consortiums.
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt said:
“Public trust is paramount for major projects and the revelations published in the Guardian this morning puts a massive question mark over the environmental value of offsets for the Western Sydney Airport.
“There needs to be an investigation into any conflicts of interests and possible insider trading.
“This is happening on the Morrison government’s watch. Our national environment laws are too weak.
Greens Environment spokesperson, Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The offsets system is an utter rort. Just another scam for the Morrison Government to give their big developer and mining mates a green light for the environment wrecking projects.
“This is just more proof the Morrison Government and their state counterparts can’t be trusted to protect the environment and our wildlife. We need stronger laws, not weaker ones.
“Next week the Senate will be reviewing the Morrison’s Government’s moves to scrap environment laws. I will pursue this scandal with the Government officials. The Government must be held to account.
Greens Co-Deputy Leader, Larissa Waters said:
“Even the rorts are stuffed with rorts! This isn’t the first time serious questions have been raised about who’s profiting from the Western Sydney airport project.
“Last year we discovered that the federal government had paid a Liberal Party donor 10 times the fair value of a parcel of land earmarked for a second runway, handing over $29.8 million of taxpayer money for property valued at $3.1 million.
“And now we learn that a consultant has made a motza by advising governments to purchase environmental offset properties he had a financial stake in.
“Clearly there are problems with the governance of this project and both the NSW and federal governments have a lot of questions to answer. It’s yet another reminder why the Greens continue to call for a strong and independent national corruption watchdog.”

Latest power price reports, showing again how renewables are driving down wholesale prices across the National Electricity Market after wholesale prices doubled following the Liberals’ repeal of the carbon price, should encourage the government to drive the transition faster and not prop up coal and gas, Greens Leader Adam Bandt said today.
The Greens fears that the Morrison government – which brags about lower wholesale prices despite driving them up after the carbon price repeal and opposing renewables at every step – is now getting ready to increase prices and pollution by propping up coal and gas generation.
Labor, who has already propped up Australia’s dirtiest power station by handing over undisclosed amounts to Energy Australia, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Michael Kadoorie, must now join the Greens in fighting the latest coal push from the Morrison government.
“Instead of bragging about power prices coming down because of renewable energy, Angus Taylor should be red-faced after doubling wholesale power prices by repealing the carbon price and then opposing renewables every step of the way,” Mr Bandt said.
“After doubling power prices and doing everything they could to block renewables, the Liberals now expect a pat on the back when solar and wind start driving prices down again.
“Even worse, the government talks up lower prices from renewables while simultaneously getting ready to prop up dirty coal generation by handing public money to the billionaire coal and gas corporations.”
“We don’t need payments to coal generators, we need the government to lead more investment in renewables and storage. As today’s prices have shown, renewables are cheaper, cleaner and the future for Australia. More renewables means lower prices.”
“We should be driving the transition further and faster, not trying to block it. We are in a climate emergency.”
“Labor must oppose the latest coal push. Labor already has form propping up Australia’s dirtiest power station in Victoria and they must stop supporting Scott Morrison on coal and gas.”
The Government – with Labor’s support – is passing legislation to allow public money to go to fossil fuel projects. The Energy Security Board is also due to release its report on post-2025 market design for the National Electricity Market in the coming days, with reports today  suggesting the government may be concerned about so-called ‘early’ closure of coal-fired power stations.
Wholesale power prices doubled after the Liberals repealed the carbon price.

The Australian Government is opening a new round to invest more than $23 million to support our nation’s peak health groups and advisory bodies.
These groups play a major role in improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians and as we continue navigating the COVID-19 environment, the advice of Australia’s peak health groups and advisory bodies remains critical.
Their impartial advice, expertise and experience means the Government can implement reforms that boost the health and wellbeing of all Australians now and into the future.
Since 2016, the Health Peak and Advisory Bodies program has contributed to building a better health care system for the nation.
This new grant opportunity supports a wide range of health organisations consult and share information with their members, the wider health sector, the community and the Government. It also helps them to provide sector knowledge, expertise and education and training to health practitioners, improving the quality of health services.
The Government will look favourably at health peak and advisory bodies that have a national presence, and nation-wide membership. In particular, we are looking for applications with demonstrated expertise, and who are able to contribute to the national health agenda and priorities set out in Australia’s National Preventive Health Strategy.
Applications opened on 27 April 2021, with funding available to eligible national peak bodies over three years from July 2022.
For more information on the grants and to apply, visit www.grants.gov.au

25 years today. Yet it still seems like only yesterday our hearts were shattered on that terrible Sunday.
28 April 1996. Port Arthur.
35 innocent people taken from us. 23 more wounded in that heinous and cowardly act.
To call to mind the names of those who died is heart-breaking.
Victims as young as 3 and as old as 72.
Among them “a lovely, devoted couple”.
“The happiest girls in the world”.
An “adored Nanna”.
A “humble man” who “simply wanted to serve.”
And a woman who “brought joy and warmth to all who knew her.”
Today we remember and send our love to all those who still bear the scars of that terrible day. The families and friends of those who died; the injured, the survivors, the first responders and all those who witnessed and were impacted by the unspeakable horror of that day.
We remember the incredible bravery and selflessness as well – the family members who sought to shield and protect others.
We pay tribute to the strength, resilience and courage of the local Tasmanian community and to all those who could never forget but still found a way to heal.
We look to the light that was found from the darkness of that day. Light like the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which Walter Mikac named for his two daughters he lost that day, and which is dedicated to keeping children safe from violence and bullying.
We also give thanks for the courageous response to this terrible event by former Prime Minister John Howard and former Deputy Prime Minister, the late Tim Fischer, supported by then Leader of the Opposition Kim Beazley, who put in place some of the strongest gun laws in the world today, that have served to keep Australians safe.
May Walter, and all the families of the victims taken from us that day, be comforted and renewed on this day.

The Morrison Government has agreed a number of new measures to protect Australians from the increased risk of the COVID-19 outbreak in India, while also providing significant new support to assist the Indian Government in their humanitarian response.
We recognise the challenging COVID-19 crisis that India is currently battling and we stand ready to provide more support to our friends in India and Indian Australians during this difficult time.
On advice from the Chief Medical Officer, India has been determined to be a high-risk country for the purposes of travel arrangements.
Australia will implement a temporary pause on direct passenger flights between India and Australia for two weeks, with consideration of further flights to be made by 15 May 2021.
Passengers on all future flights will be required to have both a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result and a negative Rapid Antigen test result prior to taking off.
Once flights restart, the Government will prioritise the return of vulnerable Australians. Already almost 20,000 registered Australians have returned from India since the pandemic began.
Restrictions have been placed on outbound travel exemptions to high-risk countries to strictly essential travel only (national interest, medical exemption and COVID-19 purposes).
For indirect flights through Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), the Government is aware that flights to and from these transit points and India have been paused by respective governments.
As a close friend and comprehensive strategic partner, Australia stands with India as it battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Following consultation with the Indian Government, Australia will provide emergency medical supplies.
The initial package of support includes rapid deployment of 500 non-invasive ventilators, with capacity to deploy up to a total of 3,000 ventilators.
Our Government is also supplying a significant package of personal protective equipment (PPE), including one million surgical masks, 500,000 P2/N95 masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.
The Government has agreed to commence procurement of 100 oxygen concentrators, along with tanks and consumables.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will manage the movement of PPE and equipment over the next week.
Our Government is standing with Australians in India and we recognise the difficulties they face. The Hardship Program and Consular Support continues to be available to Australians in India.
The current restrictions will be under regular review, as we look to find a solution for those seeking to return to Australia.

Over the last 12 months, Telehealth services have been life changing for many in need of support, which is why as part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government is investing more than $114 million to extend Telehealth until the end of the year.
Telehealth items were rapidly implemented in March 2020 to ensure our primary care sector could continue to function and that Australians could continue to access important health services.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Telehealth has played an important role in supporting Australians through the pandemic.
“The extension will ensure that Australians can continue to see their GP, renew scripts and seek mental health support from the safety of their own home. This allows vulnerable Australians to feel protected and supported during these unprecedented times,” Minister Hunt said.
“It is critical that Australians continue to look after their health and stay engaged with your primary care providers.”
From 13 March 2020 to 21 April 2021, over 56 million COVID-19 MBS telehealth services have been delivered to 13.6 million patients, with $2.9 billion in Medicare benefits paid. More than 83,540 providers have used telehealth services.
The extension of Telehealth includes services for general practitioners, medical practitioners, specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, participating midwives, allied health providers and dental practitioners.
The Government continues to work with peak bodies to co-design permanent post pandemic Telehealth as part of broader primary care reforms to modernise Medicare and provide flexibility of access to primary and allied healthcare services.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said reports that the Coalition government is considering a boost to childcare funding are welcome, but early learning must be made universal and free.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Any funding boost for early learning is welcome. But let’s be real: the most sensible and equitable move would be to make childcare universal and free.

Anzac Day is a significant day for all Australians and a time to remember and reflect.
The last year has been a challenging one for our nation, and particularly for our defence personnel and veterans.
The release of the Brereton report, the announcement of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and uncertainty about whether the Government would listen to widespread calls for a Royal Commission into veteran suicide have made for a difficult time for current and former service personnel.
This is why it is important this Anzac Day to show our respect for all those who serve, but particularly the current generation of men and women who keep us safe in an increasingly challenging world.
As well as remembering Australians who have served and died in recent conflicts and operations like Iraq and Afghanistan, we recognise those personnel who have been supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Last year, we found new and innovative ways to mark Anzac Day through private commemorations at home, writing letters to veterans, and conducting welfare checks on current and former defence personnel in our communities.
As we emerge from the health emergency, it is good to see Anzac Day returning to some normality and we encourage Australians to attend a local ceremony wherever they can, subject to local health advice.
This year again, there will be a range of ways people can commemorate the day in a COVID-Safe way, including attending local ceremonies, holding driveway dawn services, and watching broadcasts and livestreams of major services.
Anzac Day is a time to reflect upon the Anzac values of mateship, courage, initiative, resilience and sacrifice, and how these values are upheld by Australia’s servicemen and women today.
We are also reminded of the impacts of conflict on our returned service men and women, and why as a nation we have solemn duty to look after them and their families.
However Australians choose to commemorate the day, it’s important that we all show support for our veterans, current Australian Defence Force members and their families, and recognise their outstanding contribution to our nation.
We remember them and their loved ones this Anzac Day.
Lest We Forget.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has described Prime Minister Scott Morrison as an utter embarrassment and a threat to Australia’s safety after Australia’s weak climate action stood in contrast to a host of nations, including our biggest trading partners, lifting their 2030 targets at President Biden’s Climate Summit.
“We are heading towards a climate cliff and as Joe Biden desperately tries to stop us going over the edge, Scott Morrison refuses to lift 2030 targets and Labor backs him in,” said Mr Bandt.
“The rest of the world is acting because we are in a climate emergency and facing societal collapse, but instead of protecting Australia, Scott Morrison and Labor want to burn more coal and gas and refuse to lift our 2030 target.
“With the US and UN demanding an urgent phase out of coal, Scott Morrison spruiks fossil fuels and Labor says we should burn coal past 2050.
“Australia is being led by a cabal of climate criminals, aided and abetted by a coal-fuelled Labor.
“2030 is the new 2050, as France’s President Emannuel Macron said. We can’t leave  action until 2050, because what we do in this decade will determine the kind of planet that today’s primary school kids live in.
“If we don’t act in the next decade, global warming likely becomes an unstoppable chain reaction. Right when we need maximum pressure on the government, Labor has no 2030 targets and is letting Scott Morrison off the hook.
“I am calling on Anthony Albanese and Labor to join the Greens and all Australians in pressuring Scott Morrison for stronger 2030 targets and the phase out of coal and gas.
“The science is clear. Australia needs to be at least tripling our 2030 targets to 75%.
“Scott Morrison will have nowhere to hide in June when he attends the G7 meeting in the UK. All G7 countries have now committed to increased 2030 targets and Australia is isolated.”
New targets announced, include:

• The United States has set a new emissions target of 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030
• Japan upgraded it’s 2030 target to 46% below 2013 levels (was previously 26% below 2013 levels) – Japan is Australia’s largest customer for thermal coal and LNG exports
• Canada upgraded it’s 2030 target to 40-45% below 2005 levels (was previously 30% below 2005 levels)
• China committed to peak coal use by 2025, which builds on a commitment they made last year to peak emissions before 2030 and reach net-zero before 2060.
• South Korea committed to introduce a more ambitious 2030 target prior to Glasgow and will end the international financing of coal
• The United Kingdom announced a new 2035 emissions target of 78% below 1990 levels, building on their announcement last year of an upgraded 2030 target of 68% below 1990 levels (was previously 53% below 1990 levels)
• European Union member countries have agreed to legislate their upgraded 2030 target of 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 (was previously 40% below 1990 levels)
• New Zealand reconfirmed their intent to increase their 2030 targets prior to Glasgow, and called on all countries to price carbon and end fossil fuel subsidies