Category: Australian News

Heads should roll over the ineptitude and failure of duty identified by the Auditor-General in a scathing report into Australia’s environment laws released this afternoon, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Auditor-General’s assessment of the government’s management of the environment and our wildlife is scathing.
“The report shows the Environment Minister and the Federal Department have failed to protect the environment and are, simply put, incompetent.
“Heads should roll over this ineptitude and failure of duty. If this was the Health Minister who had overseen the botched implementation and enforcement of health and safety regulations, they and the head of their department would get the sack. The environment should be no different.
“The PM needs to abandon his so-called fast-track environmental approvals and Labor needs to get off the unity ticket with the government. There can be no argument for weakening environmental laws when the government is this inept.
“The laws have failed to protect Australia’s environment and wildlife for far too long. Things must change. We need stronger protection, not weaker laws.
“This report shows, it’s not just incompetency, it’s a lack of care and duty that has allowed the trashing of the environment. Putting the interests of miners and developers ahead of clean water, critical habitat and the survival of our native animals.
“The government cannot guarantee that not one more hectare of critical koala habitat will be lost under their plan. They cannot guarantee that not one more sacred Aboriginal site will be blown up.
“Enough is enough. There must be accountability, and it must be at the top. Not only do our environmental laws need an overhaul but clearly so does those who are in charge of administering them.
“The 10-year review into the EPBC Act, which the PM and Minister Ley haven’t even waited for before plotting a path to further environmental destruction, will be handed to the government next week and must be immediately released.
“Australians won’t accept anything less than a response that puts our environment first, and well ahead of vested interests that pollute and destroy our precious natural places.”

The Morrison Government’s long-awaited package for the arts and entertainment industry, announced today, is too little, very late, the Greens say.
Greens spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has been calling for a specific industry package for four months after COVID-19 restrictions shutdown arts and entertainment in Australia basically overnight, said:
“After watching the demise of the arts and entertainment industry for four months, the Morrison Government has finally managed to find some funding to help it.
“At this point, any money will be welcomed by an industry on its knees. But $250million, including loans, falls well short of what is needed to save jobs and generate economic stimulus. The industry itself was calling for a package of close to a billion dollars.
“The Government found $700m for their home HomeBuilder scheme. There’s no excuse for giving the arts and entertainment sector, that has been hit hardest by the COVID19 anything less.
“More Australians have lost their jobs in the creative industries due to COVID than those in building and construction; however Scott Morrison has given the building industry more than double the support. It seems giving granite benchtops to wealthy homeowners is more important to the PM than saving a generation of Australia’s artists and creatives.
“The arts and entertainment industry is worth $112billion a year to our economy. Any investment in the industry is an investment in jobs, the economy and our cultural capital as well as our tourism and hospitality sectors.”

It is time to talk about bringing Qantas International into public ownership as part of any further assistance package, Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said today, urging the government to step in. Mr Bandt said the Greens supported calls for the extension of JobKeeper, but that government needed to do more.
“With one in five workers now gone at Qantas, tens of thousands of workers are now at risk of unemployment unless the government steps in to help,” Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said today.
“Scott Morrison just stood by while Virgin pushed thousands of workers to the dole queue and shuttered an entire airline.
“If Qantas needs further help to keep its international business afloat, the public and Qantas workers should get something for it. A publicly owned airline could guarantee jobs and ensure Australia had a functioning international airline, an essential service for an island nation.
“When you see the kangaroo logo on the shelves, you know you’re buying Australian made. When you see it on a plane, it could mean Australian owned. This could help save tens of thousands of jobs.
“Australia is at a disadvantage because we don’t have a publicly owned airline able to help attract people to our shores.
“An investment in Qantas International is an investment in its workers and our future, and we shouldn’t sit on our hands any longer.”
Lines attributable to Senator Janet Rice, Greens transport spokesperson:
“It’s time for the government to offer support to Qantas through public ownership. Privatisation has failed us. Corporate profits for the major airlines have soared over the years, but now the going has got tough, Qantas chose to leave its workers in the lurch.
“After dealing a devastating blow to 6,000 of its staff yesterday, Qantas is now asking for more government support as it continues to stand down 15,000 workers in the coming months.
“If the public’s money is going to be spent, we should be getting public ownership. It’s as simple as that.
“Public ownership is the only way to ensure the airline prioritises essential workers and meets emission reduction targets.
“We’ve already seen the results of the Morrison government’s failure to step in with Virgin Australia. Virgin will soon be owned by Bain Capital – a company with a disastrous track record on industrial relations, axing jobs and leaving workers without severance pay.
“The government cannot leave the door open to these devastating cost cutting measures for both major airlines and all the workers who rely on them.”

The Greens call on the Australian Government to add its voice to global calls and forcefully speak out against the Israeli Government’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank in clear violation of international law.
Leader of the Greens Adam Bandt said: “There has been an increasing and overwhelming chorus of global voices condemning the Israeli Government’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank as soon as 1 July.
“Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have virtually no support on the international stage from leaders across the political spectrum, including many Jewish supporters of Israel internationally and in Australia. Yet the Australian Government remains resolutely silent, offering tacit approval for a plan that is an indisputably grave breach of international law, thwarts Palestinians’ right to self-determination, destabilises the entire region and further jeopardises the prospects of a two-state solution.”
“This plan is not only a further blow to Palestinian human rights after decades of occupation and de facto annexation through settlement construction. It is also detrimental to Israel’s security – a point made by many in Israel’s security establishment – and it is a disaster for Israel’s democracy.”
“The misguided and dangerous plan for annexation is driven by the far right in Israel and the US.  It is designed to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, not to create conditions for peace.  It’s well past time for Australia to show some leadership and speak out.  Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne must make clear to the Israeli Government that serious breaches of international law have diplomatic consequences, including the possibility of Australia joining internationally coordinated sanctions should annexation proceed.”
“This annexation is not a done deal – pressure from countries like Australia can make a difference. There has never been a more critical time for the Australian Government to speak against this gross breach of international law.”

In another damning report, the Australian National Audit Office has found that the government does not adequately assess conflict of interests risks or monitor compliance with the Lobbying Code of Conduct.
Greens Senate Leader and Democracy spokesperson, Larissa Waters, said the community was fed up with conflict-of-interest scandals and the revolving door between politicians and lobbyists, including mining and gambling interests. Grattan Institute research shows that many lobbyists previously held Ministerial or Departmental roles, and their connections made it easier for them to secure meetings with government.
“The lack of transparency about who is meeting with Ministers is staggering.  The Australian public needs to know who is influencing the decisions that government makes.”
“The ANAO has previously advised the government that it needs to strengthen oversight of lobbyists, but today’s report confirms the government has ignored that warning.”
Senator Waters said stronger, enforceable standards were essential to protect against the culture of cosiness that allows dirty industries to get favourable policy outcomes.
“Last week, we learned that Senator Colbeck met with alcohol lobbyists, and then postponed action on warning labels.  This was just the most recent example – the influence peddled by industry lobbyists is rife and it undermines democracy.”
The Greens support calls by the ANAO for the government to review the regulatory regime to ensure contact between lobbyists and Government representatives is conducted with transparency, integrity and honesty. The Greens have also called for a range of tougher measures, including:

• Establishing a legislative regime to regulate all lobbyists
• Extending the cooling off period for post-Ministerial lobbying to 5 years, and impose a cooling off period for all politicians and senior staff
• Extending the application of the Code to include in-house lobbyists and orange-pass holders
• Publish details of all meetings between Ministers and for-profit lobbyists
• Establish a Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to oversee and enforce Ministerial Standards and Codes of Conduct
• Introduce effective sanctions for non-compliance with the Code of Conduct, including reduced access to Parliament House, losing parliamentary pension entitlements, or restricted eligibility for government tenders

“The Australian people have had enough of the faceless men and industry donors writing policy. They want their democracy back.”
“The Greens will keep pushing for tougher regulation of lobbyists, a ban on dirty donations and an independent federal corruption watchdog with teeth.”
The report is available on the ANAO website:  https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/management-the-australian-government-lobbying-code-conduct-follow-up-audit

The awarding of joint hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is a landmark decision for women’s sport in our region Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern said.
For the first time in history, Australians and New Zealanders will be able to experience a tier one football tournament on home soil.
The 2023 event will be the largest, and no doubt the best, Women’s World Cup that has ever been staged.
This is a huge positive for the footballing and sporting industries on both sides of the Tasman as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19.
As sporting nations we have had a long history of producing some of the best female footballers in the world and this tournament will further inspire our next generation and provide the platform for them to compete on the world stage.
It will also help drive Australia’s goal of achieving a 50/50 split of male and female participation in the game by 2027, and builds on New Zealand’s 35 percent increase in female participation over the past five years.
The event, which will be held between 10 July and 20 August 2023, will provide a near $500 million boost to economic activity for host countries, a significant jobs boost for host cities, and an opportunity for tourist regions in both countries to capitalise on new visitations.
Australia and New Zealand are world leaders when it comes to co-hosting major events with a track record that includes the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
We also lead the world in equality and fairness, and we are committed to promoting these values through the tournament and beyond.
Thank you to Football Federation Australia, New Zealand Football, the Matildas and Football Ferns, as well as the broader football family who have supported our bid from the outset.

Australian Greens Peace & Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today that buying new military technology to equip Australia for future wars was the “worst way to spend” $200 billion, especially during a pandemic.
“Hundreds of thousands of people across our community are struggling right now and are unable to access the support they need,” Steele-John said.
“Aside from investing it directly into coal, this government would be hard pressed to come up with a worse way to spend $200 billion during a global pandemic, and against the backdrop of a climate crisis.
“Casual and migrant workers, people on the DSP and carer payment and renters have all been forgotten by this government in the economic response to COVID-19 and in just a couple of months time the JobKeeper payment will cease and the rate of JobSeeker will be cut almost in half, putting even more financial stress on thousands of Australians families and businesses.
“We need a new approach to defence spending that is focused on preparing our defence forces for the impacts of climate change instead of wasting public funds on unnecessary and outdated weapons.
“For Defence MInister Linda Reynolds to double-down on this commitment now is to rub salt into the wounds of every single Australian who is struggling right now.”

Thousands of jobs across Australia’s arts industry will be backed with a new $250 million targeted package to help restart the creative economy and get the entertainment, arts and screen sectors back to work, as they rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19.
A range of new grant and loan programs will roll out over the next 12 months to different parts of the arts sector to support the $112 billion creative economy and the more than 600,000 Australians it employs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the commercial arts and entertainment sector was one of the first sectors to be impacted by COVID-19 and will be one of the last to come out of hibernation as social distancing restrictions are eased.
“Our JobMaker plan is getting their show back on the road, to get their workers back in jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“We’re delivering the capital these businesses need so they can start working again and support the hundreds of thousands of Australians who make their living in the creative economy.
“These measures will support a broad range of jobs from performers, artists and roadies, to front of house staff and many who work behind the scenes, while assisting related parts of the broader economy, such as tourism and hospitality.
“This package is as much about supporting the tradies who build stage sets or computer specialists who create the latest special effects, as it is about supporting actors and performers in major productions.
“Many in the sector will find a new way to operate while the current social distancing measures remain in place and while that won’t be easy I know there’s a strong desire among all Australians to see the return of gigs, performances and events.
The support package includes:

• Seed Investment to Reactivate Productions and Tours – $75 million in competitive grant funding in 2020-21 through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund. This program will provide capital to help production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease, including through innovative operating and digital delivery models. Grants of varying sizes will be available, from $75,000 through to $2 million.
• Show Starter Loans – $90 million in concessional loans to assist creative economy businesses to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation and economic activity. The loans program will complement the RISE Fund and will be delivered through commercial banks, backed by a 100 per cent Commonwealth guarantee.
• Kick-starting Local Screen Production – $50 million for a Temporary Interruption Fund, to be administered by Screen Australia, that will support local film and television producers to secure finance and start filming again, supporting thousands of jobs in the sector. Filming of new productions has largely been halted as insurers are not providing coverage for COVID-19.
• Supporting Sustainability of Sector-Significant Organisations – $35 million to provide direct financial assistance to support significant Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability due to COVID-19, which may include organisations in fields including theatre, dance, circus, music and other fields. The Government will partner with the Australia Council to deliver this funding.
• Creative Economy Taskforce – establishment of a ministerial taskforce to partner with the Government and the Australia Council to implement the JobMaker plan for the creative economy.

Minister for Arts Paul Fletcher said the comprehensive package will deliver jobs and give creative and cultural experiences back to Australians.
“We are backing over 600,000 Australians in the cultural and creative sectors whose work contributes $112 billion to our economy. These sectors have been hit hard during the pandemic, and the Government’s investment will play an important role in the nation’s economic recovery,” Minister Fletcher said.
“We are injecting $100 million per month into the arts sector through the JobKeeper program and cash flow assistance, delivering an important lifeline for many businesses, but as social distancing restrictions ease, our plan supports businesses getting back on their feet and getting people back in jobs.”
Following the successful development of COVID-19 safe working guidelines to support the reopening of our National Collecting Institutions and the screen sector, the Government is working with the Australia Council to develop broader guidelines for the arts and entertainment sector to protect the public and workers. The Prime Minister will also seek approval from National Cabinet to give our entertainment industry greater certainty about the timetable for them to be able to re-activate their business, so they can better plan their path forward.
In coming weeks, the guidelines for the grant and loan programs will be released and the members of the Creative Economy Taskforce will be announced.
This plan builds on previously announced measures, including the injection of $100 million per month into the arts through JobKeeper and cashflow support over April and May; $10 million for regional and remote organisations; $7 million to Indigenous Art Centres; $10 million to Support Act to assist with mental health and crisis support; the Australia Council’s $5 million Resilience Fund and flexible management of existing funding agreements with Government.
This package also builds on the Government’s investment of $749 million in the arts and cultural industry in 2019-20 – the largest amount ever provided to the sector. The package is in addition to the support being provided by state and territory governments, totalling more than $170 million.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update

The Morrison and Marshall Governments will support construction jobs across South Australia by jointly investing an additional $145 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the South Australian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $440 million to South Australia in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $327 million for infrastructure in South Australia which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government had worked closely with State, Territory and Local Governments to identify shovel-ready projects to keep the economy moving and get money flowing back into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.
“This package includes a $52 million Regional Road Network Package, which will build on investments under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to deliver pavement treatments, shoulder sealing and safety enhancements to benefit the freight industry and regional communities across the state,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We will also fund a $12 million higher-capacity North-South Freight Route bypassing Adelaide. This will deliver upgrades along the route between Murray Bridge and the Sturt Highway to remove speed restrictions and improve productivity, with initial works to get under way within six months.
“In all, this package will support more than 200 jobs during construction, which is good news for locals and communities across South Australia.”
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the $145 million infrastructure investment is an important part of our plan to create local jobs and help re-build our economy.
“This significant infrastructure investment is part of our strong plan to create more South Australian jobs and support local businesses,” the Premier said.
“We have worked very closely with the Federal Government to fast track funding for these shovel-ready projects which will complement our record $12.9 billion infrastructure pipeline here in South Australia.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the funding injection will deliver shovel-ready projects across SA.
“Our investment in road safety infrastructure will transform and modernise the Heysen tunnels under the South Eastern Freeway,” Mr Tudge said.
“We’re also upgrading the freeway to deliver speed-activated signage on the steep descent into Adelaide.”
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephan Knoll said the focus on regional road upgrade across the state would stimulate regional economies and improve road safety.
“This massive investment in regional roads will support regional jobs, communities and more importantly, help save lives on our country roads,” Mr Knoll said.
“We are funding a suite of safety improvements across the state which will include fixing Long Valley Road through localised widening, shoulder sealing, intersection treatments, safety barriers and sight distance improvements.”
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Morrison ($115.6 million) and Marshall Governments ($28.9 million).
Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
The Morrison Government has now committed more than $9 billion to transport infrastructure in South Australia.
SA INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE
Shovel-ready projects

Road safety upgrades