Category: Australian News

Today I met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya is an advocate for a free and democratic Belarus. Her decision to run in the 2020 presidential election in Belarus after the politically motivated imprisonment of her husband Serhei reflects her determination to support the Belarusian people’s aspirations for a free and democratic future.

The 2020 elections, and those held in Belarus since, have been marked by a concerning lack of transparency.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya’s visit is an important reminder to Australians of the situation in Belarus under the Lukashenko regime. Reports that thousands of individuals in Belarus have been unjustly detained, subjected to torture, or forced into exile are alarming.

The Lukashenko regime’s support for Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine undermines security in Europe. The Australian Government has taken strong action in response, including sanctions on Lukashenko and others supporting Russia’s war.

The Government reiterates its call on the Lukashenko regime to fully adhere to its obligations under international law and to cease support for Russia’s destabilising actions.

I commend Ms Tsikhanouskaya’s bravery and her fight for universal values of democracy and human rights.

This morning, the Senate will debate the Higher Education Support Amendment (End Dirty Uni Partnerships) Bill 2025. This Bill requires universities to disclose and divest from any partnerships with dirty industries, including weapons manufacturers, gambling, fossil fuel and tobacco companies.

The Higher Education Support Amendment (End Dirty Uni Partnerships) Bill 2025 requires all universities receiving Commonwealth funding to:

• Disclose all links with dirty industries;
• Divest from all partnerships, investments and other monetary ties with dirty industries;
• Not enter into any new ‘prohibited partnerships’ with the weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, and tobacco industries.
• The Bill also prohibits universities from appointing to their governing bodies any individual with ties to these industries.

The Bill comes at a pertinent and challenging time, as the climate crisis escalates and fossil fuel companies record mammoth profits, and as weapons manufacturers pocket billions while people are slaughtered in their thousands by their war machines.

Earlier this year, the National Union of Students organised a referendum in which students across the country voted overwhelmingly for universities to divest from all partnerships with weapons companies, with over 5,000 students voting across roughly 20 campuses and the motion passing with 98% voting in favour. Student and staff-led movements have for years called for divestment from these dirty industries.

The National Tertiary Education Union has longstanding opposition to university investment in the development and manufacture of weapons, and earlier this year reaffirmed their call for universities to divest from military and weapons companies.

The links between universities and dirty industries are extensive, but details of the extent of these relationships are unclear. The Australia Institute’s recent Fossil-Fuelled Universities report found that 26 of Australia’s 37 public universities take money from fossil fuel companies, including Woodside, AGL and Santos. Monash University has recently announced the closure of its sustainability institute, while ramping up its partnership with climate-destroying Woodside.

Just yesterday, it was reported that ANU purchased shares in Elbit Systems, one of the key weapons companies profiting off Israel’s genocide in Gaza, as recently as March this year, while Western Sydney University has recently signed an agreement with weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education:

“Universities should be fully funded to be places of democracy, equity and public good, not places that help dirty industries profit from human misery. Having these links to dirty industries betrays this core purpose and the mission of academia.

“The audacity of ANU investing in weapons companies even under heavy scrutiny from staff and students shows their hand will have to be forced. This bill is about making sure universities have to disclose and divest from dirty industries like weapons, gambling and fossil fuels. There is no place for these industries in our universities.

“There can be no justification for universities investing in weapons manufacturers whose killing machines are enabling Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“Our universities should not be helping fossil fuel companies greenwash their climate crimes and environmental destruction.

“Universities across the country receive millions of dollars from major arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Thales, who are profiteering from genocide.

“The rules are so lax that we don’t even know the full extent of these dirty partnerships, which is deeply concerning given the governance issues rife in the sector.

“Universities have shamefully failed to heed the calls of the courageous staff and students who have long been calling for weapons-free and fossil-free campuses.

“Dirty money should stay out of universities. I urge the major parties to support this important Bill.”

James McVicar, Education Officer of the National Union of Students:

“Students have spoken. In the National Student Referendum on Palestine, we demanded an end to weapons companies on our campuses. Universities should be places of learning that contribute to making the world a better place. Instead they churn out profits for climate criminals and arms dealers.”

Bella Beiraghi, spokesperson for Students for Palestine:

“Over the past two years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, students have mobilised in opposition to our government and our universities ties to weapons companies. Universities function in many cases as the “brains behind the bombs”, facilitating research and even manufacturing with some of the largest weapons companies in the world. Students for Palestine will continue to campaign for a weapons-free university sector.”

Toyo White, spokesperson for Stop Woodside Monash:

“Monash University continues to run campaigns on its supposed climate credentials and associating its image with taking action, as ‘every second counts’. But running this campaign, while dismantling a climate research institution and continuing to buddy-up with climate criminals in its Woodside partnership, is infuriating.

No public institution should be partnering with these companies. To talk about building leaders of the future, whilst assisting companies like Woodside who are destroying said future, is untenable.”

The Senate has rejected the Albanese Government’s plan to put a use-by-date on ‘we will remember them’ and impose a 20-year limit on reviews of military honours and awards.

In a stunning condemnation of Labor’s plan to restrict the timeframe for reviewing heroic actions by Australian Defence Force personnel, the Coalition joined forces with the crossbench to discharge the Defence Honours and Appeals Tribunal Bill 2025.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the outcome was a humiliating defeat for the Prime Minister and his Veterans’ Affairs Minister.

“It’s a great victory for veterans, their families and ADF personnel,” Ms Ley said.

“Putting a time limit on honouring acts of bravery was disrespectful and completely out of step with Australian values. Our nation believes in recognising service and sacrifice whenever the truth comes to light, not only when it suits a government’s timeline.”

Ms Ley said the Senate’s decision reflected what the community already knew.

“Service to our country doesn’t expire after 20 years, and neither should the chance to correct an injustice. Australians expect fairness for those who wear the uniform, and the Senate has protected that principle today.”

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Government’s failure to demonstrate a single shred of veteran support for the proposal spoke volumes.

“In Question Time, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs couldn’t name one veteran who supported the Bill, and the Prime Minister cut him loose. This was a disgraceful and unnecessary attack on an independent Tribunal and a complete distraction from the real issues impacting veterans’ wellbeing.”

Mr Chester said the Senate’s decision was a forceful rejection of Labor’s attempt to wind back rights that veterans and families have relied on for more than a decade.

“If the Albanese Government persists with this mean-spirited plan, the Bill will have to return to the House of Representatives, but the Prime Minister should face reality and bin it permanently,”

“This Bill was opposed by veterans, ex-service organisations and the Tribunal itself. Defence officials even admitted they didn’t consult the independent Tribunal before drafting it. That is an extraordinary failure of respect and process. Our veterans deserve better than a government that tries to strip away their rights and silence their appeals.

“The current system works because it is independent, fair and trusted. Labor’s Bill would have shut the door on cases that deliver long-overdue justice and recognition, undermined the Tribunal’s integrity and damaged confidence among those who have served. The Senate has done the job the Prime Minister refused to do, which is stand up for veterans and protect their rights.”

Established in 2011, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal provides an independent pathway for reviewing Defence decisions on medal recognition dating back to 1939.

The Tribunal warned Labor’s changes would gut most of its work, including landmark reviews such as those involving Victoria Cross heroes Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden.

The Senate inquiry received 63 submissions, with only one supporting the Bill from the Department of Defence, which wrote it.

Tribunal Chair Stephen Skehill told the inquiry it would strip Defence personnel of their rights and “work against the wellbeing of Defence personnel”, while RSL NSW said the proposal was “disgraceful” and would devalue service and harm veterans’ health.

Mr Chester said Labor had completely misread the veteran community.

“This was arrogant and deeply disrespectful to those who have served our nation. Veterans fought this Bill and today they won.”

With the passing of Graham Richardson, we have lost a giant of the Labor Party and a remarkable Australian.

He served as NSW Labor General Secretary. At 33, he arrived in Federal Parliament as the then youngest ever Senator and went on to serve as a Minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.

He served as Minister for Social Security, for Transport and Communications, and for Health – but it was his impact as Minister for the Environment he will be most remembered for. As Minister, he championed the protection of our natural environment, including saving the Daintree.

The scale of his achievements is indisputable, yet he was characteristically self-effacing. As he once put it, “My memory won’t be around for very long, but the rainforests of north Queensland will be around forever.”

Richo’s life was often colourful, and sometimes controversial, but what lay at the heart of it was his sense of service, underpinned by his powerful blend of passion and pragmatism. He gave so much to our party, to our nation and to the natural environment that future generations will cherish.

Graham left the Parliament but he never left politics. He remained a thoughtful, perceptive and engaged observer, commentator and source of counsel and insight to so many, across the political spectrum.

Despite the considerable health challenges he faced later in life, Richo remained an active part of the national discourse, sharing a lifetime of wisdom with Australian audiences right up until the end.

He loved and lived all of what politics can be: service, calling, art and craft.

Of all the promises he made, the most powerful was to his wife, Amanda, when he told her that he planned to live until their son Darcy completed his HSC exams.

Richo kept his word.

I spoke with Amanda this morning to express my condolences. She and Darcy and all of Richo’s family are very much in our hearts.

I also express my deepest sympathies to all who loved Richo, and to everyone in the Labor family who is today mourning the loss of a friend, mentor and inspiration.

May his efforts for the people of Australia be remembered, and may he rest in peace.

The Australian Government will provide an additional $10 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians in Sudan, where the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis is taking place.

More than 30 million people are in need of urgent support due to the ongoing conflict. This includes approximately 11 million people who are internally displaced, and another three million people who have fled to neighbouring countries.

Australia’s assistance will be directed through United Nations and NGO partners. It will provide food, clean water and shelter, and support to victim survivors of gender-based violence.

Australia welcomes the release of US$20 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan. Australia is a longstanding donor to the CERF, contributing $11 million each year.

Australia has now provided over $60 million to the crisis in Sudan since 2023, with a particular focus on women and girls.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“Australia is horrified by reports of mass killings, sexual violence and deliberate attacks on civilians in El Fasher, Sudan.

“We condemn the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces and call for an immediate end to the violence and unhindered humanitarian access, including Australia’s additional support announced today.

“We will continue to work with partners to help the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls, to access food, nutrition, clean water and shelter.

“All parties must uphold their obligations to protect civilians and respect international law.”

International Development Minister Anne Aly:

“We are appalled by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, including the credible reports of indiscriminate violence against unarmed civilians in El Fasher.

“Australia continues to call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, consistent with international law.

“The suffering in Sudan is catastrophic. Australia’s humanitarian assistance will help deliver lifesaving support to the people most in need.
“We know the atrocities unfolding in Sudan are having a profound impact on the Sudanese community in Australia. We continue to call for immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to negotiations.”

Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP is calling on locals to nominate an outstanding older person for the NSW Seniors Festival Local Senior of the Year Awards, celebrating the invaluable contributions of seniors across the Ballina electorate.

“Our older community members are the quiet heroes who hold so much of our social fabric together,” said Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina.

“We are fortunate to have so many seniors in our local community who are generous with their time, energy and commitment. From volunteering in local organisations to mentoring younger generations and supporting neighbours, seniors contribute immeasurably to the strength, kindness and resilience of our region.”

“If you know a senior who goes above and beyond whether through their community service, creativity, innovation or simple acts of care now is the time to nominate them for this well-deserved recognition.”

Previously known as the NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards, the Local Senior of the Year Awards highlight the diverse ways older people enrich our communities.

Nomination forms are available from all MPs’ offices across NSW and must be submitted by Friday 16 January 2026.

Successful recipients will be recognised during the NSW Seniors Festival 2026, which runs from 2–15 March 2026.

Jenny Miller and Kath Madgwick, the mothers of Rhys Cauzzo and Jarrad Madgwick, who each took their own lives after receiving an illegal and inaccurate Robodebt notice, are in Canberra today to again call for accountability for Robodebt and an end to the targeting of welfare recipients by government.

To date, not a single Minister or public official has been held accountable for the scheme described as one of the worst failures of public administration in memory.

Madgwick and Miller will visit the Parliament to see their change.org petition with over 15,000 signatures tabled into the Parliament by the Greens spokesperson for Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, and will stand alongside Greens Senators to call for accountability and justice for Robodebt.

Targets of Robodebt and their families who had put their faith in the Robodebt Royal Commission, the NACC, and the government, have become frustrated by a lack of accountability for Robodebt and the continuation of unlawful punishment of welfare recipients.

In their call for accountability, Madgwick and Miller have called for NACC Commissioner Brereton to be dismissed from his position, for the sealed chapter of the Royal Commission to be released, and for the Robodebt Royal Commission to be fully implemented.

Labor have failed to implement key recommendations despite having previously agreed ‘in principle’ to all of the recommendations, including crucially:

• Reinstating the 6 year limit of recovery of debts
• Establishing a duty of care for the Department of Social Services that prioritises the needs of social security recipients while administering the law,
• Restricting the kinds of decisions which can be made or automated without human oversight
• Better protections for people experiencing hardship from receiving compliance notices.

During Senate Estimates earlier this year, Services Australia were revealed to still be chasing billions of dollars in decades-old welfare debts, dating as far back as 1979, and contrary to the Royal Commission.

A Private Members Bill to implement the outstanding recommendations has been introduced by Senator Allman-Payne in the Senate and crossbench MPs Andrew Wilkie and Helen Haines in the House.

In echoes of Robodebt, the Government continues with its punishing ‘mutual obligations’ regime, under which privatised job agencies have issued over 2 million payment suspensions to JobSeekers in the past year, despite damning advice the Targeted Compliance Framework which underpins the system may not be lawful. 

An estimated 310,000 Centrelink recipients had their payments unlawfully cancelled under the mutual obligations system. In recent Estimates, neither the Minister nor public servants could defend the lawfulness of the system under which payment suspensions continue to this day with little oversight.

Extract from statement by Jenny Miller:

“We are yet to have the names released, we are yet to see justice and accountability for the gross misconduct of those in public office and as far as I’m concerned the NACC is eroding any semblance of public faith in the Australian Government. 

Time has come, many 100000’s were affected by the Robodebt failure, yet here we are, still waiting.”

Extract from statement by Kath Madgwick:

“The conduct of the NACC is wholly unacceptable, and we demand transparency, accountability and justice for all of those impacted by Robodebt.

We also demand that all the Robedebt recommendations be adopted by the Department and that all programs delivered by the Government have a Duty of Care to the people they serve.

We are in 2025, not in the Dark Ages. The prolonging of the NACC’s investigations and the perceptions of conflicts of interest are further harming those who have been hurt enough.

We demand that Paul Brereton be dismissed from his position and that an independent Commissioner with no ties to the ADF be appointed to the position.

The above action is the only way for the Government to gain trust from the general public.”

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Social Services:

“How much longer do people like Jenny and Kath have to wait for justice from Robodebt?”

“It’s been years since the Robodebt Royal Commission yet virtually nobody has been held to account, and the changes needed to prevent more tragedies have been left to languish.”

“Robodebt was designed to punish, extort, and villainize innocent people with little to give. How sick that the actual villains, the rich and powerful figures that designed and operated Robodebt seem to be getting away with no consequences.”

“Not only have Labor failed to implement the recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, they’ve built a toothless and shadowy NACC that hides corruption rather than exposing it, and they’re continuing to unlawfully take food off the tables of welfare recipients who have done nothing wrong.”

“Labor rightly talked a big game against Robodebt when Scott Morrison was in charge. But in government they’ve failed to deliver, and they’re still treating welfare recipients like criminals.”

“It’s past time Labor did the right thing and ended these crusades against poor people.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Justice: 

“The NACC was forced to investigate Robodebt. Fifteen months later there have been no public hearings, no updates, no accountability. This silence is destroying public trust.

“Robodebt victims deserve to see justice, not sit on the sidelines while the NACC does whatever it does in total secrecy.”

The Australian Greens say the UN’s new Emissions Gap Report released Tuesday is a stark reminder that both major parties are failing to listen to science and meet the ambition required to avoid climate catastrophe.

The report states that the world will fail to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °C, with a likely breach in the next decade. The report’s evidence supports calls for more ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Assistant Climate and Energy Spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“The new Emissions Gap Report from the UN is another indictment on Labor’s climate inaction.

“Time and time again, we see science sounding the alarm for world leaders to take emissions reduction seriously, only for them to slam the door shut.

“Labor ignores the deadly findings of their own Climate Risk Assessment. Will they ignore the United Nations and take findings from the international community as a suggestion?

“Our country could be a renewable energy leader, but instead, both major parties are in a race to the bottom to appease the likes of Woodside and Santos.

“Meanwhile, the PM is happy to tie our political fate to the US, fuelling the military conquests of a climate denialist with critical minerals and powering one of the world’s largest polluters in the process.

“Labor needs to take science seriously and commit to the required emission targets that will secure a safe future for people and planet.

The Greens will oppose the government’s so-called environmental law reform bills in the House of Representatives when it is voted on this week.

Greens spokesperson for the environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“In its current form we cannot support this package and will be voting against it in the House of Representatives. It has been written for the mining and forestry lobby and does nothing to guarantee protection for our environment.

“These laws have been criticised by every major environment and climate group, but welcomed by the likes of BHP, Chevron and the BCA. This shows exactly who the laws are written for.

“It is now up to the Prime Minister to decide if he wants to again let mining and logging lobbyists and their political representatives like Roger Cook run the show, or if he wants to protect nature, forests and our climate.”

Cattle and sheep sales across Armidale and Guyra are entering a new era, with a $10 million upgrade transforming the region’s saleyards into modern, efficient and sustainable selling centres.

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are continuing work to support recovery efforts with investments from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, delivered under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The Armidale and Guyra Saleyards redevelopment received $9.78 million from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

Boosting the economic development of the livestock and agricultural sector to continue the growth of the NSW’s primary industries GVP is a major focus for both the Albanese and Minns Governments.

This project has modernised the ageing selling centres, and improved the operational efficiency, safety for users and onsite sustainability.

At Armidale Saleyards, sustainability has been a key focus, with the installation of a solar energy system, a wastewater reuse network and a new water tank, all designed to reduce operating costs and environmental impact.

Additional improvements include the construction of bull pens, a dedicated sales platform, new administration and canteen buildings and expanded parking, which all make the facility more accessible and user-friendly.

Guyra Saleyards has also undergone significant redevelopment. The sheep selling yards have been completely replaced, cattle yards relocated and upgraded watering systems installed. Road improvements, fencing upgrades and the completion of an effluent pond round out the works.

Together, these modernised facilities enhance livestock care, improve safety for users and streamline business operations—attracting more buyers and sellers and stimulating the local economy.

The Armidale and Guyra Livestock selling centres are owned and operated by Armidale Regional Council.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:

“The redevelopment of Armidale and Guyra Saleyards will provide a big boost to the local economy and help keep these busy saleyards running even more efficiently.

“By partnering on funding, the Albanese and Minns Governments are helping ensure the Armidale region can continue to grow its agricultural economy and recover from the impacts of past floods and other disruptions.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:

“The Minns Government supports smart investments that deliver economic development to our agricultural sector and local communities. Modernising the saleyards at Armidale and Guyra is delivering long-term benefits for producers, buyers and the wider community.

“Annually, around 40,000 cattle go through the Armidale Saleyards, while 130,000 sheep are sold at Guyra, highlighting the importance of these facilities to our livestock sector.

“By delivering this infrastructure we’re not only improving day-to-day operations with better efficiency and sustainability but strengthening the backbone of local economies and securing the future of our livestock trade.

“These upgrades reflect our commitment to regional development and animal welfare and will make a real difference for everyone who relies on these facilities.”

Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“Saleyards are important to local economies and the agricultural industry that plays such a key part of regional and rural communities.

“We are committed to building back better and supporting communities in disaster recovery.

“It is a great example of the three levels of government working effectively together on community resilience and economic development in our regions.”

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland:

“The completion of this project represents a major step forward for the region’s third-largest industry.

“Agriculture is a cornerstone of our local economy and these upgrades ensure our saleyards are fit-for-purpose, future-ready and supportive of our producers, agents and transport operators.” 

“This investment will help drive economic growth, improve safety and support sustainable practices across the sector.”

Guyra Saleyards Coordinator and Director of APL Guyra Armidale Sam Sewell:

“The upgrades have received some very positive feedback from producers so far. 

“It’s great to see producers again wanting to come along on sale days to see their lambs sold, catch up with fellow producers and just experience the atmosphere that has been created by the upgraded establishments.

“These upgrades firmly position the Armidale region as a key hub in Australia’s livestock industry, laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and innovation in agricultural trade for years to come.”