Category: Australian News

Councillors will vote next week on implementing a $2 entry fee trial at Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend swimming centres for the 2025/26 swimming season while retaining a $6 all-day entry fee for Lambton Pool.

The trial of a gold coin entry fee was proposed by Labor Councillors in February this year and would reduce the cost of a single admission at four of the five City of Newcastle-owned inland pools to enhance affordable access for the community.

The proposal was strongly endorsed during community consultation, with 95% of respondents supporting the trial and 92% indicating they would visit pools more frequently if entry fees were reduced.

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle recognises the importance of its inland pool network to the community.

“Our swimming centres play a vital role in fostering community connection, providing accessible opportunities for physical activity, social engagement and water safety education,” Ms Duffy said.

“The trial will provide valuable data to allow Council to fully consider the risks and benefits of making this a feature of our inland pools for future seasons. 

“Our pools are among our most popular community facilities, attracting more than 430,000 visitors during the 2024/25 swimming season, which is the second highest attendance level across our five pools in more than 30 years.

“Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre accounted for almost 60% of those visitors across the season and so will not be included in the $2 entry trial, to ensure we continue to support the safe and effective management of that facility and reduce the risk of overcrowding. Lambton will remain the most affordable pool with similar facilities in the region.

“However, proposed $2 entry fees at our four other inland pools including Mayfield and Wallsend, which are just 6km away from Lambton, would ensure easy access to reduced entry fees for all residents, with swimmers also enjoying continued free entry to the much-loved Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths.”

Implementation of the trial would require amendment to the management agreement between City of Newcastle and pool operator BlueFit.

The trial is expected to cost City of Newcastle $900,000 in 2025/26, which includes subsidising the reduced entry fees and accommodating higher operational expenses such as increased staffing and lifeguard services, and greater facility maintenance requirements.

City of Newcastle would also invest around $200,000 into enhanced security measures at all pools including CCTV and AI-driven safety technologies.

These costs have been added into the draft 2025/26 Budget, which is also set to be considered for adoption at next week’s Council meeting.

“We are committed to investing in and improving our pools to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of our community,” Ms Duffy said.

“Adequate lifeguard coverage, security measures, and crowd management strategies are essential in maintaining the safe and efficient operations of our pools while ensuring compliance with industry standards, balanced with affordability. 

“Safety remains the highest priority for our pool operations. Should this trial be implemented, City of Newcastle will work with BlueFit to plan for potential surges in attendance.”

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil’s promise to slash red tape in home building risks handing our urban environments to property developers whose only concern is profit, according to Australian Greens Housing spokesperson, Senator Barbara Pocock.

O’Neil said last week that detailed planning regulations and construction codes are creating barriers for builders and that she wants to meet with the states to talk about how to dismantle these. Senator Pocock acknowledges the need for a careful review of planning processes but says Labor needs to include action on unlimited rent increases in its discussions with the states.

Senator Barbara Pocock:

“The Minister’s announcement that she will intervene in state housing regulation – something Labor have long argued is impossible when opposing rent caps, reveals Labor’s refusal to stop unlimited rent increases is an ongoing choice. They could stop them if they want to. 

“Either Labor was misleading renters when they claimed to be unable to work with the states to freeze and cap rents, or they are trying to pass the buck on missing housing targets now. They can’t have it both ways.”

“We need more housing built more quickly but what we don’t want is poor quality housing in bad locations. I acknowledge there is a dire need to lift productivity in the housing sector and reframing regulation will help achieve this, but we must be very careful undertaking reforms in this area to avoid greenlighting shoddy developers who will deliver substandard dwellings in inappropriate settings.

“Many of these regulations are in place to protect consumers, protect the environment and make our urban areas more liveable. We can’t afford to lower our standards on safety and sustainability as we try to improve efficiency.

“The housing minister is keen to exert pressure on the states to change planning regulations. However, when we Greens call for restrictions on rents she declares rents are a matter for the states. With a national crisis affecting millions of renters, it’s time for some consistency. I am calling on Clare O’Neil to commit to including rent controls in her discussions with state and territory governments.

“The housing crisis in Australia can’t be solved simply by increasing supply. We also need to dampen demand especially from wealthy property investors. Changing the way capital gains tax and negative gearing work in the housing market is also essential to clear the way for first home buyers. 

“These tax breaks make home ownership unaffordable for too many Australians and turbo charge intergenerational inequality. We need action on housing, but we need the right set of policy solutions to ensure equity and liveability in our urban environments.”

The Australian Greens call for an independent inquiry into the death of 24 year old Kumanjayi White, a Warlpiri man with a disability, in Alice Springs on the 27th May 2025.

We acknowledge the profound grief and anger felt by Kumanjayi White’s family, the Warlpiri and Yuendumu communities and First Nations peoples across the country. 

We express our deep sorrow over his death and for the racism, violence and systematic over-incarceration of First Nations people that has led to 597 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the Royal Commission. 

Leader of the Australian Greens and First Nations spokesperson, Larissa Waters:

“The Greens share in the sorrow and outrage felt at yet another First Nations death in custody, the tenth already in 2025.

“How did a hungry young man on disability support end up as yet another death in custody, and how is the nation supposed to accept police investigating themselves over this?  

“The Greens condemn the Northern Territory Police’s refusal to support an independent inquiry into Kumanjayi White’s death.

“We have long called for independent, transparent investigations into Aboriginal deaths in custody, led by culturally safe processes and free from police or state interference.

“There must be the immediate establishment of a fully independent inquiry into the circumstances of Kumanjayi White’s death, with full powers to compel evidence and witness testimony.

“We must properly resource community focused solutions led by First Nations people.

“The Greens remain committed to our work alongside families, communities and grassroots organisations to end Aboriginal deaths in custody and uphold the rights and dignity of First Nations people.”

Greens Justice spokesperson, David Shoebridge: 

“My thoughts are with the Warlpiri and Yuendumu communities and First Nations peoples across the country as they grieve another Black death in custody. 

“The family of Kumanjayi White have called for an independent investigation into his death and an independent commission into structural racism, including police conduct and the Greens support these calls.

“We implore governments at all levels to listen to community on how to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody, and then act. 

Kat McNamara MLA, Member for Nightcliff

“We are at a crisis point in the Northern Territory with regular news about racism within the Police and ongoing attacks upon the rights of Aboriginal people and communities. 

“Every day on average 24 First Nations people are taken into custody in the NT, a significant over representation.

“Aboriginal controlled initiatives need to be resourced properly to lead us toward real reform and justice.

Today Leader of the ACT Greens Shane Rattenbury, alongside Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Jo Clay have launched a measured yet ambitious big corporations tax to safeguard essential services from being cut in this upcoming Budget.

Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury said the announcement will provide a pathway for the ACT Government to ensure the next budget does not cut essential services just to balance the books.

“In the last few months, we have seen the Labor Government rake up a $387 million overspend on the health budget and indicate they will need to make tough decisions to manage future spending.

“In the context of a budget that is pushing at the sides, and a national crisis in essential services like housing, healthcare and transport–we need a plan to fund the things Canberrans really need, right here, right now.”

The Greens plan announced today would introduce a new taxation threshold, for corporations with an Australia wide payroll of over $200 million a year, like Coles, Woolworths and the big banks – raising $107 million every year.

“Companies that operate in our city and make billions in profits, like Qantas and Wesfarmers, should be paying their fair share of tax. But instead, they’re raking in massive profits while Canberrans struggle with the cost of living,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“In just the first half of 2025, Woolworths pocketed a $1.7 billion profit—while a record number of Canberrans are turning to food banks because they can’t afford to eat. The contrast couldn’t be starker.”

Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens and Spokesperson for Finance, Jo Clay said the move will save services from being cut and help the government to fund more things Canberrans really need, like health and housing.

“Too many people are facing homelessness, sacrificing meals to feed their kids, or skipping medical appointments. We can’t afford service cuts when people in Canberra are already struggling,” Ms Clay said.

“Taking services away from our community is not good economic management – it increases disadvantage and pushes more people into crisis.

“We just saw the government need more money for the hospital because people cannot get affordable care before they reach an emergency. Balancing the books won’t work if you’re hurting the people you’re supposed to represent and kicking costs down the road.

“If the ACT Labor Government truly believe they are progressive and practical, then they will tax the corporations making billions in profits off everyday people in Canberra and redirect that into the services people need and want.”

Today’s announcement pushes upcoming changes to the ACT’s payroll tax to be more ambitious, fair and ensure the services people in Canberra want and need are actually funded.

The policy will not impact small or medium sized businesses. It will ensure the largest and most profitable corporations in the ACT are paying their fair share in tax.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Commissioner, Paul Brereton, attended at least 18 formal Defence functions in his uniform as a Major General since his appointment as NACC Commissioner in July 2023, according to budget estimates responses provided to Greens Senator Shoebridge today. 

Defence’s $55 billion budget, and the repeated procurement scandals inside the organisation, mean it is a prime target for the federal anti-corruption watchdog.

The answers to questions on notice detail how NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton maintains extensive ongoing military commitments, including an honorary Major General rank and Colonel Commandant role, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest. 

The responses show not only has Commissioner Brereton attended multiple military functions in uniform, accessed defence facilities, but he also successfully petitioned the Chief of Army to allow him to retain his Major General rank and entitlements despite hitting the statutory age limit. This was all at the same time as he has been tasked with independently investigating Defence in his role as NACC Commissioner.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Justice, said:

‘What these answers make clear is that every time Commissioner Brereton puts on his Major General uniform he is actively putting himself into the Defence hierarchy and subject to the lawful direction from Defence leadership.

“As recently as June last year Commissioner Brereton personally asked the Chief of Army for a favour, to keep his uniform and his position as a Major General, and we would never have found this out if we didn’t force these answers out of him.

“It’s such an obvious conflict of interest when the head of the NACC is seeking favours from Defence leadership at the same time that he is meant to be fearlessly investigating serious corruption inside Defence.

“These answers show Commissioner Brereton repeatedly going to swanky dinners and formal functions with Defence, in fact he has attended an ADF event nearly every month since heading up the NACC.

“Commissioner Brereton’s position is increasingly untenable. The NACC needs to be beyond reproach and have the full trust of the public. 

“Playing military dressup and seeking favours from Defence, while being tasked with investigating them, breaks trust with the public and shows a serious lack of judgement.”

The Australian and Victorian Governments’ North East Link project continues to forge ahead with two massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) relaunching from Lower Plenty Road to continue their journey towards Bulleen.

Earlier this year, TBMs Gillian and Zelda both broke through the earth into a 30 metre deep box at Lower Plenty Road, which will soon create a vital interchange point for the North East Link project.

Recently, the TBMs also relaunched to excavate the remaining stretch of the 6.5 kilometre tunnels to Bulleen to build Victoria’s longest road tunnels.

The TBMs are 15.6 metres in diameter and 90 metres long, and have each travelled 1.6 kilometres – or about 40 per cent of their total journey – collectively installing more than 16,000 concrete segments that were made locally in Benalla.

Construction will continue at the Lower Plenty Road site to build the entry and exit ramps to the tunnels.

Space equivalent to five MCGs will be developed into the new Borlase Reserve parklands along Banyule Creek, returning green space to the community.

Major upgrades along the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road are ongoing, with foundation structures being built to connect the freeways to the tunnels.

Crews also continue works to realign Bulleen Road onto its permanent alignment, with these works expected to be completed later this year.

More than 8,000 people are currently working across the North East Link project, with 10 per cent of work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets.

The project is set to create more than 12,000 jobs in total.

The North East Link tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and will be complete in 2028.

The project is expected to slash travel times by up to 35 minutes, and take 15,000 trucks off local roads.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – creating thousands of jobs and transforming the way people move across Melbourne.

“Infrastructure projects like this help people to move more quickly and more safely around their communities, reducing commute times and reducing traffic on local roads.”

Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan

“This project has been talked about for 60 years – we’re getting on and building this missing link to get families home sooner and trucks off local roads.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King

“This project will change the way people move through the North East of Melbourne, supporting the efficient flow of freight and ensuring that journeys are faster and safer for commuters.”

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams

“The North East Link will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes and take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day.”

The Australian Greens have urged the Albanese Government to urgently lift income support recipients out of poverty and put an end to the punitive ‘mutual’ obligations program.

Re-appointed Greens Social Services spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne urged the government to prioritise raising the rate of income support, given the focus on domestic violence prevention by Minister Tanya Plibersek.

As Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody has said: “Raising JobSeeker and related payments to liveable levels in the federal budget would help lift about half a million women out of poverty. Bolstering women’s economic security is crucial to giving them the means to leave and remain free of violence.”

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

“Raising the rate of income support is a moral, economic and social necessity. Every day that the rate is not raised is another day of unconscionable suffering for those below the poverty line.

“Minister Plibersek has said that she wants to focus on women and reducing domestic violence while she holds the portfolio of social services. If that is true, nothing would improve women’s safety and security more than raising the rate of income support above the poverty line.

“Labor’s own economic advisory committee has called on them to raise the rate. Labor knows this is the right thing to do. Any politician who thinks the current rate is adequate should try to pay rent, eat, and generally survive on $20,000 per year.

“I also strongly urge the Government to end the brutal and wasteful mutual obligations system.

“Australia’s current system of privatised employment services and mutual obligations is a labyrinthine system of ticket clippers, including donors to the Labor party. It’s preposterous and it needs to come to an end.

“The minister could switch off the mutual obligations meat grinder with a snap of her fingers. I’d strongly encourage her to do so.”

Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne was reappointed to the following portfolios:

• Primary & Secondary Education
• Social Services (incl. Government Services & Employment Services)
• Older Australians
• Transition, Regional Development & Northern Australia
• Sport

The Greens have cautiously welcomed the deferral of the major parties’ Aged Care Act to 1 November, which will provide a brief reprieve for older people facing increased fees to access aged care. 

Labor previously joined forces with the Coalition to block Greens amendments that would have stopped older people being slugged more for their care and created criminal penalties for bad providers, a reform Labor promised before the 2022 election.

Greens spokesperson on Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“There are serious questions for the new minister to answer, including how much more older people are going to have to pay for aged care? 

“Costs are going to go up for older people because of these changes, and while a deferral is welcome, we need to see a plan from the Minister to protect older people – because right now, there is none. 

“Under the reforms passed by Labor and the Coalition, many older people will now be required to pay more without any enforceable rights to quality care.

“The Royal Commission offered a blueprint to reform a broken aged care system by putting the rights of older people at its heart, but Labor instead teamed up with the Coalition and the for-profit aged care industry to pass new laws that will bolster the bottom lines of providers at the expense of older Australians.

“Despite all of the shocking witness testimony about the appalling treatment many older people have suffered in this broken market-based system, Labor is simply doubling down.

“If greater reliance on a user-pays model is the answer, then we’re asking the wrong questions. Older people aren’t commodities. It should be an obligation of any moral society for the Government to guarantee high-quality care for all. 

“The Greens will continue to push for a phasing out of for-profit providers and for an aged care system that puts the rights of older people first.”

The Victorian Greens have condemned the Labor Government for failing to fund the operation of 28 high-security crisis units for women and children fleeing family violence – leaving them empty during a worsening housing and domestic violence crisis.

Despite $7.8 million in federal funding for construction, the State Labor Government refused to provide the $3.9 million needed to run the units in 2025–26. The Sanctuary model, run by Safe Steps, has a 98% success rate and saves the state money compared to using motels.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Family and Domestic Violence, Anasina Gray-Barberio: 

“It’s unconscionable that in the middle of a family violence crisis, Labor refuses to fund crisis units that could save lives.

They can find nearly a billion dollars for prison beds, but not a fraction of that to protect women and children fleeing violence. What kind of cruel priorities are these?

Every night these units sit empty is a night someone sleeps in fear. That should haunt every person in Labor who was responsible for this decision. They should be ashamed.” 

The Greens look forward to working constructively with Treasurer Jim Chalmers to make sure the proposed tax on the superannuation accounts of the wealthiest Australians is as strong and fair as it can be.

“Over time Australia’s superannuation system has become less about providing a dignified retirement for working people, and more of a vehicle for wealth accumulation. This needs to change,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The Greens want to ensure that very wealthy Australians pay their fair share of tax, so that governments can do more to support people who need it.”

“Obviously we have not yet seen the legislation or regulations that Dr Chalmers intends to introduce.”

“We look forward to constructive discussions with the Treasurer to make sure the legislation is as strong and fair as it can be.”

“We have no intention of negotiating through the media or giving a running commentary on those discussions.”