Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens say Labor’s donation laws have been dodgy from the beginning, designed to entrench power for the major parties by protecting Labor and the Liberals’ political slush funds.

It comes as the Allan Labor Government has finally conceded defeat in the face of a High Court challenge and announced it will amend Victoria’s donation laws to allow other parties and independents to establish nominated entities and place new limits on how funds can be transferred.

The current laws, introduced by the Andrews Labor Government in 2018, have always been a “major-party stitch-up”, with special carve-outs for Labor, the Liberals and Nationals to access tens of millions in “political slush funds” while locking out independents and minor parties.

The Greens say that if Labor were serious about fixing the system, it would scrap the slush funds entirely, not just tweak the rules to protect the advantages of the major parties.

In addition, Labor still refuses to abolish group voting tickets, which allow backroom preference deals to determine upper house results rather than voters.

With yet another upper house inquiry handing down its report today, the Greens say Labor has kicked this reform down the road for so long it has finally reached the end of the road, and that abolishing group voting tickets must be part of any genuine fix to Victoria’s electoral system.

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“Labor’s donation laws were dodgy from day one. This has always been a major-party stitch-up designed to protect Labor and Liberals’ political slush funds.”

“Labor and the Liberals rigged the rules so they could access tens of millions in slush-fund money while everyone else was locked out. It’s dodgy, and Victorians are sick of it.”

“Labor is only changing these laws because it was dragged to the High Court – and even now, it’s offering a patch-up job to preserve its own advantage.”

“If Labor were serious about fairness, it would scrap the slush funds and abolish group voting tickets so Victorians can have confidence that our elections work for voters, not backroom deals or major parties desperately clinging to power”

A parliamentary inquiry has today delivered scathing findings on the Allan Labor Government’s plan to demolish and privatise Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers and has called for all demolition works to be halted immediately.

The final report, which was tabled in Parliament today, paints a damning picture of a Labor Government pushing ahead with a multi-billion-dollar mass demolition and privatisation of public housing, while withholding evidence, sidelining experts, and placing public housing residents under immense stress and uncertainty.

The inquiry repeatedly heard of Labor’s refusal to produce key documents to justify the decision to demolish the 44 public housing towers including feasibility studies and cost-benefit-analysis comparing demolition to retrofitting or refurbishment.

The report makes several recommendations including that the claim of ‘executive privilege’ – a mechanism that lets the Labor Government block documents from public release – over more than 140 different documents relating to the demolition be assessed by an independent legal arbiter for legitimacy, and that assessments for each individual tower be released.

The report also reflects the serious concerns about residents’ human rights that were raised throughout the inquiry – where evidence of coercion, pressure and confusing communication during relocations were all exposed and recommends independent of oversight for any future relocations and that the wellbeing of residents be prioritised.

The inquiry also called out Labor’s misleading use of the term “social housing” to obscure the shift from public housing to privately run community housing. It had strong findings in support of retaining and refurbishing or retrofitting public housing, rather than privatising homes under the guise of redevelopment.

Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“This is a damning report for Labor. It lays bare that their mass demolition and privatisation of public housing has no basis whatsoever, and that it must be halted immediately.”

“Residents told the inquiry they felt pressured, ignored and abandoned, and the report confirms that Labor’s misleading, coercive and at times downright cruel relocation processes have undermined their dignity and their basic human rights.”

“This report leaves Labor totally exposed. In a housing crisis, choosing to demolish and privatise public housing is indefensible.

“Labor’s demolition plan benefits developers and no one else, handing over prime public land while putting public housing residents last. The recommendations are clear and urgent: halt the demolitions now and commit to building more public housing on public land, not wiping it off the map.”

The Albanese Government is taking the next significant step towards ensuring Defence delivers the capabilities, skills and workforce it needs to meet Australia’s strategic circumstances. These reforms will include the establishment of a dedicated agency designed to strengthen and streamline acquisition and sustainment activities. 

Since May 2022, the Government has provided the biggest increase in defence spending in Australia’s peacetime history, with what is now an additional $70 billion over the next decade. This includes record spending on acquisition and sustainment. 

With this record funding comes the need to ensure that Defence continues to demonstrate value for money. 

Once fully established, the new Defence Delivery Agency will integrate three existing Defence capability delivery groups: Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group; Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group; and Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group. The agency will report directly to Ministers and have control over its budget, enabling coordinated and holistic delivery of defence capability and growing our sovereign defence industrial base. 

The Government will appoint a National Armaments Director to lead the new agency, who will be responsible for providing advice to the Government on acquisition strategies and the delivery of acquisition and sustainment projects following Government approval. 

In parallel, Defence will also centralise capability development functions to support clearer prioritisation, streamlined decision-making and accountability for new capability proposals to ensure capabilities support an integrated, focused Australian Defence Force.  

These reforms will support greater project and budget management, cost estimation and assurance right across the life of a project.  

Work to implement these reforms, including work to design and develop the Defence Delivery Agency, will begin immediately and include consultation with relevant stakeholders, including industry.

These reforms build on a series of targeted improvements already delivered by the Albanese Government, to ensure the ADF has the capabilities it needs to safeguard Australia and its interests. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“As the Albanese Government makes the biggest ever peacetime investment in Defence, it is important that we put in place the structures and systems to ensure Australia’s Defence Force can deliver the capabilities we need at speed and within budget.

“The establishment of the Defence Delivery Agency will elevate the professionalism and strategic focus of Defence capability acquisition and sustainment. It will drive stronger contestability, more accurate cost estimation, and clearer accountability for the delivery of major projects.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The increasing complexity of Defence capabilities, systems and platforms requires a systematic rethink of the capability development and delivery system. This is about setting Defence up for success so we can modernise the ADF in line with the National Defence Strategy, while ensuring we spend taxpayers’ money wisely. 

“The new agency will help ensure our industrial base is resilient, innovative and aligned with our strategic priorities. It will create more opportunities for Australian businesses and workers to contribute to Australia’s national security.”

The Australian Government today convened the third Product of Concern Summit in Canberra, reaffirming its commitment to improving the sustainment performance of Australia’s Collins class submarines.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP led the summit alongside Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, and senior representatives from government and industry.

This summit builds on progress made since Collins class sustainment was listed as a Product of Concern in December 2024. Defence and ASC Pty Ltd continue to work collaboratively under the Australian Submarine Enterprise to implement a comprehensive remediation plan.

Key achievements to date include workforce initiatives and productivity enhancements. These efforts are critical to ensuring the Collins class remains among the world’s most capable conventionally powered submarines.

The Product of Concern framework has proven effective in driving accountability and collaboration across government and industry.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP:

“These summits bring together government, industry and Defence officials to collaborate and agree on plans to improve the sustainment performance of Collins class submarines.”

“Regular Product of Concern summits ensure that Defence and industry officials are coming together to improve capability delivery for the Australian Defence Force.

“These efforts are critical to ensuring the Collins class remain among the world’s most capable conventionally powered submarines.”

The Australian Greens have said that any government response to the projected east-coast gas shortage that financially supports new gas fields will not have their support, and are calling for a 25 per cent tax on all LNG exports — a measure proposed by the ACTU and backed by experts including The Australia Institute.

The tax would ensure domestic gas supply is prioritised without incentivising new fossil fuel projects, replacing the deeply flawed Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT), which has failed to collect meaningful revenue from LNG exporters due to massive loopholes.

The announcement comes as the Government prepares to release its strategy to address east-coast gas supply shortage projected from 2028, in response to the joint Gas Market Review. 

The volume of uncontracted gas currently being exported is more than enough to meet forecast domestic shortfalls, yet Australian households, who have seen gas prices triple since exports began, have received no compensation for the cost-of-living crisis created by gas corporations.

The money raised should be used to compensate households for the cost impacts caused by gas exporters and help Australia get off gas.

Australian Greens spokesperson for resources Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“Government and industry lies are quickly unravelling. We don’t have a gas shortage, we have a gas export problem.

“If Labor brings forward an option that incentivises new gas and hands more rewards to the corporations that have been ripping off Australians, they won’t have the support of the Greens.

“Since gas exports began, prices have tripled. Gas corporations created this crisis, and Australian households have paid for it with no compensation.

“We don’t need new gas fields to meet demand. We need to stop our own gas being shipped overseas while Australian families struggle to heat their homes.

“A tax on exports is the best way to redirect existing supply to Australians, raise the revenue needed to compensate households, and help us get off gas quickly and fairly — without opening new climate-wrecking gas projects.

“These companies have pillaged our environment and our resources. Labor needs to cut ties with the gas lobby, tax exports, and commit to a fast and fair transition off gas — one that finally puts households ahead of gas corporations.”

Australian Greens spokesperson for economic justice and treasury, Senator Nick McKim:

“Australian nurses pay more tax than some of the biggest gas corporations in the country. That tells you everything about how broken the system is.”

“The PRRT has become a massive joke at the expense of working Australians.

“It barely raises a cent while companies make eyewatering profits off a resource that belongs to all of us.”

“The PRRT is now beyond repair. The only credible path is to tax exports properly and use the revenue to support households instead of padding corporate balance sheets.”

“Gas giants have had a free ride for far too long. It’s time to finally make them pay their fair share.”

The ACT Greens will use this week in Parliament to drive action from the ACT Government to deliver their active travel network, focusing on West Belconnen where paths are either missing entirely or incomplete and unsafe.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay said the party has been hearing from people all over Canberra who want to travel by riding, walking and taking public transport, but are facing too many incomplete pathways, missing connections and dangerous conditions.

On Wednesday Ms Clay will call on the ACT Labor Government to consult with the community and conduct a feasibility study into how they will deliver the West Belconnen Active Travel Network and review how they’ll deliver the territory-wide plan.

“People want choice, but the way our city is currently designed we don’t have that. The ACT Government knows this which is why they have an Active Travel Plan­—so now we have all these routes planned, but no clarity on how it will be delivered by 2030.

“Canberra is better with bikes. We need wide connected footpaths—not paint lines next to the road—that everyone can use. When done well, paths like this deliver traffic calming measures to make our streets safer for everyone.

“A good path and public transport network keeps people physically and mentally healthier. It makes it easy to walk down to the shops, ride to school or work and spend time outdoors. It also reduces noise and air pollution.

“Weeks ago, the Labor Climate Minister said the ACT will not meet its legislated emissions reduction target and that we’re off track to achieve net zero by 2045. Transport continues to be the ACT’s biggest polluter, making up over 60% of our emissions.

“It’s a no brainer that delivering the paths, connections and infrastructure people need to ride or walk around will reduce our overall emissions. But right now we don’t have that option in West Belconnen for people to ride into work, school or down to the shops.

“West Belconnen is rapidly growing, and ­our pathways and active travel connections were already poor. We need better public infrastructure in this part of Canberra.

“That’s why the ACT Government must work with the community to identify the priorities in this plan—given Labor’s budget blowout—how they will do it, and when.”

The motion will also call on the ACT Government to transparently record how much funding has been allocated to deliver the Active Travel Plan 2024-30 and how much has been spent per financial year in annual reports.

Canberra By Bike Founder, Paris Lord:

“We’re pleased to support this latest effort to get people in Belconnen the infrastructure that enables more choices in how people get around their neighbourhoods.

“Locals tell us they want to be able to walk or roll to their local shops for groceries or medical appointments, or feel safe to let their children ride with their friends.

“Fusing missing links and calming our streets makes such trips more likely, and boosts our collective quality of life.” 

Australian defence industry companies are invited to showcase their products and services to international governments via the 2026 Australian Defence Export Catalogue. 

Submissions to the Catalogue are now open – with participation raising the profile of Australian defence industry to key decision makers in international markets.

The Australian Defence Export Catalogue supports Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base – a key priority outlined in the 2024 Defence Industry Development Strategy and National Defence Strategy.

Currently in its ninth edition, the Catalogue highlights export-ready products and services from more than 336 companies across every state and territory in Australia; and is available in hard copy, online and via the mobile app.

Submissions for the 2026 edition of the Australian Defence Export Catalogue can be lodged via the online web portal until 23:59 AEDT, 16 January 2026. All proposed exports of military and dual use goods will be assessed under Australian export controls legislation.

Information on eligibility criteria and the submission process can be found by visiting the Australian Defence Export Catalogue page on the Defence website.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Exports are a key priority in the Albanese Government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy.

“Exporting Australia’s leading defence technology to international markets supports Australian jobs and strengthens our sovereign defence industrial base. 

“The Australian Defence Export Catalogue helps to grow Australia’s defence industry by supporting the long-term viability of domestic production lines through access to new markets.

“The Government is committed to strengthening Australia’s defence industrial base so it can meet the strategic challenges our nation faces now and in the future.”

Today I announce the appointments of nine highly qualified individuals to lead Australia’s posts in Tallinn, Lima, Noumea, Alofi, Kathmandu, Buenos Aries, Honiara, Nicosia and our interests in the global health system.

I am pleased to confirm the following appointments:

• Mr Edmund Mortimer as Australia’s next Ambassador to Estonia
• Mr James Yeomans as Australia’s next Ambassador to Peru. The Ambassador to Peru is also accredited to Bolivia
• Ms Megan Bainbridge as Australia’s next Consul-General in Noumea
• Ms Emily Pugin as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Cyprus
• Mr Simon Ernst as Australia’s next Ambassador to Nepal
• Ms Sarah Roberts as Australia’s next Ambassador to Argentina. The Ambassador to Argentina is also accredited to Paraguay and Uruguay
• Mr Jeff Roach OAM as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands
• Mr Paul Harrington as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Niue
• Mr Chris Cannan as Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health

Australia’s diplomatic network enables us to promote our interests in peace, security, trade, investment and other areas of cooperation.

As we work to shape a future for the better, our diplomatic corps are fundamental to strengthening relationships and building resilience in an ever less stable world.

I thank the outgoing Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul-General for their important contributions to Australian diplomacy.

The Greens have secured a Senate inquiry into the right to work from home.

The Committee inquiry will consider the Greens bill to give workers the right to work from home for up to 2 days per week, hear from a range of stakeholders, and gather information to ensure that Australia’s workplace rules reflect our modern times.

The Senate inquiry will report by 26th March 2026.

Greens spokesperson for workplace relations, jobs and employment Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Flexible working arrangements are an essential feature of our modern workplaces. That’s why we’ve secured a Senate inquiry. 

“We know there is widespread support from workers, their families and from unions who back flexible work arrangements. Two-thirds of Australians support the right to work from home, including 75 per cent of Labor voters and 51 per cent of Coalition voters.

“The ability to work from home has many benefits, not only for women and carers – it also reduces the time spent on commuting, improves work-life balance, increases mental and physical wellbeing, and boosts workforce participation and productivity. 

“The state Labor government in Victoria backs the right to work from home. Given that most workers in Australia are covered by federal workplace law, it makes practical sense to ensure this right at the national level. We need a sensible, national approach.

“While the Greens recognise that working from home is not possible in all roles, workers should have a reasonable right to work from home for up to a couple of days a week where it is practical and possible.

“The Greens want to see real improvements in the conditions and rights of Australian workers that reflect the modern workplaces of 2025 and beyond. We will always fight for workers’ rights. We remain ready to work with Labor to deliver outcomes that help improve peoples’ lives.”

 Jo Clay, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, in response to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation reforms passed yesterday:

“Holding the balance of power in the Senate, the Australian Greens have overcome the gigantic forces of big corporations and dirty polluters to secure new environmental protections for all Australians and communities.

“After decades of weak environmental laws and community pressure, these laws now provide more protections for native forests. They close loopholes which saw land clearing and habitat destruction. They have stopped Labor from fast-tracking coal and gas projects.

“But Canberra’s local environment laws are broken and weak too. Already this year we’ve seen developments prioritised over habitat, like natural temperate grasslands, that are home to critically endangered species like the Canberra Earless Dragon.

“Canberra’s dodgy offset policy makes it easy for developers to pave over precious habitat—the main driver of the biodiversity crisis in the Territory.

“Former ACT Greens Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti started the work to review our decade old offsets policy, but now that Labor hold the portfolio, action has stalled.

“As we look to set city limits, Canberrans want to see habitats and rich, diverse ecosystems thrive across our suburbs—like the reserves in your region, and the parks and microforests in your neighbourhood.

“That’s why we need a biodiversity network, to safeguard nature in the suburbs. We won’t accept Labor stalling on these reforms, or continue choosing developers over our environment.

“Under the ACT Labor minority government, they’ve failed to meet legislated climate targets and taken us off track to meet net-zero by 2045. They’ve also let the climate strategy expire and have no ambition to take meaningful climate action right now.

“Just last week, the ACT Labor Climate Minister said in hearings that the Government is taking a breath instead of delivering urgent, sensible action.

“All while the prediction for summer is increased risk of climate disasters like bushfires. We cannot sit around and wait—Canberra deserves better.

“The ACT Greens will keep pressuring Labor to take action, put nature before vested interests, and once again become leaders on climate action.”