Category: Australian News

The Greens have slammed the Albanese government for taking extraordinary measures to dodge accountability in the Federal Court on allowing the expansion and continuation of polluting salmon farming in the last remaining habitat of the endangered Maugean skate. 

Environment groups waited two years after lodging a reconsideration request of the expansion before the Albanese government sensationally passed legislation in February specifically designed to bypass the reconsideration and allow salmon farming to continue.

The controversial new laws were set to be challenged by the Bob Brown Foundation in Federal Court next week and would have compelled the Minister to reconsider the expansion based on evidence. 

To avoid being held accountable in Federal Court, the Minister today confirmed the reconsideration request had been settled and salmon farming would continue.

Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans & Senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:

“The only reason this decision has been made by the Minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. 

“The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn’t, instead it opted to sensationally bring in new legislation that undermines Australia’s already weak nature laws in an attempt to bypass making a decision based on evidence.

“The Minister has disrespected the legal process, dodged accountability, and refused to look at the evidence, all to placate and extend a polluting industry pushing a species to extinction.

“Labor is showing just how far it will go to protect the profits of foreign salmon farming corporations over Tasmania’s environment and the survival of the Maugean skate.”

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil’s promise to deregulate home building won’t fix the housing crisis, according to Australian Greens Housing and Homelessness spokesperson, Senator Barbara Pocock.

Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Today’s leaked Treasury advice shows that this Government has caved to demands of the property lobby. Labor needs to be careful they’re actually tackling the housing crisis, not just doing the bidding of property developers who want to make more money. 

“We need more housing built more quickly but what we don’t want is poor quality housing in bad locations. There is a dire need to lift productivity in the housing sector 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 to make our urban areas more liveable. We can’t afford to lower our standards on safety and sustainability as we try to improve efficiency. Giving robots control over environmental approvals is not the answer.

“The housing crisis in Australia can’t be solved simply through deregulation. We urgently need to wind back tax breaks for wealthy property investors, such as the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, to open up a pathway 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.

“If the Government doesn’t tackle the tax handouts to rich property investors, they are not tackling the housing crisis. Unless the Government makes the necessary reforms to the tax concessions for property investors, we’ll continue to see house prices rise and rents spiral and we’ll continue to see levels of homelessness increase, which advocacy groups have said is the worst in living memory. The Greens stand ready to work with Labor to action this urgent reform.

“Ahead of the Government’s productivity roundtable, it’s disappointing that the outcomes have already been decided. We’ve had public debate in good faith on how to boost productivity, and deregulation alone won’t cut it. Labor must deliver on essential tax reform to deal with the housing crisis, ensure workers get their fair share and strengthen flexible working arrangements for women and carers.”

City of Newcastle has started work on a $2.1 million project that will make it safer and easier for pedestrians, cyclists, and all other road users to navigate two key intersections on Parkway Avenue.

The work will focus on the approaches to the roundabouts at National Park Street and Smith Street, which both have a history of accidents.

The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $469,000 from the Australian Government Black Spots Program, which is administered by Transport for NSW.

Cr Pringle, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and Ryan Tranter on Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South.Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said this is a great day for road safety and active transport in Newcastle.

“Safer, more accessible options for walking and cycling are exactly what our city needs,” Ms Claydon said.

“These upgrades, backed by a $469,000 investment from the Albanese Labor Government, will make a real difference for local residents, families, the Newcastle High School community, and commuters who want a healthier, more sustainable way to get around.

“Better paths and cycleways mean safer streets, cleaner air, and a healthier Newcastle, and I am proud to be part of a Federal Government supporting projects that deliver all of that and more.”

The project will provide traffic calming improvements, including the installation of speed humps and the realignment of the kerb to narrow the lanes, which will enhance safety for all traffic approaching each of the roundabouts.

Further improvements include cycle lanes along Parkway Avenue, with separated off road bypasses for cyclists at each of the roundabouts.

There are also raised shared path crossings across Parkway Avenue at both National Park Street and Smith Street to provide safer and more accessible crossing facilities for the large number of cyclists, pedestrians, and school students who travel through the area.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee, Councillor Joel Pringle, said the upgrades have been shaped by community feedback.

“We received more than 400 submissions from drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and 91% of them were supportive of the proposed changes,” Cr Pringle said.

“Parkway Avenue is an important connecting route for schools, sportsgrounds, shopping centres and beaches so these changes are designed to cater for everyone.

“The Parkway Avenue road reserve, including the Norfolk Island and New Caledonian trees, is locally heritage listed and these trees will be retained and protected during the construction phase.

“This will help to maintain the urban canopy, which provides much-needed shade and reduces heat during summer.”

Executive Manager of Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said City of Newcastle has been working closely with the community to ensure the project supports current needs, as well as supporting future development in the area, including the upgrade to Newcastle High School.

“The project’s main aim was to improve cyclist safety by slowing traffic on approach to the roundabouts and provide off-road cyclist bypasses at each roundabout, as well as designated on-road cycle lanes with a clear buffer to parked vehicles,” Mr Tranter said.

“This will help to address the conditions which have led to eight crashes in the past five years at these two roundabouts, with the majority involving cyclists.

“As part of the project we have incorporated two raised shared path crossings on Parkway Avenue in front of the school to improve pedestrian safety in the area, as we also look to improve active transport connectivity between Hamilton South and the commercial areas to the north.

“Our safety improvements align with the transport management plans for Newcastle High School and support NSW Schools Infrastructure’s current campus development project, ensuring the new connections support the expected increase of students coming to the campus.” 

Roadworks are expected to commence on 19 August, with the section of Parkway Avenue to be closed to traffic.

The project is due to be completed by early 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has concluded his visit to Papua New Guinea with the official opening His Majesty’s Papua New Guinea Naval Base (HMPNGS) Tarangau – reflecting the growing defence cooperation and interoperability between our two countries.

HMPNGS Tarangau, also known as the Lombrum Naval Base, is the largest security infrastructure project delivered by Australia in the Pacific and will enable the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to grow and develop its sovereign capabilities, and respond to PNG’s security priorities.

Delivered under the Lombrum Joint Initiative, the new naval base includes:

• Working and living accommodation for the PNGDF;
• A medical centre that will serve the base and local community;
• Water and sewerage services to supply the base;
• Upgraded maritime infrastructure, including barge landing ramps;
• Office infrastructure, including a guard house and headquarters building; and
• Combined mess facilities, able to accommodate around 200 sailors and officers.

The completion of HMPNGS Tarangau will also provide further opportunities for Australia and PNG to increase interoperability and cooperation through joint training, exercises and ship visits.

During his visit to PNG, the Deputy Prime Minister also handed over 12 up-armoured LandCruisers to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

These lightweight vehicles will allow PNGDF personnel to move securely and respond with agility across diverse terrain, further enhancing PNG’s ability to respond to domestic security challenges.

Our defence cooperation with PNG is stronger than ever – underpinned by our shared history and future and our strategic trust as neighbours, partners and friends.

This visit comes just one week after the conclusion of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, which marked the first time a component of the Exercise was held outside Australia, in Papua New Guinea.

Australia and PNG are further strengthening ties through the ongoing negotiation of a defence treaty, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Papua New Guinea Minister for Defense, Dr Billy Joseph, in February 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia is committed to partnering with Papua New Guinea to build their sovereign capabilities and enable them to respond to their own security needs.

“Our shared geography and history interests make Papua New Guinea and Australia natural partners, and Australia is pleased to see this partnership growing even further in 2025. 

“The Australian Defence Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force continue to work together to enhance the interoperability between our two countries, respond to our shared strategic challenges in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”  

The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.

However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the OPTs imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further. We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.

We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.

This statement has been signed by:

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.

The Coalition has serious concerns about the Albanese Government’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process.

This decision, at this time, puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally, and the most consequential player in the conflict in Gaza.

The United States will have an essential role to play in brokering a viable peace process and establishing a sustainable Palestinian state. It is critical to note that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that decisions to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a proper peace process scuttled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Until today it has been a bipartisan position that the question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process, not at the start or during it.

Until today it was a bipartisan position that there should be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza.

Despite his words today the reality is Anthony Albanese has committed Australia to recognising Palestine while hostages remain in tunnels under Gaza and with Hamas still in control of the population of Gaza. Nothing he has said today changes that fact.

Recognising a Palestinian state prior to a return of the hostages and defeat of Hamas, as the Government has today, risks delivering Hamas one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism of October 7.

Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. The clear advice of our most important ally is this decision will not expedite that outcome.

As it stands today the decision by the Albanese Government does not appear to make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas.

Students from seven high schools across Newcastle were given a chance to go behind the scenes to get a taste of life on the elected Council as part of Local Government Week. 

The next generation of civic leaders took part in City of Newcastle’s annual Youth Mock Council event, which was held 6-7 August as part of an education initiative designed to amplify young voices and deepen their understanding of how they can contribute to their communities. 

Hosted by the Youth Council Standing Committee and supported by City of Newcastle, the program offers young people an authentic glimpse into local government, from understanding Council processes to debating the issues that matter most to them. 

Over two days, students participated in workshops alongside current Councillors, learned from inspiring keynote speakers, and collaborated in small teams to draft Notices of Motion – the formal mechanism Councillors use to propose solutions to local issues. 

The program culminated in a simulated Council meeting within the historic City Hall Chambers, where students presented their motions, honed their public speaking skills, and engaged in spirited debate, all before an audience of real Councillors and peers. 

The Youth Mock Council goes beyond role-playing. Last year’s Youth Mock Council motion to create a new youth centre has since been endorsed by Council in October 2024 and led to tangible action, with the Youth Council Standing Committee now investigating options for its implementation. 

Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.

Since 1947, Australia has supported Israel’s existence. In that year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Evatt chaired the UN committee that recommended the creation of two states side by side.

Then, as now, the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region.

Australia was the first country to raise its hand at the United Nations in support of Resolution 181, to create the State of Israel – and a Palestinian state.

More than 77 years later, the world can no longer wait for the implementation of that Resolution to be negotiated between the parties.

Australia’s decision helps build the historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East.

The Netanyahu Government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state.  

The international community is moving to establish a Palestinian state consistent with a two-state solution. 

In doing so, the world is seizing the opportunity of major new commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including to reform governance, terminate prisoner payments, institute schooling reform, demilitarise and hold general elections. The Palestinian Authority has also restated its recognition of Israel’s right to exist. The President of the Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed these commitments directly to the Australian Government.

Australia’s position is predicated on the commitments we have received from the Palestinian Authority. We will continue to work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments and to encourage normalised relations between Israel and its neighbours.

The commitments by the Palestinian Authority are strengthened by the Arab League’s unprecedented demand for the terrorist organisation Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons.

Together these factors mean that this is the best opportunity Australia may ever have to support moderate voices for peace in the region, to undermine extremism and to further isolate Hamas. This is the movement to which Australia and so many countries are seeking to add momentum.

Hamas continues to damage the prospects of a two-state solution and rejects Israel’s right to exist. Hamas must release the hostages cruelly taken on October 7, 2023 immediately, unconditionally and with dignity. The Australian Government has consistently made clear there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state.

Australia is further compelled by the Netanyahu Government’s disregard of the international community’s calls, and its failure to comply with its legal and ethical obligations in Gaza. Israel is required to protect civilians and ensure the provision of food and medical supplies. Permanent forced displacement of civilians is illegal.

Palestinian children deserve a future that looks nothing like their reality today.

There is much more work to do in building the Palestinian state. We will work with partners on a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the security of Israel.

Australia will continue to be a constructive partner in support of a two-state solution, as the only pathway to a secure and prosperous future that respects the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The Albanese Government’s rewarding of the rapes, slaughter and kidnapping committed by Hamas on October 7 by recognising a Palestinian state shames all Australians, Family First said today.

“What is it Anthony Albanese is recognising? Is it a state led by people who now believe Israel has a right to exist? Is it led by people who will now stop teaching children to hate Jews and support Islamic terrorism?” asked Family First National Director Lyle Shelton.

“Sadly those ideas have not been supported by the almost 90-year-old head of the corrupt Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, until a sudden out-of-character shift in June.

“While the Prime Minister said today Mr Abbas had now changed his mind and believed Israel had a right to exist and that Palestinian kids should not be taught to hate and kill Jews, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not so sure,” Mr Shelton said.

Mr Netanyahu told a media conference yesterday he did not believe the PA had changed its stripes.

“What does Anthony Albanese know about Mr Abbas, who says Hitler was not antisemitic, that Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t know?

“Abbas has spent a long lifetime working for a one state solution, not a two-state solution. He has repeatedly rejected generous offers of statehood in the past because that would mean accepting Israel’s right to exist.

“How can an entity which pays the pensions of the families of suicide bombers be a partner for peace?

“Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Penny Wong is naïve and the only winners are the Hamas terrorists huddled in their tunnels in Gaza.”

Mr Shelton said Family First was dismayed at the media misinformation which routinely blames Israel for the killing and wounding of civilians without mentioning that Hamas uses them as human shields. It makes no secret of leveraging the deaths it causes of its people to turn world opinion against Israel.

“Since the war began Israel has repeatedly given up the element of surprise by smsing and phoning Gazans ahead of military strikes so they could get to safety.

“The largescale destruction of buildings in Gaza, as Mr Netanyahu and others have pointed out, is because Hamas routinely booby traps houses with IEDs (improvised explosive devices). The IDF’s destruction of terror tunnels built under houses, hospitals and mosques had also caused structures to collapse.

“Israel has been demonised for causing children to starve to death in Gaza, something for which there is no evidence, while the UN refuses to distribute truckloads of aid because that requires cooperating with the US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

“While Gazan civilians had been deprived of aid because of Hamas looting and the UN’s intransigence, the only actual starvation going on in Gaza is of the hostages.

“Sadly, Albanese and Wong have delivered yet another propaganda coup to the Hamas Islamic death cult.

“Unless Hamas, which still has thousands of armed Islamic terrorists in Gaza, is destroyed, it will re-group and attempt October 7 again and again until every Jew from the river to the sea is killed,” Mr Shelton said.

This week, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy, will travel to the Pacific as Australia continues to strengthen ties with our nearest neighbours.

The Deputy Prime Minister will travel to Papua New Guinea to discuss the deepening defence ties between our two countries, and Australia’s support for PNG’s security priorities.

During the visit he will meet with Prime Minister the Hon James Marape MP, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon John Rosso MP, and Minister for Defense the Hon Dr Billy Joseph MP.

After travelling to PNG, the Deputy Prime Minister will join Minister Wong and Minister Conroy in the Republic of Vanuatu – building on our enduring partnership.

While in Vanuatu, they will meet Prime Minister, the Hon Jotham Napat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management the Hon Johnny Koanapo, and other senior ministers.

The Ministers will also travel to Tanna, the home island of Prime Minister Napat, to progress discussions on the proposed Nakamal Agreement – a bilateral initiative to elevate our partnership.

This visit builds on the increasing tempo of Ministerial exchanges and visits between Australia and Vanuatu in both directions over the past six months.

The Foreign Minister will then travel to the Republic of Fiji to attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers Meeting. As a founding member of the PIF, Australia strongly supports the Forum’s role in strengthening regional unity and pursuing our shared vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region.

As a Pacific nation, Australia is a partner the region can count on; it is in our interests to foster a resilient region that enables all our economies to grow and prosper together.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia deeply values our relationships with our Pacific family as we work together to strengthen ties and deepen security partnerships.

“In Papua New Guinea, I look forward to meeting my counterparts to discuss the growing integration and cooperation between our defence forces, including through negotiations for a bilateral defence treaty, as announced in February this year.

“In Vanuatu, custom, culture and tradition will provide a vibrant backdrop to our discussions around the Nakamal agreement and Australia looks forward to using this concept to strengthen our ties.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:

“Our visit to Vanuatu highlights the respect, shared values and cultural and spiritual connections that are the platform for deepening the partnership between our countries.

“It is a privilege to be joining Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers in Suva, to come together to make decisions for our region.

“Australia is working with the Pacific family to advance our shared priorities and shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous Blue Pacific.”

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy:

“I look forward to working with the Vanuatu Government to strengthen our close economic, development and security partnership.

“As partners, we overcome challenges together – Australia is a partner Vanuatu can count on.”