Category: Australian News

The Victorian Greens are calling on the Premier to commit to releasing critical documents relating to childcare safety, saying that parents deserve transparency and accountability over political damage control. 

It comes after today the Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan said she will not apologise for failing to meet the deadline to produce documents relating to childcare safety that were requested by the Greens last month prior to horrific allegations of child sexual abuse in the sector. 

The Victorian Greens motion was respectfully worded with sensitivity to children’s privacy and limited in scope to only capture the documents that would be needed to see the full picture of what’s happening in our childcare sector. The same documents were released in New South Wales following a motion from Greens MP Abigail Boyd. 

Labor consistently disobeys the standing orders and defies the rules of the Parliament when it comes to producing documents, but the Greens say that they will be holding them to account and that they must commit to a deadline for releasing critical documents relating to children’s safety. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Early Childhood, Anasina Gray-Barberio: 

“Parents are going through hell right now and to hear that the Premier won’t apologise for failing to release documents relating to their children’s safety is shameful.

“The fact the Premier is lashing at the Greens to try and take the heat off herself just proves that Labor is more focussed on politics and damage control than children’s safety.

“The truth is that Labor never provides documents and routinely breaks the rules of the Parliament. For the most part, the rest of us have just had to cope with that. 

“We really thought that this time, given the scale of what’s happening in our childcare system, that Labor would put politics aside and choose transparency for every family that’s living their worst nightmare. 

“Our childcare sector is in crisis and if Labor won’t be honest with Victorian families about what’s going on, how are we meant to fix it? Of all the moments to follow the rules and do the right thing – this should be it.” 

Novocastrians are being asked whether they think the first day of the Newcastle Show should be a local public holiday for the next two years.

City of Newcastle has today launched a survey seeking input from Newcastle residents, businesses, schools, and tourism operators to assess community sentiment and the economic benefits of a proposed public holiday in 2026 and 2027.

City of Newcastle Executive Director Corporate Services David Clarke said a two-year application is a new approach that will be strengthened with broader consultation methods this year.

“The Newcastle Show is a proud tradition that unites our community and is a significant part of the city’s identity, with history dating back to 1901 when the first show was held,” Mr Clarke said.

“We want to hear from residents and businesses about whether they support having a public holiday to mark the occasion.

“Our engagement process will provide a detailed analysis of the impact of the Newcastle Show and build on previous years’ engagement to deliver more opportunities for people to have their say.

“Residents can participate in the survey, share their favourite Newcastle show memories and photos online, or if you’re short on time, simply cast a quick vote in our online poll. 

“As well as meaningful consultation with the community, we’re committed to providing a detailed analysis to understand effects on business activity, employment, tourism and regional promotion.”

City of Newcastle will consult with a broad range of stakeholders including Business Hunter, banks, major employers, schools,local transport providers, and unions, as well as tourism operators, hospitality venues and Business Improvement Associations.

Following consultation, Council will review the results for endorsement before submitting an application to the NSW Government for consideration.

If the day were to be declared a local public holiday in 2026 and 2027 it would apply to all employees whose place of work is within the Newcastle Local Government Area.

Alternatively, a local event day may be declared, as has been the case since 2016. While not a public holiday, a local event day is recognised by employees whose industrial agreements observe it, and any other employers who choose to participate.

You can have your say by completing the online survey here before 5pm on Tuesday 19 August http://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/newcastle-regional-show-day-2026-and-2027 

The 2026 Newcastle Show will run from Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March.

The Minns Labor Government has been caught quietly watering down its rental reforms weeks after they came into effect and without notice or consultation.
 
Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Regulation made on June 20 have removed the requirement for landlords to provide supporting evidence when evicting a tenant on the grounds that the property needs to be empty for significant repairs or renovations.
 
The previous requirement that only came into effect on 19 May required landlords to submit a signed statement and at least one piece of additional evidence, such as a builder’s quote or development consent.
 
Acting Leader of the Opposition Damien Tudehope said renters deserve better.
 
“Labor made much of its promise to end no-grounds evictions, but now it’s quietly winding back those very reforms,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“An eviction for renovations now relies solely on the landlord’s word. This has the potential of undermining the integrity of the reforms.”
 
The Opposition will consider moving to disallow the regulation when Parliament returns.
 
Renters are continuing to face soaring rents and a tightening rental market, yet the Minns Labor Government is now watering down one of the few protections it has put in place.
 
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tim James said the move creates uncertainty for both tenants and landlords.
 
“Everyone deserves clear, stable rules they can rely on,” Mr James said.
 
“Changing the law without notice or consultation damages trust and causes confusion.”
 
The Opposition supported an end to no-grounds evictions and is concerned to see that reform now being backtracked on.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.

Nullan Quinn, aged 13, was last seen in Thornton (approximately 4km north west of Beresfield) about 12pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified at 11pm yesterday, Monday 21 July 2025 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Nullan’s welfare due to his age.

Nullan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 155cm tall, of large build and brown hair.

Nullan is known to frequent the Thornton, San Remo, Newcastle and Central Coast areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.

The Abrams tanks will add to the mobility and firepower of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and complement other partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.

This support package, valued at approximately $245 million, is part of the $1.5 billion in assistance Australia has committed to Ukraine since the start of this conflict.

In August, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine.

The Australian Defence Force also continues to contribute to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

“I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine.

“Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.

“These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“They meet a direct request from the Ukrainian Government and form part of Australia’s unwavering commitment to protect the global rules-based order.”

The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.

The Abrams tanks will add to the mobility and firepower of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and complement other partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.

This support package, valued at approximately $245 million, is part of the $1.5 billion in assistance Australia has committed to Ukraine since the start of this conflict.

In August, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine.

The Australian Defence Force also continues to contribute to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

“I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine.

“Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.

“These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“They meet a direct request from the Ukrainian Government and form part of Australia’s unwavering commitment to protect the global rules-based order.”

As the South Australian algal bloom continues to wreak havoc on South Australia’s coast, the Greens are today calling on the Prime Minister and Premier Malinauskas to intervene.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator for South Australia and Greens spokesperson for the environment said:

“The Prime Minister and South Australian Premier should meet to coordinate a full national response to the algal bloom catastrophe engulfing South Australia.

“This is an environmental catastrophe, an economic calamity and increasingly a community health emergency.

“We need a COVID-19 style rescue package to provide urgent support for the community, massive increased environmental monitoring, and we need action against fossil fuels.

“Instead we have the federal government saying it’s a state issue, and we have the SA government dragging its feet in asking for federal help. It’s past time that the Prime Minster and the Premier sort this out.

“This is a national climate catastrophe and it requires a commensurate response. Instead we have state and federal governments bureaucratic buck passing.

“A COVID-19 style rescue package means support for the affected industries, community and local councils.

“I urge the Prime Minister and Mr. Malinauskas to avoid this becoming their “I don’t’ hold a hose” moment.”

The ACT Greens will use their votes in the balance of power to disallow ACT Labor’s planned $11 fee on volunteers seeking Working With Vulnerable People Cards, urging Treasurer Chris Steel to give the community certainty and abandon the idea now.

“It’s over. The Greens are closing the door on this unconstructive and unhelpful new fee,” said Greens MLA Laura Nuttall, who wrote to the Treasurer this week.

“Labor shouldn’t wait for the fee to be defeated by the parliament in September. It’s time to accept defeat and reassure volunteers now that they won’t face this new fee, because we actually value the work they do in the community.

“Since the Budget was handed down, well over 1,000 people have signed the petition I sponsored against this new fee,” Miss Nuttall said. “Many people have made it very clear that the cost will turn them off volunteering.

“Like Labor’s health levy, this direct charge is such a blunt, careless way to address a legitimate concern.

“We want a good WWVP scheme, properly administered. So, if too many people are applying for a card when they don’t need one, let’s explore how to best educate volunteers and organisations, instead of just making the whole thing less appealing.

“This fee raises so little revenue for the government that it’s clearly not about the money. It’s just a lazy, unpopular stopgap that will make it even harder for the government to properly look after people.

“Ultimately, the government relies on volunteers to deliver many important services they’ve outsourced to community organisations. It’s wrong to treat local volunteers like a pain in the side.”

Greens Senator Barbara Pocock is concerned that the government may have already given a green light to PwC to restart it’s bidding for federal consulting contracts following reports that Department of Finance has made the decision but refused to say what it is.

PwC was banned from bidding for government work following two inquiries into the tax leaks scandal which has brought the entire consulting sector under a cloud. Finance extended the ban on the Big 4 firm for two weeks from its original deadline on 1 July while it deliberated on whether to allow the disgraced firm to bid for new contracts.

Senator Barbara Pocock:

“For a Government that came to office in 2022 after campaigning on a platform of greater transparency, this move really takes the cake. They’ve made a decision, but they won’t tell us what it is.

“This is gravely concerning and it worries me that they may have given a green light to a firm that has clearly betrayed the trust of the Australian people and remains unaccountable for actions that could have cost us millions in lost multinational tax revenue.

“This is the firm that is still under investigation by the Australian Federal Police over the tax leaks scandal. This is the firm that treats Australians and their government with such distain that that they refuse to handover documents or give any details about who was involved.

“PwC’s strategy has long been to wait this crisis out and it looks like the moment they’ve been waiting for has come. This is not a hard decision to make and the fact that the Department of Finance has deferred the announcement is deeply worrying.

“This is an insult to the Senate and the Members of Parliament who worked on two federal inquiries that found PwC’s behaviour utterly reprehensible.

“While investigations are continuing at the AFP, the Tax Practitioners Board and the NACC, it remains to be seen whether anyone inside PwC is liable to face criminal charges. This situation should result in a firm no from the Finance Department without any reservation. I call on the Finance Minister to come clean and make the decision public.”

The Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury has sponsored a petition led by Care Financial to save the ACT Government’s Rent Relief Fund from being cut as has been planned by Treasurer Chris Steel in the ACT Budget.

Carmel Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of Care:

“Care strongly supports this petition to keep the Rent Relief Fund. At Care, the Rent Relief Fund proved to be a critical part of providing wraparound support to vulnerable private renters. 

“It provided clients with financial support to sustain their housing as well as providing a means to connect with other supports offered through Care’s financial counselling and other programs, including energy supports. 

“The Rent Relief Fund also provided a means to connect clients with other services and supports provided by government and non-government agencies who we work closely with as referral partners. 

“The loss of the Rent Relief Fund has created a gap in the range of supports our most vulnerable households need to help keep a roof over their heads in Australia’s least affordable private rental market for people on a low income.”

Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:

“This Labor Government says it’s replacing the rent relief fund with ‘more targeted supports’—but really it’s just spin. In reality, what they’re doing is cutting support for renters doing it tough in an unaffordable housing market.

“The Greens fought to introduce this fund so people wouldn’t be pushed into crisis over an unexpected bill or a family emergency. Now, Labor is walking away from those renters and leaving them out in the cold. 

“If you’re on minimum wage and struggling to pay the rent, this cut doesn’t leave you with better options—it leaves you closer to homelessness.

“Keeping this fund going costs just $1.7 million a year—a tiny amount compared to what this government hands over to the gambling industry. This is small-scale funding that delivers a huge impact for those who need it most.

“It’s about time Labor revisited their priorities for this budget. They’ve already faced significant backlash to their unfair health levy, and this decision is clearly cut from the same cloth–it’s about time they change their direction.