Category: Australian News

Responding to the shocking arson attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue last night, Greens Acting Leader, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Australian Greens stand with the community in condemning the shocking arson attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue last night.

“Our thoughts are with the families who were gathering inside for Shabbat at the time and for the broader Jewish community who are understandably distressed at such a horrific act of violence.

“There is no place for anti-semitism and violence against Jewish people in Australia.

“Everyone should be able to feel safe in their places of worship and community gatherings and attacks like this cannot be tolerated.

“Hate has no place in our communities and hurts us all.”

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Senator for South Australia and spokesperson for the Environment has written to the Prime Minister to urge for a national response to the devastating South Australian algae bloom.

“For months, the coastline in South Australia has been under attack by a toxic algal bloom. So far, most of the response has been led by the local community, without any formal government support.

“Just last week we learned that senior members of the federal government were not even aware of the disaster unfolding on our beaches. This is simply not good enough.

“I have written to the Prime Minister because South Australians cannot be left to deal with this environmental disaster on our own. 

“If there were dead fish washing up on Bondi Beach every day, there would be a national outcry and response. South Australians deserve the same support from our federal government that east coast states would demand.”

“We know that this has been caused by the climate crisis, just like the extreme weather events like fires and floods. The federal government has an important role to play when it comes to managing climate change events, climate mitigation and adaptation. 

“A declaration of a national disaster is important to ensure that there are significant resources available to conduct the science that is desperately needed and support the communities and industries that are bearing the brunt of this crisis.

“Our fishing and tourism industries are being decimated by this disaster. The scientists tell us that we could be facing another 18 months with this toxic algal bloom. To protect our important industries we need a proper support package.”

The Albanese Government is partnering with local businesses to create pathways for women to enter traditionally male-dominated industries, with the launch of the EmpowerHer Pathways: See what you can be project.

The project is part of the Building Women’s Careers (BWC) program and will be delivered in partnership with the Network for Educational Workplacements,

EmpowerHer will work with industry partners to create gender-inclusive opportunities in the renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction and technology sectors in the Hunter region.

Women currently make up less than 8% of all female apprentices in male-dominated trades. Fewer than one third of apprentices in all trades are women.

EmpowerHer Pathways will promote non-traditional career paths for women, particularly school leavers and marginalised groups, by addressing real and perceived gender and industry specific barriers, by:

• implementing workplace policies that encourage take-up of flexible hours and parental leave arrangements
• creating a mentoring network to support women’s entry, retention and career advancement in these fields
• establishing a continuous feedback loop to gather data on participation rates, training completions and employment retention to support ongoing evaluation and sustainability.

The project will access existing networks through a partnership with the Aboriginal Advancement Alliance, AGL Macquarie, Ampcontrol, Gamuda Berhad and John Holland, Hunter Multicultural Communities, Muswellbrook Shire Could, Regional Development Australian, Singleton Council and TAFE NSW.

The BWC program, funded under the $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia package, is delivering 20 partnership projects that address barriers for women entering, remaining and advancing in the traditionally male-dominated industries of construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital and technology.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth:

“Ensuring women have access to equal career opportunities in all industries and sectors is part of our commitment to closing the gender gap and addressing our current skills shortage.

“Through the EmpowerHer project, we are actively addressing the very real gender and geographic barriers impacting women from entering these sectors and introducing new pathways that make workplaces safer and more equitable.”

Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“We understand that you can’t be what you can’t see, and this project will focus on reaching women in the Hunter at a grassroots level.

“The EmpowerHer project is taking a holistic approach at attracting and retaining new staff, through direct policies, workplaces mentors and partnerships and increasing training and participation.

“By working in partnership with industry stakeholders across construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital and technology – we are working to ensure industry barriers are addressed from all angles.”

Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon:

“This project isn’t just about getting women through the door – it’s about ensuring they are celebrated and seen as leaders in these fields.

“We know that diversity drives innovation and strengthens workplaces, and EmpowerHer Pathways will help ensure that women gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive.

“As someone who’s long championed gender equality, I’m incredibly proud to see this project take flight.”

The Albanese Government is investing up to $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s air defence and aerial strike capability. 

These AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 missiles can precisely strike targets at extended range, providing a significant deterrence to potential adversaries. Enhancing the ADF’s strike capability is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. 

The AIM-120D-3 variant is a supersonic air-launched tactical missile, used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft as well as the F-35A Lightning II aircraft. It is designed to counter threats at extended ranges.

The AIM-120C-8 variant is launched using the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), and is being brought into service by the Army’s new 10^th Brigade and will significantly boost ground-to-air capability against aerial targets. 

The Albanese Government is acquiring these missiles through the United States Government’s Foreign Military Sales Program. 

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This is a major investment in the security of our nation and underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.

“The ADF’s credible strike and long-range capabilities support our strategy of denial, which aims to deter any conflict before it begins.

“These additional missiles will help to ensure the ADF’s ability to protect Australians against aerial threats.”

Today, I announce the recipients of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) grants program for 2024-25.

Every year, the Council awards grants to projects that enhance Australia’s economic, cultural and social relations with the Middle East and North Africa region. Projects are focused on priority sectors, including innovation and sustainability, health and sport, social cohesion and gender equality, and arts, media and culture.

They also showcase Australian excellence and expertise.

Following a competitive grants process, eight projects will receive a share of funding. These include:

1. Producing the world’s first online Arabic-language antenatal education series, presented by clinicians in Australia, to be a resource for Arabic-speaking families across the world.
2. Boosting clean energy adoption in Jordan’s rural municipalities by applying modern construction methods, upskilling professionals, and facilitating knowledge-sharing between industry experts.
3. Promoting swim safety and aquatic education in Arab nations, facilitated by Australian swim coaches and teachers.
4. Bringing together young female Sport for Development leaders from Arab nations and Australia to cultivate leadership skills and foster global sports diplomacy and collaboration.

More information about CAAR and the grants program can be found on the CAAR Website.

The Minns Labor Government are set to deliver 185 new homes in Kingsford including at least 50 per cent for social and affordable housing, thanks to the finalisation of a rezoning on Bunnerong Road.

This is the first project in metropolitan Sydney to be approved under our Social and Affordable Housing program rezoning pathway.

The approval has amended the Randwick Local Environment Plan to increase the floor space and height limits and enable the delivery of more well-located homes for families, essential workers, students and people in need.

The new homes will be well-located within walking distance of Kingsford town centre, light rail and bus services, the University of New South Wales, local schools, and open space.

The 8-storey development will replace eight existing three-storey buildings owned by Homes NSW that were constructed in the 1940s and are no longer fit for purpose.

The Social and Affordable Housing program aims to accelerate planning approvals for the NSW Government’s housing agencies, such as Homes NSW and Landcom, so more homes can be built quicker.

Homes NSW has worked closely with Randwick City Council, along with current residents and the local community during the planning phase of this redevelopment.

The proposal was progressed as a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal (SARP) through the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s (DPHI) Rezoning Pathways for Social and Affordable Housing. This is the first proposal to be approved under the pathway with another 4 in the pipeline which would deliver 3300 homes.

DPHI exhibited the Explanation of Intended Effect and supporting documentation from 16 December 2024 to 4 February 2025.  For more information, view the Finalisation Report on the NSW Planning Portal.

Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Ryan Park said:

“The Minns Labor Government has made the delivery of more social and affordable homes a major part of increasing housing supply throughout the state.

“This approval is another example of the Social and Affordable Housing program rezoning pathway working as intended, so that we can deliver more homes for families, essential works and people in need in well located areas.

“Projects like this are vital to bringing housing choice back to Sydney and keeping young people of all income levels in our city and in their communities.”  

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“For too long, good housing projects have been held back by planning delays and local opposition. We’re changing that and getting on with delivering the homes people need.”

“We’re not going to let a vocal minority stand in the way of a more affordable, inclusive Sydney. The Minns Labor Government is backing in reform and getting it done.”

“This is what taking action on the housing crisis looks like, building homes for the people of NSW and not letting NIMBYs hold us back.

The Albanese Government is investing up to $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s air defence and aerial strike capability. 

These AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 missiles can precisely strike targets at extended range, providing a significant deterrence to potential adversaries. Enhancing the ADF’s strike capability is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. 

The AIM-120D-3 variant is a supersonic air-launched tactical missile, used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft as well as the F-35A Lightning II aircraft. It is designed to counter threats at extended ranges.

The AIM-120C-8 variant is launched using the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), and is being brought into service by the Army’s new 10^th Brigade and will significantly boost ground-to-air capability against aerial targets. 

The Albanese Government is acquiring these missiles through the United States Government’s Foreign Military Sales Program. 

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This is a major investment in the security of our nation and underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.

“The ADF’s credible strike and long-range capabilities support our strategy of denial, which aims to deter any conflict before it begins.

“These additional missiles will help to ensure the ADF’s ability to protect Australians against aerial threats.”

Recognising that Türkiye’s bid for COP 31 remains active under the UNFCCC’s consensus rules, the Greens call on Labor to engage constructively with the Turkish government in a cooperative dialogue to secure a successful COP 31 in Adelaide.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Senator for South Australia and Spokesperson for the Environment:

“Australia needs to talk turkey with Türkiye. It’s time for both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to flex some diplomatic muscle if we are to secure the world’s premier climate conference right here in South Australia. 

“A successful COP 31 in Adelaide will be a defining moment for climate justice in Australia and the world, but only if it is underpinned by genuine cooperation, ambition, and real-world outcomes.

“A stand-off over COP hosting rights won’t secure the conference and certainly won’t stop the climate crisis.

“To avoid further delays that threaten Adelaide’s logistical preparations, the Prime Minister must engage constructively with President Erdoğan to get past the deadlock.

“The opportunity to host COP 31 in Adelaide is more than a state-defining moment, it must be an act of genuine leadership as a hard deadline for stopping new polluting coal and gas projects and end the $12 billion per year in taxpayer funded subsidies to the fossil fuel industry.

“It is also an opportunity for Australia to listen to our Pacific neighbours’ calls for no new coal and gas projects, and support island nations to manage the devastating impacts of climate change.

“South Australia leads the charge in the transition to renewable energy, however, the transition is made harder and harder while the federal government continues to sign off on new mines and extend gas fields to 2070. This hypocrisy will undermine any bid for a genuine ‘Pacific COP’.

“Australia cannot lecture the world on climate action if it won’t stop fuelling the fire. If the Prime Minister secures COP 31, he must also secure real, measurable commitments both at home and in partnership with Pacific to meet the urgency the climate emergency demands.”

The Greens say new early childhood education and care safety measures, announced by both state and federal governments this week, fall far short of what’s needed — a national, independent watchdog with real power to keep children safe.

This week’s horrifying abuse allegations in Victorian childcare centres have once again exposed a system in crisis. The time for piecemeal, reactive measures is over. What’s needed is a regulator with the authority to enforce safety standards, and drive sector-wide reform. The Greens have already put forward a fully costed plan to establish this national body earlier this year. 

Senator Steph Hodgins-May is urging the government to work with the Greens to deliver this real reform to early childhood education when parliament resumes in 2.5 weeks.

Earlier this week, the Greens called for a Royal Commission into the safety and quality of early childhood education and care. The Government, to date, has dismissed these calls.

Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“Following this week’s horrifying reports which laid bare serious failings by the early learning system, we’re reiterating our call for a national watchdog with teeth to keep our kids safe.

“This independent watchdog would enforce quality standards, act swiftly on safety breaches, and drive a shift toward universal, high-quality care — not just retrospective patch-ups.

“Families are feeling anxious and are counting on us to act now. Reactive band-aid solutions won’t keep children safe or move us towards the child-centred system we need for the future. 

“The Greens have a costed plan to establish this national regulator, and we’re ready to get to work with the Government to deliver this urgent reform before the end of the year.”

Treasury must consider all the recommendations of two recent parliamentary inquiries before it takes action to regulate the Big 4 consulting firms according to Greens Finance and Public Service spokesperson Barbara Pocock.

The two inquiries made 52 recommendations between them which were agreed by Labor, the Liberals and the Greens giving the government a green light for root and branch reform across the accounting and consulting sector.

Senator Barbara Pocock:

“The question this government has to answer is ‘Can the Big 4 be trusted to govern themselves?’ and let me tell you, after sitting on two parliamentary inquiries brought on by massive governance and ethical failures at PwC, the answer is emphatically no.

“We’ve yet to see the detail of Treasury’s proposals but we have put a raft of recommendations on the table aimed at regulating the big accounting and consulting firms. These firms look and act like multinational corporations but they hide behind unaccountable partnership structures avoiding the scrutiny of our corporate watchdog.

“One key recommendation I made urged the government to reduce the cap on partner numbers from 1000 down to 100 partners. This number recognises the workable size of a genuine partnership and would force firms with more than 100 partners to incorporate under ASIC. It was also recommended that corporate reporting requirements be extended to cover partnerships as well as corporations.

“For those not paying attention, we have an audit crisis in this country with up to 60% of audits reviewed by ASIC in 2022, called into question. Deloitte and KPMG suffered a drastic decline in audit quality that year with the regulator calling for concerted action from both firms to lift their game.

“This is a sector that is not performing well and our business community is not being well served by the current regulatory regime. I look forward to seeing the detail of Treasury’s proposals and I urge the government to consider all the recommendations of both recent parliamentary inquiries into this sector.”