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Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison, will today welcome 25 new citizens to the local community as part of Maitland’s Australia Day commemorations. They join thousands of people across the country who will become Australian citizens today.

The ceremony, being held at Maitland’s iconic Town Hall, will mark an important milestone for new Australians who have chosen Maitland as their home, celebrating inclusion, respect and a shared responsibility for the future of the community.

Australia Day citizenship ceremonies bring together people from all over the world, alongside those fortunate enough to have been born in Australia, to reflect on the values that underpin the nation and the contribution each person makes to their local community.

Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:

One of the most enjoyable and humbling parts of my role as the local Member is being part of our citizenship ceremonies.”

Today we stand together with people from all corners of the world who have chosen to make Australia, and Maitland, their home.”

Australia has often been called the Lucky Country, but what truly makes us lucky is the people who live here and the way we look out for one another.”

Becoming an Australian citizen is a proud milestone for individuals and their families, and it strengthens our whole community.”

Our newest citizens bring with them skills, experiences and stories that enrich Maitland and help shape our shared future.”

Maitland is a community that shows up for each other in good times and challenging times.”

That spirit of care, resilience and contribution is what defines us, and it is what our newest citizens are now part of.”

The Albanese Government will recommend to the Governor-General that Mr Greg Moriarty AO be Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.

Mr Moriarty is uniquely experienced to take forward the Australia-US alliance. He has unsurpassed credentials across Australia’s international policy from his senior roles in the Australian Public Service, including Secretary of the Department of Defence since 2017.

Mr Moriarty has served overseas in a number of posts, including in the Headquarters of the United States Central Command in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He was Ambassador to Indonesia from 2010-2014 and Ambassador to Iran from 2005-2008. Earlier he served in Papua New Guinea, and as Senior Negotiator of the Peace Monitoring Group on Bougainville.

In 2015, Mr Moriarty was appointed as Australia’s inaugural Counter Terrorism Coordinator in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Moriarty has held senior positions in the Office of the Prime Minister, as International and National Security Adviser, and later as Chief of Staff, to then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

At the Department of Defence, Mr Moriarty has overseen an historic increase in the Defence budget under the Albanese Government, as well as the implementation of the National Defence Strategy in response to the Defence Strategic Review.

He has also led the Department working with counterparts in the United States and the United Kingdom in the development and implementation of AUKUS.

We again thank the Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC for his service.

The first of four MC-55A Peregrine – Australia’s inaugural airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) aircraft – has arrived, marking a major milestone in strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence capability.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the first MC-55A arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, late last week. Modelled on the Gulfstream G550 airframe and extensively enhanced by L3Harris Technologies, the MC-55A is a long-range, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft designed to deliver multiple sources of intelligence in support of Defence operations.

This advanced capability reinforces Australia’s national defence posture and contributes to deterrence. Integrated within a focused and agile force, the MC-55A ensures the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is ready to detect, disrupt, deter, and if necessary defeat threats – underpinning the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) commitment to readiness and resilience.

The MC-55A will be a key component of Australia’s broader ISR enterprise, complementing platforms such as the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton, and forming a critical link in the nation’s sovereign network of surveillance and electronic warfare assets.

Operated by Number 10 Squadron, the MC-55A Peregrine will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP:

“The introduction of the MC-55A Peregrine represents a significant step forward in strengthening Australia’s ability to monitor and protect its strategic interests, including key maritime approaches.

“This capability will integrate seamlessly with allied and partner systems, enabling the Air Force and ADF to share intelligence with security partners like the United Kingdom and United States – reinforcing our collective security and enhancing regional stability.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP:

“This investment strengthens Australia’s sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and electronic warfare capability and ensures our Defence Force is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.”

the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM: 

“The introduction of the MC-55A to Air Force’s fleet will ensure we have a critical enabler for advanced ADF capabilities and, as identified in the 2024 Integrated Investment Program, provide important intelligence information to support ADF missions.  

“The MC-55A Peregrine is more than an aircraft—it is a strategic capability that reinforces our ability to protect national interests in an increasingly complex security environment.”

More than $17 million has been allocated to 44 Australian businesses in the latest rounds of the Defence Industry Development Grants (DIDG) program.

This new round brings the current total grant allocation to more than $51 million awarded through the program to date across four delivery streams: Exports, Skilling, Security and Sovereign Industrial Priorities.

The DIDG program represents a total investment of $170 million. This demonstrates Australia’s commitment to expanding and modernising our sovereign defence industrial base – a key priority of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and National Defence Strategy.

Through the program, defence industry businesses across the country will expand export opportunities and improve global competitiveness. They will strengthen cyber, physical and personnel security to meet Defence standards and deliver technical training to grow Australia’s skilled defence workforce.  

This latest round of grants will also continue to drive investment in advanced manufacturing; aligned with sovereign defence priorities such as submarines, aerospace, guided weapons, explosive ordnance and advanced technologies.

The grants include eight projects funded by the Australian Submarine Agency, totalling $2.9 million; to support the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program. This will help build a strong, sovereign submarine enterprise, critical for Australia’s National Defence in the decades to come.

The DIDG program continues to provide matching grants of up to 50 per cent to eligible Australian defence suppliers, with applications open year-round until 2028.

For more information visit: Defence Industry Development Grants Program | Business & Industry | Defence

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“We’re backing Australian businesses, Australian workers and Australian innovation to deliver the capabilities the Australian Defence Force (ADF) needs.

“These new grants will help local companies scale up, modernise and grow, ensuring our nation has the industrial strength and skills base to meet future challenges.

“Every one of these projects contributes to a stronger, more resilient and sovereign defence industry – creating jobs, driving innovation, and building a future made in Australia.”

The latest grant recipients (by stream) include: 

Sovereign Industrial Priorities Stream

·        Australian Textile Group (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to acquire a high-performance stenter for precision textile finishing of fabrics used in ADF combat uniforms and personal protective equipment.

·        Catten Industries (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to procure automated laser cutting machine and fibre laser welding systems to enhance the supply into armoured vehicle and naval defence programs, particularly the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and components for naval valve systems to be delivered under the AUKUS program.

·        DVR Engineering (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to procure a 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machining centre to enhance the supply into AS9 Huntsman SPH and AS21 Redback IFV vehicles.

·        Franmarine (WA) will receive $1,000,000 to commission a mobile underwater sustainment system to enable critical underwater submarine maintenance and sustainment.

·        GPC Electronics (NSW) will receive $1,000,000 to acquire an electronic component testing capability to support the production of printed circuit assemblies (PCAs) for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile program and other Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) subassembly supply chains.

·        Prestige Precision Tools (Qld) will receive $1,000,000 to establish the manufacturing capability for high-precision carbide tooling inserts, delivering tooling solutions that meet the stringent requirements of platforms such as the Joint Strike Fighter and other advanced weapons systems.

·        Van Munster Boats (NSW) will receive $969,084 to procure specialised composites manufacturing equipment to support the production of Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels for autonomous maritime surveillance. 

·        Rivierra (Vic) will receive $998,568 to procure a CNC vertical machining centre and a multitasking CNC lathe to enhance the manufacture of entrenching tools.

·        Rosebank Engineering (Vic) will receive $781,739 to establish a state-of-the-art cold spray facility supported by advanced robotic control and precision part manipulation to support surface and sub-surface vessels and future AUKUS class submarines.

·        Levett Engineering (SA) will receive $766,551 to procure a 5-axis CNC machine to enhance the fabrication of complex aluminium components for guided weapons, explosive ordnance and munitions.

·        Stella Engineering (NSW) will receive $650,158 to acquire capital equipment to commission advanced anodising capability for multiple high-value suppliers within the defence sector.

·        Airspeed (SA) will receive $599,118 to procure a 5-axis CNC machine to enhance manufacturing processes and achieve a higher production rate for the skirts of carbon fibre solid rocket motor cases in support of the GWEO program. 

·        Benelec (NSW) will receive $503,222 to establish an RF antenna testing laboratory to enable development and verification of advanced mesh radio systems, uncrewed systems, counter-uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare antennas. 

·        Alsop Engineering (NSW) will receive $502,774 to procure a CNC turning centre and a 5-axis vertical machining centre to increase production capacity, precision, and supply chain responsiveness across key Defence programs, particularly Ghost Shark and the Young Endeavour reconstruction. 

·        Advanced Navigation (NSW) will receive $499,129 to acquire and integrate a new dual-axis inertial sensor calibration system to enable next-generation Defence solutions for long range autonomous navigation platforms and precision guided munitions. 

·        Australian Steel (Vic) will receive $472,449 to procure a CNC cutting machine and robotic handling systems to enhance the manufacturing capability of critical specialised steels for multiple platforms, principally the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle the Hunter class frigate. 

·        MCHND (SA) will receive $400,000 to procure a CNC 5-axis machine to enhance the manufacturing of faceplates for Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles and components for Defence’s passive radar systems. 

·        Craig International Ballistic (Qld) will receive $263,663 to acquire an automated polyurea coating system for defence armour and vehicle protection, and for future applications in the naval and land ballistic composite panel manufacture. 

·        Applied Measurements Australia (Vic) will receive $250,196 to procure a laser welding table and testing and calibration instrumentation for the manufacture of pressure transducers to support the Collins Class life of type extension and future AUKUS submarines.

·        Global Welding Technologies Group (SA) will receive $226,471 to establish an advanced welding manufacturing and training centre designed for industrial-grade manual and robotic welding applications, to support shipbuilding capabilities including the Hunter-class frigates and future AUKUS submarines.

·        Jack Thompson Engineering (Vic) will receive $154,841 to procure a coordinate-measuring machine and supporting equipment to establish a precision quality assurance and certifying capability of steel plate for the AUKUS program.

·        Ballistic and Mechanical Testing (Vic) will receive $50,519 to acquire and commission an advanced optical system to enhance its ballistic testing capabilities for armour solutions.

Exports stream

·        Cowan Manufacturing (NSW) will receive $250,000 to procure a fiber laser cutter to modernise the manufacture of recompression chambers used in diving and undersea operations.

·        HTA (Vic) will receive $250,000 to acquire and install a drop-bottom furnace to support heat treatment processes for land, air, and sea components that must meet stringent defence and aerospace standards.

·        Levett Engineering (SA) will receive $250,000 to procure a DMC75 monoBLOCK 3 pallet milling machine to manufacture precision components for export opportunities to the US and UK in several defence capability areas including the SSN AUKUS nuclear powered submarine program and repair and overhaul of components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

·        Nu Metric Manufacturing (SA) will receive $250,000 to acquire precision assembly equipment, including collaborative robotics and a high-precision portable measuring arm equipped with a laser scanner, for the assembly, automated inspection, and validation of aircraft components.

·        Thrust Maritime (Vic) will receive $167,831 to procure a 32 tonne gantry crane for manufacturing operations that involve the fabrication, assembly and testing of heavy components and systems used in submarine rescue and subsea infrastructure operations. 

·        Defendtex Research Labs (Vic) will receive $135,503 to acquire a selective laser sintering 3D printer for prototyping and producing military grade components used in autonomous vehicles, guided weapons and explosive ordnance munitions deployed by allied defence forces.

Skilling stream 

·        Quality Maritime Surveyors (SA) will receive $239,404 to upskill workforce in non-destructive testing to support critical requirements in submarine and ship sustainment activities.

·        Eptec Marine (NSW) will receive $140,600 to upskill its technicians in industrial coating application and inspection in line with defence standards recently adopted by US. 

·        Rosebank Engineering (Vic) will receive $67,891 to upskill its workforce in non-destructive testing, CAD/CAM programming, robotics, quality assurance, materials technology, explosives handling, IT proficiency.

·        Ocius Technology (NSW) will receive $48,667 to upskill technicians in systems engineering and maritime autonomy to sustain the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vehicle capability.

·        K39 Consulting (Qld) will receive $24,601 to upskill its workforce in specialist areas of explosive ordnance safety, sustainment logistics, and defence project delivery. 

·        Asset Reliability Inspections (WA) will receive $22,920 to develop its workforce in high-quality inspection services to support critical defence infrastructure. 

·        International Centre for Complex Project Management (ACT) will receive $22,896 to deliver a complex project leadership training course for Australian defence businesses.

·        Fusion Engineering Consulting Services (Vic) will receive $20,767 to enhance competencies of its technicians in the acceptance of printed boards, cables and harness assemblies.

·        C4I (Vic) will receive $5,845 to enhance critical workforce skills, ensuring voice communication solutions meet the evolving needs, operational environment, and mission requirements of the ADF.

·        JVAT Solutions (Vic) will receive $5,498 to develop key staff on systems engineering, hypersonic flight vehicle design, performance analysis and professional project management.

·        Shoal Group (SA) will receive $5,139 to develop workforce capability in formal project management, strengthening business performance and ensuring alignment with Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities.

Security stream 

·        Luminact (Vic) will receive $100,000 to uplift cybersecurity controls and enhance physical security to meet Defence security requirements.

·        Secure State Consultants (SA) will receive $100,000 to uplift cybersecurity controls to meet Defence security requirements. 

·        Stahl Metal (Vic) will receive $73,700 to uplift governance, physical and cybersecurity posture to meet Defence security requirements.

·        Danger Solutions (NSW) will receive $51,178 to uplift cybersecurity controls and enhance physical security to meet Defence security requirements.

·        Falcon (Vic) will receive $20,840 to uplift governance, physical and personnel security posture to meet Defence security requirements.

The Albanese Government is providing a further $10 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating as Russia continues systematic strikes on civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure.

Across Ukraine, families are enduring prolonged blackouts, freezing temperatures and major disruptions to basic services including hospitals as Russia intensifies attacks during one of Ukraine’s harshest winters.

Australia has stood firmly with Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion.

Since February 2022, we have provided more than $1.7 billion in important military, humanitarian, economic and energy assistance.

Today’s announcement brings Australia’s total contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to $40 million.

The Ukraine Energy Support Fund enables Ukraine’s energy sector to undertake urgent repairs and replacement of damaged equipment, helping restore electricity supply and maintain critical infrastructure.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“Russia is weaponising winter against the people of Ukraine.

“Russia’s continued strikes on homes and critical infrastructure shows it is not serious about ending the war, despite ongoing efforts by the United States and Coalition of the Willing partners to secure a just and lasting peace.

“We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately end its illegal war and adhere to its obligations under international law.”

International Development Minister Anne Aly:

“Ukrainian people continue to suffer at the hands of Russia’s illegal invasion.

“Australia’s additional support will provide power for Ukrainian families during the harshest winter since the invasion began – keeping the lights on, houses warm and basic services open.

“We continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty.”

Australia’s most unfair tax break is finally getting the scrutiny it deserves.

Across the country, people are working harder than ever and still falling behind. Rents keep rising, first-home buyers are locked out, and the cost of living eats away at any chance to get ahead. Meanwhile, big corporations and wealthy investors continue to do extraordinarily well, protected by tax settings that reward wealth over work.

Over the next month, a Greens-led Senate inquiry will hear evidence on the capital gains tax discount. For a Government that says it wants a fair go for working people and to tackle intergenerational inequality, this inquiry offers something rare in politics: a clear, responsible pathway to act.

The question is no longer whether the CGT discount is a problem, it’s whether the government chooses to do anything about it.

The discount is a textbook example of a system tilted toward the ultra-wealthy. It rewards speculation over work, and entrenches advantage for those who already own assets.

A worker earning their income through wages can pay roughly twice the tax of someone making the same amount through capital gains. Younger Australians face higher housing costs and heavier tax burdens, while wealth continues to accumulate at the top.
That outcome runs directly counter to Labor’s stated values.

The government’s own data shows how the benefits overwhelmingly favour older and wealthier Australians. An eye-watering 54% of the benefit flows to the top one per cent of income earners, and 75% of the benefit goes to people over 50. In the last year alone, $12.7 billion was handed to those already at the top. This is not a tax break that supports everyday Australians. It overwhelmingly favours the wealthiest and the oldest, while younger and poorer Australians receive next to nothing.

Labor cannot credibly say there is no money to help renters, ease cost-of-living pressures or invest in essential services, while continuing to hand out billions each year in tax breaks to wealthy property investors. Those two positions cannot sit together. 

Housing is where the damage is most visible. The capital gains tax discount pushes investor demand into existing homes, driving up prices and crowding out first home buyers. Around 92% of investor lending goes to existing housing rather than new supply. Winding back this concession would ease speculative pressure and give renters and first home buyers a fairer chance, without removing a single home from the market.

This issue goes to the heart of who the economy is designed to serve. 

Right now, the system makes it easier to buy a fifth property than a first. Renters are expected to absorb unlimited rent increases while property speculators receive generous tax concessions. That imbalance is not inevitable. It is the result of political choices.

Importantly, this is not uncharted territory. 

Reforming the capital gains tax discount is not untested or extreme. 

Economists from across the spectrum, former treasurers, banks and unions have all argued the current settings are too generous. Some support a return to inflation-adjusted capital gains. Others back a reduced discount. The common ground is clear. It’s time for change.

That is why this inquiry matters. We will use it to build the pressure needed to move Labor’s position. As the hearings unfold, the path forward will become increasingly obvious.

If Labor is serious about fairness, intergenerational equity and fixing the housing crisis, reforming the capital gains tax discount is not a radical shift.

This inquiry exists to put the evidence on the record and force an honest reckoning with the most unfair tax break in the country.

Today the focus must be on Jewish Australians, indeed all Australians, as we mourn the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack.

This is a National Day of Mourning and my responsibility as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party is to Australians in mourning.

I have grieved with the Bondi Chabad community and stood with them in their synagogues, their homes and at many funerals. I will again stand with them tonight at the Opera House, as we make clear that ‘Light Will Win’.