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The Greens welcome the abolition of ParentsNext and congratulate all the advocates and parents who have won this hard-fought battle. 

The Greens have been calling on the federal government to abolish ParentsNext for years, and while this is a positive step, Labor has flagged a new co-designed program set to replace ParentsNext. The devil will be in the details, and the Greens call on Labor to commit to a transparent co-design process.

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Social Services, said: 

“The co-design process must be transparent and lead by affected parents.

“Though a welcome announcement, it’s yet another example of Labor tinkering around the edges ahead of a budget that will likely do nothing for the vast majority of people on Centrelink payments or single parents. 

“Mutual obligations are punitive and coercive for everyone on income support, not only parents with kids under 6. Jobseeker and all Centrelink payments are woefully inadequate, not just for people on Jobseeker that are over 55. 

“No one deserves poverty. That’s true whether you’re 20 or 60, a parent or childless, a renter or student or living with a disability. No one. 

“Labor is spending $368 billion on nuclear submarines and $254 billion on tax cuts for the rich.

“Budgets are about choices. Instead of doubling down on leaving people without heating or food or medicines as they struggle to pay the rent, Labor can choose differently.

“Labor must axe the Stage 3 tax cuts, end punitive mutual obligations, and raise all Centrelink payments above the poverty line.”

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, said:

“Around 95 per cent of ParentsNext participants are women, and this program has been allowed to punish and stigmatise them since its introduction in 2018 – which the Greens tried to disallow at the time.

“Rather than supporting women to get back to work, ParentsNext often meant women had to skip paid work, endure stress and stigma, and were left unable to feed their kids when their payments were cut. It should never have been approved and we’re glad to see the back of it.

“The Government must now deliver on all of the recommendations of its Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, including restoring support to single parents until their youngest turns 16.

“The upcoming budget must fully reverse the Gillard government’s shameful decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8, not tinker around the edges with a lift to 13 or 14.

“Budget savings should never have been made by pushing people into poverty. If Labor are serious about taking a gendered lens to this budget, they could start by scrapping the Stage 3 tax cuts, which mostly benefit rich men, so we could fund things that will actually help the people who need it.

The Greens have responded to reports that the government’s planned changes to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax will increase revenue by only $3B over the next four years.

Comments from Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim:

“Labor’s changes to the PRRT look like they have been designed by the gas industry.”

“Labor is still raising more from student debt increases than they are from gas giants.”

“Under Labor’s minimalist reforms, the increase in student debt will still be higher than the total PRRT.”

“The Greens have proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the PRRT that would collect almost ten times as much additional revenue than Labor’s fiddling at the margins.”

“By introducing a baseline 10% royalty, wiping out accumulated deductions and applying a conventional depreciation schedule to PRRT expenses, the Greens plans would net an additional $29B over the next four years and an additional $94B over the decade.”

Comments from Greens spokesperson for Resources and First Nations, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox:

“We all heard Woodside’s Meg O’Neill warn the government about tax ‘overreach’ during her Press Club address, but Jim Chalmers must have pretty short arms if this is considered overreach.”

“Australian taxpayers expect transparency and integrity in parliament not the insidiousness of state capture becoming standard practice.”

“These fossil fuel companies need to pay their fair share, so the government can properly invest in housing, healthcare, and take real action on the climate crisis that these companies are accelerating.”

“Considering there’s $284B in unclaimed tax deductions that gas giants have accumulated under the PRRT, the Treasurer prying only $3 billion from them is a pitiful drop in the ocean.”

“You know the PRRT is utterly broken when Woodside and Santos are set to record massive profits in the next financial year.” 

“How much longer will the Albanese Government continue to allow mining companies to take resources that don’t belong to them, for free, and sell them off for unimaginably large profits, when the money raised from PRRT could address the cost of living crisis impacting everyday Australians?”

The Australian Greens have announced Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi as their new spokesperson on the Republic.

Senator Faruqi has criticised Prime Minister Albanese for his decision to attend King Charles’ coronation and pledge allegiance to the new monarch.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The only reason Prime Minister Albanese should be going to the UK to meet King Charles is to tell him that we are finally cutting the apron strings. 

“Now would be the perfect time to double down on becoming a republic, but instead the Prime Minister is swearing loyalty to an outdated institution. 

“During a brutal cost of living and housing crisis, it is disgusting that the Prime Minister has made it a priority to fly to the UK to bask in the excesses, pomp and pageantry of an institution so out of touch with everyday people. 

“The British Monarchy and their obscene wealth is a racist, colonial institution built on the blood, backs and stolen wealth of brown and black people. The violent legacies of British colonialism are felt by people and countries all over the globe, including here in Australia, a nation born of dispossession and violence.

“More and more of us are waking up to the historic crimes of the British Royal Family and wanting to cut ties with the British Monarchy. But while nations like Barbados are becoming a republic and speaking truth about empire, the Prime Minister is taking us backwards with his cringeworthy behaviour.

“Pledging allegiance to the head of another country is woeful. We should have an Australian head of state.

“Becoming a republic is an important step towards achieving racial justice on this continent. Moving to a republic has to be done hand in hand with truth-telling and Treaty for First Nations people.

“Prime Minister Albanese’s tepid commitment to the republic movement is yet another example of Labor trying to have it both ways.”

Today I am pleased welcome Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, to Adelaide for the fifth Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM).

I was born in Malaysia, and as Australia’s Foreign Minister it is a privilege to host the AFMM in my hometown of Adelaide. Australia is a multicultural and diverse nation, home to more than 172,000 Malaysian born people.

Australia and Malaysia are close friends and partners. Our strong partnership is grounded in a shared history of friendship and cooperation, and people to people ties.

The AFMM provides an opportunity to enhance bilateral engagement under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes advancing our trade and investment, green economy, education, and science and innovation ties, and our cooperation on defence and regional security, including under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

I look forward to building on the discussions I had with Foreign Minister Zambry in Kuala Lumpur in February. We share an interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to support ASEAN’s vital contribution to regional peace and security.

This is the first time the AFMM has been held in Adelaide. Foreign Minister Zambry’s visit coincides with celebrations to mark 50 years of sister city relations between Adelaide and George Town, Penang.

The Australian Government will provide an initial $6 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the conflict in Sudan.

Australia’s assistance includes $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide immediate relief including medical supplies, food, water and sanitation, emergency shelter and protection for the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis.

A further $5 million will be provided to Australia’s international partners delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance in the region.

We are deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction that is taking place in Sudan. We call on all parties to agree to a permanent cessation of hostilities.

A negotiated solution is the only path forward for the people of Sudan.

The conflict has exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which was already suffering high levels of food insecurity with large numbers of displaced people.

We urge all parties to the conflict to uphold international law and protect civilians, including health and humanitarian aid workers.

It is essential that humanitarian agencies are given safe access to deliver life-saving assistance to the people of Sudan.

The Australian Government extends its deepest condolences to the people of Sudan, and the Australian-Sudanese community.

Australians in Sudan are advised to register with DFAT through DFAT Crisis Portal Registration.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

One Nation has surveyed Central and North Queenslanders, and the results are in – 82.9% of people in those areas support a crocodile cull.  

Crocodile numbers are on the rise in Queensland, Australia, and they are posing a “greater risk to the community,” according to Senator Pauline Hanson. Joining the chorus of voices calling for a cull of the reptilian predators, Senator Hanson said that while the species were protected, their numbers were increasing, and the animals were being found far away from their usual habitats. She also said that the first responsibility of any government is to keep the community safe and that every other consideration is secondary to this priority. 

An “overwhelming” number of central and north Queenslanders, four out of five people, support the idea of a cull, according to a survey undertaken by One Nation. This follows a fatal Croc attack that claimed the life of Laura Publican Kevin Darmody in Cape York over the weekend. 

Polling undertaken by One Nation on Tuesday found that 82.9 per cent of people surveyed in an SMS poll in the electorate of Mirani backed a cull, and 2,700 people surveyed in a telephone poll in the electorate of Hinchinbrook. Respondents were asked if they supported “recent community calls for a crocodile cull in your area.”  

Senator Hanson said saltwater crocodiles had been a protected species in Queensland since they were listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act (1992). “Since then, their numbers have increased, which could pose a greater risk to the Queensland community,” she said. “There is strong community support backing a reduction of crocodile numbers in Queensland.” 

State government data showed 115 sightings in the past 30 days alone and 452 since January 1. A Department of Environment spokesman earlier this week said an independent committee of experts had endorsed Queensland as having a world-leading crocodile management program that was highly effective in reducing public safety risks while conserving wild populations. 

One Nation asks, who are these experts, and do they care if these predators take Queenslanders at an alarming rate? How long will it take for Labor to fix this crisis?  

While crocodiles are an essential part of the ecosystem, balancing their protection with the community’s safety is vital. A cull may be necessary to reduce crocodile numbers and minimize the risk of attacks on humans. However, it is also essential to ensure that any cull is carried out humanely and that it does not endanger the species’ survival in the long term.  

During his visit to the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced 31 May as the date of entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA), following the expected completion of UK domestic processes.

The gold-standard trade agreement will deliver unprecedented benefits to Australian businesses and create new well-paying jobs. With the entry into force of this comprehensive agreement, there will be no tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UK, opening up new export opportunities, including for the agriculture sector. This includes Australian exports of wine, short- and medium-grain rice, honey, nuts, and manufactured products such as auto parts, electrical equipment, and cosmetic products.

For some agricultural products like beef, sheep meat, dairy and sugar, Australia will have access to expanding tariff quota volumes – within 10 years these tariff quotas will be eliminated completely.

Savings of approximately $200 million a year will be made as tariffs on imports from the UK are eliminated. After five years, all UK imports will enter Australia duty free, helping ease cost-of-living pressures for households and input costs for Australian business.

On services exports worth $4.4 billion in 2021-22, the deal includes commitments on the movement of business people, making it easier to do business in the UK market.

The FTA also provides a framework for professional bodies to agree to streamline licensing processes to facilitate the movement of qualified professionals between Australia and the UK. This outcome will help address the skills shortage in Australia.

Within two years of entry into force, Australians will be able to apply for working holidays in the UK to the age of 35, up from 30, and stay for a maximum of three years instead of two.

Digital trade rules under the A-UKFTA will provide greater certainty and facilitate trade for Australian businesses looking to grow their digital footprint in the UK.

The deal includes strong commitments on the environment, including climate change, and labour. The trade agreement will preserve the right of the Australian Government to regulate in the public interest, including for the environment, education, and health. Importantly, there is no Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism.

For A-UKFTA tariff outcomes, see the FTA Portal.
For further information on the A-UKFTA, see the DFAT website.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“This agreement will deliver significant benefits to Australian exporters, consumers, workers, and our economy more broadly.”

“The Australia-UK FTA represents one of the most comprehensive, innovative and ambitious free trade agreements concluded by Australia to date and strengthens an already close relationship between Australia and the UK.”

the Minister for Trade and Tourism said:

“Our trade agreement with the UK will significantly reduce costs for exporters and assist Australian businesses seeking to diversify trade to a wider range of overseas markets.”

“This agreement will underpin and deepen the already strong bilateral investment relationship with our second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Australia.”

“This deal establishes procedures for artists, including First Nations peoples, to receive royalties when their artworks are resold in the UK.”

The Albanese Government will legislate a national Net Zero Authority to ensure the workers, industries and communities that have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of Australia’s net zero transformation.

The Authority will have responsibility for promoting the orderly and positive economic transformation associated with achieving net zero emissions.

The global transformation to a net zero economy is a massive source of economic opportunity for Australia, its regions, industries and workers.

The previous LNP Government put its head in the sand for a decade and ignored the pleas of communities, unions and business for coordination and support through this massive change.

In contrast, the Albanese Government is acting to capitalise on our potential as a renewable energy superpower.

The new legislated Net Zero Authority will:

1. Support workers in emissions-intensive sectors to access new employment, skills and support as the net zero transformation continues.
2. Coordinate programs and policies across government to support regions and communities to attract and take advantage of new clean energy industries and set those industries up for success.
3. Help investors and companies to engage with net zero transformation opportunities.

To kickstart the Authority’s responsibilities immediately, the Government will recommend to the Governor-General the establishment of an Executive Agency from July 1 this year.

Initially housed in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Agency will also develop advice to Government on the final design and establishment of the legislated national Net Zero Authority.

The Authority will work with state, territory and local governments, existing regional bodies, unions, industry, investors and First Nations groups to help key regions, industries, employers and others proactively manage the transformation to a clean energy economy.

The Government will also provide additional funding from the $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund to support existing industry – including rail and aviation – and new clean energy industries, with the creation of a $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream.

Over 150 countries have now committed to net zero by 2050, including almost all major economies and the majority of Australia’s trading partners. With renewable energy the cheapest form of new energy, investor interest in Australian industries is following these trends.

The shift to net zero emissions by 2050 must happen fairly for Australians in emissions-intensive industries and the communities they live and work in.

The regions that have always powered Australia can power Australia into the future, but we need to seize those opportunities. This Authority is about leaving no-one behind as this global shift continues.