Australia-ASEAN Council Board appointments

Today, I announce the appointments of Professor Sango Mahanty, Ms Audra Morrice and Ms Hayley Winchcombe to the Australia-ASEAN Council.

The new appointments bring together Australians from a diverse range of backgrounds, each with different perspectives and experiences in Southeast Asia.

Professor Mahanty is a human geographer studying the politics of social and environmental change, and has vast environmental and development expertise in Southeast Asia. Her recent Australian Research Council Future Fellowship explored these themes along the Cambodia -Vietnam border, a region of rapid social and environmental change.

Ms Morrice is a chef, author and a television presenter, and has long been an advocate for forging cultural connections. She is an Ambassador with the Singapore Tourism Board and an Ambassador for Sustainable Gastronomic Tourism for the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

Ms Winchcombe will bring a wealth of experience as Chair of the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership; her appointment will ensure the next generation continue to forge long-lasting ties with the region. Ms Winchcombe is an Associate at Mandala, and was previously an economics, policy and business strategy consultant with Accenture Strategy.

I am pleased that University of Tasmania Professor Nicholas Farrelly will continue to serve on the board for another term. I thank the outgoing board member Ms Tamerlaine Beasley for her substantial contribution to the Council over the past six years.

The Australia-ASEAN Council generates opportunities to strengthen Australia’s connections with ASEAN member countries, comprising over 675 million people.

For more information visit the Australia-ASEAN Council.

CLIMATE TRIGGER NEEDED AMID CLIMATE COUNCIL REPORT & NEW COAL PROJECT APPROVAL

The Greens have today backed an expert report from the Climate Council calling for climate change to be a key objective in new environment laws, as Labor signs off approval for the new South Wambo coal project in NSW. The Greens have slammed the Government for approving more fossil fuel projects as we head into a hot dry summer.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“Another day, another new coal project approved by the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“The Greens welcome the Climate Council’s expert report today calling for climate change to be a key objective within our environment laws. That’s why we are calling on the Government to work with us on our Climate Trigger Bill currently before the parliament.

“Every time the Minister approves a new coal or gas project it makes the climate crisis worse. That means more frequent and extreme bushfires and extreme weather events.

“Coal and gas approvals wreck our River Murray and our Great Barrier Reef

“Australia’s environment laws are broken. We need laws that stop pollution from new coal and gas projects. The Labor government should work with the Greens to fix them with a Climate Trigger that would new stop coal and gas in its tracks.

“Minister Plibersek has one job as the Environment Minister, but rather than protecting the environment, she keeps giving green light to big coal and gas mines and making pollution worse.”

Labor funded lawfare blocks natural gas approvals

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald, said today’s Federal Court decision to overturn the regulator’s approval for a significant offshore natural gas project in Western Australia, was another example of Labor’s funding for green activists undermining Australia’s future prosperity.

Senator McDonald said that this Government’s failure to fix their broken offshore approvals process for natural gas, combined with their deliberate decision to fund green lawfare, has made their anti-gas agenda clear for all to see.

“The Government has sat on its hands and done nothing to resolve a known issue which has ground approvals for offshore development to a halt,” she said.

“The Prime Minister needs to apologise to the people of Western Australia for impeding investment and jobs in the west.

“Commonwealth funding for legal action to pick apart the Government’s own broken approvals regulations is a farce that will impact gas production and supply for both domestic manufacturing and energy firming as well as our international partners’ energy security.

“The Government claims it continues to support the gas industry, yet the millions it has spent on the Environmental Defenders Office will lead to more environmental legal activism, destabilising the industry and increasing Australia’s sovereign risk.

“The Government needs to come clean about how much taxpayer money has gone towards torpedoing the future production of Australian natural gas.”

Albanese government’s new attack on small business

The Albanese Government risks burdening Australian small businesses with more complexity and costs in their response to a review of the Privacy Act.

Shadow Attorney-General Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said: “It would be appalling but not surprising if Labor’s new privacy regime targets small businesses by imposing more complexity and costs at a time when they are already struggling.”

“The Government’s own paper acknowledges that privacy laws “disproportionately and unreasonably” burden small businesses – but it has decided to impose those burdens anyway,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We all want better protection for our information, but we’re talking about imposing a complex and difficult regulatory regime on hairdressers, nail salons and mechanics, and potentially making them pay civil penalties if they make a mistake,’’ Senator Cash said.

“The Government has agreed-in-principle that organisations must appoint a senior employee to be responsible for privacy within the entity. How is that going to work for a small business, like a nail salon or a mechanic?” she said.

“We are talking about changing the rules for how we deal with personal information. If we don’t get it right there are potential far-reaching consequences for businesses and families across the country,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We want to know the Government’s proposals will adequately protect Australians’ personal information without creating additional red tape for people who are just trying to get ahead,’’ Senator Cash said.

“This Government has an ambivalent, bordering on hostile attitude to small businesses. They keep hitting small business with complexity, confusion and costs on multiple fronts – just look at the proposed industrial relations laws” she said.

Statement on Army restructure

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) must be ready to defend Australia. They are the ones who are trained to fight and win our wars. The ADF has a vital mission, and failure is not an option.


To prevail in a crisis, the ADF need our support—from the Government, from the Parliament and from the Australian people. The ADF must have clarity from its elected leaders.

Clarity about the threats we face. Clarity about the national strategy. Clarity about the mission. Clarity about capabilities. Clarity about funding. Clarity about resolve. Yet, so far, we’ve seen little clarity from the Albanese government. Instead, we’ve seen dithering and indecision.

The Defence Strategic Review (DSR) painted a deteriorating strategic environment for Australia, yet the Albanese government response was underwhelming. There was no new money. Instead, there was cost-shifting. There was cannibalisation of capability. There were yet more reviews. The DSR hinted at a smaller, shrunken Australian army under Labor.

Today’s announcement about the relocation of Army units to Darwin, Townsville and Adelaide confirms that Labor intend to shrink and disperse the Australian Army. This will make us weaker.

We need to be investing in Army, our people, and combat power. Instead we are shrinking our land forces to one armoured brigade. That means we only have one hand to play in a high intensity conflict.

This decision disintegrates the Adelaide based 9th Brigade, through the redeployment of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) to Darwin and the removal and consolidation of personnel and armoured equipment to Townsville.

The shrinking of armour is a consequence of the cuts imposed by the Albanese Government to the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) program from 450 to 129. These cuts to Australian armour degrade our land power and weaken our ability to win the close fight. Only fools would rule out the use of armour in future ground wars, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. We ignore military history at our peril.

The Opposition recognises the strategic importance of Northern Australia. We acknowledge our deteriorating strategic circumstances—as we did in the former Coalition government—through the Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan of 2020. Which is why we disagree with this weak approach by Labor.

The Australian Army will be impacted by this decision. Our soldiers and their families will face serious disruptions to family life, schooling, local connections, networks and spousal employment. This will damage morale.

The ADF is struggling to recruit and retain people. It is clear that Labor has no plan for our personnel and their families. We have no details on how the move will be supported by additional housing and infrastructure, and the impact on the communities affected.

Questions that need to be answered include:

  • How will the Labor government recruit and retain people for Northern Australia?
  • What incentives will be offered for service in the north?
  • What is the plan to address the chronic housing shortage?
  • What additional funding will be needed for base upgrades?
  • What will the innovation and experimentation unit do?
  • How will we retain our armoured warfare expertise without tanks?

Without clear answers to these questions, we can expect to see higher separation rates from the ADF. In 2022, ADF numerical strength was 2.7% below guidance. In 2023, that shortfall is expected to double to 5.6% below guidance. We are meant to see the force grow to 62,000 people but under the Albanese Government real numbers will be 3,500 short.

Our people must come first. They are our greatest asset in national defence. Investing in Army, retaining and bolstering presence in our capital cities, and giving certainty to our serving families should be Labor’s focus.

Re-energised White Bay Power Station to open its doors and host 2024 Biennale of Sydney

Nearly 40 years after the lights were switched off at White Bay Power Station, the iconic building will once again energise Sydney – this time as an arts, cultural and community hub.

Starting with next year’s Biennale of Sydney, the White Bay Power Station will open its doors to the public with a program of short-term events and activations.

From March next year, the public will have the opportunity to explore this historic industrial masterpiece at the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

The Biennale of Sydney is one of the largest international contemporary art festivals, showcasing artists from NSW, Australia and across the globe. The first Biennale of Sydney was held in 1973, making the event one of the longest running of its kind.

White Bay Power Station will be the first location to open during the three-month Biennale of Sydney, taking place from 9 March until 10 June 2024.

The Biennale of Sydney will announce program highlights on 31 October 2023.

The reactivation of the former power station is the first big move in the urban renewal of Bays West.

Encompassing Rozelle Bay, White Bay and Glebe Island, the Bays West precinct is set to become an area of innovation and sustainability for living, working and recreation.

After decades of sitting derelict, the NSW Government, through Placemaking NSW, has undertaken extensive remediation and conservation works to make the state heritage listed building ready for the 21st century and beyond.

All works have been completed in line with the site’s Conservation Management Plan and the building is now at a stage where it can be repurposed as a space for the community to enjoy.

The community will be invited to have its say on the long-term use of the power station in coming months.

Find out more about White Bay Power Stationlaunch

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“White Bay Power Station is a unique site. It has as much potential to amaze and inspire global arts audiences as any settings for leading Biennales of the world from Venice to Sao Paolo – with free admission for all.

“The power that this site will now generate is that of creativity.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“White Bay Power Station was powering Sydney’s trams and dominating the harbour skyline long before the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House captured our attention.

“While planning is underway for its future use, we are taking this opportunity to let the community immerse themselves in the site, through a program of events and activations.”

Chief Executive of Placemaking NSW Anita Mitchell said:

“Placemaking NSW is delighted to have secured Biennale of Sydney as the first free public activation at the site.

“The opening of White Bay Power Station is the first step in the transformation of the Bays West precinct in line with the Bays West Place Strategy.”

Chief Executive Officer of Biennale of Sydney Barbara Moore said:

“We are presenting some of the best contemporary art from around the world and across Australia at the first major event at White Bay Power Station from 9 March to 10 June 2024. Admission is free.

“For 50 years, the Biennale of Sydney has brought people together to think and talk about the world we live in, infusing art into the very fabric of Sydney and rejuvenated public spaces across the city.”

Changes to Minns Government Ministry strengthens focus on skills, jobs and regions

NSW Premier Chris Minns today announced changes to the NSW Ministry that will boost the government’s focus on skills, domestic manufacturing and the importance of TAFE to regional NSW.

Former Minister in the previous Labor Government and Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, will today be sworn in as the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education.

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos MLC, will be sworn in to the new, additional portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement.

The changes to the ministry underscore the NSW Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and build the pipeline of skilled workers to drive productivity and jobs in NSW.

As part of the 2023–2024 Budget, the government has committed $9.8 billion to build new and upgraded schools and other educational facilities. The budget also included an additional $112.0 million to meet the TAFE funding shortfall and 1000 extra apprentices across the NSW Government by 2026 at a cost of $93.5 million.

The new portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement will drive the return to domestic manufacturing and building things here again, using government procurement power to boost local jobs.

The 2023–2024 Budget will kickstart this effort with $43 million for 7 new Australian-made Parramatta River Class ferries and $71.1 million to return Freshwater Class ferries to the Circular Quay-Manly route.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“The appointment of highly experienced former Minister Steve Whan to cabinet will ensure another strong voice for regional NSW at the centre of government.

“Steve has represented all communities, but particularly rural and regional NSW, with distinction throughout his career as a former Minister for Rural Affairs, Primary Industries, Emergency Services and Small Business.

“He will bring his considerable skills and experience to helping rebuild TAFE and the VET sector after decades of under-funding.

“As Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos has been critical to getting waste and debt under control and shaping a budget that will deliver for the people of NSW.

“I have asked Courtney to step into the highly important area of boosting domestic manufacturing and to end the exodus of jobs and ideas offshore.”

Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“From February 2011 to February 2023, NSW lost 71,000 manufacturing jobs.

“We need to build things here again and we need to build things that work. Around the globe, countries are focused on rebuilding their local capacity. This includes with direct spending through government procurement, but also getting the policy settings right to encourage broader investment.

“I am excited to be working with my new ministerial colleague, Steve Whan, on end-to-end policy and delivery solutions to boost skills, jobs and local manufacturing.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“I am honoured to be appointed to this important portfolio that is not just a key part of the delivery of education in NSW but is critical to the skills and jobs pipeline in our state.

“I know that across NSW, local TAFEs are an integral part of the fabric of regional communities.

“I want to be their champion and see those campuses and institutions get the respect, resourcing and prominence they deserve.”

M12 hits construction milestone as Western Sydney roads become budget spend focus

The toll-free M12 Motorway has passed a major construction milestone, with over a third of construction completed and groundwork underway on 14 of 17 bridges across the project.

The M12, which was recommended as a high priority project by Infrastructure Australia, forms part of a wider Western Sydney roads upgrade as the NSW Government gets on with the job of delivering the critical roads the community needs.

Co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, the motorway will link the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek to the wider Sydney motorway network, Elizabeth Drive and the Northern Road and open up a key future jobs zone for Sydney.

The next stage of work will focus on completing the majority of earthworks and pouring 52,000 tonnes of concrete.

Around 2000 locals from Liverpool and Penrith and 526 young people (under 25), are employed on the delivery of this project, many of who will have opportunities to keep working in the area as upgrades like Elizabeth Drive get underway.

The budget has prioritised new spending on vital arterial roads across Western Sydney, with a wider focus than the mega infrastructure projects and toll roads of the former government.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to infrastructure investment, with $29.1 billion to be spent over the coming 4 years.

Overall, the NSW Government will invest $2.4 billion in Western Sydney as a part of the Connecting Sydney Roads program to accommodate population and employment growth.

Almost $430 million is earmarked to be spent in 2023–24 alone.

Projects funded across Western Sydney will help ease traffic flow and improve journey times including to and from work, or the school run by fixing our local roads.

Metropolitan Roads projects by area:

Western Sydney Airport precinct

  • $200 million for Elizabeth Drive safety initiatives and corridor enabling works
  • $50 million for the Fifteenth Avenue Transit Corridor linking Bradfield and the Western Sydney International Airport to Liverpool
  • $106 million over 4 years towards the M7–M12 Integration Project: Delivering the M7–M12 Interchange, the Elizabeth Drive Connection to the M12 and the Westlink M7 Widening (State and Federal funded).

South-West Sydney

  • $45.4 million in 2023–24 for the ongoing delivery of Spring Farm Parkway Stage 1 and to continue planning for Spring Farm Parkway Stage 2 corridor
  • $3.4 million in 2023–24 for Appin Road Improvements (Federal funded)
  • $1 million in 2023–24 to continue planning for the Picton Bypass corridor
  • $1.5 million for school crossings across Camden.

Western Sydney (Penrith and surrounds)

  • $54 million in 2023–24 towards Mulgoa Road, Stages 1, 2 and 5
  • $7.6 million in 2023–24 for Mamre Road, M4 Motorway to Erskine Park Road.

North-West Sydney

  • $100 million for Pitt Town bypass
  • $15 million for The Driftway roundabout, Londonderry, upgraded with improved flood resilience as a key access road to New Richmond Bridge which will be a $500 million upgrade when complete
  • $100 million over 4 years for Bells Line of Road Safety Upgrades.

NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The 2023–24 NSW Budget has delivered on our commitments to Western Sydney.

“We are working on building and upgrading the roads now before the next phase of growth in this area and ahead of the first flights touching down at Western Sydney Airport.

“The M12 is an important part of the infrastructure strategy to ensure Western Sydney International has effective transport links from day one, so progress on bridge building is a very positive project milestone. 

“This project is creating more jobs in Western Sydney for workers in Western Sydney west and will help drive economic opportunities across this region.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“The NSW Government has committed to delivering for Western Sydney with the infrastructure investment in the 2023–24 NSW Budget.

“By committing to upgrades at Elizabeth Drive, Spring Farm Parkway and Fifteenth Avenue, the NSW Government is going to deliver a real benefit to the community in Leppington that will improve travel time and allow people to get to work, school and through the day in a much more efficient manner.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“Western Sydney is our city’s population basket with over 2.5 million people living here.

“It’s critical that we have the investment in our roads to improve access, liveability for our community in Penrith. 

“The works on the Northern Road and Elizabeth Drive and will improve access for motorists and public transport users alike in our community.” 

Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone reaches milestone

The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has reached a major milestone with the lodgement of an Environmental Impact Statement for a transmission project which will connect the REZ to the electricity grid. It is the first REZ to reach this stage of development.

Once complete, the Central West Orana REZ will deliver at least 3 gigawatts (GW) of transmitted electricity, which is enough to power 1.4 million homes. It will take NSW closer to the target of replacing 12 GW of renewable energy generation, and 2GW of long-duration storage by 2030. The transmission and generation projects in the Central West Orana REZ will deliver up to $10 billion in private investment to the region and around 5000 jobs at the peak of construction.

The Central West Orana REZ is approximately 20,000km2, and takes in cities and towns including Dubbo, Dunedoo and Mudgee.

The Environmental Impact Statement is the result of more than 2 years of technical studies and community consultation. This includes detailed assessment of potential impacts on visual amenity, agriculture, roads, noise, biodiversity, water resources and cumulative impacts on community infrastructure and services such as housing supply and health services in the region.

The Department of Planning and Environment will publicly exhibit the Environmental Impact Statement between Thursday 28 September 2023 and Thursday 26 October 2023. EnergyCo will also be hosting information sessions to help the community learn more about the Environmental Impact Statement.

All stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback via the NSW Planning Portallaunch before the Department of Planning and Environment makes a determination.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The lodgement of the Environmental Impact Statement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring NSW households, businesses and industry can access clean, affordable and reliable energy as coal-fired power stations retire.

“It shows the NSW Government is getting the roadmap to renewables back on track, so we can ensure there is enough renewable energy to replace aging coal-fired power stations.

“The Central-West Orana transmission project will be capable of connecting at least 3GW of renewable energy generated by wind and solar projects, which is enough to power a quarter of the state’s energy demand, as well as another 2GW of firming storage.

“We will be working closely with communities through the Environmental Impact Statement process.”

$45 million boost for Kooragang Island to drive NSW to a hydrogen future

The NSW Government has signed a $45 million funding agreement to build the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub on Kooragang Island, to assist emissions-intensive industries to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The project, led by Origin Future Fuels (Origin) with funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, will be a regional cornerstone of the hydrogen industry, accelerating NSW’s shift towards clean technologies and net zero.

The Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis (splitting water), which can be used to store energy and as a feedstock in industrial processes. The hub will initially deliver approximately 55 megawatts of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with an aim to scale up to over 1 gigawatt of capacity over the next decade.

The hydrogen produced by the hub will be used by industry, with the majority going to Orica’s nearby ammonia manufacturing facility to help decarbonise its operations. Hydrogen will also be made available to transport customers through onsite and satellite refuelling stations.

The project will deliver up to 150 direct (construction and ongoing) jobs, and up to 65 indirect construction jobs in the Hunter.

Orica’s co-located Tertiary Abatement Plant at Kooragang Island has this month reached a milestone, abating the equivalent of 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This is equal to removing 150,000 cars from NSW roads.

The plant, which is funded by the NSW Government and has financing from the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation, will abate the equivalent of more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, reducing emissions from Orica’s nitric acid manufacturing plant by 48%.

The NSW Government is committed to growing the hydrogen sector as a future industry for NSW. The state has previously approved $28.5 million for the Illawarra Hydrogen Technology Hub and $35.8 million for the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project in Moree.

Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said:

“A green hydrogen industry in NSW has the potential to support 10,000 new jobs and add $6.4 billion in gross state product.

“The Hunter area is one of NSW’s leading industrial regions that contributes $50 billion to NSW’s gross state product and has a critical role to play in our state’s clean energy transition.

“Projects like the Hunter Valley Hydrogen are vital to decarbonising the industrial sector as we work towards a net-zero future.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in clean technologies which will create new jobs, business opportunities and allow NSW to become a clean energy superpower.”

Background information:

  • Hydrogen molecules can be used to store energy and as an industrial feedstock. Hydrogen is derived primarily by splitting water (electrolysis) or by reacting fossil fuels with steam through a process called steam methane reformation.
  • A small fossil-fuel based hydrogen industry already exists in NSW, however it releases emissions. This hydrogen is used as an input into a number of industries such as ammonia production, which is used to produce fertiliser and explosives.
  • To encourage industrial decarbonisation, the NSW Government is supporting the establishment of a hydrogen industry that is produced using renewable energy.
  • This low-emissions hydrogen represents an opportunity to decarbonise existing industries that use hydrogen as a feedstock and as a new renewable fuel in other sectors.
  • This will enable decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors where electrification is not an option. These sectors include steel making, ammonia production, industrial high temperature heat applications and heavy vehicle and shipping transport sectors. These hard-to-abate sectors account for around 18% of NSW’s annual emissions.
  • Hydrogen is a critical decarbonisation opportunity to support NSW to reach net-zero by 2050.