Category: Australian News

The Australian Greens Victoria have referred behaviour by volunteers for the Liberal and Libertarian parties to the Victorian Police following a series of incidents at early voting centres.

Police were deployed to the early voting centre in Melton yesterday after incidents involving sexual and racial harassment of Greens volunteers, and have been contacted regarding a second early voting centre in Croydon following a number of threats of violence and intimidating behaviour towards Greens volunteers and Candidate for Deakin, Amy Mills.

Incidents at early voting centres have been individually raised with the Australian Electoral Commission, and with the Liberal Party and relevant candidates prior to contact with police.
 

Spokesperson from the Victorian Greens:

“We’ve received reports of intimidating and aggressive behaviour, physical threats of violence and both sexual and racial harassment targeted towards Greens volunteers and candidates. 

“No one should be confronted with intimidating or aggressive behaviour when volunteering on election day or trying to vote. Aggressive and intimidating behaviour at polling booths is undemocratic and should not be tolerated by any party. The Liberals should have volunteers removed as soon as these serious reports are made.

“Threats of violence towards candidates or volunteers are unacceptable and individual matters have been referred to the police.”

The Greens have today announced a plan to lower the retirement age and lift the age pension above the poverty line, allowing Australians to retire earlier on a liveable income.

Greens leader Adam Bandt announced the plan in the party’s target seat of Richmond in northern NSW, along with Social Services spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne and Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan.

By lowering the pension age from 67 to 65, recipients who benefit would on average receive $18,000 more a year. This includes those moving from JobSeeker to the Age Pension.

There are currently 54,295 JobSeeker recipients who are aged over 65. Since 2017 the proportion of people older than 65 receiving JobSeeker, DSP or the Carer Payment has doubled.

The commitment will largely benefit older women who are more likely than men to face the prospect of poverty in old age. The majority of JobSeeker recipients aged over 65 are women.

The pension rate was raised from 65 to 67 by the Rudd Labor government in 2009, with the Greens opposing the decision at the time.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“In a wealthy country like ours, no one should retire into poverty. The Greens will fight for the right to retire earlier at 65, with an income that will actually pay the bills and support older Australians to enjoy the retirement they deserve.

“There is a poverty crisis among older Australians and it’s worse for older women, who are one of the fastest growing groups facing homelessness.

“One in three big corporations pay no tax, while thousands of older Australians are struggling to get by. By making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax, older Australians can retire earlier with a liveable income.

“In a minority Parliament, the Greens will keep Dutton out and restore respect and dignity in ageing by getting Labor to return the pension age to 65, and raise the pension rate above the poverty line.”

Greens spokesperson on Social Services and Government Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Thousands of older people are in physically demanding, minimum wage jobs or accessing the much lower JobSeeker rate because successive Labor and Liberal governments have failed to give them the support they need.

“Older people deserve better from their government. The Greens will return the pension age to 65 and lift the pension above the poverty line, providing a well-deserved earlier retirement with liveable income support.”

Greens candidate for Richmond, Mandy Nolan:

“This region has among the highest house prices and least affordable rents in the country. We know too that this is the most climate-impacted, with house insurance becoming unaffordable for tens of thousands of Richmond households. Yet the pension has remained below the poverty line. In a wealthy country, housing stress and homelessness should not be an issue for our elders.

“I only need a 1.8% swing to win this seat from the same MP who has held it for 20 years. If I’m elected, I’ll work with Labor and the Independents to lower the pension age, and raise the pension rate above the poverty line.”

New analysis shows that public schools will have $18 billion ripped away due to Labor’s plan to push full public school funding back to 2034. 

The federal government’s share of public school funding is currently set at 20%, but is due to rise to 25% (40% in the NT) in order to reach the bare minimum funding required by Australia’s public schools. Analysis of budget papers and Labor’s statements reveals that the timeline for raising the federal contribution has been pushed back, with the vast majority of new funding planned for after 2029. 

Already struggling public schools will miss out on around $3 billion each year between now and 2029 when compared with raising the federal contribution from 2026. Labor’s plan sees an estimated $5.8 billion ripped out from NSW public schools by the end of the funding deal, with Victoria losing $5 billion and Queensland losing $4.4 billion. 

Peter Dutton has repeatedly committed to only funding public school agreements “as the numbers appear in the budget papers.” With promised funding not in the budget due to Labor pushing meaningful increases out past the forward estimates, Labor have handed Dutton a free pass to gut public school funding if he gets into office. Dutton’s positioning on only committing to expenditure detailed in the forward estimates has “all the hallmarks of the Abbott/Pyne abandonment of the Gonski funding plan in 2013” according to education expert Trevor Cobbold. 

Under the Greens’ plan the Commonwealth share of spending on public schools will rise in 2026 to 25% – except in the Northern Territory where it will be 40% – rather than making public school kids wait another decade for the bare minimum.

The Greens plan for public schools also includes free lunches and an annual payment of $800 made to families at the start of the school year for each child attending a public school, helping to meet growing out-of-pocket costs like uniforms, technology and school supplies.

The Greens are the party of public education, and the only party committed to fully funding our public schools in 2026.

Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson for Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“I think public school parents and teachers will be shocked at how much is being ripped out of their school. And what’s worse, this leaves the door open to funding cuts if Peter Dutton gets his way. 

“With Labor giving up on fighting inequality and the Liberals ideologically opposed to the very existence of public education, only the Greens are fighting for our public schools.

“This election is an opportunity to elect strong local Greens MPs that believe in public schools, or more major party backbenchers that will leave public schools underfunded for another decade.

“Every child deserves a free, world-class public education, and that’s what the Greens are committed to delivering – we think kids starting school next year deserve a fully funded education now, not in ten years.

“If you’re worried about your public school getting the funding it needs, we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.”

Today, as the Last Post cuts the silence of dawn, we pause to honour and reflect on more than a century of Defence service and sacrifice.

110 years ago today, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli under heavy fire, in the battle that would begin the Anzac legend.

Little did they know, their story would shape both our nations for generations to come.

Today we honour them, and all those who have served in our Defence Force in the years since. We pay tribute to the fallen, lost in service of our nation.

Members of the Defence Force, veterans and their families will proudly march together, many wearing the medals of their ancestors.

As we recite the Ode of Remembrance, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifices made by generations of service personnel and the families who support them.

The Last Post will ring out over a silent crowd as a solemn farewell to the fallen: their duty done; their sacrifice remembered.

We give thanks to all current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

As our nation comes together in gratitude, we reiterate our commitment to providing the care, support, and recognition our veterans and their families deserve.

We do not forget.

Lest we forget.

Responding to reports the LNP has committed $90m toward a domestic violence strategy Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:

“The LNP are clearly desperate to pretend they care about women.

“More than 20 women killed in Australia this year by violence and Dutton’s allotted a measly $90m in the LNP’s ‘domestic violence strategy’, announced just nine days before the election.

“$90 million is what Mr Dutton thinks ending FDSV is worth, when frontline services have been saying they need $1 billion a year. Only the Greens have committed to fully funding frontline services.

“DV disclosure schemes are one piece of the puzzle, but not the most important one.

“The LNP’s plan is not about protecting anyone. If Mr Dutton truly cared about protecting women and children, he’d match the Greens $15 billion commitment to fully fund frontline services and prevention efforts.

“The Greens’ plan prioritises survivor-centred policies and if we made the 1 in 3 big corporations that pay no tax contribute their fair share, we could make sure women and children are safe.”

An elected Dutton Coalition Government will take decisive action to reverse Australia’s worsening road safety crisis, with a comprehensive package of measures to make our road network safer and more productive for all Australians. 

A Coalition Government is committing: 

$250 million increase to the Roads to Recovery program, immediately lifting funding to $1 billion per year commencing 2025-26, helping local governments maintain and upgrade safer local roads;  

$10 million to establish a new Driver Reviver Site Upgrades program, supporting volunteer and community organisations to improve existing driver reviver rest stops and establish new ones; and 

$6 million over three years to expand the scope of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to oversee a national no-fault crash investigation pilot, to better understand the root causes of crashes and identify mitigation strategies.  

Recent data from the Australian Automobile Association shows that 2024 was the deadliest year on Australian roads since 2012. The objective of the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 is to halve road deaths, yet the road toll last year was 18.5 per cent higher than when the strategy began.  

Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, said improving road safety was critical.  

“In 2021, the Coalition Government led the development of a National Road Safety Strategy in partnership with all states and territories, to reduce road trauma and save lives. Yet, in recent years, road fatalities have steadily increased. Australia is now further from achieving the Strategy’s goals than ever before. Our roads are deteriorating, and the consequences are devastating. 

“Last year alone, 1,300 Australians lost their lives on the road. Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, and behind every statistic is a grieving family and a devastated community. 

“As we head into the Easter long weekend, this is a timely reminder for everyone to please stay safe on the roads.” 

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Mr Tony Pasin MP, said Australia’s road safety crisis required national leadership. 

“Under our plan, we will make road safety a priority and gain a better understanding of the causes behind the alarming trend towards year on year increases in road deaths.,” Mr Pasin said.   

“We have listened to the community and road safety experts, and we will set the wheels of change in motion to arrest the rising road toll and get the National Road Safety Strategy back on track.”  

A Dutton Coalition Government will act decisively to reduce road trauma, support local infrastructure, and restore national leadership on road safety.

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will deliver $2.6 million over four years to Street Side Medics.

Street Side Medics is a free mobile GP service that provides health services to people experiencing homelessness across New South Wales and Victoria.

Since 2022-23, the organisation has delivered 902 clinics, more than 5,050 GP consultations and had more than 11,780 total patient interactions.

They deliver services including health examinations, immunisations, pathology services, nutritional advice and minor surgical procedures.

This election commitment will provide Street Side Medics additional funding to continue delivering mobile medical services in NSW and Victoria across Woolloomooloo, Manly, Parramatta, Hornsby, Blacktown, Surry Hills, Marrickville, Wollongong, Melbourne CBD and St Kilda.

It will also support the organisation to expand to new locations, strengthen existing services to meet rising demand and invest in workforce development.

Homelessness is the tough reality for too many Australians. The Albanese Labor Government is making meaningful progress in tackling it. Among our measures is the $9.3 billion, 5-year National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness.

This provides funding to the states to help those who are either experiencing or at risk of homelessness and supports the effective functioning of Australia’s social housing and homelessness services sectors.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I was given the great privilege of launching Street Side Medics in Melbourne in 2024.

“This program began with Dr Nour and his vision to ensure people who are experiencing homelessness don’t fall through the cracks and miss out on the healthcare they need.

“So much stems from the barriers that stand between homeless people and access to medical care. Barriers that span the spectrum from cost, to lack of awareness, to mistrust of the medical system.

“Street Side Medics erase those barriers. I am so proud to announce Labor will deliver $2.6 million to ensure these vital services continue.”
 
Health Minister Mark Butler:

“Street Side Medics has provided medical support for people experiencing homelessness for years.

“Their vans provide mobile medical services, and they do a fantastic job. 

“Labor is proud to support the incredible work of Dr Nour and his team of hundreds of volunteers who provide care to those facing disadvantage.”

Dr Daniel Nour, Founder of Street Side Medics: 

“I founded Street Side Medics with a simple belief: that no one should be denied healthcare because of their circumstances. Today’s announcement allows us to carry that mission even further. 

“Healthcare access should never be a privilege. This funding ensures that thousands of vulnerable Australians can receive the care they deserve, right where they are. 

“We’re deeply grateful to the Albanese Labor Government for recognising that health equity is a national priority – this support will help us change and save lives.”

Our festival sector is in turmoil. The cost of living crisis, skyrocketing cost of insurance and the impacts of extreme weather events caused by climate change have been wreaking havoc on festivals big and small across Australia.

Festivals have long been the beating heart of the local music industry and are essential to growing audiences for Australian artists.

Festivals are not only important for our arts and music industry but also support local tourism, hospitality and retail businesses.

The Greens will allocate $20 million a year to provide a critical lifeline to Australian festivals.

The Greens will fight for:

• $20 million a year in grants for festivals, including higher maximum grants and the ability to use funds for developing on-site infrastructure, from within the Greens’ $200m per year Arts funding commitment;
• $2m for a review to investigate the market failure of insurance in the live music industry and options to establish a government backed insurance scheme
• The creation of a festivals strategy through Music Australia to ensure federal and state government coordination and support
• Tax offsets for touring artists and venues that host live performances
  • 10 per cent tax offsets for the costs of hosting live music
  • 50 per cent tax offset for travel expenses
• Support that can benefit small businesses running festivals with the establishment of a small business incubator and extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off until July 1 2026

The package will have a particular focus on supporting local and independent festivals and is part of the broader arts package already launched by the Greens.

Quotes attributable to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for the Arts:

“Our festivals are in crisis. Over the past few years we have seen the cancellation after cancellation of loved and iconic festivals. It’s clear that the government needs to step in to help the industry.

“The Albanese Government made some big promises to the arts industry when they were first elected, almost 3 years on they have failed to deliver. A plan for the arts is nothing without the funding required to support the industry.

“The Greens plan for supporting our festivals takes a holistic view of what the sector needs. This means direct support in the form of grants, a review of the market failure in insurance for live events, a federal strategy for the sustainability of festivals across the country into the future and tax offsets for both venues and artists.

“Festivals are an essential part of the music ecosystem and an important part of our culture. It’s how Australian artists build new audiences that help set up their careers and it’s how young people build a love for live music.

“Festivals matter, they particularly bring our regions, like the Northern Rivers, to life. Festivals inject money and enthusiasm into our local communities from the cities to the regions.

“I am excited to be making this announcement at Bluesfest, an iconic Australian festival and a great example of how investment in the arts drives local, regional economies.

“The Greens always have been and always will be the party for the arts. This election, to support our arts and creative industries you have to vote Green.”

Greens spokesperson for communications, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responds to reports the Prime Minister personally intervened to prevent action on gambling advertising.

“The Albanese Government has failed to act on the scourge of gambling ads, despite the pleading of their own backbenchers and even their own Communications Minister.

“Today’s news that the Prime Minister personally intervened to protect the gambling lobby is disturbing. The Prime Minister may not have the guts to stand up to the gambling lobby – but the Greens will act.

“Throughout this term of parliament, the Greens offered a number of times to facilitate the passage of legislation to ban gambling ads. In a minority government it will be a key ask of the Greens in any negotiations.

“As families have sat down to watch the footy over the long weekend, they have continued to be bombarded by gambling ads despite the mountain of evidence we have been given about how dangerous these ads are.

“Peta Murphy, was right, the experts and the evidence are clear: gambling ads do significant harm and they must be banned immediately, just like tobacco ads.”

The Greens have today released a new analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office which shows the cost of negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts will skyrocket to $180.5b over the next 10 years (2026-27 to 2035-36).

These tax handouts overwhelmingly benefit Australia’s wealthiest investors, leaving renters and first home buyers worse off. The vast majority of the two tax concessions will go to the top 10% of income earners, according to the distributional analysis done by the PBO. 

76% of capital gains tax discounts for residential property investment will go to the top 10% of earners in 2025-26, and negative gearing is similarly skewed with 40% of the benefit going to the top 10% of investors.

These tax concessions make it easier for a wealthy property investor to buy their fifth house, than for someone to buy their first. The system is stacked against renters and first home buyers, and the Greens have announced a policy to end tax handouts for wealthy property investors with more than one investment property, to make housing actually affordable for renters and first home buyers.

Parliamentary library analysis (available on request) based on independent economic research shows that changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount such as those proposed by the Greens would allow more than 850,000 renters to move into a home they own by shifting the market away from wealthy property investors and towards home ownership.

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:

“The leaders’ debate saw Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton furiously agreeing on $180 billion in handouts for property investors that turbocharge house prices and deny millions of renters the chance to buy their first home.

“Experts have slammed the major parties’ housing policies as a ‘dumpster fire’ that will push up house prices even further. 

“With Liberal and Labor making the housing crisis worse, you can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.

“The Greens are the party of renters and first home buyers, and we will make reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount a priority in the next Parliament, including when there’s a minority government.”

Max Chandler-Mather MP, Greens Spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness:

“With house prices up 50% in the past 5 years, it’s terrible that Labor and the Liberals are taking policies to this election to push prices up even further.

“According to one expert, house prices will rise between 8 and 15 per cent this year alone depending on which of Labor and Liberals will win the election. That’s not acceptable.

“The Greens will right the wrongs of decades of housing failure and end the tax handouts for investors with more than one investment property that are turbocharging house prices and denying renters the chance to buy a home.

“How is it fair that a young family loses at an auction to an investor buying their 10th property because that investor has massive tax handouts from the government?

“Labor and Liberals are putting $180 billion into the pockets of wealthy property investors and banks, and renters and first home buyers are the losers.

“Renters are powerful at this election. By voting Greens, you can keep Dutton out and push Labor to reform negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount and finally start to truly tackle this housing crisis.”