VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee Hsien Loong to Australia from 16 to 18 October.

Australia and Singapore share one of the closest relationships in the region, underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and focused on common strategic and economic interests.

Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in Southeast Asia, and our fifth largest trading partner overall. We have strong education, defence and tourism ties.

During the visit, the Prime Ministers will hold the seventh Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting—the first such in-person meeting on Australian soil since 2018.

This visit will re-affirm both country’s commitment to taking urgent action in responding to the challenge of climate change, and capturing the economic opportunities presented by the clean energy transition.

Prime Minister Lee will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Gan Kim Yong.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Singapore is a key partner for Australia. We have strong trade, education, defence and tourism ties.”

“The ties between our countries are underpinned by deep levels of trust, mutual respect and the ability to talk frankly with each other.

“I look forward to meeting once again with Prime Minister Lee and continuing to strengthen the unique bilateral partnership Australia and Singapore share.”

SUPPORTING FLOOD-AFFECTED VICTORIANS

The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have come together to prepare the Centre for National Resilience at Mickleham to provide crisis accommodation for Victorians affected by widespread flooding.

From Tuesday, 250 beds at the Mickleham facility will open to help people whose homes have been inundated. As well as accommodation, residents will be provided with food and support services both on-site and remotely.

The Commonwealth, which built and owns the Mickleham facility, has agreed to its use as crisis accommodation after the centre closed as a quarantine hub last week.

Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) and COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) are working together to stand up the facility, using former quarantine staff and service providers who can get on the ground to start providing support quickly.

The Centre has dedicated car parking onsite for residents, as well as a shuttle bus providing free regular transport to and from Craigieburn train station and the local shopping centre, as well as other short transport requests if residents need.

Unlike the Centre’s time as a quarantine facility, residents will be free to move around the facility, socialise with each other, and come and go as they see fit.

Each room comes complete with toiletries and other necessities, and residents will be provided with three meals each day, and snacks and drinks on arrival. Charities will provide assistance with items like clothing that families may have had to leave behind or lost during the floods.

ERV and CQV will provide colouring books, puzzles, sporting equipment and other children’s activities for residents – making an uncertain and stressful time easier for families, and helping to welcome children to the Centre and reduce the anxiety they will be feeling.

Pets will also be welcome at the Centre, but must be on a leash or in carriers when outside their cabins.

There are also additional services specifically tailored to the new residents’ crisis needs, including Commonwealth assistance through Centrelink and case management service to help Victorians whose properties have been affected by the floods through one easy contact point.

Medical care will be available onsite around the clock – including mental health support, and specific support for any trauma residents may be experiencing as a result of the flooding emergency.

Emergency Management experts toured the facility to assess its possible use during a disaster earlier this year – and Victoria has been working closely with the Federal Government to ensure the hub could be activated quickly if needed.

Responders on the ground in flood zones will help determine who is most in need of accommodation at the centre – and from Monday, Emergency Management Victoria’s support service on 1800 560 760. will help refer anyone who needs immediate shelter as soon as they make contact.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “We’re ensuring Victorians can have a safe roof over their heads immediately following a major flood event.”

“We have not hesitated to make the Centre for National Resilience available in this time of crisis.”

“We will be on hand to help in any way we can during this crisis and in its aftermath.”

Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the Commonwealth Government for working with Victoria to ensure flood affected Victorians could quickly access crisis accommodation and financial support to help them through this challenging time.

“We thank the Albanese Government for working with us to quickly ensure flood-affected Victorians will have a safe, comfortable place to sleep, and food on the table,” Mr Andrews said.

“As we’ve always said – we wish we didn’t need to use the hub, but we’re grateful it’s here to support Victorians who have been so profoundly affected by this flooding event.”

“Whether it’s crisis accommodation or financial support for families doing it tough, we’ll do everything we can to support Victorians while the waters are still rising, and long after they’ve receded.”

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA FLOODS

The Australian Government has moved quickly to support people in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales affected by the ongoing extensive flooding, making disaster assistance payments for individuals available across an additional 44 Local Government Areas.

In Victoria, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the 23 LGAs of Alpine, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Horsham, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Mitchell Shire, Moira, Moonee Valley, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Strathbogie and Wangaratta.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance has been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. DRA is taxable.

In Tasmania, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the 17 LGAs of Break O’Day, Burnie, Central Coast, Central Highlands, Circular Head, Devonport, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Kentish, Latrobe, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Waratah-Wynyard, West Coast and West Tamar.

In New South Wales, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to people in the additional 4 LGAs of Central Coast, Coonamble, Goulburn-Mulwaree and Parkes, bringing the total number of NSW LGAs receiving support from the Australian Government for this event to 31.

In addition, in recognition of the number of homeowners affected in particular LGAs, the one-off, non-means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people who live in the Victorian LGAs of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie and in the Tasmanian LGAs of Central Coast, Kentish and Meander Valley, who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.

Claims are available to be made from 2pm Sunday and they can be made 24 hours a day.

For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Services Australia website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It’s heartbreaking to think that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude.”

“Over the last few years our resilience has been tested time and time again, and many people are doing it tough.”

“I want everyone in a flood affected region to know that the Commonwealth stands ready and committed to provide support now and through the recovery.”

Bill Shorten, Minister for Government Services said:

“These are the toughest of times for people and we want to help communities get back on their feet.”

“This is a modest payment to help flood victims doing it hard.”

“Services Australia’s priority is to help people to access essential disaster assistance, and staff have been mobilised to provide on-the-ground support.”

“People affected by the flooding can check their eligibility for Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance on the Services Australia website at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents, before lodging a claim for assistance.”

“The easiest way to claim is online through my.gov.au. Online claiming is available 24×7. Claims can be submitted from 2pm Sunday.”

“If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 from 2pm Sunday.”

Murray Watt, Minister for Emergency Management said:

“This is a very serious situation across multiple states and the Albanese Government has worked closely with state and local authorities to make financial help available as swiftly as possible.

“We know that there may be more communities impacted by these flooding events over the coming days.

“As the full extent of the damage starts to become more apparent, we will keep working to provide assistance when it’s needed.”

Labor Will Build New Trains Right Here in NSW

A Minns Labor Government will build new trains right here in New South Wales and will begin the procurement process for the next set of trains to replace the ageing Tangara fleet in its first term.

This will create at least 1000 secure, long-term jobs during the design and build phase, and many more in maintenance jobs over the design life of the new trains. 

It will also be the beginning of a long-term pipeline of manufacturing work and form the basis for the return of a sustainable rail manufacturing industry in New South Wales which will continue after the replacement of the Tangara fleet.

The Tangaras have already had their service extended by ten years beyond their design life and will reach their final end of service life by 2027.

The pipeline will continue once the Tangaras are replaced with the replacement of the Millennium Trains which will reach their end of life by 2035.

Labor’s plan to bring back manufacturing to New South Wales stands in stark contrast to the NSW Liberal and National Government. 

Instead of backing domestic manufacturing, the NSW Government has chosen to purchase from overseas – leading to NSW missing out on thousands of job opportunities, and costing NSW taxpayers up to 40 to 50 per cent cost increases and delays.

What’s more, we’ve missed out on 4,000 more jobs due to offshoring of major infrastructure and transport projects as a result of decisions by the NSW Liberals.

This has to stop. We can’t rebuild an entire sector overnight – but we have to start somewhere.

It’s taken Victoria 7 years, but they have now supported 40,000 local jobs since 2014 as a direct result of their local procurement policies. It’s time for a new direction in New South Wales. 

Both the replacement of the Tangaras and the eventual replacement of the Millennium Trains will be guided by NSW Labor’s framework which will set a target of 50 per cent minimum local content for future rolling stock contracts by the end of Labor’s first term.

However, Labor’s 50 per cent local content targets will act as a floor, not as a ceiling, and any tender applicant that demonstrates that they will use a higher percentage of local content, or create more jobs in NSW, will be looked on favourably by the government in the tender process.

Labor will begin extensive consultation with the manufacturers across NSW to support local jobs, a thriving local manufacturing industry, and get better value for money for taxpayers, and will work with suppliers to help them establish more onshore capability which will lead to a thriving manufacturing industry with competition and longevity. 

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

The Liberals have always said that New South Wales is not good at building trains. They are wrong. NSW workers are great at building trains and under a Labor government we will build trains here again. 

“I am determined to bring back rail manufacturing to New South Wales after a decade of the Liberals sending thousands of jobs offshore and buying trains, trams and ferries filled with defects, faults and failures.”


NSW Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“The choice for the people of New South Wales is clear. These new trains will need to be built one way or another. 

“If you vote Labor they will be built here in Australia and in NSW. If you vote for Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals, they will be built overseas, like all their other failed trains, trams and ferries.

“The list of defects, faults and failures in the government’s overseas built trains, trams and ferries is now beyond a joke and is causing cancelations, delays and serious passenger safety issues.

“Buying supposedly cheap overseas built transport infrastructure is simply not working. It hasn’t just cost thousands of NSW manufacturing jobs but has also cost NSW taxpayers billions of dollars.”

NSW Shadow Minister for Industry Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This is part of Labor’s plan to revitalise our manufacturing industry and provide long term certainty and a pipeline of work for rail manufacturers across NSW.

“Labor’s plan will have a minimum 50 per cent local manufacturing content target when it comes to building the replacements for the Tangara and Millennium Train fleets, but that is a floor, not a ceiling and we want to reward companies that offer to do better.”

10,000 Permanent Teachers in NSW Under Labor

A Minns Labor Government will create 10,000 more permanent teaching roles in NSW by shifting temporary positions into permanent roles in a bid to stem teacher attrition rates.
 
This will give teachers the job security they need to stay in the profession; give schools the flexibility they need to deliver lessons; and give parents the confidence that their children will be taught by a teacher and not spend time in a merged classroom.
 
Under Labor’s plan, current resources that are going to temporary positions can be used to give teachers permanent places in the education system, and schools will have the ability to bring in the teachers they need based on their requirements.
 
This policy will ensure more teachers are readily available to fill gaps, helping to prevent the increasing teacher shortages schools are facing after 12 years of the NSW Liberals.
 
Temporary and casual teaching roles rise under Liberals
 
Since 2011 the NSW Liberal-National Government has moved to casualise the teaching profession.

Through policies such as Local Schools, Local Decisions, the Liberals and Nationals shifted responsibility of running the education system away to individual schools, leaving thousands of teachers without knowing whether they’d have a job next term, next year or even next week.
 
As a result the prevalence of temporary teaching roles has ballooned over the last decade.
 
In 2011, there were 11,695 full-time equivalent (FTE) temporary teaching positions in New South Wales.
 
But under the NSW Liberals, FTE temporary roles surged to 21,366 by 2021 – an 82 per cent increase.
 
Temporary or casual roles represent more than one in three of all teaching positions in the state – or 37 per cent.
 
Job insecurity cause of teacher attrition
 
Job insecurity is cited by more than a half of teachers – or 58 per cent – as a contributor to workforce problems, according to a NSW Parliament survey of teachers.
 
For young teachers without a permanent position, it makes it much more difficult to get finance for a home or a car – to lay down roots and to start a family.
 
60 per cent of teachers were also considering leaving the profession within the next 5 years, the survey also found.
 
In fact, just last year one in nine young teachers left the profession.
 
Declining education outcomes under the Liberals and Nationals
 
Between 2006 and 2018, NSW students have dropped from 6th to 23rd in reading, dropped from 9th to 31st in maths and dropped from 3rd to 23rd in science.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:

Labor’s plan to bring permanency back to the NSW teaching workforce will help bring an end to the Liberals’ and Nationals’ teacher shortage.
 
“The parents and students of NSW deserve a government that will take decisive action to stop merged classes and turn around declining education outcomes.”
 
“We can’t have a situation where teachers are leaving our schools because they don’t know whether they will have a job next term, or next year. Teaching should be a job you want to stay in for your entire career.”

Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education said:
 
“The Liberals and Nationals have overseen the casualisation of the teaching profession on an industrial scale.
 
“This disastrous policy has led to a decline in education outcomes, student wellbeing and talented individuals leaving the profession in their thousands.
 
“Labor’s plan to boost permanent teaching roles will give teachers the confidence to remain in the profession and focus on delivering the best education for our children.”

Without super, or an increase to the amount of PPL, women are still losing out

The Greens welcome the Albanese government’s announcement to extend Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to 26 weeks with shared care, but will continue to call on the government to increase it to be paid at a replacement wage, with super, and immediately.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Australia has one of the weakest parental leave schemes globally; yes it should be paid for longer, but without super, or an increase to the amount paid, women are still losing out. And phasing this in over four years is an insult when women have waited for over a decade for decent paid parental leave. 

“Women deserve fair PPL, and immediately – it improves their economic security, reduces the gender pay gap, increases the likelihood of mothers returning to work.

“Experts and business groups are united in their calls for fairer PPL for its economic and social benefits – now, not staggered over the next six years.

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone – parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.

“Labor needs to decide if they are a government for the rich or for women”, concluded Senator Waters.

RACING TO A FUTURE MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic toured ABC Refinery in Marrickville today and viewed the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy.

ABC Refinery is part of Pallion which employs more than 300 people in Marrickville, and hundreds more across Australia, processing, refining and working precious metals.

Pallion employs metallurgists, chemists, assayers, engineers, traders, jewellers and gold and silver smiths.

Pallion refine and manufacture billions of dollars of precious metals each year, including gold bars and coins, jewellery items, through to trophies including the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup is mined, processed, refined, crafted and manufactured by highly trained goldsmiths here in Australia – not one element in this process occurs overseas.

Australia is the second largest gold producer in the world, with gold our fifth-largest export commodity, valued at $23 billion in 2021-22. Our gold production was 308 tonnes in 2021-22, and is forecast to reach 331 tonnes in 2022-23.

An Albanese Government will rebuild our proud manufacturing industry through our Future Made in Australia policy.

As part of that policy, we want to take the raw minerals we mine and value add by using local highly trained workers, before we export to the rest of the world.

The Albanese Government will establish the National Reconstruction Fund to provide finance to support projects that create secure well-paid jobs, drive regional development, and invest in our national sovereign capability, broadening and diversifying Australia’s economy.

Our policies will support local jobs, create training and apprenticeship opportunities in key industries and show the world the value of Australian manufacturing.

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE said:

“Pallion is a great local business, right here in my electorate, that employs hundreds of local workers and delivers top quality unique products including the iconic Melbourne Cup.

“The Melbourne Cup trophy is mined, refined and manufactured right here in Australia – not one part of this process occurs overseas.

“This is the definition of Australian made and shows what we can achieve when we back Australian businesses.

“Through our ‘A Future Made in Australia’ policy, we will strengthen local manufacturing and create good, secure jobs for Australians.”

MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE ED HUSIC said:

“A Future Made in Australia means investing in a future for all Australians.

“The Albanese Labor Government backs local businesses. Pallion is a prime example of self-sufficient manufacturing right here in Australia, based on our resources and our renowned know-how.

“The National Reconstruction Fund will be central to rebuilding our industrial base. It will show faith in Australian ideas, Australian manufacturing and deliver secure, well-paid jobs in the cities and the regions.”

BOOSTING PARENTAL LEAVE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC SECURITY, SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY FOR AUSTRALIA’S FAMILIES

The Albanese Labor Government will deliver the biggest boost to Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme since it was created by the former Labor Government in 2011, giving every family with a new baby more choice, greater security and better support.

Labor will add an additional six weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for families, bumping the total leave payable up to 26 weeks. A full six months.

Increasing PPL was one of the most frequent proposals raised by participants at the successful Jobs and Skills Summit in September. The Albanese Government has listened, has continued to consult and will now act to extend PPL to boost productivity, boost the economy and increase the time parents have with their newborns.

Families will have access to more leave and enjoy greater flexibility, with extended PPL able to be taken in blocks between periods of paid work. Single parents will be entitled to the full leave payable so their children don’t miss out.

Importantly, the government will maintain “use it or lose it” weeks to encourage and facilitate more dads and partners to access PPL, so that both parents can share in those precious early days and share the caring responsibilities more equally.

Labor made commitments around gender equality during the Federal Election and we are determined to deliver on them.

This reform has a significant benefit to families, and is an investment in women’s economic equality and in the broader Australia economy.

The Government will introduce reforms to modernise the system and improve flexibility from July next year. From 1 July 2024, the Government will start expanding the scheme with two additional weeks a year until the scheme reaches its full 26 weeks from July 2026.

The inaugural Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, will examine the optimal model for 26 weeks and what mix of flexible weeks and use it or lose it component for each parent will deliver the best outcome for families and encourage more shared parenting.

Further detail of this important measure will be released on Budget night.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “This is a modern policy to support modern families. We know that investing in parental leave benefits our economy. It is good for productivity and participation, it’s good for families and it’s good for our country as a whole”.

“More generous and more flexible paid parental leave rewards aspiration and provides every parent of a new baby with greater choice and better support.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said boosting women’s workforce participation and encouraging more dads to take parental leave was a priority for the Government.

“This will benefit mums, it will benefit dads, it’s good for children, and it will be a huge boost to the economy,” Minister Rishworth said.

“We know that treating parenting as an equal partnership helps to improve gender equality.

“It is important that we have a Paid Parental Leave scheme that supports modern Australian families and that complements other parental leave schemes offered by a growing number of employers.”

Minister for Women and Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher said that this investment in families would not only boost individual choice but would have flow on benefits to the broader economy.

“The issue of increased flexibility and access to Paid Parental Leave was consistently raised at the Jobs and Skills Summit and today’s announcement is evidence that the Albanese Labor Government has listened and taken action to deliver for Australian families.”

“Having a child shouldn’t be an economic barrier for families or indeed act as a handbrake on the broader economy.

“Right now, this burden is borne disproportionately by women but we know that good women’s policy is also good economic policy and this decision is evidence of that,” Minister Gallagher concluded.

Labor: Statement on the Future of Education in NSW

Every child has the right to an education of the highest quality every day. That is what Labor believes and what has always guided us in the decisions we make.
 
Unfortunately, this government’s neglect and inaction has led to widespread teacher shortages which are having a detrimental impact in schools every single day.
 
If nothing is done these shortages will only worsen and more children will miss out.
 
At a time of rising enrolments there has already been a 30 per cent slide in the number of people studying to become teachers. Sixty per cent of teachers say they plan to leave teaching within five years.
 
This is a crisis that this government created and has no plan to fix.
 
It is a government that won’t listen to teachers, won’t address the real causes of the shortages and is unwilling to take the decisions necessary to secure the teaching workforce we need for the future.
 
The ongoing attempt by the Government to impose a three year Award on teachers at 2.53% on teachers while also failing to act on the excessive workloads experienced by teachers is wrong and will make an already bad situation worse.
 
This will not be the approach of a Labor Government. We are committed to putting forward a comprehensive education plan in the lead up to the March election.
 
We will listen to teachers and we will work with the union to address the teacher shortages and the crippling workloads that are forcing more and more people to walk away from the profession.
 
Over the last 10 years, the Liberal-National Government has undermined the independence of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). Labor has already committed to scrapping the Perrottet Government’s wages cap.
 
If we are elected in March, Labor will also instruct the Department of Education to immediately begin negotiations with the union. We expect a full bargaining period with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement to reduce workloads and make salaries more competitive while protecting the NSW budget.
 
This can be achieved, if necessary, with the assistance of an independent Industrial Relations Commission who will have the capacity to assess salaries based on the changing nature of teachers’ work and its value to our society, using an interest-based bargaining framework.
 
The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award would be reopened to reflect the agreement reached with the union.
 
The excessive administration workloads of teachers cannot be allowed to continue.
 
The blueprint for the change needed to rebuild and reposition the teaching service back to its rightful place is well documented in the Gallop Inquiry report.
 
We will have more to say before the election on the steps we will take to remove the red tape burden, give teachers the time to plan and allow teachers to focus on delivering the best education for every child.

Calls for submissions on Australia’s new international development policy

Public submissions are invited to inform the design of Australia’s new international development policy, announced by the Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly.

The Government is designing a new policy to set the long-term direction for Australia’s Official Development Assistance, which is being increased by more than $1 billion over four years.

The policy will deliver on Australia’s commitment to work in partnership with our neighbours to achieve a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

It will also see Australia contribute to a global system that can help meet present and future development needs.

The Government is listening to the priorities of our partners and seeking their ideas on how we can work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Public submissions to inform the design of the new policy can be made until 30 November 2022.

More information, including the Terms of Reference and submissions process are available on the DFAT website.