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Greens Leader Adam Bandt has joined two QLD Green MPs-elect Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Max Chandler-Mather from Ryan and Griffith and new QLD Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne in Brisbane today to celebrate last night’s electoral Greenslide. Mr Bandt said the Greenslide could continue in the coming days with the seats of Brisbane, Macanama and Richmond still to be decided and the Greens in a very strong position.

Mr Bandt also announced that all sitting Greens Senators would be returned and that three new Senators would be elected taking the number of Greens to 12 and balance of power in the Senate as Liberal Senate losses across States and Territories are pushing the Greens closer into sole balance of power. 

Mr Bandt said it was too early to know if Labor would gain a majority or need to govern in minority with as many as eleven seats still in doubt and that Anthony Albanese would need to work with the Greens to ensure stable government and pass legislation through the Parliament. With a record breaking number of postal ballots still entirely uncounted, Labor vs Liberal seats unsettled include Bass, Bennelong, Casey. Deakin, Dickson, Gilmore, Lingiari, Lyons, Menzies, Moore and Sturt. 

Adam Bandt MP said:

“We have five new MPs and Senators and the Greenslide is set to grow in the coming days.”

“People have delivered a mandate for action on climate and inequality. 

“A record number of people have voted for the Greens and we will be in the balance of power in the Senate and possibly the House. The Greens are the most powerful third party in the Parliament.”

“Voters have made it clear they want the Greens to push the Albanese Government to go further and faster on climate change and inequality.”

“We want to work with Anthony Albanese to deliver the stable, effective, progressive government that Australians have voted for, but he will need to work constructively with the Greens and the rest of the crossbench.”

Australia has handed the incoming Labor Government a golden opportunity to work in collaboration to address the significant challenges of inequality and climate change we face, as we continue to emerge from this pandemic, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) said today.

ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie said, “ACOSS congratulates Mr Albanese as Australia’s new Prime Minister and welcomes his strong commitment on behalf of the incoming Labor Federal Government to work in partnership with the community sector. By working together, a brighter, more resilient Australia is within grasp,” Dr Goldie said. 

“This election result represents a powerful message from the community that we reject fear, abuse of government power, misogyny, racism and neglect. 

The electorate has stood up for implementing the Uluru statement from the heart, addressing poverty and inequality including gender equality, acting on climate change and taking a more humane approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. 

The strong influence of so many women in this election marks a new era, with the public signalling a clear desire for a collaborative, focussed Federal Government that works to bring us together to tackle the big economic, social and environmental challenges we so clearly face. 

“Australia is far from finished with this pandemic and our future challenges are significant. 

“The stress people are under could not have been clearer throughout this election campaign, with surging housing costs, increasing poverty, persistent inequality, including gender inequality, and unprecedented extreme weather events being made worse by climate change. 

“There are 2.5 million people receiving income support payments that are less than $70 a day. This includes 900,000 children, 880,000 people unemployed long-term, 490,000 aged 45 or older, 390,000 with a disability, 320,000 caring for a child alone, and 180,000 from First Nations communities. 

Last night’s result is a clear call to action for the Albanese Government to create a more equal community and forge a resilient and brighter future for this and the next generation. With his strong commitment to leave no-one behind, we look forward to working with all those elected to deliver on lifting income supports and wages so people can live with dignity, afford a decent place to call home, get decent employment and work together to tackle climate change, across sectors and regions, towards a brighter future. 

“I want to particularly thank all the thousands of people on low incomes who have stood up and shared their stories, and all those who have stood in solidarity. Australia is a very wealthy country. Far too many people are facing hunger and homelessness each and every day. We know we can end poverty, together, and now is the time. 

ACOSS will be looking to the incoming Federal Government to be bold in facing the challenges ahead by taking the following seven steps:

1.     Lift Income Supports so that everyone has enough to cover the basics: The current, punishingly low rate of income support is forcing people to make heartbreaking decisions between paying their rent or buying food and medicine. An ACOSS-commissioned poll found a clear majority of people believe jobseeker should be increased, with close to 70% agreeing it should be above the poverty line of $70 a day. This Government must prioritise lifting income supports payments, so everyone can cover the basics, within this term of government. 

2.     Ensure everyone has a safe, stable home: Housing is the biggest cost of living pressure for people in Australia right now. Regional rents have risen by 18 per cent over the last two years while Commonwealth Rent Assistance hasn’t had a real increase in 20 years and interest rate rises threaten to push many with mortgages into financial distress. Major housing reforms, including investment in 25,000 social and affordable dwellings per year and an increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance are urgently needed by this Government to address the growing housing crisis. 

3.     Secure fair, fast and inclusive climate action: People on low incomes must be at the center of a fast, fair and inclusive plan to address climate change and reduce poverty and inequality at the same time. An April survey conducted by ACOSS, 43% of whom receive income supports showed overwhelming concern about the impacts of climate change and that this was important to their vote. Australia urgently needs a plan to ensure that people on lower incomes can access clean technologies like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles and are not disadvantaged by poorly targeted subsidies, levies, and inequitable cost recovery measures.

4.     Support people to secure paid employment: Hard-won reductions in unemployment are something for Australia to be proud of. But there are still fewer entry-level jobs than before the pandemic, with nine people receiving unemployment payments for every entry-level job vacancy and almost a million people struggling on unemployment payments, together with almost 900,000 people who are employed but need more paid hours, 60% of whom are women. This Government must prioritise an ambition to sustain full employment, where the vast majority of people can obtain employment or the extra paid working hours they need.

5.     Raise the revenue needed to meet the big challenges: As the daily cost of living dominates our lives while Australia faces persistent poverty, high levels of inequality, a rapidly heating world, extreme weather events, and surging housing costs, we need a government that will raise the revenue needed to properly fund essential services and income supports. As an immediate first step, this Government must rescind the unfair and unaffordable ‘’Stage three’’ tax cuts for people on higher incomes.

6.     Secure essential community services: The shadow of COVID is likely to be long, while the rising cost of living and recent extreme weather events are placing more pressure on community services. This year’s Australian Community Sector Survey showed workers are services are stretched beyond the limit. This Government must Create a Community Sector Continuity of Service Enabling Fund to ensure continuity of service delivery, adaptation, secure jobs, prevent loss of jobs or income, and guarantee paid special leave for all workers.

7.     Deliver Self-determination and justice for First Nations Peoples: First Nations’ peoples have spoken, and Vote Compass data shows most Australians support constitutional change to give Indigenous Australians a greater say over their lives. It is beyond time the Australian government delivered Self-Determination for First Nations’ peoples.

Surge of support for the Greens. Griffith, Ryan won, a number of Greens target seats still undecided.

The Greens national vote has surged, putting the party on track for balance of power and electing additional Senators. The Greens have won the seats of Griffith and Ryan, and a number of House of Representatives seats targeted by the Greens are still too close to call with postal vote results key to the outcome.

The Greens are on track for our best result ever with large swings across the country.

Despite the challenges of a change of government election with a major swing from the Liberals to Labor and attention on the rise of the teal independents, the Greens vote has grown with approximately 2 million people voting Greens. Greens preferences have also been crucial in removing Scott Morrison’s government in many Labor and teal seats around the country

Greens Leader Adam Bandt thanked voters, candidates, Party volunteers and members of his Party Room for the strong result and said he wanted to work towards securing a stable, effective and progressive government delivering action on climate and inequality in any power sharing discussions.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“This is a Greens-slide. The Greens are on track for our best result ever.”

“People have backed the Greens in record numbers and delivered a massive mandate for action on climate and inequality.”

“We have won Griffith and Ryan and we are on track in Brisbane, Macnamara and Richmond, and other target seats are still unresolved. We are on track to elect more Senators and secure the balance of power in the Senate to push for action on climate and inequality.”

“Scott Morrison is gone. For a man who spent his term claiming it’s not his job, now it’s not and the country can celebrate.”

“The Greens have been a big part of removing the Liberals and without us this wouldn’t have happened.”

“In the coming days, if there is a minority Parliament we will work towards delivering a stable, effective and progressive government for the country.”

“I am so proud of our community driven people powered movement and especially welcome the massive turnout of young people, many of whom are voting for the first time who have backed the Greens.”

“This is just the next step in the growth of our movement for climate action and to end inequality. We will continue to go from strength to strength in the community, in the streets and in the Parliament.”

The Federal Government, in consultation with the Federal Opposition, has immediately acted on advice provided by the AEC this morning.

Any voter who has tested positive for COVID-19 after 6pm Friday 13th May will be able to access the Secure Telephone Voting service.

It is important that every Australian who is enrolled and entitled to vote, be able to exercise their democratic right and this change ensures that.

Labour force figures released today by the ABS confirm a 48-year low of 3.9 per cent unemployment for the month of April 2022.

More Australians are in work now than ever before.

This is what a strong economy looks like under a Liberal Government.

Even in the face of global shocks like the war in Europe, Australia’s economy has remained resilient. We need to keep the strong economic management going. Now is not the time to risk our economy on an opposition that has no plan and makes things up on the run.

Today’s figures are a reminder of the clear choice at the Federal Election. A choice between the Morrison Government that is building a strong economy and a stronger future or a Labor Party that would weaken our economy.

A choice between a long-term economic plan delivered by an experienced and tested team or a Labor leader who continues to lie about his own economic credentials, has no economic plan and would put our economic recovery at risk.

The Liberals have also announced a plan to deliver an additional 1.3 million new jobs. Under our plan, we will:

• Create another 1.3 million jobs over the next five years;
• Back small businesses with tax incentives to upskill and train their employees;
• Ensure Australians have the skills they need through new funding to support 800,000 new training positions;
• Train the next generation of apprentices with additional incentives, including $5,000 payments to new apprentices and incentives for employers; and
• Back jobs across Australia through our record $120 billion infrastructure pipeline.

Today’s strong economic data contrasts with Labor’s track record in Government. When Labor last came to office, the jobless rate was a little over 4 per cent. When they left government six years later, unemployment was 5.7 per cent and rising and there were 54,600 fewer young people with jobs.

That is what a weak economy looks like.

By working together and following our strong economic plan, Australia’s recovery is leading the world.

Let’s not turn back now.

COALITION	LABOR
Unemployment rate3.9 per cent (Apr-22)	Unemployment rate5.7 per cent (Sep 13)
Youth unemployment rate8.8 per cent (Apr-22)	Youth unemployment rate12.7 per cent (Sep-13)
Underemployment rate6.1 per cent (Apr-22)	Underemployment rate7.4 per cent (Sep-13)
Economic GrowthThe economy is forecast to grow by 4.25 per cent in 2021-22	Economic Growth2.1 per cent when Labor left office
ApprenticesA record 220,000 trade apprentices in training	ApprenticesIn 2012-13, the number of apprentices and trainees in training collapsed by 110,000 – the largest decline on record.

The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments will each invest $360 million to support a new Phase 3 Floods Recovery Package for Queensland under Category C and D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The Federal Government’s investment in the $720.61 million package follows consultation with the Federal Opposition.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this new investment brought the Federal Government’s total financial support for Queensland’s flood recovery to more than $1.76 billion.

“My Government has always backed Queenslanders in good times and in difficult times, and today we extend that support further,” the Prime Minister said.

“The terrible floods that we saw earlier this year will take many months to rebuild from, and we’ll stand with resilient Queenslanders every step of the way on that journey to recovery.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Category C and D funding is welcome.

“I’ve always said we work best when we work together,” the Premier said.

“I’m pleased the Federal Government has agreed to our request.”

Minister for Emergency Management Bridget McKenzie said the package included new funding for mental health, environmental measures and economic initiatives.

“These investments are the dividend of a strong economy, because when you have a strong budget you can afford to fund the essential services that Australians rely upon,” Minister McKenzie said.

“Long after flood waters recede, continuing support from governments is needed and that’s what this package delivers.”

The package includes:

• Human and Social Recovery Package: $20 million in flexible funding grants; $24.5 million for a community health and wellbeing package; $121.1 million for an accommodation package; and more than $12 million for a community development program.
• Economic Recovery Package: $2.5 million for industry recovery and resilience officers; $14.5 million for a small business support package; $7 million for a tourism recovery and resilience package; $3 million for a rural landholder recovery grant program; and $150 million for medium to large business recovery loans.
• Environmental Recovery Package: $28.9 million for an environmental recovery package; and $28 million for a flood risk management package.
• Infrastructure and Built Recovery Package: $150 million for a community and recreational assets program; $150 million for betterment for roads and transport assets; and $4 million for local recovery and resilience grants.
• Monitoring and evaluation program: $5 million for monitoring and evaluation of the package.

The Commonwealth’s significant contribution to Queensland’s flood recovery effort has included the deployment of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), direct funding to Queenslanders from the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), as well as the Phase 1 and Phase 2 packages. Residents across 23 local government areas have been supported, with more than $450.3 million distributed in direct Commonwealth payments to Queenslanders.