Category: Australian News

The Greens have welcomed a historic breakthrough for better management of packaging waste and recycling in Australia, following today’s release of a joint statement from key industry groups in support of a mandatory product stewardship scheme for packaging by 2026. 

The question is, will Labor act now? 

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“Australia has missed plastic and waste reduction targets for decades because our self-regulated or voluntary system of reducing plastics simply does not work. 

“Agreement between industry and environment groups for binding regulations on reducing packaging waste is an important and historic moment. Having the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) sign-on is especially significant.

“APCO has always been coy about publicly advocating for a mandatory product stewardship scheme, even though many of its members want stronger regulation from government. The organisation has been plagued by a handful of powerful packaging companies, retailers or brands that have refused to do the right thing in committing to national waste reduction and recycling targets.

“Successive governments have spent decades delaying action on legislating legally binding packaging reduction regulations, in the hope that big corporations will miraculously pick up their game. The polluters have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. 

“Tanya Plibersek threatened multiple times in this parliament that she would step in and regulate polluters if they couldn’t get their act together, but she has never followed through. In the dying days of this parliament there is an opportunity here for her to win some credibility back by finally introducing a mandated product stewardship scheme for packaging and soft plastics.”

Today the Leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell has called for a large-scale home and community electrification package including extra rebates for batteries and solar panels, home insulation and the reinstatement of the community climate adaptation grants program, which was cancelled by the Victorian Labor Government.

Ms Sandell has called for this climate action package to be included in the upcoming Victorian State Budget, saying that the recent cyclone Alfred that hit Queensland and New South Wales needs to be a wake up call for all politicians that much more needs to be done to avert more climate disasters.

It comes as Victoria also just recorded its hottest summer on record, with many people forced to swelter in recurring heatwaves or face massive energy bills for running air conditioning. 

Extreme weather events are costing billions of dollars as recent reports indicate that Cyclone Alfred has cost more than $1.2 billion of damage, people missing work and having their businesses forced shut by ongoing power outages.

The Victorian Greens say that we need to be doing more to prepare communities and prevent them from footing the bill of climate disasters, but instead Labor continues to burn coal and gas and has cut multiple climate programs. 

Infrastructure Victoria just outlined that we’re behind on climate targets and the most recent data says that Victoria’s emissions have risen by 5%. 

While Labor has cut the Community Climate Change Adaption Program, the battery rebate program, Home Heating and Cooling Program and reduced solar panel rebates as well as continuing to burn coal and gas. 

The Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell said that the Victorian Government was not doing enough to prevent climate disasters or prepare communities for extreme weather – and that a large-scale cash-back program to move homes away from gas and install batteries and solar on Victorian homes would reduce energy bills as well as reduce emissions.

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell: 

“Labor in Victoria has cancelled and cut multiple climate change programs while continuing to burn coal and gas which make climate change worse.”

“Communities shouldn’t have to continue to foot the bill for climate disasters while Labor governments cut climate programs and continue to burn coal and gas”

“We’ve just had the hottest summer in Victoria’s history and Cyclone Alfred wreaked havoc on NSW and Queensland, it’s not good enough for governments just to clean up after climate disasters, we need to prepare communities for the future and do everything we can to prevent future climate disasters by reducing our emissions now.”

“The Greens are calling on Labor to reinstate cash-back programs for home batteries, and increase rebates for home solar panels, so that people can afford to move away from expensive gas heating to reduce their emissions and their energy bills”

In light of Four Corners’ reporting overnight suggesting Australia’s early childhood education and care system is at breaking point, the Greens are urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission.

Investigative reporting from the ABC’s Four Corners program has highlighted a series of deeply troubling revelations including instances of serious abuse, staff misconduct, over-enrolment and other issues caused by a trend of putting profit over care. There is evidence that these issues may be systemic and occurring in centres across the country. 

The Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May, says the Prime Minister cannot keep ignoring alarm bells, such as those identified in the Four Corners report, and must set out a clear roadmap to reform via a Royal Commission, similar to the one into Aged Care Quality and Safety. 

Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: 

“The Prime Minister can’t keep ignoring the alarm bells that are ringing so loudly within the childcare sector. It’s time for a serious overhaul.

“The Greens are urging the government to initiate a Royal Commission, like was done with the crisis in the aged care system, to make sure that every childcare centre in the country is operating safely for both the kids in care as well as the staff.

“The reports we know about are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A Royal Commission into privatised early childhood education would bring to light the extent of the problem, and help pave the way for reform. 

“The current system is riddled with problems after years of neglect and marketisation of policy—it is too expensive, inaccessible and, at times, even harmful.

“Labor’s childcare subsidy encourages for-profit providers to minimise costs, increase fees and make greater returns often at the expense of our kids. It’s a broken system.

“The Greens believe in free universal education for all—right through from children to university—but we recognise a low-cost flat fee of $10 a day would be a significant improvement on the current approach.

“With more Greens in Parliament, we can fight for free, universal and high-quality early childhood education.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia joined a Coalition of the Willing virtual meeting hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, along with President Zelenskyy and leaders from Europe, Canada and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Albanese reiterated Australia’s strong and steadfast support for Ukraine and restated that Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Leaders agreed to continue working on delivering concrete actions to support Ukraine now and into the future.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

Australia stands with Ukraine and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes. It is the right thing to do and it is in Australia’s national interest. Because what happens in the Euro-Atlantic has serious implications for our region – the Indo-Pacific – and vice versa.

This is a struggle not just for the people of Ukraine and their national sovereignty. This is a struggle for the international rule of law.

President Putin’s regime has imperialist designs, for Ukraine and beyond.

We must ensure Russia’s illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process.

Australia supports all meaningful progress towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and for broader security in Europe. But pressure will need to be applied on Russia to engage in good faith.

Australia is always open to considering any new proposals to support Ukraine – which we do so based on our capacity and comparative strengths.

Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including $1.3 billion in military support and through vital equipment and training of Ukrainian forces.

Australia is open to considering any requests to contribute to a future peacekeeping effort in support of the just and lasting peace we all want for Ukraine. 

We have a proud tradition of supporting peace through 80 years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Of course, peacekeeping missions by definition require a precondition of peace.

The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are fixing roads across Victoria, improving safety and better connecting Melbourne’s suburbs, Victoria’s regions, and surrounds.

The Australian and Victorian Governments will deliver two new road projects in a big win for the south-east:

• Nepean Highway and Overton Road Intersection Upgrade ($50 million)
• McLeod Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway Intersection Upgrade ($25 million)

The Nepean Highway and Overton Road Intersection Upgrade will enhance road safety for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists by installing traffic signals and improving footpath connectivity to the existing Kananook Creek Trail.

The McLeod Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway Intersection Upgrade will deliver improvements to this intersection, supporting journeys between the south-east suburbs and the coast.

These will be transformative projects for Melbourne’s south-east, improving the lives of residents from Carrum to Frankston and beyond.  

The projects are part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $1 billion Road Blitz, matching the existing near-billion dollar road blitz campaign by the Allan Labor Government, who have since added an additional $200 million.

This money is ready, right now, to fix roads in need of critical upgrades.

This follows funding already allocated to three projects under the Road Blitz, including:

• Sealing and upgrading 5.6km of Old Sydney Road from the Mitchell/Hume boundary, Mickleham, to Camerons Lane, Beveridge.
• Completing the duplication of Evans Road, Cranbourne, between Duff Street and Central Parkway.
• Delivering further works at the intersection of McLeod Road and Station Street, Carrum, including adjustments to improve signalisation and traffic flow.

Delivery timeframes for the projects will be determined in consultation with the Victorian Government.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese:

“My Government is building Australia’s future – and that means building Victoria’s future too. We want to make sure all Victorians have the services and the infrastructure they need now and into the future.

“We will continue to partner with the Victorian Government to deliver critical road upgrades to provide immediate congestion relief now.

“This is good for local jobs, good for local businesses and good for commuters.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan:

“Every Victorian wants to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family – that’s why we’re delivering major road upgrades across Melbourne’s south-east and faster and safer journeys for decades to come.”

“As we build more homes, we are making sure our fastest growing communities have the transport infrastructure they deserve now and into the future.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“We’re fixing roads right across Victoria; from Ararat to Gippsland to Melbourne, we’re giving Victorians the infrastructure they deserve after being short-changed by the former Coalition government. 

“These will be transformative projects for Melbourne’s south-east, better connecting these growing suburbs with the city and the region.

“The Road Blitz will fund projects to improve network efficiency, travel times and road safety in key areas of Melbourne and its surrounds, to match the Victorian Government’s Road Blitz which is largely focused on the regions.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:

“After ten years of neglect from the federal Liberal National Party, it’s fantastic to have a partner in Canberra that can find Victoria on a map and deliver critical investments to keep our state moving.”

“Our growing communities deserve the very best road connections, which is why we are investing more to improve traffic flow and boost safety.”

Member for Dunkley Jodie Belyea:

“As a local who travels frequently across our community, I know this investment will make a major difference for pedestrians and road users.

“These upgrades will enhance safety for pedestrians and road users in our local community.

“These upgrades will make our local roads safer and get people moving faster.

“This money is ready right now, to deliver two major road upgrades in our community.

“Only the Albanese Labor Government is continuing to invest in roads and infrastructure in our local community, building Australia’s future.”

The Australian Government condemns the recent horrific violence in Syria’s coastal region.

We are deeply concerned by UN reports that many civilians from the Alawite community were summarily executed and understand the community’s distress. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Australia condemns the murder of innocent civilians. All minorities must be protected, including those from the Alawite, Christian, Druze and Kurdish communities. 

The Government has urged all parties to protect civilians, exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue.

We are closely monitoring the words and actions of Syria’s interim authorities, including their pledge to hold accountable all those involved in the bloodshed.

The persistent conflict, oppression and displacement that Syria’s population has long endured must end.

Australia calls on Syria’s interim authorities to lead an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process that fully respects the rights of all minorities and establishes a representative, non-sectarian government.

We will continue to engage with the UN and our international partners to encourage lasting political change and inclusive governance to deliver long-overdue peace and stability for the Syrian people.

Fourteen iconic events from Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to the TCS Sydney Marathon and Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, will benefit from less red tape in recognition of their importance to our state’s identity.

The Minns Labor Government is introducing a new events framework, and announcing the first round of Foundation Events, to secure our calendar of events, including the Sydney Festival, the Parkes Elvis Festival, Vivid Sydney and the Bathurst 1000.

Events are a significant contributor to the NSW visitor economy. In 2023-24, events supported by the Destination NSW alone delivered $1 billion in visitor expenditure for the state. In classifying these events as foundation, we not only protect them but also ensure their ongoing contribution to the NSW visitor economy, support for local businesses and role as jobs creators.

The new framework complements the NSW Government’s focus on experience tourism to keep visitors coming back to enjoy our iconic events time and again.

The event framework recognises that foundation events contribute not just economically but to the cultural fabric and tradition of the state. For example, the NRL Grand Final should be assessed and supported differently to a travelling Premier League match due to its significance over many decades to NSW. 

Beyond generating economic value through direct event visitation, the framework will assess the social contribution and community benefits, as well as social and cultural legacy of events.

The event framework gives event organisers certainty, which allows them to innovate with programming, drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.

Foundation Events will be assessed differently, and provided additional support –

• Prioritised for a minimum 3-year Strategic Investment Agreement with Destination NSW (or 3 events for bi-annual events) with renewals negotiated one year prior to the last event. This gives events greater certainty and room to plan.
• A more favourable regulatory environment will support events to maximise benefits for the community.
• An event assessment approach which provides greater consideration of strategic, economic, marketing and brand, social and cultural benefits.

Events included in the first round of Foundation Events

• Bathurst 1000
• Biennale of Sydney
• Bluesfest
• Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
• Deni Ute Muster
• NRL Men’s & Women’s Grand Final
• Parkes Elvis Festival
• Sydney Festival
• Sydney Fringe Festival
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• SXSW Sydney
• Tamworth Country Music Festival
• TCS Sydney Marathon
• Vivid Sydney

This list will be reviewed periodically, and more events will be announced in the future.

Minister for Arts, Tourism, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said:

“We are building the calendar and investing for growth. These events light up the calendar, they have become part of who we are, and it’s time we give them the recognition and certainty they deserve.

“The NSW calendar has an incredible line up of events, special times in our annual calendar that allow us to come together for iconic moments. The foundation events framework gives these festivals certainty so they can keep producing these important experiences for us all to share.

“What these incredibly fun and unique events speak to, is government supporting local communities to play to their strengths and then tell their local story to the world. Locals know what works in their patch. We support them to do it!

“The foundation events framework gives events certainty, which drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.”

Background

• The three new event categories
  • Foundation Events: Regular, recurring events that may grow in size and significance over time. These events are often essential to NSW’s identity and visitor economy.
  • Major Events: Large-scale events that bring in significant visitor economy and economic benefits. They could happen once or several times and have a major impact on an area.
  • Local Events: These events are typically smaller in scale and contribute to a local visitor economy and the community.
• The stage process:
  • Step 1: Classify the event
  • Step 2: Assess the event based on criteria
  • Step 3: Make a recommendation and prioritise

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing $750 million to boost development of new technologies to ensure our metals manufacturers remain globally competitive.

Australia is already prized for its alumina, aluminium, iron and steel, and this funding will value add to our high quality Australian metals exports worth over $150 billion annually.

Part of the $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund announced at Budget 2024/25, this new $750 million of funding will supercharge cutting-edge innovation and boost development of new low emissions technologies.

The Fund will support the development of cutting-edge new technologies, as well as funding pilot and demonstration projects, that can lower emissions, improve productivity and revitalise plant and equipment.

It will have the potential to unlock commercial-scale production of green metals using Australian ores and renewable resources, opening the door to more trade opportunities, more jobs, more value-adding and lower emissions.

Funding will be administered independently through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Building on the Albanese Labor Government’s significant support for manufacturing, this latest investment is part of more than $5 billion now allocated to supercharge Australian metals industry.

Together these initiatives demonstrate the Albanese Labor Government’s clear determination for sovereign metals manufacturing to remain in Australia’s future.

• Green Aluminium Production Credits
• Green Iron Investment Fund
• Joint package with SA Government to give steelmaking in Whyalla a strong future
• Funding for clean energy technology manufacturing – accelerating the deployment of emerging battery technologies, wind turbine manufacturing and hydrogen electrolysers
• Funding for low carbon liquid fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.
• Passing legislation to deliver Production Tax Credits for hydrogen and critical minerals, which was opposed by the Liberals and Nationals
• Investment in major critical minerals and rare earths projects through the Critical Minerals Facility including Iluka and Arafura
• Investing in Geoscience Australia to accelerate the discovery of resources
• Funding Hydrogen Headstart to catalyse Australia’s hydrogen and clean energy industries
• Investing in green metals through the Powering the Regions Fund

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We want to see more Australian workers make more things here.

“That’s why we are allocating funding to back our local metals manufacturers to seize the opportunities of the future.

“We’ve got the resources, the workers, and the know-how – the only thing we don’t have is time to waste.”

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:

“Jobs up and emissions down, that’s our goal and investing in our world-class Australian made metals know-how is helping make that happen.

“The work of our scientists and researchers can sharpen our competitive edge, but getting that work into our mills and smelters quickly is a challenge, and that’s where this investment comes in.

“Demand for green metals is expected to account for a third of the global metals market in coming years, this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

“For a century, metal-making has been the spine of Australian industry, and this investment is there so it continues to underpin our economic and national security resilience for decades to come.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“The Albanese Labor Government is backing businesses across the country to seize the opportunities of a Future Made in Australia, powered by low-emissions tech including reliable renewables.

“While we are getting on with the job and delivering solutions for hard-to-abate sectors to decarbonise right now, Peter Dutton’s Coalition is championing a $600 billion dollar nuclear scheme that relies on a smaller economy and Australian industry being forced to shut down.

“Helping some of Australia’s largest industrial emitters, like alumina refining, capture the benefits of a global clean energy economy, cut fuel bills and remain competitive is at the centre of a Future Made in Australia.”

Parliament is set to pass laws that end no grounds evictions and rental bidding today as the Victorian Greens claim this as a ‘huge win for renters’ and renew calls for rent controls.

The reforms to ban no grounds evictions and rental bidding are included in the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024, which is slated to pass through the Upper House later today with support from the Greens.

After years of pressure from the Greens, Labor has finally delivered some relief for struggling renters but the Greens say that while these are huge reforms that have been long fought for, rent controls are the final piece that will make the biggest difference for renters.

The laws set to pass today will make it illegal for real estate agents to accept offers above the listed rental price; end the ability for landlords to kick renters out at the end of a first fixed term agreement; increase notice period for rent increases and notices to vacate from 60 to 90 days; protect renters’ privacy and end hidden fees through predatory third party apps.

The Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri said these are tangible reforms for renters, but that until unlimited rent increases are made illegal, housing will still be unaffordable and insecure for renters.

Victorian Greens Renters’ Rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“For too long landlords and real estate agents have been able to prey on renters, forcing them to bid against each other for a roof over their heads and then kicking them out for no reason. But after years of Greens pressure, today we’re making that illegal.

“These reforms are a huge win for renters, but we know that a massive rent increase is still just a de facto eviction and that to make a real difference in the lives of renters, we need to make unlimited rent increases illegal. We’ll keep standing up for renters and pushing Labor until we freeze and cap rents.”

On the eve of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and the sixth anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacre, the Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-racism spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on the Prime Minister to stop the targeting of Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians and to start combatting rising Islamophobia. 

Following the publication of the Fifth Islamophobia in Australia report, Senator Faruqi has written to the Prime Minister urging the government to drop the one-sided approach to racism, unequivocally acknowledge the breadth and depth of rising Islamophobia and reject political narratives that fuel Islamophobia. 

Senator Faruqi said:

“Rather than tackling Islamophobia with the urgency it deserves, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities who are bearing the brunt of this racism are being silenced, demonised and gaslighted, especially over the last 18 months of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“It has been six years since an Australian far-right terrorist murdered 51 people in a Christchurch mosque. This should have been a turning point but both Labor and the Liberals still ignore the reality for Muslims in this country, treating us like second class citizens.

“It is 2025 and mosques are threatened with violence, racist graffiti is rampant and people are losing their jobs and being demonised in the media for opposing a genocide. 

“Communities are suffering but the Prime Minister refuses to treat Islamophobia like the emergency it is. In fact, the Labor Party is pouring fuel into the fire through its complicity in Israel’s genocide on the Palestinian people.

“It is deeply disturbing that Muslim women are largely the target of the rise in Islamophobia. The particularly toxic crossover of racism and sexism really harms us. 

“People are rightly angry at the double standards in the way Muslims in this country are treated. The Prime Minister must drop the one-sided approach to racism, unequivocally acknowledge the breadth and depth of rising Islamophobia and loudly reject political narratives that fuel fear, blame and hatred against Muslims. 

“Muslim communities are not hapless victims of racism. We are sick and tired of being taken for granted, used as photo props and for harvesting votes. People are organising and ready to hold political leaders who have failed them to account. 

“We’ve had enough. People are hurt, angry and frustrated by the glaring double standards and hypocrisy of the two big parties when it comes to tackling Islamophobia. We can see right through them.

“Politicians deliberately neglect, and even deny, Islamophobia while hiding behind whitewashed buzzwords. All this does is bury the truth and entrench white privilege.

“I urge the Prime Minister to fully fund the implementation of the National Anti-racism Framework in the upcoming budget so we can start to eliminate all forms of racism, bigotry and hate.

“The Greens are the only party with an anti-racism portfolio, and the only party committed to fighting all forms of racism, something that the Labor and Liberal parties cannot say.File

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Correspondence from Senator Faruqi.pdf