Author: admin

The Greens today announced their commitment to providing people in rural and regional
communities with access to free mental and dental health care through Medicare.

The commitment is part of the Greens’ broader $77.6 billion investment into free dental
care over the decade for all Australians, which was also announced today. Under the plan,
people will still be able to choose their dentist and routine and therapeutic dental services
will be bulk-billed or rebated.

Right now, many critical dental services are not available in regional and rural communities. If they are, they often have unacceptably long wait times.

Further compounding the issue is vast travel distances and increased costs of healthy
food choices and oral hygiene products. As a result, people living outside the major centers experience considerably poorer oral health outcomes than people who live in urban areas.

The Greens are the only party to commit to free and universal dental care under Medicare,
ending the outdated exclusion of oral health from Australia’s public health system.

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John said:
“We know that people who live in rural and regional communities have poorer oral health than people who live in major cities.

“That’s not good enough. Postcode should not be a determinant of health in this country.
“Dental services often aren’t available in regional WA, where there are fewer dental
practitioners than in urban areas. Coupled with longer travel distances and limited transport options, the impact on dental health for people in the regions is significant.

“In 2012, The Australian Greens secured free dental care for kids. We’re committed to ensuring that right extends to every person in Australia, no matter their age or where they live.”

Yamatji-Noongar woman and Greens Senator Dorinda Cox said:
“People living in rural and regional areas have the right to expect the same level and quality of dental services as city residents.

“But some regions in country WA have had some of the lowest rates of practising dentists in the country for decades, which means some residents wait years for treatment.

“While rural and regional areas – including remote Aboriginal communities – have been
identified as priority areas for dental services by various governments in the past, it’s clear that not enough has been done to ensure these communities get access to the services they need.

“The Greens are committed to ensuring that regional dental outcomes are brought in line with the standards we see in the city.”

Fossil fuel corporation 3D Oil has been exposed divulging to investors that it will commence drilling for its next cash bonanza off the coast of King Island next year. 

Managing Director of 3D Oil Noel Newell told investors “We are planning to drill in 2023 with Conoco [Phillips].”

The permit – T/49P – covers an area of 4,960 km2 in water depths of less than 100m. 

Greens Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“Just a few weeks ago Scott Morrison killed oil and gas drilling project PEP-11, located offshore of Sydney and Newcastle, due to significant community and environmental concerns. Labor leader Anthony Albanese also supported this project being stopped. 

“Stopping PEP-11 led to the NSW state government permanently banning oil and gas drilling off its beaches in state waters. If it’s good enough for NSW why not Tasmania or Victoria? 

“How is this not a serious double standard? King Island fishing communities and thousands of other Tasmanians do not want to see their coastlines and marine environments risked by new fossil fuel projects, especially in a time of climate emergency when the exact product they are seeking is warming and killing our oceans.

“Labor and Liberal need to commit to stopping this dangerous project, and like with PEP-11, they need to pledge this prior to the election so Tasmanians know where they stand.

“The undisputed authority, according to the government, on global energy systems – the International Energy Agency – said last year that to reach net zero by 2050, not one single new coal, oil or gas project can be built. Not one. 

“Australia already has enough oil and gas in reserves to trigger catastrophic climate change and yet this project intends to recklessly rip open another one, putting local fisheries and communities in jeopardy to drill for something we simply do not need.

“We are in a climate change crisis. Why risk unravelling the marine food chain, obliterating critical ecosystems and destroying local livelihoods for the sake of a few wealthy investors in the fossil fuel industry?

“Labor and Liberal are both beholden to big donations from oil and gas companies – it is the Liberal and Labor party’s predictable greed that allows fossil fuel corporations like 3D Oil to divulge plans to investors to do what they want, when they want.

“The only way to stop this unconscionable destruction is to kick the Liberals out and put the Greens in the balance of power at the next election. 

“Last year I introduced the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Fight for Australia’s Coastline) Bill 2021 to the Senate. This legislation would provide the mechanism necessary to permanently stop misguided and destructive offshore gas projects like what’s planned for the Otway Basin in their tracks – but we need the numbers in parliament to ensure it gets through.

“New Zealand, Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration – there is no reason Australia shouldn’t do the same.”

The Greens have condemned this morning’s intense operation to remove peaceful protesters from defending the ancient forests in takayna/Tarkine from being flattened for a proposed toxic tailings dam. 

Greens senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“This smacks of cynical politics – it looks to me like another attempt to inflame a long-standing environmental battle in takayna/Tarkine by the Government  for its own self-interest. 

“Morrison can see that he is on the nose with Australians – they don’t trust him and can see through his spin. He’s desperate, resorting to divisive culture wars as a vote-winning strategy. 

“Australians see the true value of these forests and that they are worth more standing, but the Liberals are only interested in divisive rhetoric to try and salvage votes in a marginal electorate they desperately need to win to have any hope of retaining government. 

“If our so-called Environment Minister was doing her job properly then MMG should have been prosecuted for breaching federal environmental law when it commenced works in threatened species habitat – including that of the masked owl – illegally. 

“Instead Minister Ley is more interested in using the environment as a political football than actually looking after it.

“If this Government thinks that sacrificing our threatened species habitat and aggravating an environmental battle to maintain votes is going to win the hearts of the people of Braddon then she’s clearly not been paying attention to what’s happening on the ground down here in Tassie.

“People are increasingly aware of takayna/Tarkine’s significance, and the Government’s short-sighted treatment of it, and we will not stop in the fight to protect it. 

“The Greens are ready to work alongside the community to protect takayna/Tarkine from any profit-hungry destruction MMG thinks it might be able to get away with under the watch of this reckless Government. 

“takayna/Tarkine is home to Australia’s largest temperate rainforest, full of First Nations sites of significance and enormous ecological value. It is a unique place that needs protecting from the threats of logging, mining and other industrial activities.

“When we kick the Liberals out, the Greens will push to secure protections for takayna/Tarkine and all Tasmania’s incredible forests.” 

The Australian Government has imposed targeted financial sanctions on 14 Russian state-owned enterprises of strategic and economic importance to Russia.

Today’s listings include defence-related entities such as transportation company Kamaz, and shipping companies SEVMASH and United Shipbuilding Corporation.

Sanctions extend to electronic component company Ruselectronics, which is responsible for the production of around 80 per cent of all Russian electronics components. They also target Russian Railways, which is one of the world’s largest transportation companies and one of the largest single contributors to Russia’s GDP.

Our targeting of Russia’s state-owned enterprises in coordination with key partners undermines their capacity to boost the Russian economy. By preventing dealings with these important sources of revenue for the Russian Government, we are increasing the pressure on Russia and undercutting its ability to continue funding Putin’s war.

The Australian Government reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.

We again call upon Russia to withdraw its military forces immediately from Ukraine.

The Greens say the PM’s admission that he has no interest in legislating an effective federal corruption watchdog is the final nail in the coffin of an historically terrible government.

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

“This is the worst kept secret in Australia. We all know that the Morrison Government doesn’t really want a federal integrity body, and by revealing yesterday that he had no plans to amend the weak model he’s proposed he’s effectively admitted that no watchdog will happen if his government wins a fourth term.

“And who’s fault is it that literally no one thinks his model is worth a damn? Why everyone else’s of course!

“Morrison claims that his proposed body is ‘well thought through’, but it’s a sham that simply provides protection for dodgy parliamentarians – much like his entire prime ministership.

“My bill for a strong, independent and retrospective National Integrity Commission, that would be able to investigate anonymous tip-offs and hold public hearings, passed the Senate in 2019.

“The PM continually blocked this legislation from coming on for a vote in the House because he knows it’s effective and he knows that it would put half his cabinet under scrutiny.

“This man is not fit to lead. With Greens in balance of power after the election we can kick out this historically awful government and push the next government to establish a real ICAC with teeth.”

Under Labor, families will get the bulk billed urgent medical care they need, without having to wait hours at over-burdened hospital emergency departments.  
 
An Albanese Labor Government will fund Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to be based at GP surgeries and Community Health Centres in at least 50 locations across Australia. 
 
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take the pressure off hospital emergency departments by providing an alternative option for families needing urgent care from a doctor or nurse. They will treat sprains and broken bones, stitches and glue for cuts, wound care, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems and minor burns. 
 
Care will be bulk billed, meaning families won’t be out-of-pocket for having a loved one attended to, just like if they’d gone to a public hospital. 
 
They’ll be open seven days a week from at least 8am to 10pm – the time when the majority of non-life-threatening injuries occur. 
 
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will relieve pressure on hospitals, and free up dedicated nurses and doctors at hospital emergency departments so they can focus on providing care for serious and life-threating presentations. 
 
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics build on a successful model of care adopted internationally, most prominently in New Zealand where they have been credited with delivering the lowest rate of emergency department attendance per capita in the developed world.
 
Each clinic will differ in size and structure, to meet the needs of the local community.
 
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be located across Australia – in every State and Territory. 
 
Labor will invest over $135 million across four years to establish a trial of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. 
 

Anthony Albanese said:  

“Labor’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will mean more families will get top quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department. 
 
“These clinics are a key part of Labor’s plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.
 
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take the pressure off emergency departments, so they can concentrate on saving lives.”
 

Mark Butler said:  

“Medicare Urgent Care Centres are a practical, tangible example of Labor’s commitment to strengthen Medicare and make it easier for families to access care.
 
“Medicare is the bedrock of our health system and by using it to help take the pressure off hospital emergency departments we make can the whole system stronger.” 

An Albanese Labor Government will extend health and wellbeing support for our nurses across the country with a new National Nurse and Midwife Health Service.

Nurses have been the heroes of this pandemic. They have been dealing with the COVID crisis for more than two years – they are stressed, burned out and leaving the profession. 

They deserve our help. 

The new National Nurse and Midwife Health Service will provide nurses and midwives with a range of personalised and professional support services to help them manage burnout and stress.

This will build on the successful Nursing and Midwifery Health Program already available in Victoria, which has been inundated with calls from nurses struggling with wellbeing during the pandemic.

As restrictions ease around the country, there is no end in sight for our nurses. Many of them are close to breaking point – one survey of 7,800 Australian healthcare workers found 40 per cent had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that one in five frontline workers, including nurses, are considering quitting their job because of the pandemic.

Australia is already facing dire nursing shortages – we can’t afford to lose any more due to unnecessary burn-out.

Labor will ensure these heroes of the pandemic get the help they need, when they need it most.

The program will be open to enrolled and registered nurses, midwives and students. Labor will commit up to $23 million to the National Nurse and Midwife Health Service to keep nurses in the job, and keep them caring for Australians.

The Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger economy will help secure the forestry industry’s 73,000 jobs with a $219.5 million package that invests in new technologies to expand the sector.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as the country tackled building material shortages and uncertainty around global supply chains, the jobs and skills in Australia’s forestry industry in regional areas were critical to a stronger future.

The Prime Minister said under the Liberals and Nationals, the Government would never support shutdowns of native forestry and would work with state government to create permanent timber production areas.

“Global demand for wood products is set to quadruple by 2050 so this investment in the jobs and future of the forestry industry is critical,” the Prime Minister said.

“The pressures on the building industry and the uncertain international trade situation has made it clear that local wood products and local skills are critical. Just ask any tradie who has been trying to get wood products.

“We can turbocharge this $23 billion industry with the right skills development and the right cutting edge research that our plan delivers.

“Only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to secure and grow Australia’s forestry industry as we build a stronger economy and a stronger future.”

The Morrison Government’s plan for forestry includes:

• $100 million to establish an Australia-wide National Institute for Forest Products Innovation, including a central host hub located in Launceston and up to five regionally-located Centres of Excellence across Australia
• $6.6 million to extend funding for the 11 Regional Forestry Hubs that help local industry and business connect with cutting edge research
• $112.9 million in grants to accelerate adoption of new wood processing technologies in Australia’s manufacturing and processing businesses that will maximise log recovery, process smaller diameter logs and create new and innovative wood products

That plan builds on recent Budget measures including:

• $86.2 million in a new Plantation Establishment Program to help reduce the upfront costs of establishing new plantations and get more trees in the ground in key regions around the country
• $4.4 million to strengthen Australia’s illegal logging system and stop illegal timber imports from undercutting Australian producers

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam said the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation would be centred at the heart of Australia’s forestry industry in northern Tasmania.

“We want to increase our self-reliance when it comes to wood supply and that means more job opportunities, more research and more manufacturing processing right here in Australia,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“Instead of importing products from overseas, we want to grow the trees here, process them here and add value to them right here in Australia.

“These investments mean helping our businesses and workers develop new timber products for buildings, turning wood waste into useful materials, and replacing plastics with wood-based bioplastics.

“Our forestry workers and industry are key to successful regional communities around the country and our plan helps deliver a stronger economy for their future.

“On our watch we’ve set up programs to make plantation expansion easier, we’ve invested $40 million to help the sector recover from the Black Summer bushfires, we’ve committed to planting 1 billion trees, and we’ve beefed up our moves to stop illegal timber imports from undercutting Australian producers.

“Australia’s forests aren’t just the basis of a critical industry supporting 73,000 jobs. They also store around 22 billion tonnes of carbon. Our investments are good for jobs and good for the climate.

“Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party have been silent while the Victorian and WA Labor Governments shut down native forestry.

“No matter what they tell you at this election, their actions speak louder than words and they’ll sell out regional communities at the first opportunity.”

Australia’s local refineries will receive support from the Morrison Government for major infrastructure upgrades to strengthen local production and supply better-quality fuels.

Through the Refinery Upgrades Program, the Morrison Government is providing $250 million to Australia’s domestic refiners, the Ampol refinery in Lytton, Brisbane and the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong, Victoria.

These two $125 million grants will be matched by both refineries and will allow them to begin major construction works to upgrade their facilities. This will bring more than $500 million of public and private sector investment into these local communities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s investments would secure fuel production and supply for Australia in the face of global uncertainty.

“COVID-19, the Russian war in Ukraine and trade restrictions have disrupted global supply chains and Australia is not immune,” the Prime Minister said.

“Oil refineries literally fuel a stronger economy and these investments will help keep our truckies, miners, defence force and farmers moving across Australia.

“Our plan for a stronger future locks in Australia’s refining capabilities and will ensure upgrades are made to improve the quality of our fuel.

“These investments also protect the 1,250 existing refinery jobs and support the creation of around 500 more construction jobs across Lytton in Brisbane and Geelong.

“Cutting the fuel tax and this fuel security package put Australian motorists and businesses first. Our support for local refineries ensures we have the local capabilities to produce fuel even in the most challenging of times to keep our economy running.”

This funding is part of the Government’s comprehensive fuel security package announced in the 2021-22 Budget, which has locked in both the refineries operations into the future.

Strong supply chains underpin Australia’s economic security and Australia’s living standards.

The Government is focused on securing essential supply chains with our $2.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, including key investments through our Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.

Last year we secured production of Adblue at Gibson Island in Brisbane – an essential input to keep trucking fleets operating. This followed China’s sudden decision to suspend urea exports, from which we make AdBlue.

The grants will enable the local production of ultra-low sulfur petrol products in Australia and allow the Government to bring forward the introduction of a new standard from 2027 to 2024.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants would not only support our local refining capability and safeguard fuel security, but also provide health benefits for Australians.

“Bringing forward the roll-out of ultra-low sulfur fuel from 2027 to 2024 will deliver significant health benefits for Australians through improved air quality. This is estimated to result in $1.02 billion in avoided health costs,” Minister Taylor said.

“These grants are the next step in the Morrison Government delivering on our commitment to support Australian domestic refiners to keep producing local fuel for Australian motorists.

“As well as enabling the production of better quality fuels, our landmark refinery production payments continue to provide taxpayers with lower than budgeted payments, with both refineries not needing any support in the second quarter.

“We will continue to ensure Australian families and local industry can access the quality fuel they need, when they need it through our fuel security package.”

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has further confirmed that Ampol and Viva Energy will not need to receive any payment for the second period of the Fuel Security Services Payment because the refineries were doing well. This follows on from quarter one, where only Viva Energy received payment, totalling $12.45 million.

The Refinery Upgrade Program is a key part of the Government’s comprehensive fuel security package, announced in the 2020-21 Budget, to secure Australia’s long-term fuel supply by ensuring our sovereign refining capability meets our needs during an emergency and into the future.

These grants will cover up to 50 per cent of total eligible project expenditure up to the maximum grant of $125 million. Projects are expected to be completed before the end of 2024.

This is in addition to the Morrison Government’s action to halve the fuel excise for six months to ease pressures at the petrol pump and cost of living concerns for Australian motorists.