16 News

The Albanese Government is investing $750 million to deliver a pipeline of Bushmasters for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) fleet of protected mobility vehicles in regional Victoria, supporting around 300 local jobs for the next seven years. 

Thales Australia will build 268 new Bushmasters for the ADF at its Bendigo facility, continuing over 20 years of production of this world-leading capability and providing certainty to the workforce and region that depends on it.

The delivery of these additional Bushmasters will significantly boost the ADF’s combat capability and force projection, as part of a modernised protected mobility fleet able to operate in our immediate region. Bushmasters are critical to the integrated force – including littoral manoeuvre, long range fires and the amphibious capable combined arms land system.

As the protected mobility vehicle of choice for nine countries, the Bushmaster is an Australian defence industry success story and a priority capability for the Australian Defence Strategic Sales Office.

In response to a request, the Albanese Government has also agreed for recently delivered Bushmasters to be sold to the Netherlands. This export provides further certainty to the Bendigo workforce, with Thales to replace these vehicles for the ADF in their next production round at no cost and in addition to this new order for the Army.

The manufacture of these Bushmasters adds to the vehicles already being built to replace those gifted to Ukraine – to support its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion – and 59 vehicles being acquired under LAND 8113. 

The Albanese Government is also investing $450 million towards upgrades of the Thales Hawkei protected mobility vehicles, and the Rheinmetall Medium/Heavy Truck Capability as part of the 2026 Integrated Investment Program’s protected mobility vehicle modernisation program. 

The modernisation of the Hawkei vehicles will be conducted by Thales in Brisbane, supporting 150 local jobs, and many more across the supply chain in Australia. 

Through these projects, the Albanese Government is investing $1.2 billion in uplifting ADF’s fleet of protected mobility vehicles. 

This work will further strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence industry, as well as deliver significant benefits for the local workforce in both Bendigo and Brisbane. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles: 

“The Australian-built Bushmaster and Hawkei are recognised as world-leading protected mobility vehicles. 

“Through this investment the Albanese Government is sustaining Australian jobs, strengthening our national defence industry and delivering a capability that protects the lives of Australian Defence Force personnel.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: 

“Built in Bendigo, Bushmasters are an iconic Australian vehicle that delivers world-leading protection to the Australian Defence Force. 

“We’re building close to 300 new Bushmasters, securing around 300 local jobs and delivering long-term certainty to the industry, workers and region that depends on this critical capability.”

This week, I will travel to Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea as part of the Albanese Government’s work to strengthen Australia’s relationships and our shared energy security.

The Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global energy markets, with Asian refineries and the Indo-Pacific region disproportionately affected.

Direct, in-person engagement with counterparts across our region will help ensure we are coordinating effectively as these disruptions continue to unfold.

In Tokyo, I will meet with my counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Motegi Toshimitsu, other Cabinet Ministers, and industry leaders to discuss energy and fuel security, the Middle East conflict and other issues of shared interest.

Australia and Japan are Special Strategic Partners and close friends, with a relationship built on trust, aligned values, and mutual interests. Together, we support a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

In Beijing, I will hold the eighth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Australian Government remains committed to a stable and constructive relationship with China, which is in the interests of both our countries.

Australia and China have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and benefit from deep economic ties, with our trade relationship underpinning supply chains, investment and livelihoods in both economies.

Dialogue between our countries enables us to progress the full range of our interests and manage our differences.

In Seoul, I will meet with my counterpart, H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyun – Australia and the Republic of Korea are Comprehensive Strategic Partners with a strong bilateral relationship underpinned by shared strategic interests, complementary economies and generational ties between our people.

The Republic of Korea is one of Australia’s most important sources of refined fuels, including diesel, automotive gasoline and aviation fuel.

Australia will continue working with international partners to help secure the supplies we need – including diesel, petrol and fertiliser – and ensure Australia is prioritised as a reliable energy partner.

The Victorian Greens say that Labor must explain why there is no evidence that $1.35 million of taxpayer money meant for forest restoration was used as intended.  

A new VAGO report states that $1.35 million given in grants specifically allocated for ‘site rehabilitation’ were gifted by Labor but they have failed to provide any evidence of work delivered, achieved environmental outcomes or that funds were used as intended. 

The Victorian Greens say that it’s outrageous that millions in public money can be spent with no evidence that forests were rehabilitated as planned – and as a result there are likely large tracts of Victorian forest that have been left with no forest rehabilitation. 

VAGO’s report only looks at one portion of the $1.5 billion the Victorian Labor Government has given to the logging industry to stop native forest logging.  

The report found that the Victorian Labor Government failed to comply with rules, leaving gaps in its recording and oversight processes.  

The audit followed a series of allegations dating back to May 2023 that government grants meant for supporting workers into sustainable jobs were being exploited to log Tasmanian forests. The Victorian Greens Leader, Ellen Sandell referred the allegations to VAGO in March 2024. 

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell: 

“Labor needs to explain why there is no evidence that taxpayer money specifically set aside for forest restoration and rehabilitation were used as intended. 

“It’s outrageous that there’s likely huge parts of the forest that have been left without any rehabilitation because Labor gave millions to the logging industry – and nobody ever had to prove how this money was spent. 

“Labor doesn’t care about our environment or our forests, but is happy to give millions handouts to loggers, and this is just another example of this”

On Anzac Day, we pause to acknowledge the debt all of us owe to Australians who have gone to war in our name.

Across our continent, from the biggest cities to the smallest country town, and in every corner of the world made hallow by the sacrifice of our fallen, we gather in respect, reflection, gratitude and pride.

One hundred and eleven years after the first Gallipoli landing, Anzac Day has come to stand for every generation of Australians who have served.

At dawn services and marches today, we renew our solemn promise to remember all those young Australians who did not grow old and everyone they left behind. 

We remember all who lived to keep fighting and all who finally made it home, but with the battle raging forever in their hearts.

We reflect on all they went through and all they were up against, and we give thanks for the difference they made just when the world needed it most.

We give thanks to our veterans for all you have given. 

We thank all Australians serving now, and we thank your families, who take on both the pride and the burden.

Time and time again, Australians at war have embodied the courage, selflessness and mateship that define our national character.  

What their legacy proves to us is that even when peace seems elusive, it is always worth fighting for. 

So we gather. And as we give thanks for the light of every bright dawn that was their promise to us, we keep tending the flame of memory. 

Lest we forget.

On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers huddled together silently in their row boats as they approached the beaches and hills of Gallipoli. Although they were young and afraid, they prepared to battle with an unseen enemy to protect the rest of us.

Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

111 years later, our Anzac spirit is as strong as ever.

Tomorrow at dawn, Australians and New Zealanders across the world will pause to honour those who have served and continue to serve in our defence forces during times of war, conflict, and humanitarian and peace operations.

In cities and towns across Australia and around the globe, we take the chance to recognise those who have and continue to wear our nation’s uniform, as well as their families who support them to serve.

We honour the memory of the 103,000 Australians who have given their life in our country’s name.

Approximately 1250 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently deployed on operations across Australia, the Indo-Pacific region and the globe. These deployments are an example of the continuing Anzac spirit while serving Australia’s national interests.

As Australians attend dawn services and take part in marches, we reflect on the tremendous sacrifices our current and former serving personnel and their families have and continue to make, so that our nation and its people can enjoy freedom and safety today.

Lest we forget. 

Reports this morning that the Prime Minister wants to continue to allow offshore gas corporations to get Australian gas for free and pay pocket change in PRRT, despite the extraordinary evidence presented to the senate inquiry, indicate that this Prime Minister is more concerned with keeping big corporations happy than he is with representing the interests of the Australian people.

On the matter of trading LNG for fuel:

Australian gas corporations can’t unilaterally pass on a gas export tax to customers in Asia. Approximately 80% of Australian gas is in long term contracts with prices tied to the global oil price, and 20% on a fluctuating spot market. Producers aren’t unilateral price setters and would overwhelmingly absorb the impact of an export levy in their healthy profit margins.

This has been established clearly by the Senate Inquiry, including evidence from Treasury, Ken Henry and gas companies themselves, who confirmed that the impact of a gas export tax would be felt by gas corporations, not our trading partners.

leader of the Australian Greens, Larissa Waters:

“The Prime Minister has a choice in this budget: deliver for the greedy gas corporations, or deliver for the people. If he has picked the wrong side today that will be his legacy,” said the Greens Leader on Friday.

“In the same week that his government announced the largest ever cut to a government program this century in the NDIS, a devastating cut that will result in at least 160,000 people losing critical supports, the Prime Minister is sending signals that he’s going to let the greedy gas corporations continue to make obscene war time profits. 

“This is corporate capture of the Australian government by the fossil fuel industry and we need to call it out. Under Labor, gas corporations are skipping out on their tax bill while everyone else suffers.

“On the matter of fuel security, the Prime Minister is reading from the script of the gas industry’s talking points and deceiving the public saying gas export taxes are a threat to our trading relationships. It’s simply not true, as the inquiry has heard from Treasury representatives this week. 

“This is nothing but the gas corporations fighting a haircut to their obscene profit margins, and the Prime Minister is falling for it.

“The Prime Minister is at a fork in the road. He can be brave and tax big corporations to support millions of Australians who are struggling to make ends meet, or he can be a mouthpiece for the gas industry. He can’t do both.”

Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Chair of the Select Committee on the taxation of gas resources: 

“Labor would rather slash 160,000 people from the NDIS than take on the gas giants and tax 10 gas export projects.

“Right now, more than $2 million is slipping through our fingers each and every hour because we refuse to put a minimum 25 per cent export tax on these global gas corporations.

“This week the gas cartel has rolled out the same tired scare campaign to protect their wartime profits while the major parties dutifully repeat their talking points .

“Premier Cook is head of a captured state auditioning for a future at the board table of Woodside, and the Prime Minister is taking his cues all the way to Canberra.

“A minimum 25 per cent gas export tax would raise at least $17 billion a year. That’s money to ease cost-of-living pressure, properly fund public services, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.”

The AFL Appeal Board’s decision to substantially reduce a penalty imposed for a homophobic slur is appalling, and its statement of reasons makes it even worse, the Greens say.

“Homophobia should have no place in the AFL, or our society more broadly, and the AFL Commission needs to intervene and make that clear,” Greens LGBTIQA+  spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Justifying homophobia and other forms of discriminatory language because football is a ‘hard game’ and ‘competitive’ is nothing short of disgraceful.” 

“This would not fly in any other workplace in the country and nor should it.”

“This ruling is a green light for homophobia and shows the AFL is not serious about fighting for equality.”

“The totally backwards logic that underpins this decision is a slap in the face to queer Australians, particularly those who have been made to feel unwelcome in Aussie rules.”

“The AFL as an organisation and as the custodian of a beloved sport, has fallen badly short here.”

“It should be taking a leadership role to stamp out homophobia, and that means no longer excusing homophobia.”