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Blunt social media ban is rushed & reckless: Greens

The Greens have criticised Labor and Liberal for ignoring expert evidence and ramming laws through Parliament to ban young people from social media without genuine scrutiny.

The Greens have called on the Government to protect children with a ban on the targeting, harvesting, and selling of their data, a Digital Duty of Care, and a range of other measures supported by the Joint Select Committee into Social Media.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Spokesperson for Communications, Senator for South Australia:

“The Government’s deal with Dutton to ram through a social media age ban in under a week is rushed, reckless and goes against the evidence. We can’t let the tech giants off the hook.

“As parents, we are rightly worried about the safety of our kids. This is why the Greens and experts have been calling for measures to reduce the damage being done by poisonous algorithms that fuel division, damage democracy and target our kids with extreme content.

“The recent Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Media heard time and time again that an age-ban will not make social media safer for anyone. It is complicated to implement and will have unintended consequences for young people. Yet the Government and Coalition have chosen to ignore the evidence and ram this bill through in the final week of sitting.

“Whether you’re a 14-year-old or a 64-year-old – these companies have a responsibility to provide a safe product to the community and that’s why a Digital Duty of Care should be the priority.

“If the Government can rush these laws through, why can’t they implement the legislated duty of care they promised, or take measures that actually make platforms safer for everyone, like banning platforms from collecting, selling and exploiting Australians’ data?

“You don’t make platforms safer by just locking young people out. The Greens do not support a blunt age ban and will keep pushing for stronger action backed by evidence to tackle the toxic algorithms and insidious business model of these giant corporations.”

The Greens have also called for:

A ban on the targeting, harvesting and selling of young people’s data
A Digital Duty of Care on tech platforms
EU-style guardrails to limit the toxicity of algorithms and extreme content
The ability for users to turn down and opt-out of unwanted content
The full release of the Online Safety Act review.
Investment in education for young people and their families to help develop digital literacy and online safety skills, and equip them with the tools and resources they need for positive and responsible online use.

Major party stitch up leaves electoral reform bills unchecked

Responding to the Government and Opposition blocking the Greens move to refer the electoral reform bills to a Senate inquiry Greens Senate leader and democracy spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Today in the Senate the government and the opposition teamed up to block an inquiry into the electoral reform bills. This is bad for democracy.

“There are some straightforward transparency measures in this bill, like lowering the disclosure threshold to $1,000 and real-time disclosure, which we have long called for.

“The Greens are ready to pass transparency measures.

“However, we want an inquiry to ensure that the proposed funding reforms to get big money out of politics don’t entrench the two party system and make it harder for diversity and new entrants.

“It is the job of the Senate to scrutinise proposed legislation and that is what we have called for today.

“Any reform which limits donations to anyone who challenges Liberal and Labor, while protecting the establishment parties’ sources of income, will be seen for what it is – a complete stitch up, undermining our democracy, and the public’s expectation of fair play.

“Both the big parties continue to accept huge sums of money from dirty industries like coal and gas with a track record of trying to buy favourable policy outcomes.

“The Greens have been calling for reform for decades.

“The Greens are ready, with a bill, that provides real electoral reform, but we’re very suspicious that the two big parties will gang up to rig the system to benefit themselves and lock out smaller parties and new entrants.”

Greens to vote against aged care legislation as Labor caves in to the Coalition and for-profit providers

The Greens will vote against Labor’s new aged care reforms after Labor joined forces with the Coalition to block Greens amendments that would have created criminal penalties for bad providers and stopped older people being slugged more for their care.

Earlier in the Senate, Labor and the Coalition rejected a Greens amendment to the Aged Care Bill 2024 to establish criminal penalties for crooked providers which – despite promising them before the election – Labor removed in a dodgy deal with the Coalition. Labor and the Coalition also joined forces to vote against a Greens amendment to remove the chapter 4 funding provisions that will force most older people to pay increased co-contributions.

Greens spokesperson on Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Once again Australians are left wondering, ‘What is the point of Labor?’

“Presented with a blueprint from the Royal Commission to reform a broken aged care system by putting the rights of older people at its heart, Labor has instead capitulated to the Coalition and the for-profit aged care industry with new laws that will bolster the bottom lines of providers at the expense of older Australians.

“Older people and advocates say that older people must have rights that are unequivocally clear and enforceable, and the Greens have long supported a shift to a rights-based framework.

“Yet under laws that seem likely to pass through parliament today, many older Australians will now be required to pay more without any enforceable rights to quality care.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that there was an urgent need to improve care, quality and enforcement in the sector. This was never meant to be about so-called ‘budget repair’ or provider profitability.

“Despite all of the shocking witness testimony about the appalling treatment many have suffered in this broken market-based system, Labor is simply doubling down.

“If greater reliance on a user-pays model is the answer, then we’re asking the wrong questions. Older people aren’t commodities. It should be an obligation of any moral society for the Government to guarantee high-quality care for all.

“The Greens will continue to push for a phasing out of for-profit providers and for an aged care system that puts the rights of older people first.”

Another border failure on Albanese Labor Government’s watch

Media reports today that four possible unlawful maritime arrivals found on the remote Croker Island in the Northern Territory yesterday represents the latest shocking border security failure under the Albanese Labor government.

If confirmed, this will be the eighth boat that has breached our borders and reached the Australian territory since Labor was elected, and the 23^rd attempted people smuggling venture to attempt the journey to Australia.

This comes after the Department of Home Affairs admitted at Senate Estimates last week that it was setting itself easier homework by removing the performance target for aerial and maritime surveillance of our borders from its latest annual report in the knowledge that, as in previous years, these targets would not be met.

This latest boat arrival is an unfortunate but predictable consequence of Labor’s continued neglect of our border protection architecture, which has seen a decrease in aerial flying hours of 21.4% and a decrease of 16% in ABF maritime patrol days compared to 2020-21 levels since Labor took government.

The Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke must immediately act to correct the government’s failed border policies and restore the Operation Sovereign Borders framework in full to the settings maintained by the former Coalition Government.

No end in sight for Australians battling cost of living crisis

Australians continue to work harder and longer as they battle to keep their heads above water because of the Albanese Government’s never-ending cost of living crisis.

Employment data released today shows the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1%, but Australians continue to work more hours.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Labor’s failure to deal with inflation at the source means families are having to make difficult decisions.

“For many Australians the only way they can continue to support their families and pay their mortgage is to take on extra shifts or a second job,” Mr Taylor said.

“This means less time spent with loved ones and more time at work.

“This comes off the back of new data revealing 26,000 new public servants have been added to the payroll since Labor came to government costing taxpayers an extra $5 billion.

“An economy where the jobs market and GDP is entirely propped up by the public sector is not how we should be dealing with the cost of living crisis.

“Labor’s bloated bureaucracy is out of control. Australia needs a strong private sector, not more public servants, because we know that is what drives a healthy economy.”

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Michaelia Cash, said Australians cannot afford life under Labor.

“It is quite obvious in these figures month after month that Australians are having to work harder and harder just to make ends meet,’’ Senator Cash said.

“What we are also seeing is that most of the jobs growth is in the public sector, jobs that are funded by the Government,’’ she said.

“The private sector is struggling to create new jobs, and this is not sustainable,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We are now seeing research from business groups showing that the majority of private sector industries are shedding jobs including in accommodation and hospitality, wholesale trade and transport,’’ she said.

“Small business operators are at their wits end and unfortunately we are seeing more and more of them closing their doors,’’ Senator Cash said.

“The Albanese Government has made life unaffordable for Australians and put extreme pressure on business operators,’’ she said.

“I struggle to find anyone who is better off now than they were when the Albanese Government came to office,’’ Senator Cash said.

The real cost of Labor’s energy plan revealed

Labor’s energy plan has been exposed as a $642 billion disaster in the making, with costs that are five times higher than what Labor has claimed.

Australians deserve to know the truth behind Labor’s hidden costs and the impact it will have on energy bills and the economy.

The Coalition asked Frontier Economics to independently assess and compare the cost of Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ plan and an alternative plan which includes nuclear energy.

For years, Labor has cited a $122 billion price tag for its plan to achieve a net-zero National Electricity Market by 2050.

The truth, however, is that Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ strategy will actually cost Australians at least $642 billion.

This staggering figure – based on AEMO’s preferred Step Change scenario – represents the true cost of utility-scale generation, storage, and transmission, and it’s a burden that will ultimately fall on taxpayers and households.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Labor promised Australians energy savings of $275 on annual electricity bills, yet prices have soared – increasing by up by $1,000 more than Labor promised.

With Frontier Economics now confirming the skyrocketing costs of Labor’s plan, this situation is set to worsen.

Australians are facing higher bills, growing debt, and an energy system at risk of instability.

KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE REPORT

A FORK IN THE ROAD – The Albanese Government’s “renewables-only” policy is a high-risk, high-cost path.

Australia faces a critical choice: Labor’s costly ‘renewables only’ agenda or the Coalition’s affordable, balanced energy mix to achieve a net-zero electricity grid by 2050.

LABOR’S $642 BILLION PLAN – Labor’s plan carries a price tag of $642 billion – a fivefold increase over their public estimate.
HIDDEN COSTS – Labor’s analysis fails to account for critical expenses. Frontier Economics uncovered an additional $62 billion in unanticipated transmission costs, revealing the vast underestimation in Labor’s estimates.
A CARBON PRICE BY STEALTH – Labor has quietly imposed a shadow carbon price – the Value of Emissions Reduction (VER) – driving up costs for consumers. Starting at $70 per tonne, the VER will rise to $420 per tonne by 2050, a hidden tax impacting every household.
A HUGE OVERBUILD – Labor’s plan overestimates demand, leading to unnecessary, costly overbuilds.

Unrealistic targets for EV uptake, green hydrogen, and renewables are leading governments and the private sector to over-capitalise on building out a new grid, and everyday Australians will pay the price.

COVERT COST BLOWOUTS – Projects like VNI West, Humelink and the Gladstone Grid have seen major cost blowouts, marking a stark warning about the escalating costs of Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ agenda.
EXTEND & PRETEND ON COAL – Labor has promised to shut down 90% of coal-fired power by 2034, yet coal plant owners say 10.8 GW of the coal Labor claims will be gone will still be operating.

This exposes Labor’s tricky “extend and pretend” strategy, where it extends coal in the real world but pretends it’s closing coal to keep the Greens happy.

Now that the real cost of Labor’s plan has been revealed, the Coalition will finalise and release costings by the end of the year for an alternative plan including nuclear energy.

This will give Australians a side-by-side comparison of the true costs and benefits of both approaches.

With bipartisan commitment to net zero by 2050, the real question is which plan will deliver for Australia: Labor’s all-eggs-in-one-basket renewables-only scheme or the Coalition’s plan for a balanced energy mix, which includes renewables, gas, and nuclear.

The truth about Labor’s plan is out, and the Prime Minister and Minister Bowen have been caught deceiving Australians.

Please find a summary of Labor’s costly plan and a full copy of the Frontier Economics Report here.

Legislation to strengthen oversight by Mental Health Review Tribunal

Today, the Minns Labor Government will introduce the Mental Health Legislation Amendment Bill to the New South Wales Parliament, as work continues to strengthen the state’s Mental Health Review Tribunal to better support families and victims.

The bill will directly respond to issues raised with the Government recently around social media use by forensic patients and the decision process for granting of forensic patient leave.

The NSW Government’s bill will require oversight of leave for forensic patients by judicial officers, where currently members of the tribunal without a legal background have the capacity to approve leave.

Under proposed changes, decisions regarding leave, other than escorted leave, will require current or former judicial officers to be part of the decision-making panel. This change will be made through an amendment to the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020.

The Government will also seek to make it clear the tribunal may impose conditions to restrict or prohibit forensic patient’s access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release.

While there are currently no restrictions on the types of conditions that can be imposed for release and leave orders, social media and other online communication are not directly referenced. The explicit inclusion of social media as something to be considered for restriction reflects community expectations that it be addressed by the tribunal, in the same way alcohol, drug testing and travel restrictions are when making leave or release decisions.

These changes are part of the NSW Government’s ongoing work to ensure the state’s forensic system is accountable and reflects the feedback generously provided by those with a lived experience. This follows the $2.4 million recent investment in the Mental Health Review Tribunal to enable it to improve records, upgrade IT systems and develop a new case management system.

The NSW Government will continue to explore avenues to improve and strengthen the Mental Health Review Tribunal in consultation with stakeholders, experts and those with a lived experience in this space.

Attorney General, Michael Daley said:

“I am very keen to make sure that victims of crime are better served by the justice system.

“The Government understands that victims have endured pain and distress and we need to ensure that all aspects of the justice system operate in a way that eases their suffering.

“I believe these changes will provide a better level of support for victims and their families.”

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said:

“I want to sincerely thank those who engaged with the Government on the need for this change, particularly Rebekah Porter and all families of victims. Your strength in advocating for change in the face of heartbreak is incredible.

“Thank you also to my parliamentary colleague Phil Donato for helping lead the way and being a strong advocate for his community.”

Member for Orange, Philip Donato MP said:

“I welcome this decision of the government to reform legislation, ensuring that judicial officers will be empowered to make these important judicial decisions.

“I thank Minister Jackson for her prompt response, and for initiating this reform to better reflect community expectation and providing additional safety measures,”

Major infrastructure investments to boost health services for Broken Hill community

The Broken Hill community is set to benefit from major infrastructure projects underway at the Broken Hill Health Service, including a new mental health unit, an upgraded emergency department and new key health worker accommodation.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park recently toured one of the key worker accommodation units and inspected progress of the Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment which includes the construction of a new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (MHIPU) and upgraded Emergency Department (ED).

The new Acute MHIPU is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program, and has been co-designed with mental health clinicians, consumers and carers with lived experience.

A separate $12 million upgrade of the hospital’s ED includes a full internal refurbishment and reconfiguration of the current ED, making it a bigger and more efficient space to deliver lifesaving emergency care.

As part of the NSW Government’s Key Worker Accommodation (KWA) Program, 20 new modern staff accommodation units have also been delivered to the hospital campus, adjacent to existing staff quarters.

The two-storey accommodation complex features 10 new fit-for-purpose units on each floor. Once completed, each of the 20 new units will be fully furnished and self-contained, featuring a light-filled living and dining area, kitchen with quality appliances, bedroom with robe and ensuite, an internal laundry, and a screened verandah.

This investment will assist the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) in recruiting and retaining healthcare workers., Staff are expected to move into the new accommodation early next year once works are complete.

FWLHD is one of three regional Local Health Districts to benefit from a $45.3 million investment to deliver accommodation for health workers under the KWA Program, which is being delivered in partnership with Health Infrastructure. Other Local Health Districts include Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW.

Broken Hill is the second FWLHD site to receive new accommodation under the program. Two cabins, each with two units, were delivered in Balranald earlier this year.

More information about the KWA Program and Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment is available at http://www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is proud of its investment to enhance health services for the Broken Hill community, with significant health infrastructure investments under way to support patients, staff, and the community.

“Witnessing the roll-out of the Key Worker Accommodation Program on the ground in Broken Hill has allowed us to appreciate the innovation and well-thought-out design, which we will further build on through our $200.1 million program to increase key worker accommodation across rural and regional areas announced in the most recent 2024-25 NSW Budget.

“We know that securing suitable accommodation in rural areas can be difficult, so the new units will make it easier for healthcare workers looking at making the move to a rural or regional town to live and work.

“The upgraded Broken Hill Health Service Emergency Department will provide improved patient flow and will also better meet the critical health needs of the region, featuring tailored treatment spaces for children and those requiring mental health services.”

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson:

“The new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit is going to be a real asset to the region, providing a modern and contemporary therapeutic space which has been co-designed with people with lived experience of mental ill health, their families, carers and staff.

“I want to personally thank everyone here at the Broken Hill Health Service for their ongoing advocacy and support for these upgrades. We know how important it is to have these services in community.

“It is so encouraging to hear how construction of the new unit is progressing. The new mental health facility will ensure communities in and around Broken Hill will have access to comprehensive mental health support services with modern amenities.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler:

“Broken Hill is a unique community with great opportunities to offer healthcare workers thinking about moving to the bush. I have met many health workers in Broken Hill who came from areas such as the east coast but who went west, loved it and decided to stay.

“Now, with the construction of the new Mental Health Unit and upgrade of the Emergency Department underway and the new accommodation units, this will help to attract and retain more health workers out west.

“The 20 additional new accommodation units will be a very welcome addition to Broken Hill Health Service and the community, and we are looking forward to move-in day once all of the units are completed in early 2025.”

Faster funding for Wingecarribee Shire Council road repairs

The NSW Labor Government has sped up delivery of new funding to Wingecarribee Shire Council repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged during natural disasters.

Wingecarribee Shire Council is among the first in the state to sign a pioneering pilot funding agreement with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, streamlining the distribution of disaster recovery funds.

Previously, councils faced significant financial strain as they had to finance infrastructure repairs upfront and wait for reimbursement from other levels of government.

Now, through the newly established Tripartite Agreements, councils like Wingecarribee Shire Council can access advance funding at the onset of each reconstruction phase.

The Tripartite Agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster road repairs for communities and enhanced collaboration between government agencies.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“When a region is hit by a natural disaster, the last thing councils need to worry about is coming up with the cash to restore essential road and transport infrastructure.

“The new pilot agreement the NSW Government has struck with councils will now help more councils get on with the job faster, knowing they have the funds they will so desperately need.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The Tripartite Agreements are a great example of all levels of government working with communities to develop new solutions that improve disaster response.

“We are committed to building on the success of these agreements and rolling out more support to help communities rebuild faster after disasters.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“For too long councils have struggled to get timely access to disaster road recovery funding and this is why the government introduced the new Tripartite Agreements to speed up the process.

“With $3.3 billion allocated over the next four years for natural disaster road recovery funding, the Minns Labor Government is working hard with the Albanese Labor Government to roll out funding faster than ever before.

“Regional communities can now rebuild roads and restore vital transport links more quickly thanks to the collaborative efforts of councils, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Securing advanced funding for Wingecarribee Shire Council is a vital step forward in rebuilding our community after the devastation caused by natural disasters.

“These funds will directly support the repair of roads and essential infrastructure, ensuring safer and more reliable connections for everyone in our community.”

NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Goulburn Bob Nanva MLC said:

“The Tripartite Agreement pilot is a major advance in disaster recovery, and importantly, it paves the way to better procedural preparedness.

“I commend the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW for leading this new way of rebuilding roads and transport infrastructure.”

Kids Helpline gets $17.1 million funding boost from NSW Government

The Minns Labor Government is improving access to essential mental health support for young people through a $17.1 million investment in Kids Helpline, providing greater access to free counselling services for children and young people facing emotional distress or mental health challenges.

Community organisation yourtown who runs Kids Helpline will use the funding to recruit up to 28 additional full time equivalent (FTE) counsellors based in NSW, providing greater access to the service in response to increasing demand.

The funding will upskill counsellors with additional practical skills to help them provide better support and strengthen the integration of Kids Helpline with local, area and state-wide services across mental health, child protection, education, employment and other social systems.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) operates 24/7 and provides age-appropriate online and phone counselling and support for young people aged 5 to 25.

Last year, the national service took more than 40,000 calls, mostly from teenagers aged 15-18.

Children and young people reach out for a range of reasons, including for support related to mental health, family problems, school and peer pressures, personal challenges or emotional distress.

Kids Helpline helps young people express their feelings and feel listened to, while providing ideas and support and often connecting them to local mental health services.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing remains the number one reason that children and young people contact Kids Helpline.

Minister for Mental Health and Youth Rose Jackson:

“This $17 million funding injection delivers on our election commitment and shows that the Minns Labor Government is delivering meaningful support to kids who are struggling with their mental health.

“Telephone helplines and online chat services are often the first point of contact for young people experiencing mental distress because they are convenient, accessible and can provide a quick response.

“By bringing new counsellors on board, as well as offering development opportunities for existing Kids Helpline staff, we are investing in a workforce that provides invaluable support to our young people when they need it most.”

Kids Helpline Manager Tony Fitzgerald:

“We are privileged to receive this very substantial funding support to continue Kids Helpline’s critical role within the wellbeing and mental health system.

“Specifically, this contribution will advance our work with up to 28 additional Kids Helpline counsellors being onboarded over the next four years to take meaningful action to improve support to New South Wales children and young people.

“We know that increasing counselling resources reduces the risk of suicide and will provide ongoing stability for the dedicated professional counsellor workforce who respond to calls, web chat conversations and email from young people.”