Category: Australian News

Today, Members of the Australian Greens team signed onto the Open letter from Parliamentarians in Australia, Canada and New Zealand on recognition of the State of Palestine dated October 23, 2024

The state of Israel continues to deny the right of self-determination to Palestinians and continues to dispossess them of their land. We aim to rectify this injustice in ways that will allow both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security and equality, exercising self-determination as described by the United Nations Charter

In signing this letter we wish to make clear our continued commitment to the Australian Greens’ resolution Justice and Human Rights in Palestine and Israel which can be found here

A blunt age ban for social media is not the solution for tackling the toxic tech platforms, according to final report recommendations from the Joint Select Committee into Social Media and Australian Society tabled in Parliament today.

In additional comments, the Greens have called for tech giants to be prohibited from targeting, harvesting and selling the data of children as well as a Digital Services Tax to make the tech giants pay their fair share.

Deputy Chair of the JSC Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Communications Spokesperson, Senator for South Australia:

“For too long social media giants have made their billionaire owners rich, while failing to show any concern for the welfare and safety of the public. It’s time this changed, it’s time for social media to be socially responsible and properly regulated.

“The evidence is in and it’s clear that banning young people from YouTube is not the solution. You don’t make platforms safer by just locking young people out. This report is a call to action for our Parliament to stop the toxic tech giants damaging our democracy and targeting our kids.

“As parents, we are rightly worried about the safety of our kids which is why the Greens have called for the tech giants to be prohibited from collecting, selling and exploiting young people’s data and privacy to make massive profits. Labor and Liberal should back this call. 

“This report recommends what the Greens and experts have been calling for: EU-style guardrails and systemic measures to reduce the damage being done by poisonous algorithms that fuel division, damage democracy and target our kids with extreme content.

“We need to make these platforms safer for everyone by tackling the insidious business model that fuels division and harm.

“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 is welcome and overdue.

“Users also need more choice: people should have the ability to turn down and opt out of unwanted content and extreme algorithms.

“The tech giants are making massive profits from the data of everyday Australians. We need to get on with an Australian version of a tech tax, or a Digital Services Tax, to ensure these corporations pay their fair share back to the communities they profit off. These are already in place in countries like France and Canada and we can do it here. 

“Revenue could be invested in a range of public interest services including public interest journalism, mental health, and increased education around digital literacy.

“We also need the immediate release of the full Online Safety Act review.”

Greens additional comments, recommendations:

​​Recommendation 1​ 

1.12 Immediate release of the Online Safety Act review. 

​​Recommendation 2​ 

1.13 Prohibit platforms from harvesting and exploiting the data of minors and protect young people from targeted, unsolicited advertisements and algorithms as a matter of priority, with a view for this to apply to all users in the long-term to protect all Australians’ safety and privacy.  

​​Recommendation 3​ 

1.14 Invest 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. 

​​Recommendation 4​ 

1.15 Consider implementing a digital services tax to ensure global giants pay their fair share back to the communities they profit off, similar to those implemented in countries like France and Canada. 

The Australian Greens are deeply concerned about Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace and are joining with the international community in calling for his immediate release.  

Dr Al-Singace has been arbitrarily detained by the Kingdom of Bahrain since 2011. He was sentenced to life in prison for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

Human Rights Watch has reported that Dr Al-Singace has been conducting a liquids-only hunger strike for over 3 years. He is protesting the confiscation of his work and the insufficient medical care he is receiving in prison. 

Adequate healthcare while detained is a requirement under international law, but it has been reported that medical care given to Dr Al-Singace has been lacking in many areas including failure to fill his prescriptions on time, and failure to provide him with disability support such as crutches and physiotherapy. 

In addition, Dr Al-Singace has been held for over 3 years in a state of isolation likely amounting to solitary confinement, according to a group of UN experts. During this time, he has been unable to go outside or see the sunshine. 

The Australian Greens are joining with Amnesty International to call for the Kingdom of Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release Dr Al-Singace. Additionally, we are calling on authorities to ensure he receives the medical care he is entitled to under international law. 

Furthermore, The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian Government to acknowledge the human rights abuses that have occurred and consider placing targeted sanctions on the individuals and entities who are responsible for his arbitrary detention and insufficient care.

The Greens will always work to call out human rights abuses and cases of arbitrary detention wherever they occur.

The Greens will oppose Labor’s Scams Prevention Framework Bill in the House of Representatives because it fails to adequately support people who have been scammed and hold corporations accountable.

“Labor has delivered for big banking corporations by making sure this Bill is more about protecting profit than helping people who have been scammed,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This whole Bill is a scam because it claims to support people who have been scammed but is designed to make it almost impossible for them to get compensation.”

“Labor’s Bill leaves Australians who have been scammed to fight a complicated, lengthy battle against big banks, telcos, and social media giants to get their money back.”

“This legislation creates a David and Goliath scenario where scam victims face a convoluted and lengthy process, likely taking years, to seek redress.”

The Greens said the bill should include a presumptive reimbursement model, similar to the successful UK scheme, which ensures scam victims are reimbursed quickly. Under this model, banks would refund victims promptly and recover costs from other companies involved, such as telcos and social media platforms.

“The Greens will continue fighting for stronger protections, quicker reimbursements for scam victims, and incentives for businesses to prevent scams in the first place.”

“We will also push for the Bill to be referred to inquiry so we can hear from stakeholders and the community.”

“The big banks made almost $32 billion in profit last year, yet Labor has designed a bill to protect their bottom lines instead of protecting Australians.

“As is often the case, Labor is more interested in appeasing its corporate donors than protecting customers and helping scam victims.”

The Australian Government is gravely concerned by the sentence handed down in Hong Kong for Australian citizen Mr Gordon Ng and other members of the NSL47.

This is a deeply difficult time for Mr Ng, his family and supporters. Our thoughts are with them following the sentencing.

The Australian Government has advocated at senior levels in support of Mr Ng’s best interests and welfare and has sought consular access to Mr Ng. We will continue to do so.

Mr Ng and others in the NSL47 were arrested in January 2021 for organising and participating in an election primary. Mr Ng was convicted under the National Security Law on 30 May 2024.

Australia has expressed our strong objections to the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on the continuing broad application of national security legislation, including in application to Australian citizens.

We call for China to cease suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media and civil society, consistent with the Human Rights Committee and Special Procedure recommendations, including the repeal of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector which is expected to drive half the world’s oil demand growth between now and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Action on waste is action on climate, yet the Albanese government is refusing to take this seriously. Australia needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the design stage, instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

That’s why the Greens have today announced plans to ensure big producers of plastics are forced to clean up the mess they make, and take a design-first approach to waste that bans the most toxic plastics and all PFAS pollutants.

Greens spokesperson for Waste and Recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Plastic pollution is no longer some faraway problem floating out in a distant ocean. Toxic and dangerous plastics are now found everywhere, and people are increasingly clued into the fact most are cooked up in a lab from oil-based chemicals. Make no mistake, plastics and PFAS are fuelling the climate crisis.

“It’s farcical that big corporate producers and retailers of toxic plastics and plastic packaging currently have no obligation to take responsibility for the products they unleash into the world. Successive federal governments have disgracefully allowed big plastic producers to set their own voluntary plastic waste reduction targets they’ve had no intention of meeting without any penalties or threats of regulation – it’s got to change.

“The big producers of plastics and PFAS have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Our planet is now sick and our communities are suffering. It’s beyond time for mandated plastic waste reduction schemes and action that tackles the most harmful plastic pollutants at the design stage.”

Greens candidate for Macnamara, Sonya Semmens:
 

“The dolphins in Port Phillip Bay have the highest reported PFAS levels in the world. It’s not surprising when you understand the amount of plastic rubbish and wastewater that washes onto the beach. I know I’m not the only parent wondering what the health risks are for kids
and families swimming in the bay.

“To end this plastic pollution, we need to change the system that creates it. Australia desperately needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and PFAS at the design stage instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

“We know that action on waste is action on climate, yet the government is refusing to take this seriously. Other countries started phasing out PFAS years ago and Australia now risks becoming the global dumping ground for products containing these insidious chemicals.

“Labor and the Liberals have both failed to protect communities across the nation from plastic waste and PFAS. We can’t keep voting for these same two tired parties and expecting a different result – Australia needs change now, and we need more Greens in parliament to
make it happen.

“Cleaning up our Bay and waterways won’t happen overnight, but the first step is to vote for someone who is fighting for it.”

The Greens plan for plastics, packaging & recycling:

• Implement a national ban on the most harmful single-use plastic items to ensure a federally consistent approach across Australian jurisdictions;
• Deliver a mandated packaging product stewardship scheme (extended producer responsibility scheme) that brings Australia into line with international best practice;
• Legislate to make adoption of Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) mandatory on all consumer packaging;
• Invest $500 million over five years into building infrastructure and deploying innovative technologies to increase recycling rates in Australia. This includes investment to build secondary markets for recycled materials.

The Greens plan for PFAS & forever chemicals:

• Act immediately to ban all types of forever chemicals (PFAS) in all uses. This will include, but not be limited to, bans for PFAS use in consumer packaging, agrichemicals/pesticides and cosmetic products;
• Take a design-first approach to management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS by regulating out harmful chemicals and other contaminants in packaging;
•  Implement standardised national frameworks for acceptable levels of all POPs and compounds – especially PFAS – in the creation of organic compost;
• To support food waste recycling and to relieve current pressures on the waste and resource recovery sector to manage PFAS, the Greens will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a timeline to remove contaminants from compostable food packaging.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined with leaders from across the region in Lima, Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

APEC is the leading economic and trade forum for our Asia-Pacific region.

Keeping trade free, fair and open benefits all Australians. One in four Australian jobs are related to trade, and around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade is with APEC members.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese called for further regional economic cooperation and progress towards digital trade, which will make trade faster, easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.

Leaders discussed the transition to net zero, with Prime Minister Albanese sharing Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and highlighting the economic and job opportunities this will present.

Prime Minister Albanese joined leaders to endorse the 2024 APEC Leaders’ Declaration that advances inclusive and interconnected trade initiatives. The declaration sets out APEC’s work in trade facilitation, services trade, digital trade, agricultural sustainability, and gender equality and inclusion.

In the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister met with Peruvian President Boluarte, Indonesian President Prabowo, and Singaporean Prime Minister Wong.

The Prime Minister will now travel to Brazil for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, forums like APEC are vital to keep trade free and open.

“Australia is committed to working through APEC to achieve strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.

“I congratulate Peru and President Boluarte on a successful APEC and look forward to working closely with the Republic of Korea as host of APEC in 2025.”

The Albanese Government is partnering with Pacific nations to improve energy security and scale up energy grid transition with a $125 million investment in renewable energy.

At COP29, Australia announced the funding which comprises a $75 million investment through the REnew Pacific program and $50 million through the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET) program.

Delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, the ‘REnew Pacific’ program will help deliver off-grid and community scale renewable energy in remote and rural parts of the Pacific.

The program will enable lighting, access to water, improved agriculture, better food security, quality education and health services, reliable communications connectivity and enhanced incomes.

The $50 million APPET funding responds to Pacific priorities to capture more of the benefits of renewable energy investments. This may include energy transition modelling, grid studies, renewable energy project feasibility studies, university collaborations and other activities to support energy transition progress.

It will support the skills and training needed to grow the Pacific’s renewable energy workforce and provide practical, Pacific-led support to Pacific governments and energy operators.

Australia recently announced an additional $9 million contribution to the Pacific Regional NDC Hub, which is designed to respond to Pacific requests for support on a range of climate activities.

Funding for APPET and the contribution to the Pacific Regional NDC Hub is being made available by repurposing funds from the Indo Pacific Carbon Offset Scheme (IPCOS), an initiative of the former Government. Existing bilateral commitments made under IPCOS will be honoured where they remain relevant.

Further information can be found on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water’s website.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong

“Supporting Pacific nations’ transition to renewable energy and away from imported fossil fuels will enhance economic resilience, improve energy security and help them meet their climate goals.

“Addressing climate change is a key priority for the Pacific, and the Albanese Labor Government is working hard to restore Australia’s climate leadership at home and abroad.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen

“Climate change is no longer an abstract concern, it’s a reality and an existential threat for Pacific nations. Australia is working with our Pacific neighbours to strengthen their energy security and accelerate the renewable energy transformation across our region.

“Each step we take to fight climate change is a step back from the brink, and Australia is dedicated to working with our Pacific neighbours to make sure our next steps are the right ones.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy

“The five-year REnew Pacific program shows our commitment to bringing affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific region.

“This will help improve living standards and create jobs. We are strengthening the region’s climate resilience through inclusive development and support its energy transition.”

Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector which is expected to drive half the world’s oil demand growth between now and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Action on waste is action on climate, yet the Albanese government is refusing to take this seriously. Australia needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the design stage, instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

That’s why the Greens have today announced plans to ensure big producers of plastics are forced to clean up the mess they make, and take a design-first approach to waste that bans the most toxic plastics and all PFAS pollutants.

Greens spokesperson for Waste and Recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Plastic pollution is no longer some faraway problem floating out in a distant ocean. Toxic and dangerous plastics are now found everywhere, and people are increasingly clued into the fact most are cooked up in a lab from oil-based chemicals. Make no mistake, plastics and PFAS are fuelling the climate crisis.

“It’s farcical that big corporate producers and retailers of toxic plastics and plastic packaging currently have no obligation to take responsibility for the products they unleash into the world. Successive federal governments have disgracefully allowed big plastic producers to set their own voluntary plastic waste reduction targets they’ve had no intention of meeting without any penalties or threats of regulation – it’s got to change.

“The big producers of plastics and PFAS have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Our planet is now sick and our communities are suffering. It’s beyond time for mandated plastic waste reduction schemes and action that tackles the most harmful plastic pollutants at the design stage.”

Greens candidate for Macnamara, Sonya Semmens:
 

“The dolphins in Port Phillip Bay have the highest reported PFAS levels in the world. It’s not surprising when you understand the amount of plastic rubbish and wastewater that washes onto the beach. I know I’m not the only parent wondering what the health risks are for kids
and families swimming in the bay.

“To end this plastic pollution, we need to change the system that creates it. Australia desperately needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and PFAS at the design stage instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

“We know that action on waste is action on climate, yet the government is refusing to take this seriously. Other countries started phasing out PFAS years ago and Australia now risks becoming the global dumping ground for products containing these insidious chemicals.

“Labor and the Liberals have both failed to protect communities across the nation from plastic waste and PFAS. We can’t keep voting for these same two tired parties and expecting a different result – Australia needs change now, and we need more Greens in parliament to
make it happen.

“Cleaning up our Bay and waterways won’t happen overnight, but the first step is to vote for someone who is fighting for it.”

The Greens plan for plastics, packaging & recycling:

• Implement a national ban on the most harmful single-use plastic items to ensure a federally consistent approach across Australian jurisdictions;
• Deliver a mandated packaging product stewardship scheme (extended producer responsibility scheme) that brings Australia into line with international best practice;
• Legislate to make adoption of Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) mandatory on all consumer packaging;
• Invest $500 million over five years into building infrastructure and deploying innovative technologies to increase recycling rates in Australia. This includes investment to build secondary markets for recycled materials.

The Greens plan for PFAS & forever chemicals:

• Act immediately to ban all types of forever chemicals (PFAS) in all uses. This will include, but not be limited to, bans for PFAS use in consumer packaging, agrichemicals/pesticides and cosmetic products;
• Take a design-first approach to management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS by regulating out harmful chemicals and other contaminants in packaging;
•  Implement standardised national frameworks for acceptable levels of all POPs and compounds – especially PFAS – in the creation of organic compost;
• To support food waste recycling and to relieve current pressures on the waste and resource recovery sector to manage PFAS, the Greens will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a timeline to remove contaminants from compostable food packaging.