Category: Australian News

The Albanese Labor Government wants to see a sustainable salmon industry that supports workers and their families right into the future.

We are also committed to protecting the environment.

That’s why we’re investing more than $28 million in new measures to boost water quality and improve environmental conditions at Macquarie Harbour.

These measures will build on existing environmental and species conservation interventions in Macquarie Harbour, which plays an important role in Tasmania’s $1 billion aquaculture industry.

Of the funding, $21 million will be committed to improving and scaling up oxygenation in Macquarie Harbour.

Oxygenation will help offset the effects of human activities, while other aspects of the program focus on sediment remediation and research on the effects of historical mining.

Another $5 million will expand the current Maugean Skate breeding program’s work on hatching eggs and raising juvenile skates for release.

This will help sustain the Maugean Skate population, while environmental conservation efforts work to improve its habitat.

$2.5 million will be committed to skate population and environmental monitoring, compliance as well as community engagement.

This includes engagement with the nearby community of Strahan, and environmental monitoring to better understand the ecosystems and health of Macquarie Harbour.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Tasmanian salmon industry is the backbone of many regional communities and it’s essential we support the thousands of jobs it creates right across the state.

“To do that it’s essential we have a sustainable industry, which supports workers and the environment.

“That’s exactly what this will help to do, making sure we have a sustainable salmon industry and deliver stability for workers and their families into the future.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins

“The Albanese Labor Government backs Tasmania’s salmon industry which supports thousands of jobs across the state.

“That’s why I’m pleased to announce these measures today to increase efforts to improve the health of Macquarie Harbour.

“These measures will protect our state’s unique environment and support sustainable salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

“Tasmania’s independent environmental regulator has already confirmed oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour are rising, and the Albanese Labor Government is pleased to be supporting measures to continue these improvements.”

Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart

“The Tasmanian Salmon Industry delivers good, well-paid jobs for workers, and supports families and regional communities across Tasmania. From fish farms on Macquarie Harbour in Strahan to processing facilities in Devonport, there are hundreds of local jobs that rely on this industry.

“Today’s announcement is about delivering a strong future for fish farming in Macquarie Harbour. We know that engineered oxygenation has worked overseas, and a trial already underway in Macquarie Harbour is showing increasing levels of dissolved oxygen.

“The current oxygenation trial by the Australian Government’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Salmon Tasmania is supporting conservation efforts for the Maugean Skate.
“Their work provides the evidence-base for this additional Federal Government investment which will protect the industry and the Maugean Skate.

“Labor stands on the side of jobs, and we also stand on the side of sustainability. These two things aren’t contradictory; they go together.”

The Australian Government has launched a landmark new initiative supporting non-government organisations (NGOs) working on transformative development projects across our region.

The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator will help NGOs pioneer new approaches to financing sustainable development in our region.

The $10 million Accelerator will increase the scale and impact of initiatives that promote gender equality and climate resilience, with a particular focus on the Pacific.

In recent years, NGOs have led the way in establishing development impact bonds, advancing climate and carbon credit projects, strengthening microfinance, and raising funds for impact investments. But they often face unique barriers preventing them from scaling these innovative solutions.

This initiative provides vital support to strengthen the role of NGOs in blended finance transactions, enabling them to design, pilot and scale innovative projects—as impact managers, technical assistance providers and, where suitable, fund managers.

By providing direct financial support, the Accelerator will help NGOs overcome the structural barriers they face and expand their impact.

For more information on Australia’s blended finance efforts, visit: Blended Finance | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“The Australian Government partners with NGOs to improve the lives and livelihoods of our neighbours, of those in our region and beyond.

“These partnerships with NGOs exemplify Australian generosity but they are also integral to Australia’s national interest.

“By investing in the ability of organisations to scale and sustain blended finance projects, we are helping to drive long-term change in areas like gender equality and climate resilience across the Indo-Pacific – and shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy:

“The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator will equip NGOs with the tools they need to lead and innovate—bringing ingenuity and commitment to some of our region’s biggest development challenges.

“This commitment represents an evolution in the working relationship the Albanese Government has with our international development NGO partners and I look forward to seeing real and lasting impact delivered through this exciting new initiative.”

The Albanese Government will legislate 16 as the minimum age for access to social media, following endorsement by National Cabinet today.

The decision follows extensive consultation with young people, parents and carers, academics and child development experts, community, industry and civil organisations, First Nations youth, and state and territory governments.

The Albanese Government will introduce legislation in the next Parliamentary sitting fortnight.

The Bill puts the onus on social media platforms, not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place.

The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders in the lead up to the commencement of the law, with a lead time of at least 12 months following the Bill’s passage to give industry, governments and the eSafety Commissioner time to implement systems and processes.

We will also use this time to develop guidance for parents, carers and children ahead of the change.

The Bill builds upon the Australian Government’s work to address online harms for young people, including the $6.5 million age assurance trial, establishing an online dating apps code, legislating new criminal penalties for non-consensual sexual deepfakes, and quadrupling base funding for the eSafety Commissioner.

The Government will ensure young Australians retain access to services that primarily provide education and health services, and work constructively with stakeholders to ensure that only services which meet the strict criteria under eSafety’s powers are able to be accessed by children under 16.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“Social media is doing social harm to our kids. I’m calling time on it.

“We need to do everything we can to keep our kids safe, and wherever I go in Australia, I know one of the biggest issues worrying mums and dads is the impact social media is having on their children’s well being.

“I want Australian parents and families to know we’ve got their backs.

“In the next Parliamentary fortnight we will introduce legislation into the Parliament to make 16 the minimum age to access social media.

“I want to thank the Premiers and Chief Ministers for their engagement and support on this issue.

“This is a national challenge that requires national leadership. That’s what our Government is stepping up to deliver.”

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP:

“Introducing a minimum age for social media access is about protecting young people – not punishing or isolating them – and letting parents know that we are in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and well being.

“Our decision to set the minimum age at 16 years is based on extensive consultation with experts, parents and young people. It strikes a balance between minimising harms experienced by young people during a critical period of development.

“Social media has a social responsibility for the safety of their users, and this legislation is one way they’re being held to account – with significant penalties for any breaches.

“This measure is a key component of our work across the online safety space and will enable young people to use the internet in a safer and more positive way.”

National Cabinet met virtually today to discuss the Australian Government’s proposed social media legislation.

First Ministers agreed to the Commonwealth legislating a minimum age of 16 to access social media.

Setting the minimum age at 16 will protect young Australians from the harms that come with social media, and will support mums, dads and carers to keep their kids safe.

This move builds on National Cabinet’s work at its 1 May and 6 September 2024 meetings where an investment of $6.5 million was agreed to trial an age assurance pilot to protect children from harmful online content.

It will also assist in accelerating action to end gender-based violence in a generation, and implement the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

The Commonwealth intends to introduce legislation to Federal Parliament before the end of the year. The legislation will come into force no earlier than 12 months after Royal Assent.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.

Last night in Senate Estimates, it was revealed that the Albanese Government ‘lapsed or amended’ 16 military permits to Israel from Australia due in part to the “very high number of civilian casualties” in the ongoing conflict.

It was also revealed that 59 of the 65 military export permits that were active with Israel as of June 2024 were for “goods and technologies designed or adapted for use by armed forces or goods that are inherently lethal.” The remaining 6 permits are for “dual-use goods” that are used by both civilians and militaries.

Over the past year, there has been persistent misinformation and gaslighting from the Albanese Government on the two-way arms trade with Israel. Minister Marles falsely claimed that Australia’s exports were all “dual use” and that Australia has not exported “a piece of military equipment” to Israel. Minister Wong’s statement that we have only exported “non-lethal” parts to Israel has now also been proven untrue.

The Albanese Government’s review is still not finalised, and more export permits may be cancelled. In the meantime, Australia is continuing to provide military exports to Israel, some of them part of the two-way arms trade with Israel, where Australia receives the weapons back.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson from Defence, said: “This is a victory for the millions of Australians who, for a year, have been calling on the Albanese Government to take steps to end the arms trade with Israel.

“Over the past year, tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed across the Middle East, with an ongoing genocide in Gaza. In the face of this horror, we now have confirmed that the Albanese government has been permitting the export of military and inherently lethal equipment to Israel.

“After a year of gaslighting and denying that there is a two-way arms trade with Israel, the Albanese Government, under the clouds of a US election, has finally cancelled 16 military permits to Israel.

“The Albanese Government has no credibility in claiming there is no arms trade with Israel while also permitting Australia to export military and inherently lethal goods.

“The Government’s position doesn’t make sense because it is not supposed to, it is designed to silence critics and hide Labor’s complicity in a genocide.

“Cancelling 16 military permits to Israel is a much-needed first step, but why has it come a year late?

“It’s time to end the two-way arms trade with Israel in full.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education, has called on Labor to bring in a bill right now to fulfil their promise of wiping 20% of student debt like they have done for fee-free TAFE places today. 

Senator Faruqi: 

“If Labor can introduce legislation for fee-free TAFE places today, why can’t they bring in a bill right now to fulfil their pledge to wipe some student debt.

“People are hurting right now, they need student debt relief right now, not next year.

“Not only is Labor delaying their promised changes to student debt, they are making them uncertain by tying them to the result of the next election.

“There’s no reason to wait. Student debt relief shouldn’t be dangled like a carrot on a stick and held ransom to the next election results. We have the numbers in the parliament to lock in these changes right now.

“We’ve kept the pressure on Labor and it’s clear they are worried more than ever before about people voting Greens. 

“Let’s keep up the pressure for wiping all student debt and making TAFE and uni free.” 

Today the NSW Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the NSW Police Commissioner against grassroots climate action group Rising Tide in the Police attempt to prohibit “The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port”. Following two full days of hearings, Justice Fagan has ruled both prohibition orders sought by the NSW Police will be granted. It is understood that the NSW Police refused to negotiate throughout the proceedings even after Rising Tide significantly reduced their protest event applications from eight to four days, and from 50 hours on the Port’s waters to 30, in line with last year’s successful event which received international attention.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change and Justice Sue Higginson says, “This is a chilling day for our democracy. It is the second time in the past few weeks that Police have sought to use the Court to prohibit a public protest event with the full support of the Premier of this State, and it should serve as a wake up call to the people of NSW. Our rights of political communication in their many forms are being steadily eroded by the very people put in place to protect them,”

“While this outcome is extremely disappointing, it must be made absolutely clear, this case was never about whether or not this event could go ahead. The people do not need permission from the police to protest on public land and water in this State. This court case was always about the police insisting they should hold on to their full suite of criminal and policing powers during this event. In other words, for the last week they have dragged a family-friendly event through the courts at the public’s cost, so that they may be emboldened to arrest anyone who is protesting against the Government’s support for the continuation of coal exports through the Newcastle coal port in the face of the climate crisis,”

“As I understand it, The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port will go ahead. It is also the case that Rising Tide does have appeal rights if they are of the opinion that the Judge made an error of law in the case and of course they can lodge a new Form 1 should they choose. The Police case rested heavily on safety and Rising Tide responded by modifying their application but the Police would not budge. The case took a perverse turn when the argument to refuse the application for the on land event, which is full of community and performance family friendly activities, focussed on the need for police to be able to arrest people on land to prevent them from accessing the water,”

“Today, as the state of democracy is in peril across the world, NSW has slipped further into authoritarianism, spurred on by Premier Chris Minns’ intolerance of the freedom of political communication and the right to assemble and protest,”

“Under the laws of NSW it is not the job of the Premier or the Police to say where, when and how people can protest. It is the job of the Police and the Premier to serve the people and work with organisers to facilitate a safe and effective event. Today, the Premier and the Police have thrown this obligation back in our faces. What we have seen are the tactics of authoritarian politics attempting to silence the people,”

“It is telling that the NSW Government would rather seek to silence the community and protect their profits from exporting the climate crisis straight through the Port of Newcastle rather than support our grassroots communities, embrace the right to protest, take firm action to end coal exports and transition our economy.

“The climate crisis is here and people need to exercise their hope that their governments will hear them. It is only a matter of time before we see another catastrophe in this State like the Black Summer fires of 2019 2020 or the devastation of the floods in the North in 2022. As the experts in the CSIRO and the BOM told us loud and clear in their recent and terrifying State of the Climate 2024 report, we must stop our addiction to fossil fuels,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Democracy Kobi Shetty says, “Today’s outcome is a shocking attack on the right to protest. It’s appalling that the police and the NSW Labor Government have sought so hard to deny people the fundamental right to protest,”

“The Rising Tide event was held last year with no significant safety concerns or incidents. It is a peaceful, family friendly protest – and it has been an important way for people concerned about climate change to express their frustration and hold our government to account,”

“Protest is a key part of our democratic process, and as people become more concerned about our government’s inaction on climate change, it’s vital that people are able to speak out and demand more from decision makers. The Greens will continue to stand in solidarity with climate protestors like the Rising Tide organisers and the Knitting Nannas. We cannot allow these attacks on our democracy to continue,” Ms Shetty said.

Students and staff at universities across Sydney are facing a wave of repression for pro-Palestine political views and activism. In what students are describing as a “new McCarthyism”, a slew of vexatious disciplinary proceedings and other threats are being used to intimidate and silence anyone who wishes to speak out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

 Yasmine Johnson, a Jewish student and co-convenor of Students for Palestine at the University of Sydney, is being subjected to disciplinary proceedings which could result in her suspension, simply for organising a pro-Palestine protest at the university, which allegedly breached the University’s new Campus Access Policy (CAP) 2024. Other students are facing similar proceedings.

 Defenders of Israels genocide in Gaza have lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission as the first step in a class-action lawsuit targeting the University of Sydney and two of its academic staff, including Senior Lecturer in English and writing, Nick Riemer, on the spurious grounds that criticism of Zionism amounts to antisemitism and racial vilification.

 University of New South Wales (UNSW) recently hauled Jewish anti-Zionist and Honorary Associate Professor Peter Slezak into a meeting with a faculty Dean, following pro-Palestine comments made at a student general meeting on campus.

 UNSW students meanwhile have had their ‘Students for Palestine’ student society suspended by the University. Other students say that their peers are facing secretive disciplinary proceedings for their pro-Palestine activism that could result in suspensions and expulsions.

 At WSU, two students faced arrests by NSW police for protesting the universities’ complicity in supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, with the arrests taking place during a peaceful campus demonstration that was met with a heavy-handed police response.

 At UTS, students were told that the Vice Chancellor had personally banned a leaflet they were distributing because it included the word “genocide”, describing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Yasmine Johnson:

 “As a Jewish student, the idea that I could be suspended for taking a stand against a genocide is incomprehensible. The “threat to student safety” isn’t the protest I organised, it’s USyd’s ties to weapons companies arming the killing in Gaza.”

Nick Riemer, Sydney University:

 “The attack on me and my colleague John Keane is a nonsensical attempt to silence us and other Palestine advocates from speaking out against the obscenity of Israel’s crimes. The complainants are profoundly deluded if they imagine they will succeed even for a moment. In aiming to weaponise the Racial Discrimination Act against us, they are working to eliminate opposition in Australia to Netanyahu’s current genocide.”

Kobi Shetty MP and NSW Greens Democracy spokesperson:

“The crackdown on protests that we are seeing play out at Sydney Uni and other campuses represents an alarming shift towards authoritarianism. In NSW we’re witnessing a coordinated effort to undermine the right to protest, with a slew of anti-protest laws and recent court challenges to block peaceful protests from going ahead. These attacks are now filtering down into our universities. 

“As people become increasingly concerned about our government’s inaction on issues like climate change, and the genocide in Gaza, it’s essential that they have the right to express dissent and speak out. Peaceful protest is a valid way for people to hold decision makers to account – whether that’s the government of the day or universities, that play an important role in social movements. Peaceful protest is an integral part of a functioning democracy, and it must be protected.”

Peter Slezak, Honorary Professor of Philosophy at University of NSW:

 “As in an earlier generation during the Vietnam War, students have taken up the struggle when our leaders, politicians and media and their universities have failed to uphold human rights, international law – and justice. We are facing one of the great moral tests of our time and the students’ courage and decency is in stark contrast with the lameness, and cowardice of our leaders and university managers. In particular, it is to desecrate the memory of the victims of real antisemitism when it is weaponized to silence students’ and others’ justified criticism of Israel’s crimes.”

The Greens have called on the Federal Government to announce measures that will tackle the predatory business models of the tech giants, saying an age ban alone won’t make social media safer. 

They reiterated their call for laws that ban the use of predatory algorithms, data harvesting and advertising that targets young people.

Greens Spokesperson for Communications and Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Australian parents are rightfully worried about the toxic nature of social media and the harm it can do. We don’t want to just kick young people off TikTok or Youtube, we need to make the platforms safer and age appropriate. 

“If the PM wants to make social media safer then he must ban the social media giants from targeting our kids with algorithms and advertising, and from data harvesting, especially of private information. 

“Parents are worried about the safety of their kids online but they also know unless platforms are forced to clean up their act, their child won’t be safe online when they turn 16 either.

“The Government has made this announcement today before its own Inquiry, established to examine an age limit ban, has reported. Overwhelmingly experts have told the Committee that a ban alone will not keep our young people safe or make platforms safer. Many witnesses noted the importance of teaching young people how to use social media and implored the Committee to understand that there are many positive benefits to being online, particularly for marginalised kids.

“The Government’s own online safety expert, the e-Safety Commissioner, has recommended a multi-pronged approach that encourages platforms to be safe by design. The PM must listen to experts ahead of News Corp and Peter Dutton.

“When legislation is eventually introduced, it will need to be examined thoroughly. The Greens will be looking for measures that finally regulate these global platforms and stop them profiting off the suffering of everyone, not just our kids. 

“Our online spaces should be safe for everyone and they should be safe whatever age young people get online. The EU and other countries have led the way and it’s time Australia followed.”

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australia Society will hold its final public hearing on 30 October 2024.

The committee, chaired by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, tabled its second interim report last week, which focused on Meta’s decision to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code, what this means for the consumption of news in Australia, and the impact of mis- and disinformation on our democracy and society.

Building on previous hearings where the committee heard from social media platforms, media organisations, and other stakeholders with experience of the harm caused by social media, the committee will now hear directly from the eSafety Youth Council and ReachOut Youth Advocates to provide important youth perspectives.

The committee will be seeking the views of these young people on issues such as age verification, the use of algorithms, and education about online safety.

The inquiry’s final report is due to be tabled on or before 18 November 2024.

Committee Chair Sharon Claydon:

“This final public hearing provides a platform for young people to share their insights and experiences about online safety directly with the committee.

“We have heard evidence from a wide range of stakeholders about the online harms facing Australians, particularly young people online, and now it is time to hear from young people themselves who have grown up with this technology.”