Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said that when parliament resumes, the Greens will introduce legislation to provide 14 days’ paid sick leave to all workers affected by the coronavirus. The ACTU has called for 2 weeks paid sick leave for workers affected by the virus.
The Fair Work Amendment (COVID 19) Bill will mean the 3.3 million workers currently without paid leave entitlements will be able to access paid sick leave if affected by the virus, and will also ensure workers with leave provisions are not forced to exhaust their sick leave balances if their company temporarily closes because of the virus.
The bill would cover workers diagnosed with COVID 19, those required to self-isolate or who are caring for a family member affected by the virus. Workers whose workplace temporarily closes because of the virus will also be covered.
“The Morrison government must not leave Australian workers to fend for themselves during this crisis,” Mr Bandt said.
“Workers should be able to follow government advice to self-isolate without losing their income or their job.
“If we don’t pass this bill, coronavirus could spread faster because workers without paid sick leave who are affected by the virus may feel pressured to come to work instead of staying home.
“The government should urgently make this change to the law and then use their stimulus package to help small and medium businesses meet the additional costs.”
“If the government won’t act, the Greens will, and we’ll dare them to vote on the floor of Parliament against supporting workers.”
Category: Australian News
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Economic Stimulus Package
The Morrison Government has today announced a $17.6 billion economic plan to keep Australians in jobs, keep businesses in business and support households and the Australian economy as the world deals with the significant challenges posed by the spread of the coronavirus.
Our targeted stimulus package is focused on keeping Australians in jobs and helping small and medium sized businesses to stay in business.
The package has four parts:
Our targeted stimulus package is focused on keeping Australians in jobs and helping small and medium sized businesses to stay in business.
The package has four parts:
- Supporting business investment
- Providing cash flow assistance to help small and medium sized business to stay in business and keep their employees in jobs
- Targeted support for the most severely affected sectors, regions and communities;
- Household stimulus payments that will benefit the wider economy
The measures are all temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face. Our actions will ensure we respond to the immediate challenges we face and help Australia bounce back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as part of the plan up to 6.5 million individuals and 3.5 million businesses would be directly supported by the package.
“Just as we have acted decisively to protect the health of the Australian people, based on the best evidence and medical advice, our support package responds to the economic challenges presented by this pandemic in a timely, proportionate and targeted way,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our plan will back Australian households with a stimulus payment to boost growth, bolster domestic confidence and consumption, reduce cash flow pressures for businesses and support new investments to lift productivity.
“Australia is not immune to the global coronavirus challenge but we have already taken steps to prepare for this looming international economic crisis.
“We’ve balanced the budget and managed our economy so we can now use this to protect the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of Australians.
“Our targeted stimulus package will focus on keeping Australians in jobs and keeping businesses in business so we can bounce back strongly.
“The economy needs temporary help right now to bounce back better so the livelihoods of all Australians are protected.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Australia is approaching the economic challenge from the Coronavirus from a position of strength with IMF and the OECD both forecasting Australia to grow faster than comparable countries including the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany and France.
“Our plan keeps businesses operating, supports jobs and provides a stimulus to households,” the Treasurer said.
“The Government has worked hard over the last six and a half years to return the budget to balance so we have the flexibility to respond to the serious economic challenges posed by the Coronavirus.”
“Given Australia’s strong economic and fiscal position, the international credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s indicated that temporary stimulus would be “unlikely to strain Australia’s creditworthiness.
“In our response, we have been very careful not to repeat the mistakes of previous stimulus programs and not undermine the structural integrity of the budget.
“Today’s announcement will provide the support businesses need to stay in business and keep Australians in a job.
“By acting decisively this package will put Australia in the strongest possible position to deal with the economic challenges we face and to make sure our economy bounces back even stronger.”
DELIVERING SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT
- $700 million to increase the instant asset write off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expand access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020. For example, assets that may be able to be immediately written off are a concrete tank for a builder, a tractor for a farming business, and a truck for a delivery business.
- $3.2 billion to back business investment by providing a time limited 15 month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct an additional 50 per cent of the asset cost in the year of purchase.
These measures start today and will support over 3.5 million businesses (over 99 per cent of businesses) employing more than 9.7 million employees or 3 in every 4 workers. The measures are designed to support business sticking with investment they had planned, and encouraging them to bring investment forward to support economic growth over the short term.
CASH FLOW ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES
- $6.7 billion to Boost Cash Flow for Employers by up to $25,000 with a minimum payment of $2,000 for eligible small and medium-sized businesses. The payment will provide cash flow support to businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ staff, between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020. The payment will be tax free. This measure will benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people. Businesses will receive payments of 50 per cent of their Business Activity Statements or Instalment Activity Statement from 28 April with refunds to then be paid within 14 days.
- $1.3 billion to support small businesses to support the jobs of around 120,000 apprentices and trainees. Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice.
STIMULUS PAYMENTS TO HOUSEHOLDS TO SUPPORT GROWTH
- $4.8 billion to provide a one-off $750 stimulus payment to pensioners, social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that will benefit are pensioners. The payment will be tax free and will not count as income for Social Security, Farm Household Allowance and Veteran payments. There will be one payment per eligible recipient. If a person qualifies for the one off payment in multiple ways, they will only receive one payment.
Payments will be from 31 March 2020 on a progressive basis, with over 90 per cent of payments expected to be made by mid-April.
ASSISTANCE FOR SEVERELY-AFFECTED REGIONS
- $1 billion to support those sectors, regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and education. This will include the waiver of fees and charges for tourism businesses that operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Commonwealth National Parks. It will also include additional assistance to help businesses identify alternative export markets or supply chains. Targeted measures will also be developed to further promote domestic tourism. Further plans and measures to support recovery will be designed and delivered in partnership with the affected industries and communities.
The Government is also offering administrative relief for certain tax obligations, including deferring tax payments up to four months. This is similar to relief provided following the bushfires for taxpayers affected by the coronavirus, on a case-by-case basis. The ATO will set up a temporary shop front in Cairns within the next few weeks with dedicated staff specialising in assisting small business. In addition, the ATO will consider ways to enhance its presence in other significantly affected regions to make it easier for people to apply for relief, including considering further temporary shop fronts and face-to-face options.
The Government’s economic support package is proportionate, timely and scalable to respond to the economic challenges presented by the spread of the coronavirus.
Through our response today and the actions we have taken to bring the Budget back to balance over the last six and a half years, Australians can be confident that our nation is one of the best prepared to respond to the economic impacts of the coronavirus.
Greens launch plan for mass housing construction to stave off recession
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP and Housing Spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi have today launched a bold plan to build 500,000 new homes, create 40,000 new jobs and 4,000 new apprenticeships, and push back the risk of recession nationally.
With construction having fallen 7.4% over the year, and with nearly one in three young people struggling to find work, this project will inject crucially needed stimulus into the economy while putting homes into reach for young families.
Each year, 40,000 new public housing homes would be built, all from sustainable materials: meeting 7 Star NatHERS ratings, with efficient heating and cooling, and attached solar to bring down power bills.
This initiative is a leading component of the Green New Deal – a plan to solve the climate and economic crises, while creating long-term jobs in future-proof industries.
Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“With coronavirus and the climate crisis smashing our economy, we’re heading towards a cliff but Scott Morrison is refusing to grab the steering wheel.
“We’re heading towards a recession and Australia needs a construction-led stimulus that fixes the housing crisis and helps young people find decent jobs.
“The Green New Deal helps everyone get a roof over their head while providing jobs and training, clearing public housing waitlists, and stimulating our slowing economy.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are on public housing waiting lists or homeless because governments haven’t built new dwellings for years, but now is the right time for the government to fix the problem while keeping us out of recession.
“Each one of these half a million homes will be built by the next generation of tradies and apprentices, and require materials sourced from businesses around the country. Every single plank, wall, and step will create jobs and put money back into local communities and into Australian’s bank accounts.
“Australia would be a very different country without the massive construction programs that pulled us out of the GFC in 2008. With a recession looming, we need to kickstart the economy through investment in services and infrastructure that will improve people’s day to day lives.
“There’s never been a better time to do this. With interest rates at a historic low, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Australia has wasted enough time waiting for developers to save the day, and it’s time our government got back in the driver’s seat.”
Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson said:
“Just like Medicare and our public school system, everyone should have access to housing. By building more publicly-owned homes, we can guarantee an affordable, good quality home to people for life.
“The Federal Government must show leadership in tackling the housing crisis by making an unprecedented investment in housing. Half a million new high-quality and sustainable homes will make a huge difference to families around the country.
“No one should be without a home. The Greens plan will make sure there are enough affordable homes for everyone to have a decent and safe place to live.
“With this plan, we can solve the housing crisis, create thousands of construction jobs and build a more equal society all at once. That’s what the Green New Deal is all about.”
Landmark PFAS Settlement Welcomed While Government Response To Inquiry Disappoints
Australian Greens Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed today’s news that class action participants have reached a settlement of $212.5 million with the government over PFAS contamination, though has labelled the recent government response to the federal PFAS inquiry as extremely disappointing.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This huge settlement is welcome news for residents who have pushed for the class action. It points to the serious loss experienced by affected communities, and will go some way to alleviating the damage.
“However, there are many who have been affected by PFAS contamination, who the government has left out in the cold.
“In light of the settlement, it’s extremely disappointing that in its long-awaited inquiry response, the government has refused to commit to even considering compensation for all affected property owners, including through possible buybacks.
“‘Polluter pays’ is a basic principle of environmental law and justice. The onus should not be on victims to fight for justice when their lives have been upended.
“The government says it supports resolution of legal claims “by agreement, not litigation, where appropriate”. Well, let’s see them come to the table.
“The nation-wide damage wrought by toxic PFAS chemicals has been extensive and people have suffered for too long.
“After residents have waited more than 15 months for the government response to the report, this document is lukewarm, non-committal, and in some aspects completely disrespectful.
“I will continue to work with the community and in parliament to keep this issue front and centre, until the government prioritises needs of the affected communities.”
$2.4 Billion Health Plan to Fight COVID-19
The Australian Government has unveiled a comprehensive $2.4 billion health package to protect all Australians, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions and Indigenous communities, from the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The package provides unprecedented support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was ensuring Australia’s health system was well-prepared and had the resources it needed to fight coronavirus and protect the community.
“Australia isn’t immune but with this $2.4 billion boost we’re as well prepared as any country in the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“This package is about preventing and treating coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“Our medical experts have been preparing for an event like this for years and this is the next step up in Australia’s plan.
“Our Government alongside the country’s leading medical experts is working around the clock to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Australians safe.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Government was boosting the capacity of the health system to effectively assess, diagnose and treat people with COVID-19 in a way that minimises spread of the disease in the community.
“We are ensuring people can access essential care in a way that reduces their potential exposure to infection. This includes support for telehealth, primary care and medical supplies,” Minister Hunt said.
Primary care
$100 million will fund a new Medicare service for people in home isolation or quarantine, as a result coronavirus, to receive health consultations via the phone or video such as FaceTime or Skype.
The telehealth service will help contain the spread of the virus and it will be bulk-billed at no cost to patients and will be available from Friday 13 March.
These telehealth consultation services will be provided by doctors, both GPs and specialists, nurses and mental health allied health workers and will also be available under Medicare for people aged over 70, people with chronic diseases, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant people and new parents with babies.
These people are at greater risk from the virus and treatment home will minimise their risk of exposure. This will be available to these groups for non-coronavirus consultations as a general health measure.
The Government will provide $25 million to fund home medicines services which will enable patients to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have the medicines delivered to their home.
This service will be available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups.
All pharmacies with e-prescribing will be eligible to participate in the home medicines services and patients will continue to retain choice in their preferred community pharmacy.
To support GPs and pharmacies, the Government will fast track the rollout of electronic prescribing across Australia with funding of $5 million.
Patients will have access to services via the GP, telehealth, the national hotline, state hotlines, dedicated respiratory clinics and hospitals.
The national triage phone line will therefore be expanded with an additional $50.7 million in funding, operating 24/7 to provide advice to patients.
The free-call hotline will advise people on the best course of action depending on their symptoms and risks. Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP.
People who are not severely ill with COVID-19 – 80 per cent of people will have a mild illness – will be directed to GPs or a network of well-resourced GP-led respiratory clinics.
The Government is investing $206.7 million for up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics. The Primary Health Networks will co-ordinate with the AMA, RACGP and states and territories to identify areas of need. The clinics will be a one-stop-shop for people who are concerned they may have the virus, to be tested and isolated from other patients.
People living and working in remote locations, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will benefit from increased capacity to prevent outbreaks, including the tools to proactively screen visitors and fly-in, fly-out workers, additional support to evacuate early cases if required, and mobile respiratory clinics to quickly respond to outbreaks where there is no hospital or available health service. $58.7 million will be provided to support these functions.
The Government will establish dedicated Medicare funded and bulk billed pathology test for COVID-19. This is expected to cost $170.2 million and patients will also receive both the COVID-19 and flu test. Funding will also be provided for pathology testing to be conducted in aged care facilities.
Aged care
Senior Australians will be protected through a major funding boost of $101.2 million to educate and train aged care workers in infection control, and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and aged care workers for both residential and home care.
Additional aged care staff will be available for deployment to facilities as needed, where an urgent health response is required and to provide extra support for staff and training.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will receive additional funding to work with providers on improving infection control.
Hospitals
The Government has already announced $500 million in funding for the states and territories for COVID-19. The Commonwealth will pay for half of all additional costs incurred by states and territories in diagnosing and treating patients with COVID-19, or suspected of having the disease, and efforts to minimise the spread of the disease. This will be provided on a 50-50 basis for state health COVID-19 activities both within and outside hospitals.
The funding, beginning with an initial upfront payment of $100 million from the Commonwealth, is over and above ongoing public hospitals funding to the states and territories under the National Health Reform Agreement. The funding will be uncapped and demand driven.
Research
The Government will allocate $30 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for vaccine, anti-viral and respiratory medicine research. This will enable Australian researchers to be at the forefront of the drive to develop both treatments and a vaccine.
National Support for Ongoing Response
Ensuring Australia has sufficient medicines, face masks and other personal protective equipment is crucial to the COVID-19 response. Funding of $1.1 billion will ensure patients and critical health care staff have face masks, and other protective equipment such as surgical gowns, goggles and hand sanitiser for health professionals.
This funding will also be used to purchase antibiotics and antivirals for the National Medical Stockpile, so that patients who experience secondary infection as a result of COVID-19 can be treated quickly, and health effects minimised.
The Government will also invest $30 million in infection control training and programs for health and aged care workers.
Communication
$30 million will deliver a new national communications campaign – across all media – to provide people with practical advice on how they can play their part in containing the virus and staying healthy.
The campaign will keep the health and aged care industry informed, including providing up to date clinical guidance, triaging and caring for patients, development of an app and advice to workers in looking after their own safety.
The information will be based on the most up to date medical advice and will be targeted at the entire community as well as high risk groups and in up to 20 languages.
The package provides unprecedented support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was ensuring Australia’s health system was well-prepared and had the resources it needed to fight coronavirus and protect the community.
“Australia isn’t immune but with this $2.4 billion boost we’re as well prepared as any country in the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“This package is about preventing and treating coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“Our medical experts have been preparing for an event like this for years and this is the next step up in Australia’s plan.
“Our Government alongside the country’s leading medical experts is working around the clock to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Australians safe.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Government was boosting the capacity of the health system to effectively assess, diagnose and treat people with COVID-19 in a way that minimises spread of the disease in the community.
“We are ensuring people can access essential care in a way that reduces their potential exposure to infection. This includes support for telehealth, primary care and medical supplies,” Minister Hunt said.
Primary care
$100 million will fund a new Medicare service for people in home isolation or quarantine, as a result coronavirus, to receive health consultations via the phone or video such as FaceTime or Skype.
The telehealth service will help contain the spread of the virus and it will be bulk-billed at no cost to patients and will be available from Friday 13 March.
These telehealth consultation services will be provided by doctors, both GPs and specialists, nurses and mental health allied health workers and will also be available under Medicare for people aged over 70, people with chronic diseases, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant people and new parents with babies.
These people are at greater risk from the virus and treatment home will minimise their risk of exposure. This will be available to these groups for non-coronavirus consultations as a general health measure.
The Government will provide $25 million to fund home medicines services which will enable patients to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have the medicines delivered to their home.
This service will be available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups.
All pharmacies with e-prescribing will be eligible to participate in the home medicines services and patients will continue to retain choice in their preferred community pharmacy.
To support GPs and pharmacies, the Government will fast track the rollout of electronic prescribing across Australia with funding of $5 million.
Patients will have access to services via the GP, telehealth, the national hotline, state hotlines, dedicated respiratory clinics and hospitals.
The national triage phone line will therefore be expanded with an additional $50.7 million in funding, operating 24/7 to provide advice to patients.
The free-call hotline will advise people on the best course of action depending on their symptoms and risks. Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP.
People who are not severely ill with COVID-19 – 80 per cent of people will have a mild illness – will be directed to GPs or a network of well-resourced GP-led respiratory clinics.
The Government is investing $206.7 million for up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics. The Primary Health Networks will co-ordinate with the AMA, RACGP and states and territories to identify areas of need. The clinics will be a one-stop-shop for people who are concerned they may have the virus, to be tested and isolated from other patients.
People living and working in remote locations, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will benefit from increased capacity to prevent outbreaks, including the tools to proactively screen visitors and fly-in, fly-out workers, additional support to evacuate early cases if required, and mobile respiratory clinics to quickly respond to outbreaks where there is no hospital or available health service. $58.7 million will be provided to support these functions.
The Government will establish dedicated Medicare funded and bulk billed pathology test for COVID-19. This is expected to cost $170.2 million and patients will also receive both the COVID-19 and flu test. Funding will also be provided for pathology testing to be conducted in aged care facilities.
Aged care
Senior Australians will be protected through a major funding boost of $101.2 million to educate and train aged care workers in infection control, and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and aged care workers for both residential and home care.
Additional aged care staff will be available for deployment to facilities as needed, where an urgent health response is required and to provide extra support for staff and training.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will receive additional funding to work with providers on improving infection control.
Hospitals
The Government has already announced $500 million in funding for the states and territories for COVID-19. The Commonwealth will pay for half of all additional costs incurred by states and territories in diagnosing and treating patients with COVID-19, or suspected of having the disease, and efforts to minimise the spread of the disease. This will be provided on a 50-50 basis for state health COVID-19 activities both within and outside hospitals.
The funding, beginning with an initial upfront payment of $100 million from the Commonwealth, is over and above ongoing public hospitals funding to the states and territories under the National Health Reform Agreement. The funding will be uncapped and demand driven.
Research
The Government will allocate $30 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for vaccine, anti-viral and respiratory medicine research. This will enable Australian researchers to be at the forefront of the drive to develop both treatments and a vaccine.
National Support for Ongoing Response
Ensuring Australia has sufficient medicines, face masks and other personal protective equipment is crucial to the COVID-19 response. Funding of $1.1 billion will ensure patients and critical health care staff have face masks, and other protective equipment such as surgical gowns, goggles and hand sanitiser for health professionals.
This funding will also be used to purchase antibiotics and antivirals for the National Medical Stockpile, so that patients who experience secondary infection as a result of COVID-19 can be treated quickly, and health effects minimised.
The Government will also invest $30 million in infection control training and programs for health and aged care workers.
Communication
$30 million will deliver a new national communications campaign – across all media – to provide people with practical advice on how they can play their part in containing the virus and staying healthy.
The campaign will keep the health and aged care industry informed, including providing up to date clinical guidance, triaging and caring for patients, development of an app and advice to workers in looking after their own safety.
The information will be based on the most up to date medical advice and will be targeted at the entire community as well as high risk groups and in up to 20 languages.
Govt ignoring frontline sector calls for additional funding to address domestic violence
The Federal Government did not consult with the peak community advisory group before re-announcing $20 million funding for a controversial loan program for domestic violence survivors, an initiative not supported by the sector, the Greens say.
AWAVA [Australian Women Against Violence Alliance] wrote to Women’s Safety Ministers ahead of the meeting last Friday with a key ask to fully fund the specialist services that improve women’s safety and hold men who use violence to account.
“The much-touted meeting of Women’s Safety Ministers is nothing more than a talk fest if it ignores calls from frontline services for additional funding for domestic violence prevention and support,” said Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on women, Senator Larissa Waters.
“Frontline services have been vocal in what they need — more funding for the Family Court, prevention and early intervention programs, specialist legal and support services, crisis accommodation and housing support to improve the family law system.
“We need an urgent investment of $5.3 billion for a new ten-year billion National Partnership Agreement on Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women between state and Federal governments.
“Anything less is a band-aid solution to the national crisis of violence against women.
“Following the meeting, Women’s Safety Ministers have also called for a COAG-level council focussed on domestic violence. It too will fail unless the Government listens to frontline services and provides sustained investment in improving women’s safety,” she said.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020
Today we recognise the incredible contribution all women make to our society and the very long way we still have to go to reach gender equality in our country.The tragic and violent events of the last month have been a shocking reminder of the progress Australia still has to make towards true equality.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
Today we recognise the incredible contribution all women make to our society and the very long way we still have to go to reach gender equality in our country.The tragic and violent events of the last month have been a shocking reminder of the progress Australia still has to make towards true equality.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
Northern Connector to open to traffic and bust congestion
South Australians will be spending less time in traffic this long weekend with motorists able to access the new Northern Connector from Saturday morning, 7 March.
The $867 million, six-lane, 110 km/h motorway has created 480 jobs each year and will open up over 43 kilometres of non-stop corridor.
The Northern Connector will have three new lanes in each direction and offer drivers the opportunity to bypass the traffic on the existing route along Port Wakefield Road and the Salisbury Highway.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the Northern Connector would help drive tourism and jobs in South Australia’s beautiful northern regions.
“The opening of the Northern Connector will reduce travel times for South Australians and interstate and international visitors who want to visit our beautiful regions like the Barossa, Riverland, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and beyond,” said Premier Marshall.
“The Northern Connector will be opening over the March long weekend so people heading north or home over the weekend will have a safer, smoother and faster journey.
“Projects like this not only create jobs during the construction phase, but they also help boost tourism in the regions and economic productivity which supports job creation.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Northern Connector was a game-changer for Adelaide motorists.
“This project is the next piece in the 78-kilometre North-South Corridor that will connect the South Road Superway and Northern Expressway,” Mr Tudge said.
“It also includes 16 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths, providing a safe space for all road users.”
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government had built a $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works that would deliver more projects to reduce travel times and create jobs.
“The opening to traffic on the Northern Connector is only a few days away now and motorists will now have 43 kilometres of non-stop North-South Corridor between the South Road Superway and Gawler,” said Minister Knoll.
“This will improve safety and massively reduce the time people are stuck in traffic, particularly on the busy Port Wakefield road.”
The six-lane motorway will have a posted speed limit of 80 km/h for the first few weeks to enable driver familiarisation and completion of testing.
The Southern Interchange will be reduced to 60 km/h for driver safety.
Finishing works will also continue which may require some lane and speed restrictions, and a temporary closure, to ensure the safety of motorists and workers accessing the site. Advance notice will be provided.
The Australian Government has committed $694 million to the project, with $173 million from the South Australian Government.
Increased funding vital for improving police responses to domestic violence
Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Women, Senator Larissa Waters, has written to Minister for Women Marise Payne ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of Women’s Safety Ministers asking for additional funding and national coordination to improve frontline police services available to people reporting domestic and family violence.
“Women who have survived domestic violence won’t seek police help if they think they will be disbelieved or exposed to more danger,” she said.
“The reported cases of leaking survivors’ details, failures to prosecute, unfortunate remarks and under-enforcement of DVO breaches are extremely concerning and show more police training and cultural change is required within the Queensland Police Service.
“The Federal government can’t continue to say police matters are a state issue, when they could improve frontline police services on family violence through federal funding for training, enforcement and harmonisation.
“Women’s services also tell us of the urgent need for more funding for the Family Court, prevention and early intervention programs, specialist legal and support services, crisis accommodation and housing support to improve the family law system.
“We need an urgent investment of $5.3 billion for a new 10-year National Partnership Agreement on Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women between state and Federal governments.
“Governments must listen when these front line services say more funding will make a difference and invest to fix the domestic violence crisis.”
View the full letter here: https://www.facebook.com/larissawaters/photos/a.420965439098/10158087809434099/?type=3&theater
SCOTT MORRISON AGAIN MISLEADS PARLIAMENT OVER SPORTS RORTS
Scott Morrison has again misled Parliament by claiming all projects bankrolled under his infamous Sports Rorts program were eligible for funding despite a clear finding to the contrary by the independent Australian National Audit Office.
Last month the ANOA ruled that 43 per cent of grants made ahead of last year’s election under the $100 million Community Sport Infrastructure Grant scheme were ineligible for funding.
Despite this formal finding, Mr Morrison has claimed at least 16 times, including in the House of Representatives on February 5, that no ineligible projects were funded.
This is simply not true. Indeed, the inaccuracy of this comment was confirmed at a Senate inquiry hearing on February 13 by ANAO official Brian Boyd.
Today, in Parliament I offered Mr Morrison the opportunity to correct the record.
But instead of recognising the truth Mr Morrison doubled down, claiming “The comments that I made on that matter were made on the basis of the information that was available to me from the ANAO report.’’
For the record, the ANAO Report says:
4.31 … In this context, there were increasing risks that approved projects could have commenced works or been already delivered (in both instances, resulting in them being no longer eligible under the CSIG guidelines).
4.32 These risks were realised, with October 2019 data from Sport Australia’s grants management system indicating that:
- eight projects were completed by the time funding agreements were executed by Sport Australia; and
- 272 projects out of the 684 approved (or 40 per cent) across all three rounds had already commenced by the time funding agreements were executed.
4.33 In addition to program ineligibility, this situation suggests that — particularly in respect of the eight completed projects — those selected for funding under the program may not have required Australian Government funding in order to deliver their projects.
Public confidence in our political system requires that political leaders be honest, particularly before the Parliament.
Mr Morrison needs to be straight with the people of Australia.
He must correct the record when Parliament sits tomorrow.