Category: Australian News

The Morrison Government’s economic management underpins the investments needed to protect our borders and keep Australians safe.
The Coalition’s strong border protection policies under Operation Sovereign Borders have ended the deaths at sea and enabled us to close 19 detention centres, with all children placed in detention by Labor removed from that detention.
We have achieved this by not compromising on our three proven border protection policies, which have stopped the boats: regional processing, turn-backs where it is safe to do so, and temporary protection visas.
By closing detention centres, we returned $638 million to the Budget and reclaimed control of the refugee and humanitarian program from criminal syndicates.
We have increased Australia’s humanitarian intake to 18,750 in 2018-19, and welcomed to Australia an additional 12,000 persecuted minority refugees from the conflict in Syria and Iraq.
We have restored vital resources to our border agencies, along with technology to enhance passenger screening and automation and we have worked steadfastly on community protections by strengthening the character requirements of visa holders and introducing the mandatory cancellation of visas of non-citizens who commit serious crimes.
In total, we have cancelled the visas of over 4,400 non-citizen criminals.
By contrast, Labor’s promise to dismantle our proven three pillars of border protection would hand control of our border back to the people smugglers.
Last time they were in government, Labor’s policies hamstrung our border agencies and public confidence in the migration program evaporated.
Labor hasn’t learnt their lesson and is seeking to return to these dangerous policies.
At every turn Labor has sought to water down the Government’s laws to protect the Australian community. In office, they would go further still.
Only the Morrison Government has the necessary suite of proven policies to keep Australians safe and our borders secure. You simply cannot trust Labor on border protection.
You can find out more about our Plan to Keep Our Borders Secure here.

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today backed former Labor Minister Peter Garrett’s call for an incoming Labor government to declare and act on the climate emergency.
“The beds are burning and Peter Garrett is right,” said Mr Bandt.
“A million species are at risk of extinction and our world is sinking, burning and drowning simultaneously. Our government needs to respond.
“The climate emergency requires an emergency response, not business as usual.
“Garrett’s call for an immediate moratorium on new coal, oil and gas is exactly what is needed.
“Paul Keating and Peter Garrett are showing more leadership on climate change than Bill Shorten or Scott Morrison.
“The Greens will move to declare a climate emergency when parliament resumes and the new government must back us.
“I urge Bill Shorten to join the Greens, Paul Keating and Peter Garrett by taking the climate emergency seriously.”

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP and Greens treasury spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson today launched a new Greens policy to introduce mandatory carbon risk reporting for Australia’s biggest companies, and to make directors responsible for managing carbon risk. Mr Bandt said that corporate sector is paralysed because of the perceived risks of ‘moving first’, which means the government has to step in to implement a regulatory framework that will force the corporate sector to act.
“Smart companies know that the dangers of climate change are clear and present. Smart investors are asking tough questions about exposure to carbon risk. And financial regulators are waving the red flag,” said Mr Bandt.
“When APRA and the Reserve Bank urge us to take climate risk seriously but companies ignore their warnings, it’s time for government to act.
“Australian companies are either not reporting on climate risk or not doing it very well.
“This is not good enough. Corporate Australia needs to fess up and explain just how prepared they are for a low emissions future.
“There is a need for government to step in, to set the standards, and to defuse any concerns about any ‘first-mover disadvantage’.
“The Greens would task the Council of Financial Regulators with developing carbon risk reporting standards consistent with the Financial Stability Board taskforce’s recommendations.
“The Greens would make reporting against these standards voluntary in 2020-21, and mandatory from 2021-22 onwards, for ASX300 companies, heavily exposed companies, large private companies, super funds, banks, insurers and multinationals operating in Australia.
“The Greens also believe that managing carbon risk is part of a director’s duty.
“The Greens would make explicit in legislation that directors of listed companies and large proprietary companies must take into account and disclose carbon risk.
Greens treasury spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said without proper carbon risk disclosure requirements, the risk to the Australian economy from climate change is difficult to measure.
“The 2017 senate committee inquiry that I initiated heard consistent evidence that government needs to direct the corporate sector,” said Senator Whish-Wilson.
“The government also needs to better inform the public of the entire nation’s exposure to carbon risk,”
“The Greens would require that reporting against these new standards be included within the Statements of Risks in the Federal Budget to provide a tally of the risk borne by the public sector and the private sector across the entire economy.”
Click here to view the full policy.

Scott Morrison has been caught out spruiking his party’s non-existent legislation on solving the extinction crisis. He does not deserve another term of Government, the Greens say.
“Scott Morrison has been caught out trying to mask the Government’s inaction on the extinction crisis. The legislation he claims addressed the serious warnings outlined in the UN’s biodiversity report this week does not exist,” Greens environment and biodiversity spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The Liberals will cement their destruction of our environment by backing in the worst environment minister ever, Melissa Price, for another term. Keeping Melissa Price on as environment minister is worse than doing nothing.
“Melissa Price has been missing in action this election campaign, and since she took the job in August. When she has surfaced it has been to insult world leaders fighting for climate action, or to approve the Adani coal mine and a mega uranium mine in WA.
“The climate can’t afford another Liberal Government and our environment can’t afford another term with Melissa Price as environment minister. Voters deserve better than a Prime Minister who lies about his Government’s environmental credentials in the midst of global crises on climate change and biodiversity loss.
“The UN biodiversity report released this week gives voters a clear choice. If you want to stop the extinction crisis, if you want to save our environment, you need the Greens in the Senate.”

The Australian Greens have pledged $1 billion in funding to ensure that bike riders have the freedom to ride safely for every journey. The Greens package would create a comprehensive network of bicycle routes across our cities and regional areas.
“Every bike rider death on Australian roads is a preventable tragedy and almost all are a failure of our infrastructure” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.
“An annual average of 38 people killed while bike riding on our roads is a sobering figure, and with over 12,000 people hospitalised after bike crashes in a year, it’s clear that our roads aren’t safe for bike riders.”
“While most Australians own a bike, most people don’t ride regularly because of the lack of safe bike paths and lanes. The Greens $1 billion funding over four years will make Australia a safer and easier place to cycle.”
“The public want a network of safe continuous routes that connect directly and integrate smoothly with our public transport network and key destinations such as schools and shopping centres .”
“We will invest in infrastructure that better integrates cycling and public transport, supports cycling for commuting and creates a network of cycling links for local and longer trips.”
The Greens bike package also includes support for infrastructure projects to integrate facilities designed for cycling, such as secure high standard bicycle parking, showers and lockers, investment in safe and secure bike storage, expanding the number of separated bike paths, and boosting bike tourism.
The Australian Greens have a plan to:

1. Create a network of safe and unbroken bicycle routes
2. Develop end-of-trip facilities (such as showers and lockers) that encourage cycling
3. Invest in safe and secure bicycle storage at train stations and major hubs
4. Provide a safer means of cycling by creating separated bicycle paths, prioritising high risk corridors
5. Boost bike tourism by building regional bike trails and facilities

Full policy available here.

The Australian Greens have a plan to: Create a network of safe and continuous bicycle routes Develop end-of-trip facilities (such as showers and lockers) that encourage cycling Invest in safe and secure bicycle storage at train stations and major hubs Make cycling safer by creating separated bicycle lanes, prioritising high risk corridors Boost bike tourism by building regional bike trails and facilities

 

Overview

The Greens $1 billion for bikes package will give Australians the freedom to ride for every journey.

Investing  in active transport reduces congestion, reduces pollution and improves physical and mental health. Cycling is good for people’s health, and benefits the wider community. Economically, investing in bike paths and lanes is extremely cost effective compared to building roads, and more people riding reduces traffic congestion. As a pollution -free mode of transport, the environmental benefits of cycling are clear.

While most Australians own a bike, most people don’t ride regularly because of the lack of infrastructure and facilities to support cycling. Our $1 billion for bikes package will make Australia a place to cycle more safely and easily.

 

Create a comprehensive network of bicycle routes linking key destinations

What we need is a network of safe, comprehensive and continuous routes that connect directly and integrate smoothly with public transport networks and other destinations such as schools and shopping centres. Less than 1% of the transport budget is currently spent on bicycle facilities. There needs to be a dramatic increase in funding if we are to see increased cycling across our country.

The Greens will invest in infrastructure that better integrates cycling and public transport, supports cycling for commuting and creates a network of cycling links for local and longer trips. We will work with state and local governments and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a consistent approach to developing a high quality network of cycling infrastructure.

The Greens support the aim of spending $20 per person per year on active transport infrastructure, as high cycling jurisdictions like the Netherlands and Denmark currently do. Our fund would see the federal government provide more than half of this amount, and we would work to spread the investment across federal, state and local governments.

 

Develop end-of-trip facilities that make it possible for people to cycle

Infrastructure projects should integrate facilities designed for cycling, such as secure high standard bicycle parking, showers and lockers. Infrastructure and facilities need to support the use of bicycle transport by allowing cyclists the opportunity to shower and change at the beginning or end of their journey, and store their possessions safely.

 

Invest in safe and secure public bike storage

There is consensus on the need to provide good bike parking for cyclists—especially secure, sheltered parking to prevent theft and to protect bicycles from inclement weather. Research has shown that compared to a baseline level of 5.8% of work trips by bicycle, providing outdoor bike parking was estimated to raise the bicycle share to 6.3%. Secure indoor parking raised the bicycle share to 6.6%, and to 7.1% when combined with shower facilities.

Bike parking is one of the key aspects of integrating bicycling with public transport. Studies have shown that better integration of cycling with public transport leads to more bike and ride trips, and to more cycling overall.

 

Provide safer riding by expanding the number of fully separated bike lanes

Every bike rider death on Australian roads is a preventable tragedy and almost all are a failure of our infrastructure. Roads and related infrastructure need to provide safe routes for cyclists. Additionally, cycling corridors that maximise the separation of cyclists and motor vehicles will encourage more people to ride. The Greens would ensure that more bike lanes are put in place, and that the highest risk routes are prioritised.

 

Boosting bike tourism

The Greens want to boost cycling tourism in Australia. Across the country, we have great opportunities to showcase our countryside and regional attractions through bike tourism, and get more people involved in healthy tourism experiences.  It creates local economic activity in our regions, and can link in with other tourism attractions such as food and wine trails.

 

Participation in bike tourism is growing domestically and internationally, and there are a range of regional areas nationwide which are poised to take advantage of this opportunity. Our $1 billion for bikes package would unlock  funding to flow to regional areas, creating significant economic and social benefits from associated tourism businesses.

Bill Shorten’s review of oil spill risk in the Great Australian Bight must result in a commitment to banning drilling in the Bight, The Greens say.
“Concerns over drilling in the Bight are biting. Bill Shorten must commit to acting on this review when it inevitably shows drilling in the Bight is not worth the risk,” Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“We have seen Equinor’s modelling. We have seen BP’s modelling. An oil spill will devastate South Australia’s economy, putting thousands of South Australians out of a job. It would destroy Australia’s southern coastline.
“The Greens stand shoulder to shoulder with South Australians who overwhelmingly oppose drilling in the Bight.
“The Greens in the Senate are fighting for our tourism and fishing industries, our beautiful beaches and marine life. But we are also fighting for real action on climate change.
“Bill Shorten has finally woken up to the fight for the Bight, but without a commitment to no new coal, oil or gas, he isn’t taking climate change seriously.”
Bill Shorten’s review of oil spill risk in the Great Australian Bight must result in a commitment to banning drilling in the Bight, The Greens say.
“Concerns over drilling in the Bight are biting. Bill Shorten must commit to acting on this review when it inevitably shows drilling in the Bight is not worth the risk,” Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“We have seen Equinor’s modelling. We have seen BP’s modelling. An oil spill will devastate South Australia’s economy, putting thousands of South Australians out of a job. It would destroy Australia’s southern coastline.
“The Greens stand shoulder to shoulder with South Australians who overwhelmingly oppose drilling in the Bight.
“The Greens in the Senate are fighting for our tourism and fishing industries, our beautiful beaches and marine life. But we are also fighting for real action on climate change.
“Bill Shorten has finally woken up to the fight for the Bight, but without a commitment to no new coal, oil or gas, he isn’t taking climate change seriously.”

A Shorten Labor Government will ramp up support for the recreational fishing industry with a $55.5 million investment to renew ageing infrastructure, replenish native fish stocks in our rivers and create the first ever Prime Ministerial Roundtable on Recreational Fishing.
Around 3.4 million Australians engage in recreational fishing each year, directly contributing an estimated $1.8 billion to the economy and supporting around 90,000 Australian jobs.
Labor will provide a $45 million boost to improve recreational fishing infrastructure all across Australia. This new investment builds on our previously announced $10 million commitment.
We will focus on upgrading existing and building new boat ramps, pontoons and jetties to help improve safety and amenity for people launching their vessels.
Many existing boat ramps are in bad need of an upgrade – they are often single lane, resulting in long queues and often dangerous competition for spots on the launches.
Labor will invest $10 million into native fish breeding and stocking across Australia, replenishing 10 million native fish a year into Australia’s rivers.
We will work closely with similar state programs and in consultation with recreational fishing groups to determine which species and breeds should be priorities.
A further $500,000 grant will be provided to the Give Back to Habitat campaign to support on the ground efforts to protect and restore fish habitats. Recreational fishers are some of Australia’s most committed conservationists, and Labor wants to offer practical help.
In addition to this funding, a Shorten Labor Government will establish the first Prime Ministerial Roundtable on Recreational Fishing.
Industry leaders and recreational fishing groups will be invited to meet annually and discuss issues with the prime minister, and minister responsible for fisheries.
The annual roundtable will be held in regional Australia – for example North West Tasmania, the North Coast of New South Wales, or Central or North Queensland: areas in Australia where recreational fishing is a major pastime. For the first time, recreational fishing groups will be able to take issues directly to the prime minister.
A Shorten Labor Government will also:

• Ensure the small pelagic fishery is protected from large-capacity factory freezer trawlers, preventing the use of super trawlers
• Continue to support the national Recreational Fishing Council and give our recreational fishers a seat at the decision-making table

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to invest in communities around Australia, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.

The Liberal Government will today launch the first National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People 2020-2030 which will improve children and young people’s health by focusing on healthy upbringing, prevention, addressing risky behaviours and childhood mental health.
The Government will provide $4 million to support the implementation of this action plan on top of our significant investment for the health of children and young people in the last twelve months.
The National Action Plan has been produced and endorsed by a broad group of stakeholders as a roadmap for enhancing the collective health and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people.
The Government recognises many chronic health problems in adulthood, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and mental health issues, begin in early childhood.
This action plan identifies the steps needed so our children and young people have the best start in life.
The plan will be delivered in partnership with all levels of government as well as health professionals, parents and carers, and young people.
It has a particular focus on young indigenous Australians, LGBTI+ young people and those experiencing difficult socioeconomic circumstances in rural and remote regions.
The strategy will:
 

• Improve health equity across populations
• Empower parents to maximise healthy development
• Tackle mental health and risky behaviours
• Address chronic conditions and preventive health
• Strengthen the health workforce.

 
To support the implementation of the action plan first I am pleased to also announce today that our Government will provide:
 

• $1 million over three years to the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) to support the roll of their Youth Health Forum. The Youth Health Forum provides a platform for young health consumer leaders to advocate effectively and where governments, health services, the community sector, and academics can consult and work with young people to determine fit-for-purpose policy, health programs and health services.
• $1 million to the Reclink National Program – Reclink Australia provides evidence-based sport and art programs to disadvantaged Australians to create socially inclusive, life-changing opportunities. Reclink Australia’s programs create pathways to improved health and wellbeing, education and employment outcomes for all participants.
• $1.5 million over 4 years in contestable grants to support programs focussing on:
• strategies that target risky behaviours
• resilience and social and emotional coping skills
• support for positive parental mental health
• preventive health strategies that address nutrition, physical activity, overweight and obesity, and sleep hygiene
• placed-based and co-design initiatives
• $500,000 to support the up-skilling of health professionals and the development and dissemination of accessible and culturally appropriate health information materials focusing on:
• resilience and social and emotional coping skills
• positive parental mental health
• the importance of preventive mechanisms for optimal health (diet, physical activity, sleep hygiene etc)

 
The Government’s support and investment in childhood health is an investment in the nation’s future.
Today’s announcements add to the Liberal National Government’s investment in the health of children and young people, including key priority areas from the strategy.
Vaccination:
 

• $12 million over the next three years to extend the reach of the childhood immunisation education campaign. Australia’s National Immunisation Program saves lives by protecting children from serious disease.
• $52 million to protect Australian teenagers against meningococcal ACWY, with the launch of a new free national program for 14 to 19 year olds from 1 April 2019.
• $39.5 million for the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine to every pregnant woman in the country, protecting both baby and mother from this life-threatening disease
• Our No Jab, No Pay policy led to 210,000 extra children being vaccinated in its first year and the immunisation rate for children 5 years of age is now at 94.67%, the highest on record

 
Investment in research and treatment for childhood illness:
 

• $100 million for the Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre in Sydney
• $20 million for medical research into congenital heart disease with an additional $6 million to help implement the recommendations of the National Strategic Action Plan for Childhood Heart Disease
• $20 million in last year’s budget for pre-conception screening trials for rare and debilitating birth disorders including Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Fragile X and Cystic Fibrosis. This is the first genomics project under the $500 million Australian Genomics Health Futures Mission announced in last year’s budget.

 
Ground-breaking new treatments for devastating childhood conditions are now available have been made available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Life Saving Drugs Program, including:
 

• The life changing medicine Spinraza has been listed on the PBS to treat the devastating inherited condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Without subsidy patients would pay more than $367,850 per year.
• The breakthrough medicine Orkambi, has been listed on the PBS for cystic fibrosis. Without subsidy patients would pay $250,000 per year.
• The lifesaving new medicine Brineura has been listed on the Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) to treat Batten disease – a rare genetic disease in children – without subsidy this would cost over $850,000 per year
• Kymriah (CAR-T therapy) for treating children and young adults with an aggressive blood cancer which is being made available in public hospitals. This treatment was only available overseas at a cost of over $500,000 per treatment.

 
We are also investing $503.1 million in the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan which is the largest suicide prevention plan in Australia’s history and focuses on expanding the headspace network, Indigenous suicide prevention and early childhood and parenting.
We are also investing over $1 billion over three years for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), including extending the payment of benefits for eligible dental services provided in the public sector. The CDBS provides eligible children aged between 2 and 17 years access to $1,000 of dental services over a two year period.

The notorious McKoy Street-Old Barnawartha Road intersection with the Hume Freeway is set for an upgrade thanks to a new Morrison Government commitment of $64 million.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would provide the funding required to fast-track the planning and design of the upgrade, and kickstart construction.
The Prime Minister said improving the intersection was crucial to getting local motorists and freight operators home sooner and safer.
“Our record and our plan are focused on backing the upgrades to improve our major highways and local roads,” the Prime Minister said.
“Steve Martin has listened to his local community who have long been concerned about the safety of the current McKoy Street intersection with the Hume Freeway, and has strongly advocated for a serious commitment to get this project underway.
“You need to be a member of a government to deliver results for your community. My Government can be trusted to deliver on a $64 million commitment and continue to invest in Indi because we have a plan for a stronger economy and can manage the budget without forcing new taxes on hardworking families.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Nationals’ Leader Michael McCormack said the project would make the Hume Freeway safer and boost productivity.
“This investment is yet another part of the Liberal and Nationals’ vision to get people home sooner and safer, no matter where they live,” Mr McCormack said.
“The upgrade will increase efficiency, productivity and improve the supply chain, which is so important for the local community who use this intersection every day.
“By making our transport network more efficient, local businesses have more money to invest in their operations, creating more jobs and providing a vital shot in the arm for the agriculture and small business, which are so important to Wodonga, Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales.”
Liberal candidate for Indi Steve Martin said the intersection to the west of Wodonga, was well-known to local motorists and freight operators as a dangerous black spot where significant accidents and near misses have occurred.
“This has been a notorious section of the freeway as you approach Wodonga for far too long,” Mr Martin said.
“Safety concerns have only been exacerbated after the State Government took a decision to lower the speed limit through the intersection.
“Currently, it’s unsafe for trucks who need to move across the freeway and are forced to encounter vehicles travelling at varying speeds heading towards and away from Wodonga.
“Improvements to the crash history have been made in recent times but there are still far too many near misses.
“If elected, I will be pushing the State Government to utilise the funding that we have put on the table to deliver the upgrade as soon as possible.”
The Nationals candidate for Indi Mark Byatt said all road users would welcome this great announcement, noting it was unacceptable to have an 80kmh stretch on an important national freeway such as the Hume.
“I have raised community concerns about this intersection with the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, several times,” Mr Byatt said.
“Something is fundamentally wrong to have a speed restriction of 80 kilometres, that’s not what a national corridor is all about.
“This investment will benefit all road users, make this stretch of road safer and more efficient, enabling local businesses to get their produce to interstate and overseas markets.
“With regional Australia producing 70 per cent of Australia’s exports a health and growing regional economy is good for all Australians.”
Early estimates for a safety solution had been estimated at around $80 million and $64 million represents an 80 per cent commitment to the total cost.
The Morrison Government’s investment will support the Hume Freeway Access Improvement Planning Study which is currently being undertaken by the State Government.
The $64 million investment into the McKoy Street-Old Barnawatha Road intersection with the Hume Freeway comes on top of the Morrison Government’s existing transport infrastructure commitments in Indi, including:

• $235 million to upgrade the North East Rail Line;
• $8 million for a Fast Rail Business Case between Albury and Melbourne;
• $4 million to upgrade the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Cobungra;
• $4 million for the Kiewa Valley Highway upgrade;
• $3.8 million for Stage 1 and 2 upgrade of the Shelley-Walwa upgrade;
• $2 million for the Rutherglen Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route;
• $1.95 million for the upgrade of the Mansfield Heavy Vehicle Bypass; and
• $840,000 for local bridge upgrades.

Indi will also benefit from the Morrison Government’s historic $9.3 billion investment in the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project.