Category: Australian News

An extraordinary warning from some of the nation’s foremost marine scientists about the plight of the endangered Maugean skate has left Minister Plibersek with nowhere to hide.  

For years scientists have sounded the alarm on the toxic impacts of Atlantic salmon farming in the Maugean skate’s last known habitat of Macquarie Harbour – and now over 250 days have passed since the Minister was compelled to make a decision on the fate of the industry operating there.

It’s time the Minister made a decision: will she do her job as Environment Minister and protect the Maugean skate, or will she cave to the Atlantic salmon farming industry?

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“The toxic Atlantic salmon farming industry has been frantically trying to undermine existing scientific conservation advice regarding the skate – but enough is enough. 

“Today’s bold statement from scientists sends a powerful message to the Environment Minister: will she do her job and protect the skate or cave to the vested interests of powerful and greedy corporations?  

“The writing is on the wall for the Atlantic salmon industry: it has no future in Tasmania.

“Warming oceans from climate change is the single biggest threat to this toxic industry, and shocking new data revealing the volume of dead fish removed from the skate’s last remaining home in Macquarie Harbour proves this point.

“Fish farming mortalities will only get worse with climate change, so why are we risking the extinction of the endangered skate when this industry itself is surely facing extinction? 

“The survival of the Maugean skate is a political decision. Minister Plibersek has the power to act and she needs to listen to these eminent scientists, not the spin from a profit driven, self-interested Atlantic salmon farming industry”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, met today on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the election of the Starmer Government.

The Prime Ministers discussed Australia’s and the United Kingdom’s modern and dynamic relationship, underpinned by close personal ties and strong security, trade and investment links.

The two leaders considered how the two countries could step-up their work together to meet common challenges and to realise new opportunities.

Australia and the UK agree that the transition to net zero represents economic opportunity. The Albanese and Starmer Governments believe private capital and the power of government can be leveraged to shape a clean energy future in the interests of working people. The transition paves the way for new industries, new technologies, new job opportunities and a revitalisation of each nation’s industrial base.

To this end, the Prime Ministers agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on climate change and energy by negotiating a dynamic new partnership. The Australia–UK Climate and Energy Partnership will focus on the development and accelerated deployment of renewable energy technologies, such as green hydrogen and offshore wind, to support the economic resilience and decarbonisation goals of both countries.

The partnership will also build upon the two countries’ long-standing cooperation on international climate action, including on renewable energy and climate finance.

The Prime Ministers agreed the Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom will take this important work forward.

The two leaders also announced grant recipients under the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Program. Under this program, the two Governments will support six cutting-edge projects focused on industrial decarbonisation.

On trade and investment, Prime Ministers discussed gains under the ambitious Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. The United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership later this year will also present new opportunities for the region.

Discussions on defence and strategic cooperation focused on working together to ensure the AUKUS partnership delivers for the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to negotiating a bilateral treaty, as announced by Defence Ministers in September 2024, to develop the SSN-AUKUS submarine for both nations. 

The Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to an approach that sets the highest non-proliferation standards and to sustaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, respectful of sovereignty and rules.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Australia and the UK are longstanding partners, with common values and aligned strategic interests. It was great to congratulate Prime Minister Starmer in person after his election win in July.

“We had a productive discussion, including agreeing to negotiate a new climate and energy partnership. This partnership will ensure we maximise the economic potential of the net zero transition, and build on our long-standing cooperation on international climate action and shared commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

“We share a vision for a modern and transformed Australia-United Kingdom relationship, which delivers tangible benefits and prosperity to both our nations and the Indo-Pacific.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

“The UK and Australia share many things in common, including our governments’ determination to improve the lives of working people, drive economic growth and ensure cleaner, more affordable energy.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to powering up the UK with clean energy projects that will benefit communities across the country.

“Together, we’re delivering better futures for our two countries, whether that’s through protecting our national security with projects like AUKUS or delivering on our net zero commitments.”

The Victorian Greens have responded to the Allan government’s plan to fast-track high-rise apartment blocks and remove stamp duty for investors, saying that proceeding without guaranteeing any new public and genuinely affordable housing will simply funnel more profits to wealthy developers while Victorian suffer through more housing stress.

The Greens said that while they welcome more housing near transport and services, without policies to require building genuinely affordable homes in these zones, Labor’s plans will simply let developers get away with building more expensive penthouses, and young people will not benefit.

The Greens say that fast-tracking the plans of wealthy property developers and providing short-term stamp duty concessions for property investors without forcing them to build any public and genuinely affordable homes will actually make the housing crisis worse.

The Greens have been calling for inclusionary zoning to ensure that 50% of these new activity areas are public and genuinely affordable housing for the people who need them the most.

Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Samantha Ratnam:

“If Labor wants to fundamentally reshape our city, they need to do it in a way that creates housing that teachers, nurses and young people can actually afford, but right now Labor is just giving incentives to wealthy property developers to build expensive houses that won’t solve the housing crisis.

“We’re in the worst housing crisis we’ve seen in decades and property developers are building expensive houses, hoarding land and keeping homes empty.

“If Labor actually cared about building homes that young people can afford, they’d require developers to build genuinely affordable and public homes in these zones, rather than just allowing developers to build expensive luxury apartments.

“Labor must commit to building more public and affordable housing – not just expensive luxury apartments.”

The Victorian Greens warn that the Allan government must guarantee public and affordable housing otherwise their skyrise plan will do nothing to fix the housing crisis and will only make housing more expensive and further lock out young people.

Labor’s high-rise plan doesn’t ensure any public and affordable housing at the sites and today property developers are saying they would force apartment prices up by at least 15 per cent – making housing affordability even worse.

The Victorian Greens say that this is exactly why we need to ensure public and affordable homes in these new activity zones, otherwise this plan is going to drive up prices and make it even harder for young people and essential workers to find somewhere to live.

The Victorian Greens have been calling for inclusionary zoning that would ensure that at least 50% of new housing are public and affordable homes In these new zones.

The Greens are also calling for structural reform of the tax system which currently locked young people and workers out of buying a home – like getting rid of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“Today property developers made it clear that Labor’s plan is to build more expensive luxury apartments. Developers want to build apartments that are at least 15% more expensive than now – that’s the opposite of what we need!”

“We need more genuinely affordable and public homes that young people, nurses, and everyday workers can afford – not expensive luxury apartments.”

Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Samantha Ratnam:

“Labor must commit to more public and genuinely affordable homes in these new activity zones otherwise they’re not doing anything for young people struggling through the worst housing crisis in decades.”

“Labor is intent on enabling wealthy developers and corporations to cash in on luxury apartments and it’s only going to make things worse.”

“Labor can’t knock down thousands of public homes and only offer expensive apartments in return.”

Today I announce appointments of five highly qualified individuals to lead Australian posts in Alofi, Funafuti, Ottawa, Paris and Rome.

Australia’s engagement with the world is driven by our diplomats. Their ability to build influence and advocate for Australia is critical to promoting our national interests abroad.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

• Ms Olivia Phongkham as Australia’s High Commissioner to Niue.
• Mr David Charlton as Australia’s High Commission to Tuvalu.
• Ms Kate Logan as Australia’s High Commissioner to Canada.
• Ms Lynette Wood as Australia’s Ambassador to France.
• Ms Julianne Cowley as Australia’s Ambassador to Italy.

I thank the outgoing high commissioners and ambassadors for their contributions to advancing Australia’s national interests.

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla have concluded an historic visit to Australia.

The Royal visit was The King’s first visit to Australia as Sovereign.

It showcased the very best of modern Australia, including our strong communities, scientific innovation and rich cultural diversity.

In Canberra, Their Majesties honoured fallen Australians at the Australian War Memorial, visited Parliament House and learned more about Australia’s unique environment and the impact of climate change on our ecosystems at the National Botanic Gardens.

The spectacular Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, the visit to the Sydney Opera House and the community barbecue in Western Sydney were highlights of Their Majesties’ Sydney visit, and gave them the opportunity to meet a wide range of Australians.

The King and Queen’s visit focused attention on important work being done in our community to improve the lives of everyday Australians.  

The King met the Australians of the Year at the ground-breaking Melanoma Institute, and met Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives to hear about a range of community projects at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. The King also visited a sustainable NSW Homes community housing project which will soon provide 75 affordable homes to people in Sydney’s inner-west.

The Queen assisted volunteers at OzHarvest to prepare meals and spent time hearing from women’s safety advocates about their vital work at Government House.  

To mark the Royal visit, the Australian Government made a $10,000 national contribution to Greening Australia on behalf of all Australians. Greening Australia is a national not-for-profit committed to restoring Australia’s diverse landscapes and protecting biodiversity in ways that benefit communities, economies, and nature.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“It was an honour to welcome The King and Queen to Australia for this historic visit, the first by a Sovereign since Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

“Their Majesties met a range of extraordinary Australians who demonstrated the best of our great country.

“I look forward to meeting The King again in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Samoa from 24 to 26 October for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

This will be his first visit to Samoa as Prime Minister.

Encompassing around a third of the world’s population, the Commonwealth has a strong record of multilateral cooperation to promote human rights and shared values.

Australia is proud to support Samoa as host of a uniquely Pacific CHOGM — the first to be hosted by a Pacific island country.

Australia is pleased to have provided support for Samoa’s preparations for the meeting, including on security, logistics and policy development.

Australia’s priorities for CHOGM are closely aligned with Samoa’s, with a focus on our collective efforts to address climate change and the sustainable management of our oceans.

As well as investing in the resilience of Pacific partners, Australia is working with the international community to pursue security and economic opportunity in a net zero future.

Prime Minister Albanese will join representatives from more than 50 countries to work with Commonwealth members to address global challenges.

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am pleased to attend the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by a Pacific island country.

“It is a particularly special occasion to be in Samoa, together with so many Commonwealth counterparts and His Majesty The King, in the 75th year of the Commonwealth.

“Australia values the significant role Samoa plays in our region, and the close partnership between our two countries.

“I thank Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa for hosting this year’s meeting and welcome her leadership to elevate Pacific priorities and voices on the international stage.”

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for the Republic, has commented on the arrival of the British monarchy to Australia, ahead of the Prime Minister’s parliamentary reception scheduled today. 

Senator Faruqi: 

‘It will come as no surprise that I will not be participating in any pomp and ceremony celebrating the monarchy, but I’d be happy to go to the airport to wish them a final goodbye in the hope that this is the last time the crown visits this country as rulers.

“Anthony Albanese and Labor may have given up on Australia becoming a Republic, like they have given up on tackling the climate crisis, the housing and rental crisis and justice for First Nations, but the Greens will keep fighting. 

“The truth is, racism and colonialism are intertwined; and the monarchy symbolises an era that should be left behind for good, not celebrated.

“Preserving the British monarchy is to preserve white supremacy and the systemic racist structures that were built by the Empire and persist today.

“It’s time for Australia to embrace a Republic rooted in decolonisation and sovereignty for First Nations—a crucial step towards racial justice, truth telling and treaty.”

The NSW Government should be strongly advocating for Australia’s drinking water guidelines to reflect global best practice after draft new guidelines released today still have Australia lagging behind the US on acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ says Cate Faehrmann, Greens NSW MP and chair of the newly established Upper House Inquiry into PFAS.

“Why should Australians accept a new drinking water standard that has levels of one forever chemical, PFOA, at 50 times what the US is prepared to accept? PFOA has recently been declared carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, so surely the only acceptable level is close, or at, zero,” Cate Faehrmann said.

“Australia is behind many other jurisdictions that have acted on the growing body of evidence about just how dangerous these chemicals are much sooner. It shouldn’t have taken a media investigation and negative headlines to get action here.

“Australia must now seize this opportunity and adopt the world’s best practice when it comes to identifying and removing PFAS from our water supplies. The NSW Government needs to be strongly advocating for this at the federal level.

“It makes no sense that new guidelines will set acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ higher than what the US allows. Why should we be prepared to accept higher levels of chemicals than people in the US?

“The public deserves to know on what evidence all decisions around supposedly safe levels are being made,” said Cate Faehrmann.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education, has commented on the slashing of hundreds of jobs in the university sector with the latest announcement today by the University of Canberra, following recent job cut announcements at Macquarie University and the ANU.

Senator Faruqi: 

“There is something deeply wrong with universities if hundreds of jobs are being cut while VCs walk away with million-dollar plus pay packets.

“Rampant casualisation, wage theft and enormous workloads were already crushing staff, and now hundreds will be without a job. It should be VC salaries that should be cut, not staff jobs.

“For too long, the corporatisation of universities has continued unabated, with disastrous consequences for staff and students. Staff and students are not expendable cogs in the wheels of a corporate campus.

“Universities are in strife, and the Labor government is going to make it even worse with their international student caps. Instead, they should be providing a big boost of funding to universities and overhauling university governance to put staff and students back at the centre of decision making.”