Month: May 2019

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.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to leave the cash rate at 1.5 per cent, unchanged since August 2016.
In this year’s Budget, global growth was downgraded to 3½ per cent for 2019 and 2020 following a loss of momentum in the second half of 2018, which has extended in to the current year. The IMF has also since downgraded global growth further to 3.3 per cent in its latest World Economic Outlook warning that “this is a delicate moment for the global economy”.
The RBA in its statement said “the outlook for the global economy remains reasonable, although the risks are tilted to the downside. Growth in international trade has declined and investment intentions have softened in a number of countries.”
At home, we face our own challenges with the impact of flood and drought, as well as a cooling housing market and its impact on household consumption.
Australia’s economic fundamentals remain sound. In its monetary policy statement, the RBA stated that the “labour market remains strong” and that “strong employment growth over the past year or so has led to some pick-up in wages growth, which is a welcome development.”
More than 1.3 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected driving down the unemployment rate to 5.0 per cent. More than 100,000 young Australians between the ages of 15 and 24 found jobs last year – the highest number in Australia’s history. Welfare dependency is at 30-year low and we are delivering the first Budget surplus in 12 years.
The RBA expects “the Australian economy to grow by around 2¾ per cent in 2019 and 2020. This outlook is supported by increased investment in infrastructure and a pick-up in activity in the resources sector, partly in response to an increase in the prices of Australia’s exports.”
But we must not be complacent. The Morrison government is delivering pro-growth policies including lower taxes, record infrastructure spending and investment in skills. These policies will support the economy in the near term as well as boost Australia’s productive capacity, underpinning our prosperity.
We are delivering a surplus, beginning the journey towards paying back Labor’s debt. This is important as our interest bill has grown to more than $18 billion per year. The surplus will enhance our fiscal buffers, sending a strong signal to the market that we can meet the challenges that lie ahead. All at the same time as delivering record funding for schools, hospitals and roads.
In contrast, Bill Shorten has a plan to weaken the economy, create fewer jobs and deliver lower wages, with $387 billion in higher taxes. A weaker economy will put at risk Australia’s AAA credit rating, which was reaffirmed following the release of the Budget in April.
The last time Labor delivered a surplus was in 1989 – more than 30 years ago.
When Labor spends more, they tax you more and when Labor taxes you more they weaken the economy.
Australia cannot risk a return to Labor’s high tax and spend agenda

Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has today challenged Environment Minister Melissa Price to a debate, following the release of the harrowing biodiversity report on Monday.
“Melissa Price cannot keep hiding from her responsibilities to the environment or her accountability to voters. I challenge her to a debate in Adelaide on our environment prior to the election,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Melissa Price has been missing in action. Yesterday we laid eyes on the UNs damning biodiversity report. Again we find this Government’s response lacking and our Environment Minister unable or unwilling to answer the hard questions.
“Melissa Price and the Liberals cannot be trusted to take the bold strides towards environmental repair and protection that are urgently needed. Australia leads the world in mammal extinctions and is the only developed country on a list of 11 deforestation hotspots. We urgently need leadership and instead we are met with silence.
“It is time for Melissa Price to front up to the public and explain her and her government’s appalling record. She has a responsibility to explain to voters, and those too young to vote who have been protesting for action on climate change, why she has failed to take the environment seriously.
“The Greens have the most comprehensive policy to restore nature and act on climate change. We will use our numbers in the Senate to push the next government to act on the extinction crisis and save our environment.”