Month: May 2019

The Morrison Government will crackdown on social media platforms and online predators and trolls in a new plan to protect children, families and the community.
These new measures build on Australia’s world-leading protections, put in place by the Morrison Government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said keeping Australians safe was his top priority.
“As a dad I know first-hand how anxious parents feel about what their kids see and do online and the dangers the internet can bring,” Mr Morrison said.
“Online trolls have no place in Australia and I promise to bring in new laws to protect our kids and keep our community safe.
“No one should be subjected to vile abuse and harassment whether they are in the online or offline world.
“We need the law to keep pace with technology and I want to ensure the courts reflect community expectations about the seriousness of online harassment, abuse and crime.”
Penalties for online abuse and harassment will be strengthened in line with community expectations that online crime should be treated as seriously as offline crime and will include;
 

• Maximum penalties for certain offences will be increased, including for those using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence under section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 from three years’ imprisonment to five years imprisonment.
• New ‘aggravated’ offences will be introduced and sentencing for the worst categories of crime, including aggravated offences for sexual intercourse or other sexual activity with child outside Australia and offences involving conduct on three or more occasions and two or more people.
• New offences of providing electronic services to facilitate dealings with child abuse material, and ‘grooming’ third parties using the post or a carriage service to procure children for sexual activity.
• Re-introduce the Bill that Labor stalled in the Senate because they oppose mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offences, including increasing maximum penalties for a range of child sex offences, such as offences that cover ‘grooming’, sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a child.

 
Attorney-General Christian Porter said these new measures sent a clear message to the courts that the community expects online crime to be treated every bit as seriously as offline crime.
“We will increase maximum penalties for certain offences, including for those using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence under section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 from three years’ imprisonment to five years imprisonment,” Mr Porter said.
Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield said major social media platforms would be held to account with new mandated requirements for transparency reports on the number, type and response to reports and complaints about illegal, abusive and predatory content by their users.
“We know that technology facilitated abuse is becoming a feature of domestic and family violence cases, and we want to ensure that platform are taking effective action to combat this abuse but we can’t do that without real data to inform our actions.”
The new transparency reporting will align with the work already undertaken by the UK Government as part of their Online Harms White Paper process, including their draft transparency reporting template, to ensure a consistent approach across jurisdictions.
The Morrison Government will work with technology firms including social media platforms, app stores and Internet Service Providers to better support parents by giving them the tools to make their own decisions about how their children use the internet, including by:
 

• Ensuring online apps, games and services marketed to children default to the most restrictive privacy and safety settings at initial use or set-up.
• Making available to parents the option of a filtered internet service that, at a minimum, blocks access to sites identified by the eSafety Commissioner.
• Ensuring that information regarding online safety and parental control settings are available at all points in the supply chain including point-of-purchase, registration, account creation and first use.

 
Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield said the Morrison Government would also introduce a new Online Safety Act to ensure our laws keep pace with tech change and to make sure safety is embedded in the online world.
“As recommended by the Briggs Review, the new Act will be a single, consolidated piece of online safety legislation that includes greater transparency and reporting requirements for industry,” Minister Fifield said.
The Morrison Government will work with the G20 to ensure technology firms meet obligations regarding prevention and protection, transparency and deterrence to stop terrorists weaponising the internet.
These new measures are in addition to the more than $100 million the Morrison Government is investing to improve eSafety over the next four years. Only the Liberal and Nationals can be trusted to do what is necessary to keep Australian children safe online.

A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $203 million to increase recycling and reduce waste, protect Australia’s unique threatened species and restore our waterways and coasts.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he wanted to ensure Australia’s environment was protected for future generations.
“We have the best beaches, parks and rivers in the world and these measures support practical and meaningful activities that protect our environment and gets results,” Mr Morrison said.
“We will increase Australia’s recycling rates, tackle plastic waste and litter, accelerate work on new recycling schemes and continue action to halve food waste by 2030.”
This new national waste and recycling initiative includes:

• $100 million Australian Recycling Investment Fund through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support manufacturing of lower emissions and energy-efficient recycled content products, such as recycled content plastics and paper/pulp.
• $20 million for a new Product Stewardship Investment Fund to accelerate work on new industry-led recycling schemes, including for batteries, electrical and electronic products, photovoltaic systems and plastic oil containers.
• $20 million to find new and innovative solutions to plastic recycling and waste through the Cooperative Research Centres Projects grants program.
• $16 million to support the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, working with our Pacific neighbours to reduce plastics and other waste in our oceans.
• Up to $5.8 million for a range of initiatives through the Environment Restoration Fund to support the great work of Clean Up Australia, Keep Australia Beautiful, the Australian Council of Recycling, Planet Ark, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and OzHarvest.
• Up to $5 million through the Environment Restoration Fund for Conservation Volunteers Australia to coordinate community campaigns to clean up plastic waste in our beaches and rivers.
• Continuing to work with state, territory and local governments on opportunities to get more recycled content into road construction, building on the funding provided to the Australian Road Research Board in the 2019-Budget.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the projects announced today directly improve the quality of the environment for the benefit of all Australians.
“At the same time as meeting our emissions targets without harming the economy, we are reducing physical waste, cleaning up our environment and ensuring it is protected for generations to come.”
“Notably, our urban waterways and coastal areas will receive funding of over $15 million through the Environment Restoration Fund. This will go towards cleaning up important systems, including up to $2 million to clean up Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River and improve the environmental health of both the Yarra and Port Phillip Bay.”
Other waterways supported will include River Torrens, Swan-Canning River, Brisbane River and the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers.
A re-elected Morrison Government will also invest $10 million through the Environment Restoration Fund in an important program to establish feral predator-free ‘safe havens’ for Australia’s threatened native species.
The safe havens will secure the future of many of our threatened mammals and birds, including species such as the Eastern Quoll, Mountain Pygmy Possum, the Long-nosed Potoroo and Black-footed rockwallaby.
Environment Minister Melissa Price said achieving tangible improvements for the environment through practical initiatives has been a priority.
“These projects will play a significant role in protecting our natural assets.”
“From reducing the amount of plastic that occupies our coastal waters; improving the quality of local waterways; to ensuring the protection of some of our most iconic and vulnerable species; today’s announcement targets all of these challenges.”
$6 million will also be provided to protect the koalas of South-East Queensland and Northern NSW, with funding for hospital and research facilities at Australia Zoo, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Queensland RSPCA, as well as protection and restoration of important habitat across the region.
A further $6 million will be invested to protect other threatened species including WA’s Black Cockatoos, Bruny Island’s Eastern Quolls and Kangaroo Island’s endangered Dunnart.
The Morrison Government is only able to make these investments because of a strong economy.
Our cleaner environment plan is backed by a strong record of delivery, including:

• Meeting our international climate targets with a $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Plan
• Delivery of the Reef 2050 Plan and a record $1.2 billion investment in the Great Barrier Reef, including our Great Barrier Reef Partnership Program
• $1 billion for the second phase of the National Landcare Program
• $425 million already invested in the protection of threatened species and appointment of the country’s first Threatened Species Commissioner
• Up to $216 million to improve facilities in Kakadu National Park
• $100 million Environment Restoration Fund
• Over $22 million to support local environment projects through the Communities Environment Program
• Establishment of the world’s second largest network of marine parks
• $21.4 million for infrastructure upgrades at important defence heritage sites around Sydney Harbour
• Record $2.8 billion investment in Antarctic science, infrastructure and operations

The Morrison Government is investing an additional $100 million to support south east Queensland patients with new cancer and mental health services and critical hospital infrastructure.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this investment would improve the health of Queenslanders.
“Our strong economic management means we can provide record investment in Medicare, public hospitals and medicines, delivering more doctors, more nurses and more services to Queenslanders.”
“We can deliver this record investment in health without raising taxes for hard-working Queenslanders,” Mr Morrison said.
“$100 million will help improve services, reduce wait times and deliver greater access to cancer care and mental health services.”
On top of record support for public hospitals, today’s additional investment includes;
 

• $10 million to the Redcliffe Hospital for a new paediatric emergency treatment service. This will provide better care for young patients when they need it most.
• $33.4 million to build a seven days a week, standalone urgent care service at Logan Hospital, which will help take the pressure off the hospital’s emergency department and specialist outpatient services.
• $30 million to help redevelop Redland Hospital including redeveloping the existing renal dialysis building and the main hospital’s acute inpatient building.
• $10 million for an eight chair chemotherapy unit at Caboolture Hospital. The funding will enable local people to access cancer treatments closer to home.
• $10.5 million for new Safe Spaces as an alternative to hospital emergency departments to benefit people who present at emergency departments in a state of distress, but who do not require emergency department. This will support the Caboolture Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
• $5.9 million for mental health support for Brisbane South
• $500,000 to support the construction at the Norfolk Village State School of a Children’s Health and Wellbeing Hub
• $400,000 per year over four years to support Canefields Club House to deliver psychological support to people with mental health conditions
• $250,000 per year over 4 years to support Headspace Meadowbrook deliver increased services and reduce wait times
• $700,000 per year over 4 years to support Brook Red to continue to deliver adult mental health and psychosocial support services in the regions of Logan, Redlands and Brisbane.

 
Health Minister Greg Hunt said this additional funding was on top of our Government’s record Queensland hospital funding.
“It will support patients get the treatment they need, when they need it.
In particular it will support patients who are dealing with cancer and mental health and take pressure off hospital emergency departments.”
Under Labor, federal funding for Queensland public hospitals was only $2.6 billion in 2012–13, compared to $6.7 billion in 2024–25 under the Liberal and National Government agreement.
The Queensland Labor Government is now underfunding south east Queensland Hospitals.
In the Metro South Hospital and Health Service which includes both Logan Hospital and Redland Hospital, the Liberal National Government is increasing funding by $642 million or 158.6 per cent since Labor were in office. At the same time the Queensland Labor Government has cut $39 million from hospitals in the region.
In the Metro North Hospital and Health Service which includes the Caboolture Hospital and Redcliffe Hospital, the Liberal National Government is increasing funding by $769.2 million or 151.8 per cent since Labor were in office. At the same time the Queensland Labor Government only increased their funding by only 7.5 per cent.
The Morrison Government’s National Health Agreement will also deliver an additional $8.4 billion to Queensland Hospitals over 5 years.
Labor cannot be trusted to run a strong economy and they cannot be trusted to fund essential services.
In 2011, when Bill Shorten was Assistant Treasurer, Labor deferred the listing of seven medicines for conditions such as severe asthma, lung disease, endometriosis, saying: “Given the current fiscal environment, the listing of some medicines would be deferred until fiscal circumstances permit” (2011-12 Portfolio Budget Statement).
This $100 million investment is part of the Morrison Government’s additional $402 million additional investment in the Queensland Heath System to address health care needs, filling critical service gaps and providing affordable and accessible health services for more people, where and when they need them. For Queensland, the $402 million includes:
 

• Hospital services and infrastructure ($141.3 million)
• Cancer infrastructure ($10.9 million)
• More MRI units for patients when and where they need them ($92.5 million)
• More mental health support ($18.7 million)
• Drug and alcohol services ($20.2 million)
• Better access to primary care ($55.1 million)
• Lifesaving medical research ($70 million)

 
Only the Morrison Government’s plan for a strong economy ensures record investment in Queensland hospitals and guaranteed funding for essential services.

Employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have been bolstered in Stirling through the Coalition Government’s Tailored Assistance Employment Grants.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and the Liberal candidate for Stirling, Vince Connelly, said at a graduation ceremony for Indigenous jobseekers today the $255,000 investment in the Indigenous-owned and operated mining company, Carey Mining, was a fantastic boost for the electorate that would lead to 30 local Indigenous jobseekers being given an opportunity for work.
“These targeted grants are community-led initiatives that connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers to real jobs and is part of the Government commitment to get more Australians into work,” Minister Scullion said.
“The very best form of welfare the Government can provide is a job, and this investment is about supporting the Government’s efforts to close the gap in Indigenous disparity.
Mr Connelly said he was pleased to announce the Commonwealth Government was investing in Stirling.
“Carey Mining is a fantastic local business and this investment from the Liberal-Nationals Government has been tailored to the needs of our region to maximise opportunities for our Indigenous jobseekers,” Mr Connelly said.
“As an Indigenous-owned and operated company, Carey Mining, has the capacity and cultural links to work with local Indigenous jobseekers who often have unique barriers to work, to provide the support and culturally-appropriate training to ensure these jobseekers get into a job and stick at it.
“I am very pleased that the Liberal-Nationals Government’s strong economic management means it can reinvest the dividends of a strong economy back into local solutions such as this one
Aboriginal businessman and Managing Director of Carey Mining, Mr Daniel Tucker, welcomed today’s announcement of a $255,000 investment.
“Carey Mining is a 100 per cent Indigenous owned business that over our 20 year history has been committed to building a successful business and giving back to our communities,” Mr Tucker said.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with the Government to get even more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into jobs and create better lives for themselves and their communities.
The Tailored Assistance Employment Grants are part of the Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy and complement other Government programs which have resulted in a 23.3 per cent increase in the number of Indigenous Australians with a job since the 2011 Census and 30 per cent increase in the number of Indigenous entrepreneurs in small business.

Hundreds of Greens members and supporters have joined the launch of the Greens NSW Federal election campaign. The priority of their campaign is to re-elect Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

Senator Faruqi adressed the crowd highlighting the important role the Greens play in the Senate, the urgent need to act on climate change and the real risk of One Nation or the United Australia Party of taking the NSW seat.

Senator Faruqi said:

“There is no doubt this is ‘the’ climate election. So let’s make sure we turf out the coal huggers in parliament. But we know that a Shorten Labor Government isn’t going to make the changes we need.  A strong Greens presence in the parliament is the only way to push them to do better.
“The Liberal National govt has been a complete disaster for people and the planet.  For them it’s all about the big end of town. The time to kick them out is finally here and it could not have come sooner. But the Labor party are really lagging behind on issues that are so near and dear to our hearts such as compassion for refugees, stopping Adani, making sure we have a social safety net by raising youth allowance and Newstart by $75 a week, a medicare funded denticare and free University and TAFE. Right now more than ever politics needs a shake up because time is running out. Right now more than ever before we need Greens in parliament.
“The Senate is going to be critical in pushing a possible Shorten Labor government to do the right thing. With the Greens the holding the balance of power in the Senate – we can do just that.
“There are a number of crucial issues facing us and how we respond to these challenges today will determine our tomorrow. We are in a climate emergency. Scientists are telling us that if we keep going down the current trajectory we have less than a decade until our climate breaks down. Coal is the biggest cause of climate change. Australia is the biggest exporter of coal. Without addressing coal we cannot deal with climate change.
“A strong economy is one that works for all of us and the planet, not just the wealthy few. But the harsh reality is that while we are one of the richest countries in the world, so many are being left behind – 700,000 children live in poverty, 100,000 people are homeless, so many are living on a mere $40 a day, young people are struggling like never before. The time to fight for a fair, more equal and just society is here and now!
“This election we have the opportunity to say ‘enough is enough’ and pave the way for the society which is respectful, inclusive and unashamedly multicultural, where all of us are considered ‘one of us’, where our parliaments look like the streets and suburbs of our country and where we are judged by what we do, not where we come from.
“This election, People are looking at something to believe in. They are looking for some genuine, authentic leadership. They are looking for a vision and a plan that tackles the big challenges. A plan that looks after everyone – not just those who can buy influence” she concluded.

Greens Adam Bandt MP today said that the decision by the Labor candidate in Melbourne is the right one, and noted that the contest is now one between the Greens and the conservatives.
“Violence against women and sexual violence is unacceptable, in any circumstances. The decision of the Labor candidate to resign is the right one,” Mr Bandt said.
“Melbourne is now a contest between the Greens and the conservatives, so if voters want to change the government and get real action on climate change, they need to vote Greens.”
“I won’t take this seat for granted. I will continue to campaign hard, talking to voters and seeking their support for my re-election right up to 6pm on election day.”

The Morrison Government is partnering with the Wirrpanda Foundation to establish a $10 million Indigenous Business and Jobs Hub in Perth.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion and the Member for Swan, Steve Irons, announced the new facility – to be based in Swan – to assist local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small businesses take advantage of the Coalition Government’s investments in Western Australia.
“Since the Coalition came to office in 2013, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small businesses have experienced unprecedented growth with a 30 per cent increase in the number of Indigenous Australians in small business in five years,” Minister Scullion said.
“The Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) introduced by the Coalition in July 2015 has supercharged the sector – prior to its introduction there were only 30 Indigenous businesses winning $6.2 million in Commonwealth contracts in 2012-13, in contrast since the IPP there have been 1,470 Indigenous businesses winning 6,880 Commonwealth contracts worth over $1.83 billion.
“To meet this unprecedented demand, the Coalition Government has introduced a range of new financial products to assist existing and emerging Indigenous businesses win more contracts and continue to grow as part of our 2016 election commitment to an Indigenous Business Sector Strategy.
“The new Hubs are about bringing together the myriad of new support services available under the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy into a one-stop shop to help Indigenous businesses take advantage of the new opportunities being created by the IPP.
Member for Swan and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Steve Irons, welcomed this new investment to assist Indigenous small businesses in Swan and across Western Australia.
“The policies of the Morrison Government have led to unprecedented economic growth for the nation – with over a million jobs created, 230,000 new Australian small businesses opening their doors since 2013 and the lowest welfare dependency rate in 30 years,” Mr Irons said.
“Of course, Indigenous Australians have greater barriers to entry into small business for a range of historical reasons and I am very proud of being part of a Government that is focused on ensuring that disadvantaged communities get a fair-go at the opportunities being created for all Australians.
“This new Hub will be the catalyst for Indigenous businesses in Swan and across Western Australia to come together to network, access opportunities and continue its record growth. This new $10 million investment is a fantastic boost for the electorate of Swan and Indigenous small businesses across Western Australia.
The Wirrpanda Foundation which will deliver the new Indigenous Business and Jobs Hub, is a highly successful Indigenous employment provider that will leverage this expertise to deliver a new one-stop shop service.
“The Indigenous Business and Jobs Hub will provide an invaluable opportunity to allow Indigenous Businesses to flourish. It will provide a collaborative entrepreneurial workspace for business, Indigenous businesses and jobseekers to come together,” David Wirrpanda said.
“It is an immense privilege for the Foundation to have a role in the empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and, in turn, the community.”
Funding for this project is allocated from within existing resources of the $5.2 billion Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Background
Key initiatives announced as part of the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy include:
 

• A $27 million Indigenous Entrepreneurs Capital Scheme, to de-risk commercial finance for mature and established Indigenous businesses that cannot access finance. The Government will partner with financial institutions to deliver new Indigenous products which the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Capital Scheme will support a portion of the risk.
• A refocused $27 million Business Development Assistance Program, delivered by Indigenous Business Australia, to support start-ups and those entrepreneurs that are outside of the banks risk profile but who with one-on-one support and tailored finance can succeed.
• Doubling the microfinance footprint to support more entrepreneurial activity and economic development and piloting a CDP Business Incubator model to help CDP participants foster self-employment and turn their activities into micro businesses.
• A new $20 million Performance Bonds Facility has been introduced which Indigenous constructions firms can use to win roads and construction contracts.
• The $30 million Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund is investing in plant and equipment to help Indigenous businesses in remote and regional areas win new contracts.