Month: June 2021

The Senate Inquiry into seismic testing has tabled its final report today.
For the first time ever, the Federal Parliament heard evidence that united fishing, environmental, scientific and community stakeholders in their concerns surrounding the ongoing risks of oil and gas exploration in our oceans.
Greens Spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said he initiated the inquiry because of the diversity of concerns raised with him by those who felt the Government had sat by for too long while fossil fuel companies ran rampant in our oceans.
“Testimony to the Committee demonstrated a David and Goliath stand-off, with a handful of multinational oil and gas industry giants on one side, and multigeneration local fishing communities and ocean lovers on the other.
“Big oil and gas corporations – many who buy influence with hefty political donations – have been seismic testing for the last 50 years while there has been virtually no scrutiny on the impacts this has had to the marine environment.
“It took three attempts to get this inquiry established, with evidence revealing Government Ministers were keen to avoid the scrutiny of a Senate inquiry – and when you look at the findings it’s easy to see why.
“The Committee heard that the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient environmental or economic protection from the impacts of seismic testing and gives too much latitude to a regulator who is perceived to be too close to the petroleum industry.
“Evidence revealed that the fossil fuel industry has largely been operating within a science and research vacuum – with big companies cherry picking data that suits their interests, to the detriment of our local industries, communities and marine life.
“The Report’s recommendations make it clear that more research is urgently needed. Frankly, I believe this research should be funded by the oil and gas industry and this was recommended by the Committee too.
“While the Report makes significant recommendations that will reform seismic testing, the Greens believe it didn’t – and couldn’t – go far enough.
“Coastal communities right around the nation are opposing offshore fossil fuel exploration in this time of climate emergency. The NZ Greens negotiated to have all new seismic testing and offshore exploration banned – there is no reason Australia shouldn’t do the same.
“In our Additional Comments to the Report, the Greens have included our strong view that all new seismic testing should be banned.
“There is absolutely no excuse for the Government to continue handing out permits for seismic testing until more is known.
“We will also introduce a Private Member’s Bill to Parliament to ban seismic testing, so the debate and public discussion does not end here.”

The Australian Government today welcomes a further step toward South East Queensland securing the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It follows the recommendation overnight from the International Olympic Committee’s executive board that the Queensland bid go to a final vote before its members at the IOC session in Japan next month.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck and Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien who is also the Prime Minister’s representative for Queensland’s candidature, said it was another significant milestone.
“It reinforces the work that has been achieved so far by all bid partners and highlights what can be achieved when all levels of government work toward on an outcome that will have enormous benefits for the entire nation,” Minister Colbeck said.
He said Australia already has an enviable reputation when it comes to hosting global sport.
“We have demonstrated our strong credentials in successfully hosting major sporting events including the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,” Minister Colbeck said.
“And we now have a runway of major international events booked for Australia.”
Next year, Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the FIBA Women’s World Cup, and the UCI Road World Championships.
Australia has also secured co-hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the 2027 World Netball Cup and is actively working with Rugby Australia to submit a bid for the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic bid is another important step as we continue to help inspire our athletes of the future,” Minister Colbeck said.
Mr O’Brien said the Sunshine State had all the credentials to host an event that would once again showcase Australia to the world.
“Hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games will not only be historic – it will bring Australians and Queenslanders together like never before,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Securing this event won’t just give us something to aim for – but just as we saw at the Sydney Olympics – it will have a long-lasting impact.
“Importantly, the Games are projected to generate billions of dollars of economic output for Queensland and Australia as well as tens of thousands of jobs.
“While we’re delighted to have cleared the penultimate hurdle, we take absolutely nothing for granted as we seek endorsement of members of the IOC session in Tokyo,” said Mr O’Brien.
The final process will include a presentation to the IOC in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
“We know Australia has already proved itself as a major host of international sport,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympics is compelling and we are confident the IOC members will consider it carefully.”

The Australian Government is helping strengthen the delivery of entry-level aged care services with a $112.1 million investment via the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the latest allocation will provide better access to a range of high demand care services, including meals, transport, social support, respite, gardening and cleaning for older Australians, their families and carers.
“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting senior Australians to remain living safely and independently in their own homes and communities for as long as they can and wish to do so,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This targeted investment will support communities identified as being most in need, including where there are aged care service gaps and high demand,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Support for aged care providers to deliver additional CHSP services to senior Australians will help address key demand pressures.”
Funding will be made available over two years to 141 successful applicants who applied through the CHSP Targeted Growth Funding Round 2020-21 and 2021-22.
“This investment is on top of the $17.7 billion announced in the recent Budget to support a once-in-a-generation reform of aged care to deliver respect, care and dignity to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It includes more than $630 million to improve access to quality aged care services for senior Australians in regional, rural and remote areas including special needs groups.”
Service providers are required to be as responsive as possible to requests from senior Australians and their carers for short-term or ongoing CHSP services.
To access services, senior Australians, their family or carer can contact My Aged Care on
1800 200 422 and arrange a formal assessment of their care needs.

Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the Morrison Government to commit to reverse the decision to close its embassy in Kabul after horrific new information was reported today about the nature of Australia’s worst alleged war crime, known as the ‘tractor job’.
“Now is not the time for Australia to lose a vital piece of on-the-ground infrastructure that would be critical in supporting the Office of the Special Investigator to better access evidence and witnesses in Afghanistan,” Steele-John said.
“To close the Australian Embassy in Kabul now, when so much new and truly shameful information about the conduct of Australian SAS soldiers in Afghanistan has come to light, borders on governmental obstruction of justice!
“The closure of the Austrlaian Embassy in Kabul will unjustifiably disadvantage the victims, and their families, when engaging with the investigation.
“What has been reported today by the ABC about the incident known as the ‘tractor job’ is horrific and truly shameful.
“The war has had a terrible and lasting impact on the Afghani people, whose country we occupied for two decades. Innocent people, including children like 14 year old Abdul Salim who is alleged to have been killed at Sara Aw, are dead, families have been torn apart and villages have been left in ruin.
“It is imperative now that we do everything in our power as a nation to ensure that no stone is left unturned, perpetrators are brought to jsutice and the families, and the communities, affected by our occupation are appropriately compensated.
“Abdul Salim, Fiz Mohammad, Omar Jan, Mohammad Azim, Sakhi Jan, Wali Jan, Gulab Khan, Gran, Abdullah, Toor Jan and Nazar Mohammad. These are the names of the 11 civilians alleged to have been murdered; lest we forget.”

The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further three months.
The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020 to protect Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue until 17 September 2021.
The extension, declared by the Governor General today, was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
The AHPPC has advised that the international COVID-19 situation continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health.
The extension of the emergency period is an appropriate response to that risk.
The human biosecurity emergency declaration ensures the Government has the powers to take any necessary measures to prevent and control COVID-19.
This extends the four existing emergency determinations including:

• mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
• restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory
• restrictions on outbound international travel for Australians
• restrictions on trade of retail outlets at international airports.

To date, these and other measures have greatly assisted in protecting Australia by preventing and controlling the entry, emergence, establishment and spread of COVID-19.
We will continue to review these determinations regularly to take into account the latest medical advice
The Government also continues to consult with the States and Territories and the maritime industry on options for the staged resumption of cruising when the medical advice is that it is safe to do so.
These measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 the can be amended or repealed at any time.

Eligible Victorians whose hours of work and income are significantly affected due to the state lockdown can now claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Since claiming opened at 8am today, thousands of claims have been successfully lodged and Services Australia has already started granting claims.
This payment is for people who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and can’t attend work as a result of state imposed health restrictions lasting greater than a week.
Eligible people, for the period 4 to 10 June, will receive $500 if they’ve lost 20 hours or more of work, and $325 if they’ve lost less than 20 hours of work. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000 or be in receipt of other payments.
Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said Services Australia staff are urgently progressing claims from Victorians affected by the current lockdown restrictions in Greater Melbourne.
“Services Australia staff are now processing COVID-19 Disaster Payment claims and prioritising payments and services to support Victorians through this current lockdown period,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Once a claim has been lodged, using a Centrelink online account through myGov, customers do not need to do anything else.
“When their claim is approved, customers should get their payment the next business day.
“Customers will receive an SMS when their claim is submitted. People don’t need to call to check on their claim.
“We expect significant interest in this payment and ask that people be patient, especially during the first few days as Services Australia processes these claims for support.
“Payments will also be backdated to the date someone first became eligible, rather than the date the claim was lodged.”
People who can’t make a claim online can call 180 22 66 for support. Phone lines are open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Eligible visa holders will need to call Services Australia on 180 22 66 to claim.
For more information on the COVID-19 Disaster Payment go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19
Additional information
Services Australia will pay the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from the date of activation for an area where both of the following apply:

• the area has a public health lockdown for more than 7 days (Note: Victorians cannot receive this payment for the first 7 days of lockdown)
• the area is a declared COVID-19 hotspot.

To be eligible for the payment, Victorians must meet all the following criteria:

• be an Australian resident or hold an eligible working visa
• be 17 years or older
• not be in receipt of an income support payment, the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment
• live or work in a COVID-19 declared hotspot
• had paid employment and because of the lockdown are unable to attend work on or after day 8 of lockdown
• lost income on or after day 8 of lockdown and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
• have liquid assets of less than $10,000. Note: Liquid assets are any funds readily available in cash or savings, or assets that can easily be converted into cash in a short amount of time.