Month: February 2022

A unique combination of advantages has handed Australia a historic chance to become a sustainable global manufacturer of electric vehicles – provided the federal government acts swiftly and decisively, according to new research by the Australia Institute’s Carmichael Centre.

The new report, Rebuilding Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia: Industrial Opportunities in an Electrified Future, has found Australia is uniquely blessed with advantages to attract and retain EV manufacturing and rebuild the nation’s car-making capacity. This potential, however, will not be met without major government action.

“When it comes to creating an EV manufacturing sector, Australia enjoys advantages other nations would die for: rich reserves of lithium and rare earths, strong industrial infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, powerful training capacity, abundant renewable energy options, and untapped consumer potential,” said Dr Mark Dean, the report’s lead author.

“And contrary to popular belief, we wouldn’t be starting from scratch. Thanks to the resilience of our remaining automotive manufacturing supply chain, a surprising amount of auto manufacturing work – including components, specialty vehicles, and engineering – still exists here.”

But Dr Dean said his research found Australia’s advantages would count for little without significant government support. The report makes a range of recommendations including:

Establishing an EV Manufacturing Industry Commission
Using tax incentives to encourage firms involved in the extraction of key minerals – primarily lithium and rare earths – with local manufacturing capabilities, especially emerging Australian EV battery industries
Introducing a long-term strategy for vocational training, ensuring the establishment of skills to service major EV manufacturers looking to set up operations Australia
Offering major global manufacturers incentives (tax incentives, access to infrastructure, potential public capital participation, etc) to global manufacturers to set up – especially in Australian regions undergoing transition from carbon-intensive industries
Introducing local procurement laws for the rapid electrification of government vehicle fleets

“No nation builds a major industry without its government taking a proactive role. Our new research shows there’s no excuse for inaction, because there are a huge range of powerful levers our government could be pulling,” Dr Dean said.

“If we capture the moment we’ll capture abundant benefits: creating tens of thousands of regional manufacturing jobs, reducing our dependence on raw resource extraction, reinforcing our accelerating transition toward non-polluting energy sources, and spurring innovation, research, and engineering activity in Australia. We just need our government to act.”

Leading Australian university, Curtin University, and Perth-based medicinal cannabis company, Little Green Pharma Ltd (LGP), have joined forces to explore the use of medicinal cannabis treatment options for obesity and related health issues.

The research, led by Professor Marco Falasca from Curtin’s Medical School, will aim to identify one or more combinations of cannabinoids that may produce effects in the gastrointestinal tract to induce a feeling of fullness and a decrease in appetite, potentially leading to weight loss and even diabetes reversion.

Professor Falasca said the research could be a game-changer for those struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

“I am delighted to start this collaboration with LGP and very thankful for having the opportunity to expand my research in the field of medicinal cannabis in relation to obesity and gastrointestinal diseases,” Professor Falasca said.

“Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally with at least 2.8 million people dying annually as a result of being overweight or obese and current drug treatments have significant adverse side-effects and need to be injected by patients.[1]

“Some of the more than 100 cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant cannabinoids have been shown to have therapeutic potential for obesity. Our research will seek to unlock further understanding of the role these cannabinoids can play in regulating gut function , their mechanism of action and optimal dosing for therapeutic effect to help weight loss.”

It is anticipated that the research findings will allow Curtin and LGP to move to the next phase of testing these drugs in human trials.

The global obesity treatment drug market was valued at US$729.9 million in 2019 and is forecast to reach US$1.08 billion by 2027, at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.0%.2

LGP Head of Research and Innovation Dr Leon Warne said LGP will fund the study in three stages, with the final stage anticipated to be completed by February 2023.

“LGP is excited to commence this investigation into a novel proprietary treatment option for obesity and related diseases,” Dr Warne said.

“Supporting this type of research, which studies the use of medicinal cannabis in difficult to treat conditions, is a cornerstone of our business and key to our R&D strategy.”

Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria are calling for urgent action to end violence against women and girls with disabilities, with 65% of Australian women with a disability having experienced violence.

Challenging ableist attitudes that women and girls with disabilities are ‘vulnerable’, ‘incapable,’ or ‘child-like’, alongside rejecting sexist attitudes are two of the key actions to ending the high rates of violence and abuse experienced by women and girls with disabilities. 

This evidence-based resource Changing the Landscape released by Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria today shows that Australian women and girls with disabilities experience all forms of violence at higher rates, including being twice as likely to experience physical and sexual violence compared to women and girls without disabilities.  But the resource also shows that violence is preventable, not inevitable.  

Changing the Landscape reveals that sexism and ableism contribute to the shockingly high levels of violence experienced by women and girls with disabilities. Gender inequality and ableism play out across all aspects of Australian society, including medical and disability services, workplaces, schools, governments and communities. This resource is included as a recommendation for the Disability Royal Commission to draw on, as part of Our Watch’s submission into the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said we all must play our part in stopping this violence before it inflicts harm on women and girls with disabilities, their families and communities.  

“This is not a problem just for the disability community, it is everyone’s problem, and we all must be part of the solution – to end this pervasive and unacceptable abuse. 

“Violence against women and girls with disabilities is not perpetrated by a ‘few bad apples,’ it looks like street harassment, controlling behaviours by paid and unpaid carers, doctors and policy-makers taking away reproductive choices, and institutional violence.  

“The evidence shows that by addressing sexist and ableist attitudes, practices and structures we can stop violence against women and girls with disabilities before it starts. 

“It means challenging ableist attitudes – such as the belief women and girls with disabilities need to be protected or excusing a carer’s abuse because they are ‘burnt-out.”  

“It means workplaces championing equality and increasing the number of women with disabilities in leadership roles, schools being accessible and inclusive, and media amplifying the voices and stories of women and girls with disabilities. 

“This is not just about ending the high rates of violence against women and girls with disabilities, but also about building a society where all women are valued, respected and have equal rights and opportunities,” Ms Kinnersly said. 

Women with Disabilities Victoria CEO, Nadia Mattiazzo said the resource was developed through intensive consultation with people from around Australia – who shared their professional and personal stories.   

“Violence and discrimination are huge experiences in our lives. That is why our organisation has dedicated attention to preventing them.    

“It is a reminder how disability and gender discrimination impact every part of this country and take many forms, especially when they combine with colonisation, racism and other forms of discrimination.   

“We are pleased to be advancing the need for a national focus alongside Our Watch, the national organisation to prevent violence against women and their children. We are hopeful to see government and community service action spring from this resource,” Ms Mattiazzo said. 

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has backed the enactment of greater oversight of the intelligence community in a new bill, with amendments.

In its review of the Intelligence Oversight and Other Legislation Amendment (Integrity Measures) Bill 2020, tabled today, the Committee supports the passage of the bill following implementation of four key recommendations.

The Bill proposes to expand the oversight jurisdiction of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) to cover the intelligence functions of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC); and expand the oversight of the PJCIS to cover the intelligence functions of AUSTRAC.

The Bill forms part of the Government’s response to the 2020 ‘Richardson Review’ of intelligence legislation.

The Committee has recommended that the bill be passed by Parliament following implementation of four other recommendations:

• That the remit of IGIS and PJCIS be further expanded to also cover the intelligence functions of the Australian Federal Police.
• That in addition to IGIS, PJCIS be similarly provided with an oversight role over ACIC.
• That the Government review the scope and adequacy of legislative provisions relating to the retention and destruction of intelligence material.
• That the Government consider convening a regular meeting of the heads of intelligence integrity agencies, to discuss coordination of their work and promotion of integrity within the National Intelligence Community.

‘In an era of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and rapid technological change, the government is rightly providing record funding and new powers to our intelligence community to meet new challenges and evolving threats.

‘It is vital oversight and scrutiny keeps pace with these new capabilities to retain public confidence and ensure scarce resources are most effectively targeted to the most serious risks,’ Chair of the PJCIS, Senator James Paterson said.

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the inquiry website.

At the request of Emergency Management Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing military planners as well as augmentation and ADF-only quick reaction teams to support aged care facilities in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These support teams will include a number of roles including team leaders, registered and enrolled nurses, and supporting personnel. The placement of personnel will be made in consultation with the Department of Health.

When parliament resumes on Tuesday 8 February, Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi will move to establish a Senate inquiry into her private members’ bill, the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018.

Senator Faruqi’s bill would remove ministerial discretion in relation to the approval of research grants administered by the Australian Research Council.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Researchers and universities are absolutely fed-up with this nonsensical, harmful veto power which allows targeted political interference in research funding.

“Two Liberal ministers have now vetoed seventeen projects in the last four years.

“I have a bill that would remove this power and it’s about time the Senate took a look at it.

“By hearing from university communities, academics, researchers and unions, the Senate will be forced to confront the real-world, damaging impact the veto has.

“Political interference has no place in research funding. The actions of the current government have been simply despicable in this regard.

“I hope that through this process, Labor can finally come to the table and commit to supporting the removal of the ministerial veto ahead of the federal election.”

At the Greens’ first face to face Party Room meeting of the year on Monday 7 February before Parliament resumes, the party will confirm the approach it will take to Labor’s climate legislation in balance of power in the Senate and the House in the likely event of a change of government at the upcoming election.

With few sitting weeks likely between the resumption of Parliament after the election and the next UN climate summit in Egypt in November, and with a substantial amount of Labor’s climate policy requiring legislation, the Greens will seek a temporary moratorium on new coal, gas and oil projects until the Egypt Summit so detailed discussions can take place and new climate laws enacted before the summit begins.

Although the Greens’ policy remains for the rapid phase out of coal and gas and net-zero emissions by 2035, about which the Greens will announce further policies during the election campaign, the circuit-breaker proposal from the Greens only applies to new coal and gas projects, not existing ones.

With Australian action on coal and gas vital to the next climate summit’s success, the Greens say their approach in the Senate will be to improve not block Labor’s legislation, but that opening up new coal and gas projects will be a likely obstacle to progress. 

It comes with new research showing that if the 114 currently proposed coal, oil, and gas projects are allowed to continue, they will emit pollution equivalent to 2.5 times Australia’s annual carbon emissions. The Betaloo project alone will increase Australia’s emissions by an estimated 13%, something not accounted for in Government or Labor climate modelling.

With the United States and the United Kingdom leading a global push to phase out coal and gas, but with Labor and Liberal both committed to opening new coal and gas projects, the Greens say the only way Australia will take action on coal and gas is with a change of government and the Greens in balance of power.

MPs at the 7 February Party Room meeting will also be joined by the 3 lead Senate candidates in South Australia, Queensland and NSW, where the Greens are aiming to win new seats at the next election, as well as candidates in key lower house seats the Greens are targeting. 

Polling from Essential suggests that 62% of Australian voters support a stop on new coal mines, including 70% of Labor voters. Polling has also found the Greens’ climate targets have the most popular support of any of the parties, according to Resolve. A power sharing Parliament is a likely outcome from the next election and, even if Labor achieves a majority in the House, the Greens are set to hold the balance of power in the Senate, potentially in our own right.

“Australia needs to stop opening up new coal and gas mines,” said Greens Leader, Adam Bandt.

“We want a pause on coal and gas while talking. It’s a pretty reasonable position. It’s not even  about existing coal and gas projects, we’re just saying don’t open up new ones. You’ve got to stop pouring petrol on the fire before you can put it out.

“After we kick the Liberals out, I’m sure we can work with Labor to pass their climate legislation before the next climate summit to help boost climate action worldwide, but opening up new coal and gas mines is a problem. 

“We have differences of views about how quickly we should get out of existing coal and gas, but everyone can surely agree that we shouldn’t open up new coal and gas projects.

“With everyone from the International Energy Agency to the United Nations saying there must be no new coal and gas projects, this temporary freeze is a modest demand that no sensible government could reasonably refuse.

“The only way we’ll get a pause on new coal and gas projects is with the Liberals out and the Greens in balance of power.”

The Greens say the government’s decision to abandon its ICAC promise, while simultaneously trying to push through a hateful bill to protect bigotry, is proof that they never intended to establish an anti-corruption body in the first place. 

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Anyone who is surprised that the government has abandoned its promise to establish a federal integrity commission hasn’t been paying attention. It’s yet another broken promise from a PM who lies and lies.

“The PM promised an ICAC 1152 days ago when it was electorally convenient, then spent the next 1152 days doing everything he could to not keep that promise.

“In the meantime we’ve had SportsRorts, Watergate, Pork and Ride and public money being given hand over fist to coal and gas donors.

“The PM was never going to implement an effective and independent anti-corruption watchdog, because he knows that if he did he’d be at risk of losing half his cabinet.

“This is the dodgiest government in Australian history and its priorities are all wrong. Instead of trying to protect our democracy and rebuild public faith in politics they’re busy legislating discrimination against gay kids and teachers.

“My National Integrity Commission Bill passed the Senate more than two years ago. In balance of power after the next election the Greens will push the next government to pass that bill through the House and begin to restore integrity to parliament and our public institutions.”