Month: March 2022

As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Morrison Government’s 2022-23 Budget continues its record investment in Australia’s national security by building Defence capability and creating jobs, boosting Australia’s cyber resilience, supporting Australia’s sovereign Defence industry and improving the lives of Defence Force members, veterans and their families.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government’s investments in Australia’s national security spanned air, land, sea, space and cyber capabilities.

“In these uncertain times it is vital that Australia is well-positioned to tackle the challenges our country and our region face,” the Prime Minister said.

“This Budget sets out the investments we’re making that will boost the Defence budget above 2 per cent of GDP not only helping keep Australians safe, but supporting local jobs and industries right here at home.

“The capabilities we’re backing with our investments mean an even stronger Australian Defence Force, an even stronger local defence industry, and an even stronger pipeline of jobs and skilled workers.

“This Budget also continues to build on support for our veterans and their families, in recognition of the service and sacrifice they’ve made to keep our nation safe and secure.”

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government remained committed to building a strong, sustainable and secure Australia through Defence’s 10 year funding model.

“The 2022-23 Budget continues this Government’s strong investment in Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).  This includes a $9.9 billion investment over the next decade in new national cyber and intelligence capabilities,” Minister Dutton said.

“Project REDSPICE – Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber, and Enablers – is the largest ever investment in the capabilities of the ASD.

“REDSPICE will substantially increase ASD’s offensive cyber capabilities, its ability to detect and respond to cyber-attacks, and introduce new intelligence capabilities. It will also create over 1,900 new jobs, almost doubling the ASD’s size.

“This investment in ASD recognises the deteriorating strategic circumstances in our region, characterised by rapid military expansion, growing coercive behaviour and increased cyber-attacks. It acknowledges the nature of conflict has changed, with cyber-attacks now commonly preceding other forms of military intervention – most recently demonstrated by offensive cyber activity against Ukraine.

“REDSPICE ensures Australia keeps pace with the rapid growth of cyber capabilities of potential adversaries. It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defences to protect our most critical systems, and is a real increase in the potency of ASD’s ability to strike back in cyberspace.”

Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Andrew Hastie MP said through the $270 billion investment into the capability and potency of our Defence force, we continue to ensure Australia remains ready and adaptable to the changing nature of warfare.

“Project REDSPICE is a critical investment in our digital sovereignty. There are growing cyber threats and we are acting to secure our nation,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.

“This will create highly skilled jobs, and will equip the next generation of Australians to defend our critical infrastructure.

“The Morrison Government’s investment in the ASD will allow our cyber operators to punch back at our adversaries and protect Australia and our interests online.”

The Government’s investment into national security actively protects Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests, and supports Australians in domestic crisis situations.

“The Government will invest $126.4 million for Operation FLOOD ASSIST in 2021-22.  At its peak, over 7,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were made available to support flood-affected communities in New South Wales and Queensland,” Minister Dutton said.

“The Morrison Government will also invest an additional $74.7 million in 2022-23 for Operation RESOLUTE to protect Australia’s maritime interests.

“We will continue to support ongoing operations and activities in the Middle East with an additional investment of $104.2 million in 2022-23 for Operation ACCORDION.”

The Government is committed to meeting Navy’s future requirements through Australia’s first large-vessel dry berth precinct and a new submarine Base to be built on the east-coast.

“The development of ship building infrastructure, including a new submarine base, on the east-coast of Australia will see a 20-year investment estimated at more than $10 billion,” Minister Dutton said.

“The Australian Army will be a future ready fighting force with investment into new uncrewed aerial surveillance systems, Ch-47F Chinook helicopters, Abrams tanks and combat engineering vehicles.

“The Government will also upgrade and extend in-service support for the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter Training System that will result in a $1.5 billion investment in the Air Force’s future aviation capability.”

To support Defence’s growing capabilities, the Government will increase its permanent ADF and Defence civilian workforce by 18,500 by 2039-40.

“This growth in workforce will enable us to deliver our nuclear powered submarines, ships, aircraft and advanced weapons. It will mean we can build warfighting capabilities in the domains of space, information and cyber,” Minister Dutton said.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the 2022-23 Budget built on the Morrison Government’s commitment to keep Australians safe and secure, now and into the future, by growing our sovereign defence industry.

“COVID-19 and the resultant disruption to international supply chains has shown how vital it is that we ensure Australia has a local defence industry that can build what we need to defend ourselves,” Minister Price said.

“That is why we are not only investing in highly advanced equipment for our service men and women, but ensuring as much of it as possible is being built right here in our own backyard in Australia.

“Our record investment in developing and building the equipment we need to defend our nation is creating more than 100,000 jobs across the country.

“It will ensure our diggers are equipped with the state-of-the-art Australian made ships, armoured vehicles, and other weapons they need to keep Australians safe for decades to come.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said as Australia’s military capability grows, so too will the support provided to the men and women who serve our nation, and their families.

“An initial $22.8 million will fund 90 extra Department of Veterans’ Affairs staff to cut the backlog of unprocessed claims, and this will be followed by a further $73.2 million for additional staff and other measures to further improve the veteran claims processing system and reduce waiting times,” Minister Gee said.

“This takes the total new spending to $96 million with 145 new staff, building on our significant investment in the 2021-22 Budget.

“We will increase the fees paid to providers in the Veterans’ Home Care program through a $70.5 million investment, further improving support for 37,000 Australian veterans.

“There is an additional $22 million to grow the life-changing Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Program, including support for veterans with privately-sourced assistance dogs.

“The successful Kookaburra Kids ‘Defence Kids’ program is being expanded to more regional areas and the service will now be available to Defence and veteran families in Tasmania for the first time.

“A $2 million injection will support the work of Bravery Trust in providing financial counselling to serving & ex-serving members of the ADF. 

“We’re also backing in our Invictus Australia athletes participating at the 2023 Invictus Games and bi-annual Warrior Games with $9.0 million in new support.

“This Government continues to ensure those who have fought for our nation and our values are appropriately recognised, and this Budget includes $5.1 million to build a new pavilion at the Sandakan Memorial Park in Borneo to honour WWII Prisoners of War. There is also $4.9 million to create a Remembrance Trail on the Greek Island of Lemnos, in recognition of the Australian doctors, nurses and other service personnel who served there during the First World War.

“The women and men who serve this nation in uniform make incredible sacrifices for our country and we are ensuring that we repay our debt to them by providing the support they, and their families, need.”

Through this record investment in national security and our veterans, the Morrison Government is committed to building a more secure Australia and protecting our way of life for future generations.

The Morrison Government continues to invest in Australia’s workforce as part of our plan for a stronger future.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s apprentices, trainees and workers building their skills were key to delivering a stronger economy.

“By backing Australian apprentices and trainees we’re getting more people ready for the jobs that will set them up for life,” the Prime Minister said.

“These investments will mean more skilled workers, lower unemployment, and a stronger future not just for apprentices and trainees, but for Australia.”

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the measures announced in the 2022-23 Budget would ensure a pipeline of skilled workers for the Australian economy—delivering generational skilling, not generational scarring.

“Our efforts to protect the next generation of Australian workers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have paid off, with low unemployment and a record number of trade apprentices,” Minister Robert said.

“The Morrison Government will now build on that success, so that Australians have high-quality well-paid jobs, and businesses have the trained staff they need to thrive well into the future.

“We will provide a record $7.8 billion this financial year to deliver generational skilling across the nation, with a heavy focus on supporting apprentices and trainees.

“The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies will be extended for an additional three months.

“This takes our investment in Australian Apprenticeships under Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements, Completing Apprenticeship Commencements to $5.8 billion and leverages the momentum over the past 18 months that saw the number of trade apprentices in-training supercharged to a record level of around 220,000.”

Minister Robert said these successful programs will be replaced by a new system of incentives from 1 July 2022 to continue to drive apprenticeship numbers even further.

“We will invest $2.4 billion in a new Australian Apprentices Incentives System, with targeted incentives to employers, apprentices and trainees,” Minister Robert said.

“The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will build on the success of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy and focus government investment on priority occupations that face skills shortages. It will replace the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program and will be introduced in two phases to help businesses as they continue our economic recovery.

“From 1 July 2022, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will provide broad support to the economy through wage subsidies for employers in priority occupations and hiring incentives for employers in non-priority occupations. Apprentices and trainees in priority occupations will also receive a generous direct payment of up to $5,000 over two years to assist with the cost of undertaking an apprenticeship.

“As we move into the second phase, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will shift to supporting occupations in demand or skills need, with a hiring incentive of up to $4,000 to be provided for employers in priority occupations, as well as a new Australian Apprentices Training Support Payment of up to $3,000 paid directly to apprentices in priority occupations.

“It will be guided by a new Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, which sets out the occupations with an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway that have strong current and future demand. The list is based on the National Skills Commission analysis and will be updated every year.”

Young Australians will also benefit with more support provided for young apprentices aged 15 to 20 years to improve their chances of completing their training, whether they’re in the cities or across regional Australia.

The Government is also providing $38.6 million to encourage more women to undertake non-traditional trade apprenticeships through guaranteed Gateway Service places, in-training support and targeted mentoring services to be provided by the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network. These additional services will help encourage more women to commence, and complete, apprenticeships in male-dominated trades like plumbing and bricklaying.

Minister Robert said the successful JobTrainer Fund will be expanded, with the Government investing a further $49.5 million over two years, contingent on matched funding from states. This will deliver up to an additional 15,000 free or low-fee places through the Aged Care Boost to support Australia’s aged care workforce through to 31 December 2023.

“This brings total investment under JobTrainer to $2.1 billion, funding more than 478,000 training places, in partnership with state and territory governments,” Minister Robert said

“Building on the success of JobTrainer and the record investment in skills, the Morrison Government is committing up to $12 billion over five years in support of the new National Skills Agreement (NSA) with states and territories.

“Under this measure, the Morrison Government is providing an additional $3.7 billion as part of the 2022-23 Budget, on top of the $8.3 billion National Skills and Workforce Development Specific Purpose Payment.

“The National Skills Agreement, once agreed, will transform the way all governments support vocational education and training by ensuring greater national consistency, and that investment decisions are transparent, evidence-based and linked to skills need.

‘This agreement has the potential to deliver around 800,000 additional training places over five years. It will reduce the number of students facing unreasonably high fees and improve access to free and low-fee training for priority students and courses.”

Minister Robert said the Morrison Government is implementing a new National Workforce Strategy to underpin a new workforce policy environment. The Strategy outlines a new vision for a more dynamic, responsive and capable workforce to drive employment, economic growth, productivity and prosperity.

“This Strategy will inform and shape the development of workforce policy and sector-specific workforce strategies across the economy,” Minister Robert said.

“Importantly, the Strategy reflects the Morrison Government’s five guiding principles of workforce policy: using data, equipping Australians with in-demand skills, removing barriers to work, activating industry, and targeted migration.

“The Morrison Government has also announced the National Care and Support Workforce Strategy, with $249.1 million invested over four years to address workforce pressures across this vital sector.”

Minister Robert said the Morrison Government remains committed to ensuring young people, women and Indigenous Australians get the support they need to secure a new job.

“A new pre-employment program for young people aged 15-24 will help build the capacity of disadvantaged youth so they can connect with and benefit from existing youth employment programs to ensure they are not left behind in the economic recovery,” Minister Robert said.

“The Morrison Government will provide $52.8 million over five years to support Workforce Australia and implement ReBoot, which will engage experienced community organisations to help an estimated 5,000 young Australians to build their confidence and capabilities, so they can get back on a pathway to employment.”

The Morrison Government’s record investment in skills and training is seeing hundreds of thousands of Australians—including a record number of women—getting skilled and taking up jobs, which is why the Government will continue the momentum of skilling for women through a $3.9 million program to support more women to take up roles in the digital technology sector.

“This program will include access to resources, online training, coaching and mentoring to support women pursue a mid-career transition into the tech workforce, to be undertaken in partnership with industry,” Minister Robert said.

The Government’s Time to Work Employment Service will be extended to June 2023, providing voluntary, in-prison employment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to help them prepare for employment. An extra $3.2 million in funding will be used to better connect them with relevant services and assistance post-release.

“The Morrison Government will continue to encourage Australians and temporary visa holders to take up seasonal work in regional, rural and remote locations across the country, with the extension and expansion of the AgMove program until the end of 2022,” Minister Robert said.

“This will further support the vital agricultural sector by removing financial barriers for job seekers to undertake short-term agricultural work as part of a program that has also backed more than 8,000 people to make the move. It allows Australians to claim a reimbursement of up to $6,000 for short-term relocation costs, while eligible temporary visa holders can claim up to $2,000.

“We will continue to provide, through the National Careers Institute, career guidance services to job seekers aged 25 years and older who are engaged in Digital Services as part of Workforce Australia.

“The six-month trial of these services will be extended for a further six months, at a cost of $1.5 million to ensure all digital job seekers have access to the best advice about their career options and emerging opportunities.

“The Morrison Government will also expand the eligibility for participation in Local Recovery Fund activities to job seekers self-managing through the Government’s digital services employment system. The Local Recovery Fund invests in tailored projects that connect job seekers with opportunities in their local communities and provides employers with the staff they need.

The measures outlined in the 2022-23 Budget will deliver a stronger future with more jobs, putting businesses on a secure footing and providing invaluable opportunities for Australians and their families into the future.

ASC welcomes funding boost to help more Aussies get active
$79.6 million for an additional 2 years for Sporting Schools, providing free and fun sporting activities for over two million students each year
$10.3 million in new funding to support women in sport, with enhanced focus on coaching and leadership
$10.3 million extension to Sport Australia’s participation programs to help get Aussies more active
$10.6 million to further boost Paralympic support in the build-up to Paris 2024.
Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chair Josephine Sukkar AM has welcomed the Australian Government’s $155 million package for sport announced in tonight’s Federal Budget which includes significant funding to keep kids active through sport.

The 2022-23 Federal Budget includes more than $117 million to Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to extend the Sporting Schools program, fund projects to promote and create leadership opportunities for women and girls and expand community participation programs to help get Australians more active.

Sporting Schools has received $79.6 million which will see it continue to provide free and fun sporting activities to school children until the end of 2024.

“Our national AusPlay survey shows that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decrease in children’s participation in organised sport. This renewed investment will help us to re-engage with more than two million children each year, helping them connect with and build skills in a sport they enjoy,” Ms Sukkar said.

More than 600 women will benefit from an expanded Women Coaches program with $6.3 million in funding allocated over three years to identify, develop and empower women coaches from grassroots to the elite level.

“This is about supporting women and girls in sport at all levels. Equal representation doesn’t just positively impact sports, but it shows generations to come that being a woman leader in sport is achievable.”

More than $4 million will go towards women’s leadership programs to support women in community sport to take on leadership roles, transform community sport environments, systems and cultures to meet the needs and reap the rewards of diverse participation.

“Sport has the power to drive positive social change and we know there is no shortage of talented women in sport ready to take on leadership roles,” ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM added.

“This funding creates incredible opportunity for women and girls in sport as we strive for gender equity in the sector and positions the nation as a leader in this space.”

An additional $10.3 million will support a two-year extension of Sport Australia’s Participation Grant program. More than 500,000 participants have already benefitted from the program that is helping more Australians enjoy the social, personal and health benefits that participating in community sport brings with it.

Sport Australia’s national AusPlay survey, which helps the sector better understand the participation landscape and identify strategies to grow participation, has also received funding for a further four years.

AusPlay is Australia’s largest and most comprehensive participation survey, tracking trends and providing unique insights that informs government investment, policy and program delivery.

Additionally, $2.8 million has been allocated to develop a National Sport Injury database to inform safer practices in community sport, assist in injury prevention and increase participation.

Better sports injury data will improve understanding of how injuries occur and how they can be prevented. This will benefit individuals, sporting organisations and the health care system.

$10.6 million will also further support preparations for the Paralympic team ahead of Paris 2024.

This is on top of a $257 million funding commitment to sports for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic cycle, the first time the AIS has allocated funds for a full Games cycle.

$27.3 million was also committed to maintaining integrity of sport in Australia, covering areas such as anti-doping measures, anti-match fixing regulations and education of sport participants.

The ASC has also welcomed funding to support the legacy outcomes for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2023 World Transplant Games.

ABOUT THE ASC
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport. Comprising Sport Australia and the AIS, the ASC’s mission is to make Australia stronger through sport and build sustainable winning systems for Australian athletes.

The Federal Budget provides modest relief to address sharp rises in the cost of living but overlooks those already doing it tough and left worse off as a result of the pandemic.

“Without an adequate social security system, too many Australians will continue to live in poverty, and it is these people who will be exposed to the worst impacts of current and future crises, including economic shocks and climate-induced disasters. Whilst welcome, the one-off payments do very little to address this – now or in the long-term,” said Dr Lucia Boxelaar, Acting Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL).

“We know that there is great willingness in the community to support those who are doing it tough. The federal government needs to invest in a more equal and resilient Australia for all of us.”

“Much more needs to be done to address the structural barriers to work for people who are long-term unemployed. Many of these jobseekers are mature age, living with disability or have additional barriers to finding employment. Rather than blaming and punishing individuals, the Federal Government needs to invest in the social infrastructure and meaningful, tailored employment support that people need to find work. And, of course, investment in adequate income support is needed for those who cannot work or can’t get enough work to make ends meet.”

“Whilst we welcome investment in addressing youth unemployment, like other measures in this Budget, the ReBoot program offers only short-term support to the most disadvantaged young people. With youth unemployment double the national average, we need to invest in local, collaborative efforts which provide long-term solutions for young people, the community and employers,” said Dr Boxelaar.

“On climate, we are disappointed there is not a clear and ambitious plan to support households to respond to climate change and prepare for a low carbon future.

“What we need is investment in lasting measures to reduce cost of living pressures, through targeted home energy efficiency and rooftop solar upgrades for low-income households. Such measures substantially reduce bills, reduce emissions and improve housing quality.”

Rather than offering support to those who need it most, this Budget leaves those facing disadvantage exposed. “Addressing inequality is good for people and good for the economy. It’s time to make policy choices that turn the corner on fairness,” said Dr Boxelaar.

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is a social justice organisation working to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia.

The Morrison Government has comprehensively failed to deliver anything meaningful for universities, staff or students in its 2022-23 Budget. Instead, it has continued to cut public funding per student in real terms.

Government funding per student has been slashed by 5.4 per cut in real terms in the next year and 3.6 per cent in the following two years. This is a shocking $3 billion lost from 2017-18 to 2025-26.

Despite 35,000 job losses in public universities last year, there are no measures to restore jobs nor rectify the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Morrison Government has also refused to address the proliferation of insecure work, with only one in three university staff in secure, permanent employment.

“The Treasurer claimed this is a ‘budget for all’ but this is certainly not a budget that will benefit the 200,000 people employed in tertiary education nor the 1.6 million students who are taught each year,” said NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes.

“Tertiary education is Australia’s fourth largest export industry contributing $40 billion to Australia’s total exports, yet this Government largely abandoned public universities during the COVID-19 crisis.

“In fact, the only action the Government took was to reduce the proportion of government funding per student even further and to increase tuition fees for the majority of students.

“Beyond its colossal contribution to the Australian economy, universities are vital institutions that provide critical research and education for the public good.

“Despite this, the Morrison Government has continued to strip funding from blue sky, curiosity driven research while tipping money into narrowly defined areas of research that suit its re-election strategy.

“This Government’s anti-university agenda is incomprehensible and frankly embarrassing. A Government that refuses to recognise the value of tertiary education should not be permitted to govern.

“The spotlight is now firmly on a future Government to deliver the urgent reforms and funding the higher education sector needs to restore jobs and recover from the pandemic.

“We need a higher education funding strategy that includes additional research funding to make up for the millions cut by the Coalition, a strategy to address the proliferation of insecure employment and a unified plan to address sexual harassment at universities.

Today the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) released its Spotlight, Wellbeing in Australian Schools, detailing the importance of wellbeing for school leaders, teachers and students, and the critical role educators and school communities play when it comes to supporting a learner’s wellbeing.

The continuing pandemic of recent years as well as various natural disasters have honed the focus on resources and programs addressing the wellbeing of learners, educators and leaders, acknowledging that various initiatives and programs already exist that aim to understand and strengthen their wellbeing.

AITSL CEO Mark Grant states, “We’ve had two years of dealing with the challenges presented by fires, floods, and COVID-19 – where many schools and their staff have experienced severe disruption, and been in and out of extended periods of lockdown and online learning. This has impacted the wellbeing of not just the 4 million school students across Australia, but our nearly half a million educators and leaders.”

The Spotlight report highlights a 2021 survey undertaken by 571 educators across Australia where 80% felt their work-life-balance was either ‘less or non-existent’ and job satisfaction had dropped from 91% in 2017, to 63% in 2021.

“This data shows that the wellbeing of our educators and leaders is just as important as it is for children and young people, and is vital to a well-functioning education system, especially so in a period of workforce pressures,” Mr Grant said.

The research also highlights the wellbeing of those just starting in their education career and the value of good quality induction and ongoing support programs for graduate educators and those moving to new positions.

“Building and fostering strong and trusting relationships with colleagues is key, and can contribute positively to a person’s wellbeing.

“If educators are satisfied and feel supported and positive about their work, they are more likely to engage in continuous professional development and remain in the profession for longer.”

Wellbeing programs for educators are being rolled out across Australia and there are other tools and resources available to help teachers, leaders and communities work together to support the learner’s wellbeing.

“This Spotlight showcases many different wellbeing resources that our educators and leaders can access. Some of the programs available provide professional learning, and I encourage all educators to consider those,” said Mr Grant.

To read the report and discover the resources visit: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/wellbeing-2022

Australia and the UK have announced joint plans to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Ukraine impacted by President Putin’s illegal war.

Under the Australia-UK humanitarian partnership, the first of two chartered flights carrying hygiene kits, solar lights, kitchen sets and blankets along with other basic necessities will leave on Tuesday (29 March) to help the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) meet the immediate needs of people displaced by the conflict.

This humanitarian relief involves the UK providing and organising delivery of the supplies, with Australia contributing to the funding, and is part of both countries’ broader humanitarian support to Ukraine. This ensures that the aid can reach Ukraine in the quickest and easiest way and is an example of the close partnership between Australia and the UK in action.

The items will arrive by plane to Poland and UNHCR will distribute in Ukraine and Moldova to support the growing number of refugees. Diesel-powered heaters, heavy duty groundsheets, generators and shelters are some of the other items being delivered and distributed.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said:

“Australia is appalled by Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on civilians who have borne the brunt of these illegal and reprehensible actions.

“Australian assistance will ensure over 8,000 relief items, such as blankets, hygiene and kitchen sets, and lighting, reach displaced Ukrainians facing cold temperatures.

“As we do in the Indo-Pacific, Australia is proud to work with the United Kingdom to alleviate human suffering wherever it occurs.”

The UK and Australia call on Russia to allow the safe passage of civilians from conflict affected areas in Ukraine and safe access for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

“The UK is working with our great friends Australia to support the people of Ukraine who have had their lives destroyed by Russia’s brutal, unprovoked invasion.

“We call on Russia to enable safe humanitarian access and safe passage for people to flee the violence.”

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, says temporary Federal Budget cuts to fuel excise may not even make it to people’s pockets, and that rather than proceeding with Stage 3 tax cuts and temporary excise cuts, the government should tackle major cost of living pressures by building affordable housing and wiping student debt. The Greens have said they will reserve their position on any government fuel excise announcement until the details are released.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“A temporary Budget cut to fuel excise may not even make its way to people’s pockets. There’s every chance that world oil prices or profiteering from oil corporations will wipe out any gains to motorists overnight, at very substantial cost to the budget. 

“To really reduce cost of living pressures, the government should wipe student debt and build 1 million affordable homes that people can rent for 25% of their income or buy for $300,000. 

“That would be much fairer, better and cheaper than proceeding with Stage 3 tax cuts and temporarily cutting fuel excise. 

“The lesson the government should be taking from skyrocketing petrol prices is that an economy based on coal, gas and oil is vulnerable to world events. By shifting to renewables and electric vehicles, Australia will be energy independent and motorists will be better off.
 

The Morrison Government’s new Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Market Bill looks set to fail Australia’s environment despite promises to help ecosystem restoration, the Australian Greens have said today.

The Greens will refer the bill to a Senate inquiry for review and have called on the Labor Party to back an inquiry, before voting on the bill.

Greens spokesperson for the environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“There are major flaws in the Morrison Joyce Government’s legislation that need to be reviewed and amended before the bill can pass the Senate. Setting our environment up to fail through the establishment of another inefficient offsets scheme without proper oversight is simply not acceptable. 

“Labor needs to work with the Greens to protect the environment and not run cover for Barnaby Joyce and his National Party mates. 

“The Bill in its current form is too similar to Australia’s carbon offset scheme, a scheme which has been revealed as severely lacking in integrity – little more than a wealth transfer with no additional emissions reductions.

“An inquiry will ensure that the biodiversity offsets bill is instead built on evidence, integrity and transparency, and contains sufficient protections to deliver the environmental outcomes it promises.

“Restoration of our ecosystems is vital. Any offsets market must have longevity to ensure that the scheme is not just providing short-term revenue for farmers without long-term biodiversity restoration.

“The Greens have major concerns with the large amount of discretion this bill gives the Minister for Agriculture to make long-term environmental decisions, without robust transparency or regulation. We already know what happens when Barnaby Joyce and the National Party give themselves unchecked power – the environment and our rivers suffer, and big, corporate agriculture get rich at the expense of everyone else.

“Why is the scheme administered by the Agriculture Minister, when the objects of the Bill are relating to protecting biodiversity? With an inquiry, we can look into these issues and ensure the best governance decisions are made to ensure the objects of the Bill are met.

“A system built with integrity and good governance will support farmers to undertake permanent land restoration and invest in biodiversity”.

Greens spokesperson for agriculture, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“We must support farmers wanting to do their bit for climate change – but parts of this Bill mimic the government’s blotched carbon credit scheme and that will support nobody.

“Few industries are more impacted by climatic disruption to ecosystems and biodiversity than farming and farmers are an important part of the climate solution – we can’t risk the goodwill of farmers by failing them now.

“It’s critical that this Bill is sent to a Senate inquiry for review. We have to get this right, our farmers’ futures depend on it.” 

New compulsory reporting on food and nutrition in residential aged care has revealed the amount providers spend each day, per person, has increased significantly.

Since 1 July 2021, the Morrison Government has provided an additional $10 per day per resident to eligible residential aged care providers.

By the end of December 2021, approximately $350 million was distributed to residential aged care providers to improve the delivery of care and services including food and nutrition.

To continue to receive this 2021 Basic Daily Fee supplement, providers are required to report to the Department of Health every three months on food and nutrition expenditure, and the quality of daily living services provided to residents.

Data collected through a new quarterly reporting system shows that the average spend on food and nutrition for residents has risen considerably since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety cited $6 per day as found in a 2017 study.

From July to December 2021, the average spend per person per day in residential care was more than $12.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the supplement should be used by providers to improve health and nutrition outcomes.

 “Aged care residents deserve food that is both nutritious and appetising,” Minister Colbeck said. 

“While providing appropriate food for some residents can be challenging, it is a fundamental responsibility of aged care providers and a right of all aged care residents.”

Of all 2600 residential care services which self-reported the data through My Aged Care the average daily spend was approximately $13.94 in Q1 and $14.27 in Q2.

Among the 75 per cent of services that reported expenditure on food and ingredients as on-site only, the average expenditure was $12.25 in Q1 and $12.44 in Q2.

Minister Colbeck said less than two per cent of providers reported spending under $6 per resident, per day despite the additional funding. 

He said the Department of Health will refer any provider spending less than $10 per resident per day, to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to consider regulatory action.

“Providers have a responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of residents – but also that this funding is being used appropriately,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The Basic Daily Fee supplement was provided to residential aged care services to improve the delivery of care and services to senior Australians, with a focus on food and nutrition – that is what residents and their families expect.

“A spend less than $10 by any provider is no longer a satisfactory outcome. Residents deserve more.”

Minster Colbeck said the Basic Daily Fee supplement is just one of several actions the Government is taking on food, and both Government and consumers will be expecting sector leadership to drive real change in response.

Additional actions being taken by the Government to improve food and nutritional outcomes include:

• Asking 20 per cent of senior Australians in residential aged care whether they like the food, as part of consumer experience interviews, and publishing the service level results on star ratings later in 2022;
• Requiring residential aged care providers to collect and report on the new Quality Indicators, including unplanned weight loss, and publishing the service level results on star ratings later from December 2022; and
• The urgent review of the Aged Care Quality Standards, which includes a focus on food and nutrition.

Minister Colbeck said the Australian Government remains committed to ensuring senior Australians not only receive high quality and safe care, but have the best possible quality of life.

“While there is no doubt the pandemic has created extra difficulties for all aged care services, these issues are being worked through in collaboration with the sector,” Minister Colbeck said.

The quarterly self-reporting on food and nutrition, including oral health and meal preparation, allows the Government to work more closely with the sector to improve food practices.

The reports were developed in consultation with dietitians, nutrition experts and the aged care sector.

Further information about the food and nutrition reporting can be found here.