Month: May 2022

A future Albanese Government will kickstart battery manufacturing in Australia.

Under our Australian Made Battery plan, Labor is determined to see Australia create more jobs and greater wealth for the nation by manufacturing batteries onshore. 

This plan will see a future Labor Government:

• Partner with the Queensland Government to create a Battery Manufacturing Precinct in Queensland, backed by a $100 million Commonwealth equity injection.
• Create a Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre to provide advanced technology and skills development to businesses looking to locally manufacture renewable energy technologies.
• Support 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships, including around 2,000 expected in Queensland. 
• Develop a National Battery Strategy to bring government and business efforts together for the long term good of the nation.

These commitments are in addition to Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund (including $1 billion for Value-Adding in Resources).

Australian Made Batteries should power your house, your business, your school, and eventually maybe even your car.  

We can shore up our electricity grid with safe, reliable and sustainable energy that’s Australian from top to bottom – and then we can sell those batteries to the world.

We have a unique opportunity to make Australia a world leader in a future industry that will create good jobs for generations.  

There are an estimated 34,700 jobs and $7.4 billion in value to be made in Australia from battery technology and industries. 

Labor will build a better future for Australia, one which capitalises on these opportunities. 

For too long, Australians have wondered why we haven’t manufactured batteries onshore when we have one of the world’s largest deposits of critical minerals and rare earths.

On the Morrison Government’s watch, Australia is only realising 0.5 per cent of the value of global battery production.

This is largely because a lazy, decade old Liberal Government has been prepared to simply watch these resources be dug up and shipped off overseas for processing.

The Morrison Government has missed vital opportunities to build a local industry and create local jobs by manufacturing batteries here.

Labor wants our batteries to be as recognisable as Holden cars once were. Unlike the Liberals, we won’t chase manufacturers offshore – we will rebuild industry capability.

We want our allies and our competitors to know that Australia is a renewable energy powerhouse, not just a raw materials supermarket.  

We have a clear plan. Labor will power a better future, delivering economic gains and Australian jobs along the way. 

Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Australian Labor Party said:

“The resources sector has been the backbone of the Australian economy for decades. Developing Australia’s battery manufacturing capability is a step towards the potential for domestic electric vehicle manufacture. Labor will create a Future Made in Australia. Australia should be a renewable energy powerhouse, not just a raw materials supermarket.”

Ed Husic, Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation said:

“Australia should be aggressively ambitious when it comes to battery manufacture. Labor is determined to see Australia realise more value of the supply chain. We’ve got the natural resources to become a renewable energy superpower. We need the government ambition to match.”

Mick de Brenni, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen said: 

“Queensland’s publicly-owned power companies are already investing in more than 430MW of batteries with more to come. Battery storage will be key to the expansion of clean energy, by storing unused renewables for dispatch at peak periods, putting downwards pressure on prices. Our Buy Queensland procurement approach will require these sort of grid batteries to be sourced locally in Queensland, creating a pipeline of demand for new manufacturers which means more jobs in regional Queensland.”

Matt Burnett, Labor candidate for Flynn said: 

“Gladstone has always had a strong industry and manufacturing base. By investing in new energy industries like battery manufacture, Labor is setting up well paid, secure manufacturing jobs in our community for generations to come. Only an Albanese Labor Government has a plan for more jobs in more industries across Central Queensland”

More than $55 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services across Tasmania over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Morrison and Tasmanian governments.

The Morrison Government will invest $45.6 million, with the Tasmanian Government providing $9.4 million in-kind to establish new and existing mental health services, particularly for people in the group known as the “missing middle”.

Tasmania is also well-progressed with its investment of $27 million to deliver two mental health Integration Hubs at the Peacock Centre and St John’s Park, which will provide multidisciplinary care for adults. These hubs closely align with the Head to Health model.

The funding includes:

• $24.7 million to provide mental health care for adults and older adults across the state through the establishment of three new Head to Health satellite clinics (Burnie, Devonport, Outer Hobart), which will align with state-based services, including Tasmania’s Integration Hubs. This includes ongoing funding for the state’s first Head to Health centre in Launceston
• $4.2 million to establish a new headspace centre (Rosny Park), and $2.9 million to boost the clinical capacity of existing headspace sites in Tasmania (Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Launceston)
• $12.6 million to deliver three Head to Health Kids Centres within Tasmania’s Child and Family Learning Centres (CFLCs), which includes recognition of Tasmania’s existing investment in the CFLCs
• $2.5 million for the Tasmanian Government to establish and deliver three eating disorder day programs in 2022-23
• $5.2 million for universal aftercare services to support individuals discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt, and
• $3.0 million to support perinatal mental health screening.

In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services.

The bilateral agreement will also build and support the mental health and suicide prevention workforce, including the peer workforce.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the agreement would ensure Tasmanians had access to more support, when and where they needed it.

“A strong economy means you can guarantee the essential services, providing new health support to all Tasmanians helping them improve their lives,” the Prime Minister said.

“The importance of mental health support has never been more evident than in recent years when COVID had many Tasmanians seeking help for the first time, that’s why our support for these services is so important.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt congratulated Tasmania on its commitment to providing this support to people across the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Australians and there is no better time to work together and ensure we close the gaps in the mental health and suicide prevention system,” Minister Hunt said.

Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said that the agreement strongly aligns with the Tasmanian Government’s major investment in systemic, state-wide mental health reform, and will assist in achieving Tasmania’s long-term goals to improve timely access to care and improved mental health outcomes for our community.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said the funding would create new services and much needed support for Tasmanians engaging with the mental health and suicide prevention system.

“As a result of this new agreement, every Tasmanian who is discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt will receive at least three months of immediate follow up care and support,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“The risk of suicide is greatest in the days and weeks following discharge from hospital due to a previous suicide attempt, yet not everyone in this group receives follow up care. These people are amongst our most vulnerable, and through this agreement we are committing to do everything we can to support them.”

Young Tasmanians will also have better access to mental health services, with headspace receiving a significant boost in funding to substantially expand and enhance services.

Staffing levels will be increased at existing headspace services, and one new centre will be established. These services will be well integrated with local Tasmanian services to ensure a supportive transition for those experiencing severe and complex mental ill health.

Three Head to Health Kids Hubs will also be integrated with the new CFLCs in Tasmania. These integrated services will provide multidisciplinary team care to children and contribute to Tasmania’s response to its review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Three new adult Head to Health satellite clinics will also be established in 2023-24. This will provide integrated, seamless mental health care for adults and older adults across the state.

These satellites are in addition to Tasmania’s two Integration Hubs and the state’s first Head to Health centre that opened in Launceston earlier this year and will continue to support Tasmanians in the “missing middle” – those who are too unwell for the general primary care system, but not unwell enough to require inpatient hospital services or intensive state-based community care.

Within Head to Health services, care will be delivered by multidisciplinary teams consisting of psychiatrists, general practitioners, psychologists, alcohol and drug specialists, mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, mental health workers and lived experience workers.

Other key initiatives include funding toward delivering three eating disorder day programs to provide additional support for people with eating disorders in Tasmania, the enhancement of digital capture and reporting of perinatal mental health screening data, and the use of the Initial Assessment and Referral tool and telephone/digital service to support consistent intake, referral and integration across all state-funded services and clinical services in Tasmania.

The bilateral agreement forms part of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

The National Agreement considers key mental health reports and inquiries including recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s final advice. It outlines actions to build a comprehensive, coordinated, consumer focused and compassionate mental health and suicide prevention system to support all Australians.

The National Agreement clarifies roles and responsibilities; progress improvements in the mental health services available to adults, children and youth; improve data collection, sharing and evaluation; reduce gaps in the system of care; expand and enhance the workforce, including the peer workforce; and work to improve mental health and suicide prevention for all Australians, across a range of settings.

The Australian Government is delivering structural reform and real change in mental health and suicide prevention, and has invested almost $3 billion towards the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan since 2021-22.

This brings the estimated health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2022-23 to a record high of $6.8 billion.

Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.

Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

A re-elected Coalition Government will take further action to grow Australia’s tech workforce and boost more women into tech jobs as part of its plan to make Australia a top ten data and digital economy by 2030.

Building on new skills initiatives announced in the Budget and the election, the Coalition will work with industry towards a target of at least 40 per cent women making up the growing tech workforce by 2030 – up from current estimates of around 26-29 per cent.

We will also establish stronger partnerships with industry through a new Tech Workforce Roundtable, which will bring together government, industry and education sectors to boost our collective efforts to grow the tech workforce and meet growing digital skills demand.

Minister for the Digital Economy and Women’s Economic Security, Senator Jane Hume, said the Digital Economy Strategy is a key part of the Coalition’s plan to create 1.3 million jobs over the next five years, including 450,000 jobs in regional Australia.

“Every business is now a digital business, which is why our plan for the digital economy is such an important part of our plan for a strong economy,” Minister Hume said.

“The new target for women in the tech workforce builds on our record of increasing female workforce participation to record highs and narrowing the gender pay gap to record lows. This target will bolster the $3.9 million investment the Morrison Government made in this year’s budget to help women make a mid-career transition into the tech workforce.

“Australians from all walks of life are taking up tech jobs and we want to see more Australian women involved in this rapidly growing and well-paid part of the workforce.”

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said with almost 9 in 10 jobs now requiring digital literacy skills, the Coalition is already investing strongly in digital skilling and re-skilling.

“The Coalition is equipping Australians of all ages with the digital skills they need for the modern workforce,” Minister Robert said.

“By building closer partnerships with industry, developing a new technology skills passport and reforming the vocational education sector, we will open up more pathways for Australians to get a job in the fast-growing technology sector.”

The Tech Workforce Roundtable will be jointly chaired by the Ministers for the Digital Economy and Skills, with the aim of holding the first meeting soon after the election. The Tech Council, the National Skills Commissioner, Digital Skills Organisation and other participants drawn from industry and education sectors will be invited to join.

Today’s announcements build on the recent announcement of a technology skills passport and investments in the 2022-23 Budget to help transition more women considering a mid-career change into the tech workforce, expand the Future Female Entrepreneurs Program and to back small businesses with tax incentives to upskill and train their employees through the $550 million Skills and Training Boost.

They also build on our record of funding 10,000 digital places under the JobTrainer program, the Digital Skills Cadetship Trial, establishment of the Digital Skills Organisation and scholarships for emerging technology graduates.

The Coalition’s Plan for Growing the Data and Digital Economy also includes:

• Backing small businesses with tax incentives to embrace the digital economy through the $1 billion Technology Investment Boost
• Implementing our reforms to Employee Share Schemes to help Australian start-ups attract and retain the talent they need to compete on the global stage
• Supporting traditional industry sectors like manufacturing and agriculture to be at the cutting edge of digital technologies
• Establishing world-class capabilities in emerging technologies through the $111 million National Quantum Strategy and $124 million Artificial Intelligence Action Plan
• Building Australia’s digital infrastructure through our $1.3 billion investment in regional mobile and broadband connectivity and $4.5 billion NBN upgrade plan
• Enhancing cyber security and safety to increase trust in the digital economy
• Expanding Australia’s world-leading Consumer Data Right
• Reforming Australia’s payments system for the digital age
• Opening up new opportunities for Australian businesses by implementing our Digital Trade Strategy
• Making Australia one of the top three digital governments in the world by 2025, including through a major overhaul of myGov

Only the Coalition can deliver a strong economy and a stronger future for Australia.

Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers across Queensland are receiving support from the Morrison Government to cut their energy costs so they can invest in their business, employ more locals and get ahead.

Through the food and beverage round of the Energy Efficient Communities program 135 food and beverage businesses have received grants of up to $25,000.

The $3.1 million in total funding for businesses across Queensland will help lower their energy bills and reduce emissions by upgrading to more energy efficient appliances including refrigeration, carrying out energy audits and installing energy monitoring equipment.

The successful recipients include Gluten Free Bakery in Narangba and Thirsty Chiefs Brewery in North Lakes, which will make energy efficiency improvements to their operations, White Brick Brewing in Brendale, which will upgrade lighting and cooling systems and Delizia Gelato in Geebung, which will make upgrades to water chiller vats.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said a key part of supporting businesses to rebound from the pandemic is by reducing overheads like energy.

“Backing Queensland manufacturers to get ahead is a key priority of the Morrison Government,” Minister Taylor said.

“The food and beverage industry underpins a stronger Australian economy as the largest manufacturing sector, employing one in four manufacturing workers.

“This is why we are backing them to be more competitive through these grants to lower their power costs, putting more money back in their pockets and supporting the creation of new jobs in Queensland.

“These grants build on more than 2,500 solar and energy savings grants already awarded to community groups and businesses across Australia under the Morrison Government.”

The Energy Efficient Communities Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grants program opened in January 2022, for grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 available to food and beverage manufacturing businesses with under 200 employees.

A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to support small and medium businesses cut their energy costs through a new $60 million Powering Business grants program, and a $17.9 million expansion to the Business Energy Advice Program.

Only the Morrison Government has a plan to create a strong economy and a stronger future for Queenslanders.

Soldiers from the Army’s 11th Brigade will soon arrive in Toowoomba for a week-long training exercise aimed at improving joint procedures with representatives of the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

EXERCISE ARRAS SPRINT 2022 will see approximately 100 Army personnel deployed to the area as part of a training response to a domestic security scenario.

“This exercise builds upon previous joint responses conducted by the Queensland Police Service and Army personnel from the 11th Brigade over the past two years. This includes support to vehicle checkpoints and hotel quarantine as part of the whole of government response to COVID-19,” Exercise Director, Colonel Arran Hassell said.

“Our aim is to effectively and realistically train our people alongside the QPS officers and local government without causing concern or alarm amongst the community. Soldiers will be equipped with weapons with blank ammunition only.

“There will be an increase in activity around the O’Quinn Street Depot and activities around the City Hall and in Queen’s Park. Every day we’ll have different activities in the city and around the region.”

The 11th Brigade personnel are drawn from local and Queensland Army Reserve units including the 25th/49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment (25/49 RQR).

“This is the second time we’ve done an exercise of this nature in Queensland,” Colonel Hassell said.

“On both occasions we have chosen to undertake the exercise in Toowoomba. It is a safe environment and a great community in which to conduct the training.

“We have a strong and enduring relationship with local residents as a result of having bases at Oakey and Cabarlah, as well as our Reserve depot at O’Quinn Street.

Exercise staff will host a visitor’s day at the O’Quinn Street Depot on Friday, 20 May at 2.30 pm, featuring an ARH Tiger helicopter, a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle and a range of other displays.  The Defence Force Recruitment team will also be there for those interested in joining the Australian Defence Force.

The Greens say confirmation in the Reef Snapshot: Summer 2021-22 of the sixth mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef lays bare the Morrison Government’s near-decade of failure on climate action.  

The Snapshot confirms the Reef has suffered the fourth mass bleaching event since 2016, and the first in La Nina conditions, with 91% of surveyed areas showing signs of bleaching.

Greens deputy leader and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters said:

“The weekly updates while the summer surveys were being carried out indicated mass bleaching, but it is still shocking to see the scale of the crisis laid out in the GBRMPA Snapshot.

“This Snapshot reinforces what the Greens, scientists and environmental groups have been saying for years: the Reef is in critical danger.

“Four mass bleachings in six years, and extensive bleaching even during La Nina, is a death sentence for our World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, a risk for all the workers who rely upon it, and an indictment on the Morrison Government.

“Yet another mass bleaching episode, coupled with the government’s commitment to continuing with its climate destruction, increases the likelihood that the Reef will be added to the In Danger list at the next World Heritage meeting.

“Instead of reducing our emissions to save what’s left of the Reef, the Morrison Government is getting behind 114 new coal and gas projects and throwing public money at companies accelerating the climate crisis and putting the Reef in more danger, sadly with the support of Labor.

“Just as eminent Reef scientist Professor Terry Hughes told my inquiry into the Reef in 2014, ‘you can’t have coal and the Reef, you have to choose’.

“This government is utterly captured by fossil fuel interests, and they’re prepared to sacrifice the climate and the Reef to keep those coal and gas donations flowing.

“The 60,000 people who rely on the Reef for their livelihood, and anyone who cares about the Reef, will vote them out.”

“Without a change in government, and Greens in balance of power to push Labor to phase out fossil fuels, the Reef doesn’t stand a chance.

Greens spokesperson on healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“We are now witnessing the tragic and completely avoidable end of the Great Barrier Reef. 

“Make no mistake, the death of the Great Barrier Reef is a political choice. 

“Report after report has warned about the catastrophic fate of the Reef under a business as usual scenario from our leaders. 

“Transformative action to reverse climate change impacts on the Reef has been possible, but a lack of political will and determination has let us down. Science tells us Liberal and Labor emissions targets will equal more annual coral bleaching events.

“A vote for Liberal or Labor this election is a death sentence for the Great Barrier Reef.”

Greens spokesperson on environment and water, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The climate has changed. The pollution crisis is here and it’s killing our Reef.

“While the Morrison Government keeps spending billions of dollars expanding fossil fuels, that makes climate change worse, the Reef will suffer. 

“Our environment is at breaking point. Without a creditable plan to cut pollution and a commitment to no new fossil fuels, no amount of spin can save the Morrison Government from international shame in relation to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Greens are the only party with comprehensive plans to tackle the climate crisis, invest in water quality measures to protect Reef catchments, support regional communities to plan for the future, and protect Australia’s iconic species and World Heritage places.”