Month: November 2022

Today we announce the appointment of Ms Kristin Tilley as Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change.

Ms Tilley’s appointment delivers on an election commitment to reinstate the role of Ambassador for Climate Change. Her role demonstrates to the world Australia’s resolve to urgently step up the pace of action, and work alongside global partners, particularly in the Pacific, to tackle the climate crisis. 

Ms Tilley was most recently a First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, with over 10 years’ experience with international and domestic climate change policy and programs.

We thank former Ambassador for the Environment Mr Jamie Isbister for his excellent contribution to Australia’s engagement on international environment and climate change issues since 2019.

Ms Tilley will be part of Australia’s delegation to the 27th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Egypt, led by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.

Minister Bowen will demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to action on climate change, building on recent actions like legislating our emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050. This includes our 82 percent renewable energy target and supporting action on climate change for the Pacific region.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its impact on power prices in Australia and the world, is a reminder of the importance of the energy transformation. Restoring Australia’s credibility on climate is key to attracting investment, including in cheaper energy and new industries.

COP27 is an opportunity to strengthen these international trade partnerships and showcase Australia’s renewed climate leadership, as we demonstrate our potential as a renewable energy superpower.

The Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, will represent the Prime Minister at COP27 from 7-9 November and focus on engaging with Australia’s Pacific partners.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister, will also attend.

The Australian Government will officially bid to co-host the 31st UNFCCC COP in 2026 in partnership with our Pacific neighbours.

Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific than climate change.

The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with Pacific countries to address the climate emergency and realise our shared ambition for a successful COP31 bid.

Becoming a clean energy superpower and seizing the economic opportunities of decarbonisation for our region won’t happen by accident. Co-hosting COP31 will help restore Australia’s reputation and increase international engagement on climate change and energy.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Australia is acting on climate change at home, and will now be part of the solution in the world.

“Ms Tilley will lead Australia’s international climate engagement, working with partners to deliver opportunities for green economy jobs.

“As well as playing our part to reduce emissions, Australia is also focused on helping our neighbours deal with the climate emergency, and elevating Pacific voices and priorities on the world stage.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen (MP) said:

“The Albanese Government has already taken urgent climate action and as one of our first acts, enshrined our commitment to reach net zero emissions into law.

“Our delegation at COP27 and our COP31 bid will go a long way to help drive Australia’s economic transformation to a net zero economy, and strengthen green trade partnerships and secure jobs for Australian workers.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy (MP) said:

“Climate change is being experienced by the Pacific family as a profound crisis, and an existential threat.”

“Australia recognises the Pacific’s longstanding leadership on global climate change, and together we will highlight our region’s priorities at COP27.”

“In hosting COP31, Australia and Pacific countries would profile the impact of climate change on the region, accelerate global action and harness the economic opportunities from the clean energy transition.”

The Victorian Greens have launched an election pitch to close two state prisons so that more money can be directed towards services proven to improve community safety, such as housing and early intervention programs.

The plan would see Barwon Prison and Loddon Prison closed by mid-2023. 

Affected maximum-security prisoners would be transferred to the new Chisholm Road Prison, while medium-security prisoners would be transferred to the Ravenhall, Hopkins, Marngoneet and Fulham prisons.

Roughly 75 per cent of affected staff would be redeployed to other prisons while redundancy packages would be provided to the remaining 25 per cent.

An independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) costing has found that the plan would save $215.1 million over the next decade.

Prior to the pandemic the Victorian Labor Government had increased the rate of spending on police and prisons more than any other portfolio area.

Despite this they have not been able to point to any evidence that any of these billions of dollars have improved community safety.

The Greens want to see future state governments commit to closing prisons rather than opening new prisons and expanding existing ones.

This money should instead go towards services that prevent Victorians – and record numbers of First Nations people – from being sent to prison in the first place, like public housing, rehabilitation and mental health services.

The Greens’ justice election platform will also scrap the $300 million dollars set aside in this year’s State Budget for additional police recruitment, after a recent report from the Auditor-General found there was no evidence Victoria’s $2 billion dollar investment in police numbers was needed, or had improved community safety.   

They also want to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, and fix bail laws that have led to a record 11.8 per cent of prisoners identifying as First Nations, and First Nations women becoming the fastest growing demographic in Victorian prisons.

A PBO costing has revealed that by implementing all the Greens’ justice policies the state would save three billion dollars over the next decade, all of which the Greens plan to invest in proven early intervention crime prevention programs and services.

Victorian Greens justice spokesperson, Dr Tim Read said: 

“While smarter countries are closing prisons and lowering crime, in Victoria our state government is funnelling billions into prisons and police.

“This is despite the fact that study after study has revealed this does not improve community safety.

“The government should be investing this money in the things that actually prevent offending in the first place. 

“The current Victorian Labor Government has imprisoned more First Nations people than any other Victorian government on record.”

Victorian Greens Northcote candidate, Campbell Gome said: 

“The Greens are not willing to silently accept the record increases in First Nations Victorians in prison under this government. We will not let this government, or any other, turn away and pretend that this is not happening right now, and that they are not responsible.

“With 1,600 more permanent prison beds set to open over the next 12 months, but no new hospital beds, it’s not hard to see how law and order election promises from Labor and the Liberals hurt Victoria’s future.

“The Greens’ policy represents a line in the sand for Victoria, we must change course from imitating the failed policies of half a century ago, and start following contemporary justice strategies from nations with the lowest crime rates.”

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, has responded to the release today by the RBA of their quarterly Statement of Monetary Policy.

“The RBA has today admitted that inflation is not happening because people are buying more things.”

“This is supported by ABS figures also out today showing that retail volumes grew only 0.2 per cent in the September Quarter.”

“The RBA states that retail inflation is ‘mainly driven by price increases rather than higher volumes’.”

“But having made this pertinent insight, in the next breath the RBA says that it needs to guard against possible wage claims that might arise because workers need more money to pay these higher prices.

“This circular logic reveals the extent to which the RBA has been captured by corporate interests.”

“The RBA is fear mongering about non-existent wage increases citing its dodgy business liaison program.”

“But businesses have complained about wages through the entire history of capitalism.”

“Instead of parroting the corporate lines, the RBA should be upfront about the limits of monetary policy in tackling the current bout of high inflation.”

“Increasing interest rates will bring down inflation only by smashing household incomes and this will most affect those who are already doing it tough.”

“The government needs to pull its finger out and engage in genuine tax reform.”

“The government should be taxing company super profits and unearned wealth, and funding cost-of-living relief for those that are most in need.”