Month: October 2023

In a powerful and insightful address to the Senate, Senator Malcolm Roberts laid out a clear and comprehensive assessment of the factors driving Australia’s current cost-of-living crisis. Not one to shy away from hard truths, Senator Roberts highlighted the significant impacts of net immigration figures on housing and infrastructure, asserting that a net of over 530,000 immigrants, as predicted by Deutsche Bank, are adding strain to an already stretched system.

Drawing attention to the increased costs associated with renewable energy, despite Australia’s unprecedented investment in dud wind, solar, and battery technology, Senator Roberts dispelled the notion that these alternative sources lead to cheaper power bills. He pinpointed the inefficiencies, stating, “With the largest amount of wind, solar, and batteries on Australia’s power grid in our history, power bills have never been higher.” A fact that underscores the need for a comprehensive energy policy that addresses both sustainability and affordability.

The Senator’s critique of the Reserve Bank’s policies was particularly poignant. He candidly pointed out that the printing of half a trillion dollars during the COVID crisis has contributed directly to the current inflation problem, especially as much of this vast sum benefitted foreign-owned multinationals.

But Senator Roberts didn’t just outline the problems. He provided a clear path forward, championing the policies of One Nation. He emphasised the need to curb the surge of immigration to address housing issues, to re-evaluate Australia’s commitment to UN net-zero objectives, and to put an end to unchecked money printing by the Reserve Bank.

The Senator’s speech was a call to action, urging for pragmatic solutions over partisan politics. Roberts firmly positions One Nation as a party willing to make the tough decisions and have the necessary conversations to guide Australia towards stability and prosperity. His commitment to serving the people of Queensland and Australia shone through every word, reinforcing his reputation as a visionary leader dedicated to the betterment of the nation.

Watch the speech below. 

The Australian Government, with the support of local defence industry, is providing a further $20 million package of military assistance to Ukraine.

De-mining equipment, portable x-ray machines, a 3D metal printer, and counter drone systems are some of the Australian developed equipment that will contribute to Ukraine’s defence.

The Australian developed equipment is made by four innovative Australian defence industry companies: DroneShield, Micro-X, Minelab and SPEE3D.

This new support takes Australia’s overall assistance to Ukraine to approximately $910 million, including the provision of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, heavy artillery, critical ammunition and contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

In addition, a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft has deployed to Germany in support of multinational efforts helping protect a vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.

The deployment of this aircraft delivers on the Government’s commitment made ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

The aircraft has arrived at Ramstein Air Base to begin a six-month deployment under Operation Kudu. Up to 100 Australian Defence Force personnel have deployed with the aircraft.

The aircraft will not be involved in the conflict in Ukraine, and Australian Defence Force personnel and assets will not enter Ukraine during the deployment. The E-7A Wedgetail will not operate inside Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian airspace.

The Albanese Government continues to work with the Government of Ukraine and our international partners to provide assistance and to call on Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

“This contribution will provide Ukraine with some of the best capabilities in the world, while investing in Australia’s sovereign defence industry and technology sector.

“I’m proud to confirm the E-7A Wedgetail has arrived in Germany to commence its important mission. Australia is honoured to provide this aircraft to help protect the vital lifeline of humanitarian aid and military assistance entering Ukraine.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine as we work with our partners to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We are proud to see Australian companies helping international efforts to support Ukraine to end Russia’s illegal invasion, on its own terms.

“With the deployment of the E-7A, the Australian Defence Force is making an important contribution to multi-national efforts protecting the gateway of humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said:

“Our local defence industry has so many groundbreaking companies providing unique solutions like this, and I want to thank them for their assistance.

“3D metal printers can be used to print spare parts, while de-mining and portable X-Ray equipment can provide life-saving assistance for Ukrainian personnel on the battlefield.”

The Albanese Government has announced a $2 billion expansion in critical minerals financing, which will solidify Australia’s position as a world leading provider, help the transition to net zero, boost the economy and support more jobs and opportunities for Australians.

Critical minerals, including rare earths, are the building-blocks for a clean energy future, and are essential to achieving Australia’s energy transition. This significant commitment will double the capacity of the Critical Minerals Facility to finance Australian critical minerals mining and processing projects.

This expansion of the Critical Minerals Facility takes the Government’s value-adding investments in Australian resources to $6 billion. Investing in critical minerals financing will bolster the sector in Australia, resulting in technology, skills, jobs and economic benefits for Australians.

Prime Minister Albanese and Resources Minister Madeleine King announced the $2 billion expansion, surrounded by Australian and US industry leaders, after the inaugural meeting of the Australia-United States Taskforce on Critical Minerals.

This Taskforce is an important component of building our Alliance with the United States for the future and delivers on commitments made by President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese at Hiroshima earlier this year.

A sustainable and reliable supply of critical minerals is vital to supporting the Australian and United States’ manufacturing sectors. Australia is ideally positioned to provide responsibly-produced and processed critical minerals to fulfil this demand.

Working with international partners is essential for Australia to deliver on emissions reduction targets, decarbonise our economy and build our clean energy industries.

Cooperation with the United States on critical minerals is central to the Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact. The Compact affirms the position of climate and clean energy as the third pillar of Australia’s alliance with the United States.

The expanded Critical Minerals Facility supports the Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government is committed to transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower, and harnessing the critical minerals we have at home is crucial to achieving this.

“Australians will benefit through this investment in critical minerals, through technology, skills, jobs and economic gains.

“Australia is committed to building sustainable and secure critical minerals supply chains with the United States. This is central to building a clean energy future and delivering economic growth.

“The expansion of the Critical Minerals Facility will help to build supply chains with the United States and support our shared clean energy, manufacturing and defence ambitions.”

Resources Minister Madeleine King said:

“The Australia-United States Taskforce on Critical Minerals will be a key part of progressing our work under the Compact. This week we agreed on priority areas of work and immediate actions such as joint supply chain mapping and deeper cooperation between our science agencies on critical minerals.

“The road to net zero runs through Australia’s resources sector.

“The Australian Government is providing significant support to de-risk investment in Australia’s critical minerals sector. The Critical Minerals Facility is a cornerstone of that support, providing finance to strategically significant projects which can crowd in private investment.

“Coupled with our support for processing, we are well positioned to be a world leading provider of critical minerals, including rare earths elements, and to support global efforts on clean energy transformation.”

The Senate has voted down a Greens amendment to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023, to make all First Nations students eligible for Commonwealth-supported places for postgraduate study.  

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Education, Senator Mehreen Faruqi,  and stakeholders National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA) and Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) have expressed disappointment that the Government has voted against closing this critical gap for First Nations students pursuing higher education. 

Senator Faruqi said:

“I’m thoroughly disappointed the Government has voted down my amendment to reduce education disadvantage for First Nations students. It’s a disheartening reminder of the lack of commitment to equity in higher education. 

“With university course fees and student debt at an all time high, many First Nations students will continue to face barriers to  pursuing postgraduate studies.

“Your bank balance should not determine access to university at any level, undergrad or postgrad.

“This bill provides commonwealth supported places for First Nations students in undergraduate study, so why vote against extending that support for postgraduate study too? It makes no sense when we know financial barriers are a big reason why the number of Indigenous students transitioning from undergraduate to postgraduate is so low.

“If Labor is serious about addressing how our higher education system is failing First Nations students, then lowering a financial barrier of entry is a crucial step. It’s a shame they’ve failed to do so.

“Ultimately, university should be free and student debt wiped and we need to ensure higher education is accessible and available to all students across the country.” 

Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer from National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA) said:

“NATSIPA fully endorses the Greens amendments to the HESA (Response to the Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023. We thank the Greens for listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

We are saddened that the government has chosen to not support this amendment as it would have gone a long way to ensuring we can close the gap on our disadvantage.” 

Errol Phuah, National President of Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) said: 

“The reality is that First Nations peoples are still underrepresented in postgraduate education. 

This amendment was about empowering self-determination, to take away some of the systemic barriers that are turning First Nations people away from postgraduate education.”

The long-awaited release of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) report confirms barriers to women fully participating in the workforce comes at a huge cost to the economy. 

Many of its recommendations align with long-standing Greens policies and we’re delighted to see the experts agree with us on many reasonable and obvious improvements for women’s economic participation.

Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“We knew the social costs of keeping women out of the workforce were high, but the WEET report released today confirms that the economic cost is equally eye-watering, estimated at $128 billion each year.

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone – parents, children and the economy. The Greens support the WEET recommendations and will support the government to implement any and all improvements to PPL.

“WEET has again recommended that super be paid on PPL, a measure that would improve women’s economic equality – but Government are making women wait to fund it, but can somehow find $313 billion for the Stage 3 tax cuts.

“If the government is serious about increasing women’s workforce participation, it needs to do more than to nod sagely while a panel of expert women says these things. Labor needs to actually act.
 
“The Greens will be pushing to ensure Labor actually listens to the WEET’s advice – on PPL and all other areas of women’s economic security – rather than cherry picking recommendations as they did with the interim report.”

Greens spokesperson on employment Senator Barbara Pocock said:

“Australia is an international outlier in terms of our support for workers with caring responsibilities. We have slipped too far behind. And we are paying a price in labour supply, stressed workers, and gender inequality. 

“The WEET report reinforces the findings of the Senate Select Committee on Work and Care; we need to revolutionise our workplace laws so Australians, and particularly women, can find a balance between working and caring responsibilities.”

A 2012 decision to expand salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour is currently under review by the federal environment department. 

Under questioning from Senator Peter Whish-Wilson at Senate Estimates last night, the department’s Head of Environment Approvals Division, Bruce Edwards, said three submissions to review the controversial federal environmental approval had been made, with the department now considering its legal options. 

Mr Edwards noted the case was complex, but if matters relating to the environmental approval are determined to be “live”, the federal environment minister would have jurisdiction to intervene. A decision is expected before the end of the year. 

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

“The federal government’s 2012 decision to expand salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour was made with the proviso it would not significantly impact the Maugean skate – but scientists now warn the endangered species is fighting for survival precisely because of a decline in water quality attributed largely to salmon farming in the Harbour. 

“If the federal environment minister does have the jurisdiction to reverse the 2012 decision to rapidly expand salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour then she absolutely should.

“The regulation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour has been a disaster. It’s a cop out for successive federal environment ministers to continue to watch on as salmon industry regulators and the Tasmanian government fail spectacularly to protect and prioritise the environment, including matters of national environmental significance like the sad decline and imminent extinction of the Maugean skate.

“There is no job more important for an environment minister than protecting a species from extinction. Minister Plibersek has a critical mandate to protect the Maugean skate and she must pull every lever available to her to ensure its survival.”

** Jump to the 20:17:24:00 mark of this clip from Senate Estimates for the exchange between Senator Whish-Wilson and Mr Bruce Edwards.

The Coalition recognises the fundamental importance of supporting Australian women to realise their full potential. We will consider the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce report thoroughly, reflecting the respect we have for the work that has been conducted. Many capable Australian women have contributed in good faith to the work of this Taskforce and the Coalition thanks them for their efforts.

Today, even though Australia has taken great strides toward gender equality, we still have much work to do. We know if we get government working for women, Australia will move forward. The Coalition is committed to ensuring the today’s Australian girls will have the same opportunities that Australian boys do in the decades to come. To achieve this, changes need to be made.

We are committed to helping empower women to make choices about how they want to live their lives, whether that is through a career, starting and growing a family or indeed pursuing and balancing both aspirations. Delivering on that commitment will require new approaches and fresh perspectives and we are committed to bringing new ideas to the table in the interest of all Australians.

While we thank those who have contributed to the report, the Albanese Government is not without fault in its handling of the Taskforce. The Opposition has uncovered that:

• There was no open application process for the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce.
• The Department suggested 52 names on merit and this list was whittled down to 13 names by Minister Gallagher with no apparent process.
• Minister Gallagher admitted that ‘a number’ of the final 13 were not suggested by the Department at all – but then refused to say how many.
• Minister Katy Gallagher handpicked the Chair, Sam Mostyn, who is a former Labor staffer.

‘Jobs for mates’ does not end with ‘jobs for the boys’. Overlooking capable and qualified women because they aren’t affiliated with Labor is just as unacceptable and sadly the ‘jobs for mates’ culture is entrenched in the Albanese Government’s appointment processes.

In recent days it has been revealed that Trade Minister Don Farrell handpicked an unqualified male former Labor Senator over an experienced senior woman for a key overseas appointment. Labor also appointed Glenn Thompson, Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, to the board of the National Reconstruction Fund. It would have been better to see this role taken up by one of the thousands of qualified women from across corporate Australia.

While Labor has been compiling this report, Australian women have been falling further and further behind.

According to Foodbank Australia, 48 per cent of the general population is anxious or worried about getting consistent access to adequate food, meaning millions of mothers are worried about feeding their children.

The Liptember Foundation found in its 2023 Women’s Mental Health Research that 35 per cent of respondents listed financial stress and cost of living as a trigger for depression, while 36 per cent said it triggered anxiety.

Last week the National Centre for Vocational Education Research confirmed Labor have presided over a 42.9 per cent decline in commencements for female trainees and apprentices in just their first year of government.

While this report sheds new light on the challenges of realising a better future for Australian women, Labor’s spiralling cost of living crisis is hurting women today.

Because the reality is Anthony Albanese is leaving Australian women behind.

Today at Senate Estimates the Australian Border Force revealed that last month a vessel was intercepted and its passengers taken to Nauru for the first time in nine years. This is the ninth people smuggling venture to attempt to arrive illegally in Australia since the May 2022 Federal Election.

Once again Minister O’Neil and Labor have shown that they can’t be trusted to keep our borders safe.

The Coalition warned Labor that its dismantling of Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) would re-incentivise people smugglers and put lives at risk. The latest venture comes at the same time as a planned $600 million cut to border security in Labor’s most recent budget, which the Australian Border Force Commissioner confirmed in Senate Estimates in May 2023 would leave his frontline forces “stretched”.

The most recent venture is a chilling reminder of the illegal arrivals we saw the last time Labor was in Government.

Between 2008 and 2013, more than 50,000 people arrived in Australia illegally on more than 820 boats, and tragically at least 1,200 died at sea.

By contrast, the Coalition’s OSB sent a clear message of deterrence to people smugglers looking to sell illegal voyages to Australia. This work is now being undone.

Only the Coalition can be trusted to keep our borders safe.

More than 6 million Australian customers face an average increase of 8% on their monthly NBN costs.

The price increases have been revealed following on from the approval by the ACCC last week of Labor’s plan to increase NBN prices.

Under the new plan, the prices the NBN charges to retailers will increase. Retailers will then pass on those increases to Australian families. Retailer Aussie Broadband is the first retailer to reveal its increased prices following on from the new plan.

According to the ACCC, more than 6 million Australian customers currently have a 12, 25 or 50 Mbps NBN plan. This represents about 75% of all NBN customers.

Aussie Broadband has revealed price increases for those plans of an average of more than 8%. For families on the lowest cost plan, who are likely to feel the impact the most, the increase is more than 10%.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said that these huge increases were coming at the worst possible time, during a cost of living crisis.

“The Albanese Government has said that the NBN price increases represent a ‘positive outcome for households’ (Rowland statement, 17 October 2023). But families will now be forced to pay much more for their Internet. How can that be a ‘positive outcome’ in the middle of a cost of living crisis?

“Mr Albanese promised to reduce electricity prices by $275 – instead, they have gone through the roof. Now his Government is describing big increases on Internet prices as a ‘positive outcome’ for families. The Government has decoupled from reality, and is completely out of touch with the huge cost of living pressures being faced by Australian families,” Mr Coleman said.

Mr Coleman said the Coalition would be pursuing questions on this issue in Senate Estimates in Canberra today.