Month: October 2024

The Albanese Government is taking action to stop businesses ripping off Australians by banning unfair trading practices under the Australian Consumer Law.

This is about easing the cost of living and getting a fair go for consumers and suppliers.

From concert tickets to hotel rooms and gym memberships, Australians are fed up with businesses using tricky tactics that make it difficult to end subscriptions or add hidden fees to purchases.

These practices can distort purchasing decisions, or result in additional costs, putting more pressure on the cost of living.

The Government’s actions will address a wide range of practices, including:

• ‘Subscription traps’ that use arduous and confusing steps to make cancelling a subscription difficult.
• ‘Drip pricing’ practices where fees are hidden or added throughout the stages of a purchase.
• Deceptive and manipulative online practices that aim to confuse or overwhelm consumers, omit or hide material information, or create a false sense of urgency or scarcity – this can include warnings that a customer only has limited time to purchase a product.
• Dynamic pricing where a product’s price changes during the transaction process.
• Requiring consumers to set up an account and provide unnecessary information to make an online purchase.
• Where a business makes it difficult for a consumer to contact them when they have a problem with their product or service.

Treasury will consult on the design before the Government legislates a general prohibition on unfair trading practices. This will include specific prohibitions of a range of dodgy practices.

Today the Albanese Government has also released a consultation paper on reforms to strengthen protections for consumers and small businesses under the Consumer Guarantees and Supplier Indemnification provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

The Government welcomes stakeholder feedback on the proposed reforms, which include introducing penalties for suppliers that refuse to provide consumers with a remedy such as a repair, replacement or refund when required under law.

Currently, it can be difficult for consumers to obtain a remedy, especially when engaging in the digital economy.

These reforms will empower the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and state and territory consumer protection agencies to issue infringement notices or pursue penalties for breaches of the Consumer Guarantee and Supplier Indemnification provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

Following consultation, the Government will work with states and territories to settle a final reform proposal in the first half of 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We’re taking strong action to stop businesses from engaging in dodgy practices that rip consumers off.

“Today’s announcement puts businesses engaging in unfair trading practices on notice.

“Hidden fees and traps are putting even more pressure on the cost of living and it needs to stop.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“We’re taking important steps to ban unfair trading practices and ease the cost of living for Australians.

“Whether it’s traps that make it difficult or confusing to cancel a subscription, hidden fees and charges at different stages of a purchase, deceptive or manipulative practices online or making it difficult for people to report problems with their products or services, we’re going to change the rules.

“Most businesses do the right thing by Australians and they’ve got nothing to worry about.

“This is all about cracking down on dodgy deals to save Australians money if we can, and where we can.”

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones:

“Consumer protections shouldn’t stop at the internet. Whether you are shopping online or at a brick and mortar store, the Albanese Government is protecting Australian consumers.

“This is all about ending the rip offs so people don’t fall into subscription traps or added fees when they purchase things like airline or concert tickets.”

The Albanese Government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the West over the next two decades and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.

The establishment of a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson is the critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.

This builds on the Albanese Government’s announcement last year of a strategic partnership between Defence and Austal Limited at Henderson.

It also represents a major milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely and securely own, operate and sustain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines.

The Defence Precinct will support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy announced by the Albanese Government, with requisite large vessel infrastructure to form part of the Precinct.

These capabilities are vital to transforming our Defence Force’s ability to meet Australia’s complex strategic circumstances.

The Albanese Government has also determined that the Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

These vital maintenance capabilities will be established at Henderson in accordance with domestic processes and regulatory requirements, and consistent with Australia’s international obligations to maintaining the highest standards for nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

Contingency and depot-level maintenance alone will create around 3,000 jobs in Western Australia.

This is in addition to the thousands of jobs that will be supported through construction of the Defence Precinct, delivery of continuous naval shipbuilding in the West, and the establishment and operation of Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling.

Coupled with the $8 billion the Albanese Government has already committed to expand HMAS Stirling, these investments and capability programs in Western Australia will be worth tens of billions of dollars over the next two decades.

Cooperation Agreement

To deliver this ambitious long-term program, the Albanese and Cook Governments have today signed a Cooperation Agreement, which provides a foundation for collaboration to deliver the Defence Precinct and related activities. This will include:

• Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities.
• Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including common user facilities, to support industry across the Defence Precinct at Henderson.
• Ensuring effective engagement across Federal, State and Local governments and communities.

The Albanese Government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

This work will inform future decisions on delivery options and models for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Cook Government to deliver the infrastructure, industry, workforce and training for a defence future made in Western Australia.

A copy of the agreement will be available here: Cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia’s future Defence capabilities | Defence Ministers

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

“The Albanese Government’s commitment to the Defence Precinct at Henderson is a game changer for WA industry – it will create thousands of jobs for West Australians and underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West.

“Henderson already plays a critical role in the delivery and sustainment of Australian Defence Force capabilities and this will see the important role of WA industry grow further.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The Albanese Government’s commitments represent the most consequential defence investment in Western Australia in nearly four decades, since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling in 1978 and its expanded role as Australia’s Indian Ocean fleet base under the 1987 two-oceans navy policy.

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway.

“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in the growth of a productive and resilient defence industry and workforce to keep our nation safe and deliver a future made in Australia – which is exactly what the Defence Precinct will deliver.”

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct will secure decades of continuous shipbuilding in Western Australia, providing generational benefits for locals who play a vital role in keeping Australia safe.

“This investment by the Albanese Government will not only create thousands of high-skilled and well paid jobs in Western Australia but also ensures a future made in Australia.”

Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook:

“This is a momentous announcement for Western Australia – one that will set up our State for an exciting future and puts us at the centre of the nation’s defence capability.

“The new Defence Precinct at Henderson will deliver tens of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of local jobs.

“This massive investment delivers on my Government’s mission to develop and diversify our State’s economy by providing another economic pathway for our State for decades to follow.

“It is a win-win for Western Australia and the nation.”

Western Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Paul Papalia: 

“The investment of tens of billions of dollars will turn Western Australia into a defence powerhouse.”

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance for nuclear-powered submarines as part of AUKUS. It will also be the maintenance hub for Australia’s nuclear submarines.”

“This historic agreement will result in generations of jobs and diversify the economy like never before.”

Note: Media can access imagery/vision at Defence imagery

The Albanese Government has secured Hobart’s future as the home port of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, and the long-term future of the Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania.

An agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Government for a new, fit-for-purpose Macquarie Wharf 6 has been reached, locking in Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Gateway.

The Albanese Government will contribute $188 million over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government will provide priority access to Macquarie Wharf 6 as the home port for RSV Nuyina for the next 30 years, continued access to existing portside facilities during the construction period, access to shoreside power, and a refuelling solution for RSV Nuyina in the Port of Hobart.

RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research. It’s essential that it’s able to dock in Hobart.

Wharf construction will be managed by the Tasmanian Government and will begin next year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“What this means is Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be. 

“This is an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania and an investment in the future of Australian science.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff:

“This agreement secures a fit-for-purpose home port for the Nuyina and locks in Tasmania’s future as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program.

“As part of the agreement we will also deliver appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart.

“Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours with explorers and scientists using the port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.

“As part of our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to promote and develop our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, education, science and research, and visitor opportunities.”

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement so the Australian Antarctic Program will have fit-for-purpose wharf infrastructure so they can continue world-leading Antarctic science based out of Hobart.

“I know how important being Australia’s gateway to Antarctica is to Tasmania. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183 million each year to the Tasmanian economy.

“That’s why we’ve contributed $188 million towards a new home for the Nuyina and it’s why we have increased funding for the Australian Antarctic Division by more than half a billion since coming to government.”

A groundbreaking new report reveals that retrofitting rather than demolishing the public housing towers at the Flemington estate would save the government nearly $364 million.

Since the former Premier announced the demolition of all 44 public housing towers across Victoria, the Victorian Greens have been pursuing Labor relentlessly to reveal more about what justification exists for the destruction and privatisation of public housing.

The Victorian Labor government has consistently said that refurbishment and repairs are too expensive, despite not providing a shred of evidence to back up these claims, denying documents to the courts, parliament and under FOI.

This new study starkly contrasts what Labor has been saying and reveals that living conditions can be improved for residents and more housing can be built at the sites, with less financial investment from the government than if they were to push ahead with their current plan to demolish and privatise.

The study led by the non-for-profit design and research practice OFFICE proposes a way to refurbish existing and infill new social housing at the Flemington Estate without displacing residents or demolishing buildings.

The report forecasts overall savings would be $363,608,253 which could be reinvested into other public housing maintenance and buildings.

The report also reveals that the ‘retain, repair and reinvest’ approach which would provide a 55% reduction of global warming potential compared to demolition, and has also looked at the severe social impacts and psychological trauma of displacing and relocating residents.

Samantha Ratnam:

“It was always only a matter of time until Labor’s flimsy housing plan would start to fall apart”

For over a year Labor has failed to provide a single shred of evidence to justify demolishing public housing and handing it over to private developers. Now we know that their claims that the towers couldn’t be upgraded is utterly baseless.

This report makes it clear – the towers don’t need to be destroyed. Labor could actually save millions of dollars and build more public housing by upgrading the estates, but they’re choosing not to.

We’re in the middle of a housing crisis with more than 120,000 people on the public housing waitlist. We need to be building more public housing, not tearing it down.

Not only has Labor lost credibility on solving the housing crisis, we are also beginning to see Labor deliberately use secrecy and poor transparency to obstruct Victorians from seeing the truth that Labor cares more about its property developer mates than making sure people have a roof over their head.”

The Greens have today announced a plan for a National Repairability Star Rating label system to overhaul the vicious cycle of production and waste that’s straining our planet’s resources and overwhelming its waste management capabilities. 

To ensure products with embedded batteries – such as smartphones, scooters, children’s toys, portable chargers, vacuums and electric toothbrushes – are safely recycled when they reach their end of life, the Greens are also pushing for a national deposit scheme to cut the growing risk of battery-related fires across Australia’s recycling streams. 

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“The current vicious cycle of production and waste is straining our planet’s resources and overwhelming its waste management capabilities.

“It is a toxic triumph of capitalism that companies profit off selling cheaply-made products, such as household appliances, that are designed to be replaced rather than repaired. 

“We can’t recycle our way out of this crisis. The best way to reduce waste is to stop it being created in the first place. This means extending the lifecycle of products through reuse and repair initiatives and creating secondary markets for recycled materials, in addition to banning hard-to-recycle materials. 

“In a circular economy, everything is built for its end-of-life purpose, and everything has value – but in order to achieve this governments need to encourage, incentivise and enshrine the right to repair the things we own. 

“A National Repairability Star Rating label system will help inform and empower consumer product knowledge and choice – but we need more Greens in parliament to make it possible, and to fight major parties’ obsession with corporate profit at the expense of the planet.”

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

“Much of what is currently considered ‘waste’ is actually a valuable resource disposed of incorrectly, and anything else is a design flaw – but this problem has a political solution. 

“Governments must hold big corporations to account to build a true circular economy where waste no longer exists because all necessary production has value and stays in a closed-loop system. A National Repairability Star Rating label system will go a long way to achieve this. 

“South Australia has been at the forefront of tackling Australia’s waste and recycling crisis – our Container Deposit Scheme has led the way for 45 years and is recognised as one of the most effective in the world.

“In addition to being the first Australian state to introduce a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers; in 2009 we were the first to ban single-use shopping bags; and in 2021 became the first to ban plastic straws. South Australia would be the perfect place for an e-waste deposit scheme trial because people here get it.”

Greens candidate for Sturt, Katie McCusker: 

“Incorrectly disposed e-waste items are wreaking havoc on the recycling and resource recovery sector, with years of government inaction now threatening the entire sector’s daily operations.

“E-waste should never be disposed of in kerbside bins due to the growing risk of battery-related fires. Australia’s waste and recycling sector suffers up to 12,000 battery-related fires a year because accessible and safe disposal options for products with embedded batteries currently don’t exist.

“These avoidable fires are causing insurance premiums for the recycling sector to skyrocket, putting industry workers and the environment at immense risk, and increasing business costs by over $400,000 per business. 

“We can’t continue to allow big corporations that put these products onto the market to pass off financial losses and exclusively privatise profits. For a national deposit scheme to work, governments must force companies to take responsibility for the products they make — and this must include helping to fund safe disposal and processing of e-waste products.

“Change is possible, but in order to see it people need to vote for it.”

he Australian Government has launched a landmark new Humanitarian Policy to set the long-term direction and focus for Australia’s humanitarian action to ensure it saves lives, alleviates human suffering, and builds resilient communities.

Right now, there is more conflict than any time since the Second World War and the worsening impacts of climate change mean Australia’s humanitarian action must be fit for our times and the future.

The Policy outlines the role Australia will play when need is outstripping the world’s capacity to respond, and disregard for international humanitarian law is increasing.

The new Humanitarian Policy focuses on three priorities:

• Building readiness and preparedness to anticipate shocks before they occur and working with our international partners to lessen their impact;
• Responding to crises and disasters by delivering support that meets the needs of crisis-affected populations and protects the most vulnerable immediately and in the long-term; and
• Reinforcing the international humanitarian system and taking principled and practical steps to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law.

The Policy maintains Australia’s focus on the Indo-Pacific, where Australia can make the greatest impact, drawing on our strengths and deep relationships.

Australia will also provide $5 million to support a newly-established Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Fund to rapidly respond to escalation in humanitarian needs in complex crises and disasters in our region.

The launch of the Policy complements the Albanese Government’s global initiative to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones, announced at the United Nations last month.

Australia brought together ministers from Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom who agreed to pursue a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia has a proud history of supporting those in need during conflict and crises, but a changing world requires a new approach.

“The new Humanitarian Policy is not just about saving lives and meeting humanitarian needs. It is also about protecting the peace, stability and prosperity that we want for Australia, our region and the world.

“It is ultimately about shaping a world where humanitarian assistance is needed far less often.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“When Australia’s friends and neighbours need help, we respond – just as they have consistently helped Australia in our own times of need.

“Our new Humanitarian Policy builds on the relationships and partnerships we have forged over time, enabling even stronger support when disaster strikes.

“It continues our tradition of leadership and principled humanitarian action as a partner of choice, while better positioning us for the challenges of the future.”

The Albanese Labor Government is entering into negotiations with the Mongolian Government on a bilateral social security agreement.

An agreement would enhance access to certain Australian and Mongolian social security benefits for eligible people who have lived and/or worked in both countries.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said an agreement would not only help strengthen ties with Mongolia, but would also offer greater freedom and choice for eligible people on how and where they spend their retirement.

“Generally, agreements allow people to maximise their income by helping them claim payments from both Australia and other countries, where they have spent part of their life making a living for themselves,” Minister Rishworth said.

“An agreement also has the potential to benefit businesses as well as individuals in both countries.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, said the commencement of negotiations is an important step in growing the Australia-Mongolia relationship.

“Australia and Mongolia are working together to deepen our cooperation across a range of areas including our people-to-people ties, economic and education linkages.

“This agreement to commence negotiations will benefit both Mongolians and Australians and encourage trade and investment between our two countries.”

An agreement between Australia and Mongolia would build on Australia’s existing portfolio of 32 international social security agreements, following the recent commencement of the Social Security Agreement between Australia and Serbia. 

Mongolian Ambassador, Davaasuren Damdinsuren said he values the agreement as an essential milestone for strengthening the relationship between Mongolia and Australia. 

“It demonstrates both Governments’ commitment to protect and ensure the rights and interests of its citizens residing overseas,” Ambassador Davaasuren said.

Ambassador Davaasuren acknowledges the importance of the agreement for strengthening bilateral relations in people-to-people ties and to encourage trade and investments between two countries. 

“This agreement will enormously benefit to the peoples of both countries residing each other’s territory.”

In addition to improving bilateral relations, international social security agreements:

• assist eligible people who have moved between Australia and an agreement country to access pensions from both countries they may not otherwise be able to access, 
• provide increased flexibility and choice to eligible individuals upon retirement, and
• reduce business costs, promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

More information on Australia’s current international social security agreements and what they do is available on the Department of Social Services website.

Australia and Palau are pleased to announce Qantas has been selected to operate the Palau Paradise Express, a direct flight service connecting Brisbane, Australia and Koror, Palau.

This service, which commenced in May this year, is supported by the Government of Australia and the Government of Palau and is expected to operate through to at least November 2025.

The Palau Paradise Express boosts air connectivity in the Pacific promoting tourism, trade and stronger people to people links.

This announcement comes as Australia and Palau celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, demonstrating the warmth and strength of our relationship.

President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. President of the Republic of Palau:

“We appreciate Australia for partnering with us to promote economic activity between our two nations. The flight makes it easier for tourists and businesspeople to travel between our two nations and encourages trade and commerce.

“It also provides opportunities to work together, building people to people relationships, supporting education, and work force training that is already taking place. We look forward to welcoming more Australians to Palau and trust that this continued partnership in aviation will further extend our already broad and warm relationship with Australia.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia and Palau have partnered to expand connectivity in the Pacific, and increase tourism, trade and business opportunities.

“The Palau Paradise Express is a demonstration of the closeness of our partnership with Palau.

“Australia is working with the Pacific, and investing in a resilient and sustainable aviation sector which supports a more connected and prosperous region.”