16 News

Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy MP, will travel to Türkiye this week to represent Australia at the NATO Leaders’ Summit.

Minister Conroy’s attendance at the 77th NATO Summit demonstrates Australia’s strong longstanding partnership with NATO and shared commitment to addressing common security challenges across the Indo‑Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

Australia continues to work with NATO and Indo-Pacific partners to uphold international law, sovereignty and regional stability.

In partnership with NATO, Australia is supporting Ukraine to strengthen its military capability and self-defence, as demonstrated by last month’s additional $100 million in assistance to Ukraine.

During the Summit, the Minister will address NATO and its allies and hold bilateral meetings on priority areas of strategic collaboration, including defence industrial opportunities.

the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP:

“In an increasingly complex and challenging world, Australia’s partnership with NATO serves to support a world that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

“While our regions may be far apart, our interests are increasingly connected and cooperation is vital to our shared security, resilience and opportunity.” 

Today I announce the appointments of eight experienced career officials to lead Australia’s posts in Zagreb, Accra, Makassar, Kuwait City, Mexico City, Nauru and Bangkok and to lead Australian representation to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

I am pleased to confirm the following appointments:

• Mr Glenn Morrison as Australia’s next Ambassador to Croatia
• Ms Keara Shaw as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Ghana
• Ms Sanchi Davis as Australia’s next Consul-General in Makassar, Indonesia
• Ms Amanda Riethmuller as Australia’s next Ambassador to Kuwait
• Mr Crispin Conroy AM as Australia’s next Ambassador to Mexico
• Ms Lisa White as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Nauru
• Mr Pablo Kang as Australia’s next Ambassador to Thailand
• Mr Jeremy Green as Australia’s next Ambassador for APEC.

Australia’s diplomatic network enables us to promote our interests in peace, security, trade, investment and other areas of cooperation.

Australia takes the world as it is and seeks to shape it for the better – these diplomatic appointments will deepen Australia’s connections abroad and increase our ability to influence where it matters.

I thank the outgoing Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul-General for their important contributions to Australian diplomacy.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals have called on the Minister for Regional NSW and Agriculture Tara Moriarty to return to work and do her job, after media reports she intends to take two weeks leave just days after the first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in NSW.
 
For weeks we’ve been warned of the significant biosecurity risks posed by H5 bird flu and the frightening impacts it could have on NSW.
 
Minister Moriarty should be ensuring every effort is focused on containing the disease and protecting producers, not taking annual leave.
 
There are times when your duty to the state must come first. This is one of those moments.
 
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan said our poultry industry, egg producers and regional communities deserve to have their Agriculture Minister on the ground, engaged and overseeing the response to what is one of the most significant biosecurity threats Australia has faced.
 
“At a time when producers are understandably anxious, the Minister’s absence sends the wrong message. It reflects poor judgement at the very moment calm, visible leadership is needed,” Mr Moylan said.
 
Shadow Minister for the Environment Jacqui Munro said H5N1 has caused a deadly, global pandemic for marine birds and wildlife, that is pushing some species, including seals, to the brink of extinction.
 
“If the same level of disease and death reaches our shores, we risk losing entire populations of native wildlife,” Ms Munro said.
 
“The potential catastrophic impact of H5N1 on Australian native birds and coastal wildlife cannot be overstated. A nationally coordinated response is necessary.”
 
Nobody disputes a Minister’s right to take leave, but judgement must be applied.
 
The Liberals and Nationals are urging people, particularly in coastal areas, to be alert to potential outbreaks and report unusual bird deaths or sick wild bird sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

More than $22 million has been awarded to 60 Australian businesses in the latest round of the Defence Industry Development Grants program, as the Albanese Government continues to strengthen sovereign capability, increase defence self-reliance, and support skilled jobs across Australia.

The grants, allocated between November 2025 and June 2026, will help businesses invest in advanced manufacturing, expand production, and deliver critical components for priority defence projects.

The 60 recipients included in this round of funding are delivering programs aligned to Australia’s key sovereign defence capability requirements, including submarines, aerospace, guided weapons and explosive ordnance, communications systems, advanced materials, robotics and cyber security. 

Business successful in this round include:

• Aurora Labs Ltd (WA) will receive $1,000,000 to procure an advanced laser powder bed fusion machine for the manufacture of propulsion systems.  
• Cop-A-Mate Products Pty Ltd (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to establish local manufacturing capability for mission‑critical land vehicle armour and exhaust components.
• Lintek Pty. Limited (NSW) will receive $1,000,000 to upgrade its printed circuit board production facility through new advanced equipment.
• Southern Launch.Space Pty Ltd (SA) will receive $1,000,000 to acquire range safety and communications infrastructure to support test and evaluation activities.
• Gurit Australia Pty Ltd (QLD) will receive $559,852 to establish local manufacturing capability for bespoke subsea buoyancy systems for the Ghost Shark autonomous underwater vehicle.
• Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd (Tas) will receive $184,659 to procure a vertical machining centre to enhance the manufacture of aerospace‑grade electronic speed controllers, and engines to support the growing demand from export supply chains.
• Micca Holdings Pty Ltd (NT) will receive $62,419 to acquire a rotary fibre laser cutting machine and a laser welding machine to increase naval sustainment capability in Northern Australia.

The Defence Industry Development Grants program provides competitive, matching grants of up to 50 per cent to eligible Australian defence suppliers, supporting businesses to grow, innovate and contribute to Australia’s defence capability.

This latest round of grants brings the total investment directly benefiting Australian businesses to more than $73 million since the program commenced in June 2024. Collectively, these investments are supporting hundreds of jobs nationwide, strengthening Australia’s sovereign industrial base and promoting self-reliance in line with the 2026 National Defence Strategy.

Delivered across four delivery streams – Exports, Skilling, Security and Sovereign Industrial Priorities – the program enables companies to expand into new markets, lift workforce capability, strengthen security standards, and invest in critical technologies.  

This ensures the Government is delivering tangible outcomes for industry by helping businesses modernise facilities and adopt manufacturing technologies, improving overall global competitiveness.

More information on the DIDG program and the full list of grants awarded in the latest rounds are available at: 

Defence Industry Development Grants Program | Business & Industry | Defence

Applications remain open year‑round until 2028, ensuring Australian businesses can continue to invest with confidence and help the country to build a more resilient and capable industrial base.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy:

“Awarding more than 200 grants in under two years is a significant milestone and demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to backing Australian defence industry and Australian jobs.

“These investments are helping local businesses to grow their capability, modernise operations and compete globally, while delivering the sovereign capabilities our Australian Defence Force needs now and into the future.

“By supporting skills, manufacturing and security across the country, we are building a stronger, more resilient defence industry and a future made in Australia.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Suva, Fiji and Honiara, Solomon Islands from 5 to 7 July 2026 to reaffirm Australia’s enduring commitment to the Pacific and regional security.

The Prime Minister will be joined on the visit to Fiji and Solomon Islands by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.

In Suva, Prime Minister Albanese will meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji to discuss deepening the Fiji–Australia Vuvale Partnership and greater cooperation.

Australia and Fiji share a strong connection underpinned by our Vuvale Partnership and a mutual vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific.

Prime Minister Albanese will then travel to Honiara where he will meet with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, build on the productive discussions recently held in Canberra, and participate in Solomon Islands’ Independence Day celebrations.

Australia and Solomon Islands are committed to elevating the bilateral relationship through a comprehensive treaty on the basis of mutual trust, respect and open dialogue.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be Acting Prime Minister until the Prime Minister’s return from overseas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Fiji and Solomon Islands are not just our neighbours, we are part of the Pacific family, and we work together for the good of our region.

“I look forward to meeting with my friend Prime Minister Rabuka to uplift the Vuvale Partnership, create opportunities for young people and celebrate the bond between our countries.

“It is a pleasure to take up Prime Minister Wale on his invitation to visit Solomon Islands so soon after his recent visit to Australia and continue discussions on how we can elevate our bilateral partnership through a comprehensive treaty.

“Australia remains a partner that the Pacific can rely on. By working together we can foster a safe and resilient region that enables all of our economies to grow and prosper.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Government is working hard to make transformational breakthroughs in the Pacific and shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“In Fiji and Solomon Islands, we will continue strengthening our relationships by listening, respecting and acting on Pacific priorities in the Pacific way.

“A stronger, safer and sovereign Pacific is good for Australia and for our region.”

Labor has ganged up with the anti-worker Liberal Party to vote against the Greens’ efforts to get under 18 year-old workers paid superannuation.

The Greens introduced a partial disallowance to the regulations to ensure all workers under 18s are finally paid superannuation. 

To their shame, Labor decided to continue to discriminate against our young workers, denying 515,000 young workers across the country their super, setting them behind financially for the rest of their lives. 

The Greens say Labor has chosen to line the pockets of big corporations with money that should be going to our 15-17 year olds.

Australian Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations, Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Labor and the Coalition teamed up in the parliament to vote against teenage workers getting super and to pump the profits of Coles, Woolies and Maccas.

“They are robbing 515,000 young workers an estimated $405 million in super contributions in 2025-26 alone.

“This means some of our lowest paid young workers will continue to directly subsidise the bottom line of some of Australia’s most profitable big corporations. 

“Labor is picking the pockets of teenagers to put it in the profits of Coles and Woolies.

“The majority of young people under 18 (93 per cent) work fewer than 30 hours a week because of their school and study commitments, meaning they miss out on super. Young people shouldn’t be penalised for going to school or studying.

“Labor is the party of big corporations, not the party of workers.

“Labor can’t hide from teenage workers. The Greens won’t let this go.

“The Greens will continue to fight for young workers. We will fight Labor to ensure that every young person is paid super on every dollar they earn, no matter how many hours they work.”

The Senate this morning passed a bill to reinstate human override in aged care assessments, handing Labor another humiliation over its disastrous aged care reforms.

Labor’s aged care algorithm is consistently underassessing care need and priority, leaving older people with serious conditions like MND without even the bare minimum support. Under Labor’s reforms there is no ability for a human assessor to override an incorrect or inappropriate algorithmic decision.

The legislation that passed the Senate today, co-sponsored by the Greens, Coalition and Senator David Pocock, would protect the discretion of an assessor to make professional determinations about care.

In a bid to get ahead of the parliamentary defeat it knew was coming, Labor announced some minor changes to the algorithm this morning. But these would only allow for human override in “outlier” cases.

This is the second defeat Labor has suffered in the Senate over its aged care reforms. A vote last year forced the government to release more home care packages.

Greens Older People Spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne

“Labor’s aged care reforms are unravelling, with another humiliating defeat on the floor of the Senate today.

“Piece by piece, the parliament is forcing this Labor government to unwind its disastrous reforms, yet they keep pretending everything’s okay.

“How can older Australians trust Labor when they still act like the system is working fine?

“Minister Rae is clearly out of his depth and older people are paying for it, some with their lives.”

The Australian Greens are calling on the Federal Government to take stronger action against fraud within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), following the release today of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS’s final report into the Integrity of the Scheme.

The Greens say the inquiry has made clear that provider fraud continues to undermine the integrity of the NDIS, divert public funds away from essential supports, and cause significant harm to disabled people and their families. The report also demonstrates that efforts to combat fraud must be targeted at those exploiting the Scheme, not at participants who rely on it.

The party says protecting the integrity of the NDIS and protecting the rights of disabled people must go hand in hand.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson for the NDIS and member of the committee, said:

“Today’s report makes clear that fraud in the NDIS is a serious issue, but the Government has been too focused on targeting participants instead of the providers who are exploiting the Scheme for profit.

“Every dollar stolen through fraud is a dollar that should have gone towards supporting disabled people to live with dignity and independence.

“Disabled people deserve an NDIS that is both protected from fraud and designed around their rights, not one where they are treated with suspicion because governments have failed to crack down on those actually exploiting the system.

“We need a fraud response that is evidence-based, properly resourced and focused on those committing the fraud, not one that creates fear and unnecessary barriers for disabled people accessing the supports they need.

“The Greens are calling on the Government to strengthen provider regulation and enforcement, improve whistleblower protections, and ensure stronger accountability across the disability sector.

“The Government must move beyond politicising fraud in the NDIS and start working constructively with disabled people, disability organisations and the broader sector to strengthen the Scheme.

“That means investing in effective compliance, holding dishonest providers accountable, supporting whistleblowers, and preserving the choice and control that sits at the heart of the NDIS.”

The Greens say new analysis showing Australian gas corporations are expected to receive an additional $18 billion windfall over the next year reinforces what has become increasingly clear: global conflict is delivering extraordinary profits to multinational gas companies while Labor continues to refuse to make them pay their fair share.

The USA and Israel’s war on Iran, and instability around the Strait of Hormuz, has sent global gas prices soaring, strengthening the case for a minimum 25 per cent gas export tax.

Greens’ resources spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“This confirms what many suspected: multinational gas corporations are set to make enormous windfall profits from a global conflict, while Australians continue to be ripped off.

“These war-driven windfall profits are about to arrive, and Labor is still refusing to make the gas giants pay what they owe.

“Multinational gas corporations are set to pocket an extra $18 billion from Australian gas exports off the back of Trump’s bloody war on Iran, while Australians continue to be ripped off.

“Australians did not ask for this illegal war. But if the government had the courage to stand up to the gas lobby and introduced a 25 per cent gas export tax in May’s Budget, billions of dollars from this windfall could be flowing back into lower energy bills, stronger public services and real cost-of-living relief instead of into offshore profits.

“Instead, these extraordinary profits will largely flow offshore while Australians get short-changed from the resources they own.

“Every day Labor delays is another day multinational gas corporations make blood-soaked profits from resources Australians own, while families are told there’s no money for the services they rely on.

“The momentum for a gas export tax is only growing. It’s not going away. Now is the time for Labor to stop protecting the gas lobby and start delivering Australians a fair return for the gas they own.”

UNESCO has revealed its draft decision that the World Heritage Committee not recommend the Great Barrier Reef for inscription on the World Heritage “In Danger” List. 

If Labor is serious about protecting the Great Barrier Reef it will reject Woodside’s Browse project, which is being reviewed by the Minister after a historical legal intervention secured a reconsideration request due to the impact of the project’s emissions on the Great Barrier Reef. 

The request followed comprehensive new evidence directly linking the project’s emissions to coral deaths on the Reef.

The World Heritage Committee will make its final decision at a meeting in South Korea from 19-29 July. 

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

“As long as Labor remains content with ripping open new coal and gas projects that are cooking our oceans, the Great Barrier Reef is at risk of losing its World Heritage values forever.

“The Albanese government is still gambling with the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Labor’s pathetic climate target is consistent with warming above 2°C, which experts warn will cause the loss of 99% of coral reefs. 

“Make no mistake that a deliberate decision is repeatedly being made by Labor to put the profits of fossil fuel companies over the health of our planet. Including the survival of one of the greatest natural wonders in the world that this government is the guardian of. 

“Improvements to federal environmental laws that now apply to the deforestation of Great Barrier Reef catchments was a key factor in UNESCO’s decision. The only reason these changes exist is because the community and the Greens fought for them.

“The future of the Great Barrier Reef remains perilous under Labor’s watch. The only thing that will truly protect the World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef is immediate climate action, which means the Albanese Labor government ending its reckless support of new fossil fuels.”