16 News

At least two Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) will be homeported at HMAS Cairns, strengthening defence industry and regional security in Northern Australia.

The first, HMAS Arafura, is scheduled to be homeported in Cairns in early 2027.

This decision builds on the Albanese Government’s significant investment in the region and recognises the important role HMAS Cairns plays in supporting national security and sovereign defence industry. 

Homeporting Arafura Class OPVs in Cairns will enhance Navy’s ability to operate and sustain capability in the north and support engagements across the region. 

It will further bolster the established maritime sustainment sector in Cairns, supporting the local economy and jobs and providing further confidence for North Queensland industry to invest in workforce capability and skills.

The Arafura Class OPVs are designed to conduct maritime patrol, surveillance and response tasks and will work closely with Australian Border Force and regional partners.

This announcement builds on the Albanese Government’s $250 million investment in HMAS Cairns, including expanded berthing capacity and enhanced supporting wharf and landside facilities.

Built for resilience, the wharf has been elevated above surrounding infrastructure to withstand rising king tide levels and ensure it continues to meet Navy operational requirements for decades to come.

Through this project, more than 770 people worked onsite, with $67.7 million awarded to local businesses within 125 kilometres of Cairns.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Northern Australia is central to our Defence strategy and Cairns is an increasingly important hub for Navy operations, sustainment and maritime security.

“Cairns has developed one of Australia’s most capable maritime sustainment and maintenance sectors, making it a natural location to support the future offshore patrol vessel fleet.

“This decision strengthens sovereign industrial capability while creating opportunities for local businesses to support one of Navy’s newest classes of vessels.”

Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt:

“Since the release of the National Defence Strategy I have been advocating for the capacity of the Far North.

“The $250 million expanded wharf at HMAS Cairns will see more jobs, more growth, and more security for our region.

“The home porting of at least two Arafura Class OPV’s is an acknowledgement of the capacity of Cairns and the importance of the Far North more broadly.

“Today is a proud day for Cairns as we continue to flex on the national stage.”

For the first time in 15 years, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Show will return to the skies above Perth in 2027.

The free air show, on Sunday, 12 September, 2027 will be a spectacular aviation experience showcasing Australian Defence Force aircraft, military capabilities and Defence personnel.

The skies over the Swan River will be alive with a thrilling Air Force display showcasing our cutting edge capabilities, with the best vantage points expected to be Langley Park, the Swan River foreshore and King’s Park.

The Air Show will be complemented by a ground display at Langley Park, where the Western Australian community will have the chance to see an impressive array of military equipment, talk to ADF personnel, and explore ADF careers.

Ground displays will be open to the public between 10am and 6pm, with flying displays between 2pm and 5pm.

Further information and updates regarding the RAAF Air Show are available on the Air Force webpage.

Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP: 

“I’m excited to announce that the RAAF Air Show is coming to Perth, ready to captivate Western Australian’s with a spectacular Air Force display of thrilling aerobatics, high-speed jet displays and unforgettable experiences for everyone.

“With our stunning Swan River as backdrop, crowds will have a fantastic opportunity to experience a unique spectacle of sights and sounds up close, thanks to the incredible skills of our Royal Australian Air Force aviators and Australian Defence Force personnel.

“The Air Show is a chance to recognise the important role of RAAF Base Pearce in our local community and internationally. 

“Pearce is the only permanently operational RAAF Base in the West, and while its primary role is to host our future pilots and support international partners, it plays a significant logistics role and is one of the busiest RAAF bases in the country.”

Air Force Head of Air Shows, Air Commodore Micka Gray: 

“Our aviators are ready to come back to Perth and put on an unforgettable show – an awe-inspiring display of the sophisticated air power of our Air Force and its people.”

Next week the inaugural Australia-Japan Leadership Dialogue will bring together leaders from government, business, academia and civil society to discuss opportunities for the future of one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships.

Announced by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Takaichi at the Australia-Japan Annual Leaders’ Meeting in May, the Dialogue will focus on Opportunities for a Resilient Future: Regional Security, Economic Security and Energy Security, reflecting the shared interests and strategic challenges facing Australia and Japan.

The Australian delegation brings together distinguished leaders and experts whose diverse backgrounds and expertise will help shape discussions on the future of the bilateral relationship.

Australia’s participants will be:

• Stephen Smith (Chair), Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence
• Jan Adams (ex officio), Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Andrew Shearer (ex officio), Ambassador to Japan
• Shiro Armstrong, Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
• Michaela Browning, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group
• Elizabeth Cox, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, AirTrunk
• Debra Hazelton, Incoming President, Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee; Chair, Export Finance Australia
• Phil Morle, Partner, Main Sequence Ventures
• Grant Wilson, Executive Chairman, Tivan Limited
• Ben Wyatt, Senior Independent Director, Rio Tinto Limited, Non-Executive Director of Woodside Energy Group Ltd

The Dialogue is co-hosted by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Michiaki Hirose, Senior Corporate Advisor to Tokyo Gas and Chair of the Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee, will serve as Japan’s Chair.

The Australian Government has re-listed 15 persons and two entities for counter-terrorism financing sanctions, with effect from today.

Those re-listed include eight persons and one entity linked to Hamas who were first listed in response to Hamas’ horrific 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel which killed around 1,200 people including Australian Galit Carbone. Our thoughts remain with Ms Carbone’s loved ones and all those affected by Hamas’ abhorrent acts of terror.

Eight Hamas members and operatives have been re-listed for their role in the group’s covert investment network which spans multiple countries across the Middle East and Africa. They include Hamas’ investment portfolio secretary, senior portfolio managers, and current and former members of Hamas’ Political Bureau, at least one of whom has close ties to the Iranian regime.

Profits generated by the network are used to finance Hamas’ terrorist activities, including attacks. One Sudan-based financier has terrorism links that stretch back to companies associated with Osama bin Laden.

The Australian Government has also re-listed Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company. The company is a Gaza-based money transfer business which has provided money transfers to Hamas, Islamic State and al-Qa’ida, including through the transfer of cryptocurrency.

Four re-listings target individuals involved in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) campaign of attacks and assassinations. One is a senior IRGC Quds Force commander, now based in Yemen, who has directed and funded attacks and assassinations and managed Iran’s relationships with terrorist proxies including Hamas, Hizballah and the Houthis.

Australian alleged terrorist Neil Prakash, also known as Abu Khalid al-Cambodi, who departed Australia to travel to Syria in 2013 and became one of Islamic State’s most prominent Australian recruiters, has been re-listed.

The re-listings also include Islamic State Sinai Province (IS-Sinai), a religiously motivated violent extremist group responsible for attacks in Egypt’s North Sinai. In one 2022 attack, IS-Sinai detonated a gas pipeline after rigging it with explosives to the east of Bir Al-Abd city.

The Australian Government will continue to take action against terrorists and violent extremists around the world, including choking off access to funds that support their ability to plan attacks, recruit followers and spread fear and hatred.

Anyone who uses or deals with the assets of a listed person or entity, or makes assets available to them, is committing a criminal offence which could result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

A Consolidated List of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.

A dozen federal public servants are earning over $1 million a year, including one EL2 earning over $1.5 million, according to a government response to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock.

This week the Minister for the Public Service Senator Katy Gallagher provided a response to a Question taken on Notice, after Senator Barbara Pocock queried the government through the Senate Question on Notice process on 31 August.

The Minister said all these highly paid people work at the government’s Future Fund Management Agency.

The Greens say this raises serious questions about the government’s economic management and value for money of taxpayer dollars.

Greens finance and public service spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock: 

“In a cost of living crisis, Australians are hurting. Many would be outraged to learn that a dozen public servants are earning over a million dollars and in some cases double what the Prime Minister earns. 

“We’re not talking about Secretaries who run big government departments but employees. How can the government justify this?

“Senior government officials managing large departments with huge budgets and staff would be asking why lower ranking public servants are getting lottery-sized earnings.

“What kind of public service work warrants a salary of $1 million or 1.5 million dollars? Even the Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister don’t earn this much. I think most taxpayers would be questioning whether this represents good value for money.

“The Government says it wants to rebuild the public sector yet it is slashing jobs while paying a handful of public servants millions and outsourcing work to big consultancy firms. That’s not how you rebuild the public service. The government is burning up its APS targets.”

The Greens say that the government needs to find a solution for first homebuyers who have been conned by Labor’s 5% home deposit scheme – encouraged to maximise borrowing at the top of the market, and now pushed into unsustainable debt.

The timing of Labor’s interventions – getting first homebuyers into the market via the 5% deposit scheme, before making tax changes and letting inflation run wild, have cumulatively left first homebuyers at significant risk of negative equity.

Currently, the primary beneficiary of the scheme is the banks – who benefit from selling more and larger mortgages with even higher risk.

The Greens say that with interest rates rising and mortgages soaring, first homebuyers risk being forced out of their homes, left with significant debt and no home to show for it. 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator David Shoebridge:

“Thanks to Labor, first homebuyers risk being forced out of their homes, left with significant debt and no home to show for it. 

“Labor created this problem and now they’ve got to fix it.

“Anthony Albanese has lured first home buyers into a scheme that’s left them trapped in debt and facing losing their home. The only winner here is the banks.

“House prices coming down will help more first homebuyers get into the market, once corporate profit fuelled interest rates come down – but Labor’s inaction means the banks are winning while everyone else is paying the price.

“Like all of Labor’s housing schemes, this wasn’t about helping people – it was a con to make it look like they’re doing something while pushing up prices for investors selling at the top of the market.”

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness and Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:  

“Labor’s 5% deposit scheme was reckless. It has encouraged some of our lowest paid workers to take out very large loans at the top of the market. And now they are at risk of negative equity and that’s on Labor!

“First homebuyers under this scheme have been conned into massive debts. As interest rates continue to rise, they’re struggling to hold onto their home and risk owing the bank. Labor has screwed them.

“The government is letting corporate profit-driven inflation run wild, and it’s renters and first homebuyers who are paying the price.

“House prices need to fall if first homebuyers stand any chance of getting into the housing market. First homebuyers are typically in it for the long-haul, not a short-term investment. It’s the government’s responsibility to make sure first homebuyers drawn into Labor’s 5% deposit scheme aren’t the ones paying the price.

“The Greens want Australia’s big banks to be required to offer low-interest mortgages for first homebuyer owner occupiers so that more of their early repayments go to paying off the loan, not to bank profits.  

“Our large banks are amongst the most profitable in the world and they have been making money from the financial stress of Australians for too long. It’s time the banks shouldered a fairer share of the costs facing younger generations entering home ownership.” 

As the new statutory decision maker for NDIS price limits, the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mark Butler MP, has made the first NDIS pricing determination under changes introduced through the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendments (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026. 

The pricing determination sets the price limits for NDIS supports for 2026-27 after taking advice from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

The pricing arrangements will promote value for money and support participants to manage how they use their NDIS plan budgets, while ensuring controls are in place to prevent financial exploitation. The price limits align with previous pricing guidance published by the NDIA and are effective immediately. 

The government is currently consulting disability stakeholders on the implementation of differentiated pricing, which would adjust the price of supports based on whether they are delivered by a registered or unregistered NDIS provider. The NDIA’s Annual Pricing Review report for 2026-27 recommended differentiated pricing begin on 1 January 2027.

On 11 September 2026, the Fair Work Commission issued their decision on Schedule E of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) as part of their gender-based undervaluation review. Changes to the award will take effect on 1 December 2026.

The 2026-27 NDIS Pricing Schedule will be updated later this year to reflect any required changes.

Further information on NDIS pricing can be found on the NDIS website.

“The Albanese government’s war on small business has continued with higher costs from surcharge bans, followed by the ATO’s announcement they’ve closed paying tax bills by card because of surcharging. These changes double-tap small business with higher costs”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson. 

Mr Wilson’s comments come in the wake of the credit card surcharge “ban” commencing and the ATO revealing it will be sneaking in an announcement today that they’re no longer accepting credit card payments, rather than absorb the costs like every small business will have to do.

“Small business is being double ‘tapped’ by the Albanese government when there’s already near record insolvencies, business closures and collapses in profitability”, Mr Wilson said. 

“Today the Albanese government is going to double ‘tap’ the local café, the community pharmacy and the tradie, not the big supermarkets who get preferential terms from the banks”, Mr Wilson said.

“The ATO says it wouldn’t be appropriate to pass merchant fees on to the community, yet that is exactly what the government is forcing every small business in the country to do. There is one rule for Canberra and another rule for the corner store”.

“The ATO sat on this until the very morning the ban started. If the government’s own tax collector can’t absorb the cost, how does the Treasurer expect a family-run cafe to?”

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned the ban “will not save Australians from the cost of transaction; it is just pushing up prices and hurting small business”, with ACCI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar labelling the ATO’s decision “utter hypocrisy”.

Mr Wilson said, “Australia needs a stand-up economy, not a sit-down economy, where small businesses are backed, not billed. That’s why the Coalition is standing with small business and fighting for a Small Business Act that makes Canberra count the cost before it hands down decisions like this”.