Opening of Solomon Islands Western Border Outpost facility

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Solomon Island’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service, the Hon Francis Sade, officially opened the Western Border Outpost today in the Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands. 

The Western Border Outpost is a jointly delivered infrastructure project between the Australian and Solomon Islands governments. This new facility brings together the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Customs, Immigration, and Biosecurity officials in a single location, enhancing interagency coordination and strengthening border management operations that help keep Solomon Islands secure.

Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Hon John Tuhaika Jnr., and Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour & Immigration, the Hon Harry Kuma also attended the opening ceremony.

The new facility will support Solomon Islands to strengthen border management and maritime security, marking a significant milestone in the longstanding security partnership between the two nations. Once handed over, this will be a sovereign Solomon Islands facility.

Australia is investing more than $100 million (AUD) towards the project, which will also provide offices, accommodation and a wharf capable of supporting Solomon Islands’ Guardian-class Patrol Boats. 

In partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, this project has created lasting benefits for local communities including 368 jobs created and more than 1,000 contracts awarded to local businesses.

Australia is proud to support the broad range of initiatives that strengthen Solomon Islands’ national security capabilities and support the growth of the RSIPF.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The official opening of the Western Border Outpost marks an important milestone in Australia’s longstanding partnership with Solomon Islands.

“This new facility will support Solomon Islands to strengthen border management and maritime security while delivering real benefits for its people.

“It stands as a practical demonstration of what Australia and Solomon Islands can achieve together and provides a sovereign asset for Solomon Islands to use to strengthen its security.”

Successful trial of high-energy laser marks deepening of Australia-Japan defence collaboration

The Albanese Government has marked a significant milestone in Australia-Japan defence collaboration with successful field trials of a co-developed high-energy laser in South Australia.

The Boobook project has broken new ground as the first co-development project between Australian and Japanese defence industries, demonstrating deepening cooperation between our two nations.

The collaboration between Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Mitsubishi Electric Australia (MEA) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) has seen the successful field testing of a world-first prototype laser system.

The laser system draws on more than 20 years of research and development by DSTG to deliver a cutting-edge technology with the potential to enhance surveillance capability.

Boobook supports the implementation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s 4 May announcement, which committed to enhanced defence and security cooperation.

The successful Boobook trials conducted at Cultana Training Area and DSTG Edinburgh have provided valuable insights into the system’s design and technical requirements, informing the next phases of development and commercialisation.

The testing also demonstrated Australia and Japan’s ability to jointly develop advanced technologies and conduct multinational testing on Australian ranges. This paves the way for ongoing defence industrial collaboration on advanced defence capabilities between our two countries.

As the project progresses, MEA is establishing new facilities at Rydalmere, New South Wales in preparation for large-scale manufacturing within Australia.

This $70 million investment will become the home of a new MEA Defence Division, supporting future manufacturing opportunities in Australia and strengthening access to advanced Mitsubishi Electric defence technologies for the Australian Defence Force into the future.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP:

“This project demonstrates close collaboration with Japan, to develop cutting-edge technologies that address real capability needs for the Australian Defence Force.

“Boobook is more than a technology project. It is a practical example of the growing defence industrial partnership between Australia and Japan, as well as the opportunities that partnership creates for both nations.

“The establishment of Mitsubishi Electric Australia’s new defence facilities in Rydalmere is a strong vote of confidence in Australia’s defence industrial future and will support new opportunities for advanced manufacturing, technology transfer and workforce growth.”

Greens Call on Labor to scrap broken aged care assessment tool following damning Four Corners report

The Australian Greens have demanded that Labor go back to the drawing board on aged care assessments after a damning Four Corners investigation revealed that the government’s new assessment tool had been designed to under-assess need and priority.

The controversial Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), which uses an algorithm to automate decision-making, has repeatedly been shown to provide assessments that have left thousands of people without an appropriate level of funding for their care needs.

Last month Labor suffered a humiliating parliamentary defeat when the Senate passed a bill co-sponsored by the Greens to restore human override to the IAT.

Now, a Four Corners investigation has revealed the test has been designed in a way that systemically under-assesses older people with mental health conditions, cognition issues and frailty. Most of the questions asked in the test are not even considered in the outcome.

This tool was not live tested, and the department has been unable to name any clinical experts that validated it. 

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens Spokesperson for Older People:

“The Four Corners investigation is yet another damning indictment of Labor’s reckless aged care reforms. 

“Labor’s aged care assessment tool is broken, and the problems go beyond a simple fix. The IAT needs to be scrapped.

“This is the same tool that has denied essential funding to older Australians with lifelong degenerative conditions like MND and dementia.

“This tool was untested, fatally flawed and implemented with the absolute minimum accountability – all in the name of cutting costs.

“Labor must replace the IAT with a new assessment tool that centres the human rights and care needs of older people.

“Instead of penny-pinching from older people and withholding essential care, Labor could choose to properly fund aged care by taxing gas corporations and making billionaires and the 1% pay their fair share.”

Albanese caves to gambling lobby to cut dirty deal with Liberals

The Australian Greens have called Labor captured and the Liberals weak for their dirty deal on cowardly and careless gambling reform.

The Greens say the Albanese Labor government’s lack of political will to take on big gambling corporations and vested interests is leaving Australians worse off.

This major party stitch up will see Australians continue to be bombarded by gambling ads online and hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people exposed to devastating gambling harm.

Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens:

“Anthony Albanese and the entire Labor party should hang their heads in shame today. Our Prime Minister has handed Australian screens over to predatory gambling companies.

“Generations of Australians who have suffered through the gambling industry’s bombardment will have the relentless ads follow them. How dare Anthony Albanese leave your living rooms, cars, YouTube, and even your kids Spotify playlists unsafe?  

“This cowardly Labor-Liberal deal means Anthony Albanese chose to protect his party’s gambling donations rather than delivering evidence-based policy that protects people.

“It is a government’s job to look after people, but when Labor has the opportunity they bend the knee to wealthy donors, side with big corporations and leave Australians behind. 

“Corporate donations are the fatal flaw of the Labor party. When they come under lobbyist pressure they choose their donors over people.

“A vote for Labor is a vote for the vested interests they protect. A vote for the Greens is a vote for people, not profits.”

Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens communications spokesperson:

“Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor have failed the moral test to protect Australian families.

“Labor has proven itself to be captured by the gambling industry while the Liberals are just weak.

“These laws are designed to fail. Gambling companies are the winners while once again Australian families are the biggest losers.

“This bill is so convoluted it looks less like gambling reform and more like a protection racket for the gambling industry. It is full of loopholes, delays and complexity designed to ensure it’s never actually used.

“Angus Taylor has shown that he is a weak leader. He is a pushover who has sold out for nothing more than the veneer of action.

“They have turned a straightforward reform into a dog’s breakfast of exemptions, carve-outs and red tape. That is not an accident; it’s how you protect the gambling industry from real accountability.

“The Murphy Report was very clear, as was the evidence to the Senate inquiry: to reduce gambling harm a full ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling is needed.

“These piecemeal and confusing amendments will not work and will not stop the predatory practices of gambling companies. It’s a dog’s breakfast of a deal that gives the appearance of reform while ensuring the industry can keep doing business as usual.

“Under these laws, gambling companies will still be able to groom vulnerable people and problem gamblers with inducements, they will still be able to flood the internet with harmful advertising and they will still not have any oversight from a national regulator.

“This bill allows online ads to continue. Addictive social media platforms will be able to continue pushing addictive gambling products to users. Social media platforms will continue to be able to use the data they have on users to personally target people directly with gambling ads and promotions.

“The community have made it abundantly clear that they want and expect real action to remove gambling ads. The government has failed.

“Both the Labor and the Liberal parties have chosen to prioritise the profits of the gambling companies over the interests of the community. It’s not hard to see why when the gambling industry has spent millions giving inducements in the form of political donations to both the Labor and the Liberal parties.

“The parliament had the opportunity to enact generational reform that would protect Australian children and families from the predatory behaviour of the gambling industry and instead they have backed their mates in the gambling industry.”
 

Albanese abandons disabled Australians in shameful deal with Liberals on NDIS cuts

The Australian Greens say the Albanese Labor government has abandoned disabled Australians in an appalling dirty deal with the Liberals.

This major party stitch up on the NDIS leaves hundreds of thousands without support, and solidifies Albanese’s legacy as one of commitment to protecting corporate profits over people.

Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens: 

“Today the Labor party becomes responsible for the largest cut to a government services program this century.

“This cowardly Labor-Liberal deal means Anthony Albanese is choosing to balance the budget off the backs of disabled people, rather than making the 1% pay their fair share.

“Albanese is choosing to kick 241,000 disabled people off the NDIS to save money, instead of a minimum 25% gas export tax that would raise at least $17 billion.

“It is a government’s job to look after people, but when Labor has the opportunity they side with the greedy gas corporations and leave Australians behind. 

“A vote for Labor is a vote for the vested interests they protect. A vote for the Greens is a vote for people, not profits.” 

Jordon Steele-John, Greens NDIS spokesperson:

“You can’t say you haven’t been warned.

“The community has made its position clear: the NDIS bill should not pass. What is clear now is that the major parties have come together behind closed doors in Canberra and signed away the rights, security and lives of people who depend on the NDIS.

“The passage of this bill is a betrayal, particularly of the people who trusted Labor to protect them and maintain the supports they rely on.

“And the government had choices.

“It could have chosen to properly tax gas corporations and ask those with the greatest capacity to contribute their fair share. Instead, it has chosen to strip back the safety net and the supports available to people who need them most.

“Shame on Labor.”

Labor humiliation: Senate votes to scrap automated aged care assessments

In another embarrassing defeat for Labor’s unravelling aged care reforms, the Senate has this afternoon backed a Greens motion demanding that the government abolish its Integrated Assessment Tool, which was the subject of yesterday’s damning Four Corners investigation.

The substantive motion was agreed to without a vote being recorded, after the Coalition and the crossbench earlier voted in support of the Greens motion to suspend standing orders.

This is the latest in a series of humiliations the parliament has inflicted on the Albanese Government’s new aged care system, including being forced by the parliament to release 20,000 more home care packages, backtracking on some co-payments, and launching a rapid review into the algorithm.

Just last month Labor suffered another parliamentary defeat when the Senate passed a bill co-sponsored by the Greens to restore human override to the IAT.

Greens Older People spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne: 

“The writing is on the wall for Labor’s aged care assessment tool.

“It’s a friendless system that older people, carers and experts have been screaming about for months.

“It’s systematically under-assessing need and priority, denying care to thousands and leaving people with degenerative conditions desperately short of even the bare minimum funding they need.

“Now the parliament has been crystal clear: it’s time for Labor to go back to the drawing board on aged care assessments. Older people deserve a tested assessment system designed by experts that has their rights at its core.”

Full text of motion here:

Motion by leave— Integrated Assessment Tool (in between items of business)

That—the Senate:

(a) notes that the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) is untested, structurally flawed and systematically under-assessing the care needs of older Australians, especially those living with mental health conditions, cognitive issues and frailty; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) take immediate action to abolish the IAT,

(ii) replace the IAT with a tested assessment system that is designed with clinical experts,

(iii) ensure this new assessment system has guaranteeing the rights of older people as its first priority, and

(iv) restore the role of clinical professionals in the assessment process and reinstate the ability for human override.

Address to the House of Representatives, Vietnam Veterans’ Day

Thank you, Speaker.

South Vietnam. Phuoc Tuy Province. The 18th of August 1966. 

D Company, 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment – 100 men spread across three platoons.

They enter a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan at 3:00 pm.

The Australians find themselves pinned down and outnumbered by a number of well-armed and highly skilled enemy, some 2,000 strong.

They fight in a torrential downpour which hits the red earth and kicks up ‘mud mist’ – reducing visibility.

On the verge of being overrun, the Australians are saved by the guns of a New Zealand artillery battery.

Then, as ammunition runs low, two RAAF helicopters fly a daring mission in atrocious conditions and resupply D Company at the critical moment.

As the Viet Cong prepares for an all-in attack, hope appears on the horizon.

And like friendly cavalry coming over the hill, Australian armoured personnel carriers arrive carrying A Company.

The enemy withdraws and the battle ends.

At least 245 Viet Cong soldiers have been killed.

The men of D Company have endured three-and-a-half hours of hell against all the odds.

But not without cost – Seventeen Australians have fallen, 25 Australians have been wounded.

One will die of his wounds days later.

Speaker, The Battle of Long Tan reinforced the courage, camaraderie, and composure that defines Anzacs in war.

And it came to represent Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War.

That is why, every year, on the 18th of August, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

Today, on the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we not only remember those who fought and fell in that fray.

We also acknowledge the spirit, suffering, and the sacrifice of all of our Vietnam veterans.

Between ‘62 and ‘73, some 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam.

Some 15,000 were ‘Nashos’ – men conscripted who went to war without complaint and served as wholeheartedly as the regulars.

The War saw 3,000 Australians wounded and 523 Australians tragically killed.

And, as we just heard from the Prime Minister, this country did take too long to recognise the sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans.

To the warfighters, freedom fighters, and heroes of Vietnam, on your day – Vietnam Veterans’ Day – we remember you, we honour you, we thank you for your service, your suffering, your sacrifice.

Lest we forget.

Award-winning solar and battery program back by popular demand

A Council-led program that will help cut household power bills in Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie by more than $760,000 per year has reopened with more incentives to make the switch.

More than 360 people are already on the waiting list for the second round of Solar Neighbourhoods, a program that makes purchasing quality solar and batteries simpler and more affordable.

The program was introduced as a joint initiative of the three neighbouring councils in 2025, generating almost $5 million in community investment in renewable energy through the installation of 158 solar systems and 167 home batteries. 

Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Joel Pringle said Solar Neighbourhoods makes it easy to install renewable energy at a time when households are struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“Solar Neighbourhoods makes it easier and more affordable for households to slash their energy bills by installing solar and batteries, by addressing cost, complexity and trust,” Cr Pringle said.

“A key priority in our Newcastle Environment Strategy is to support the transition of the Newcastle LGA to net zero emissions by 2040 through an accelerated uptake of solar and batteries.

“Round one of the program showed that you can achieve annual energy savings of almost $3,800 per household, per year. If you missed out then, you can now sign up for Round 2.

“Old solar systems removed for upgrades under the scheme are recycled at City of Newcastle’s Summerhill Waste Management Centre at no cost to households. The projected emission reductions are equivalent to removing 741 cars from the road each year.”

Solar Neighbourhoods was recognised at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in June for setting a new standard in environmental leadership.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Manager Environment & Sustainability Marnie Kikken said the 2026 program is designed to reach more people in the community.

“Rooftop solar and batteries allow households and businesses to generate and consume their own renewable electricity, significantly reducing their power bills,” Ms Kikken said.

“Round two of the Solar Neighbourhoods program has been expanded to include small-to-medium businesses and landlords, and we’ve also added extra-large packages for households with higher energy needs.

“We still have a $1,250 program discount per household, which delivered more than $250,000 in direct savings for participants last year, and we’ve updated the products offered to include different types of solar panels and Tesla EV chargers.

“We are also in discussions with the NSW Government about the potential for a new battery rebate pilot program, targeting low-income households, social housing and rental properties.”

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships Matt Holloway said local government continues to lead the way on sustainability with this collaborative program.

“The success of the inaugural Solar Neighbourhoods program demonstrates that our community is eager to embrace practical, sustainable solutions that reduce household energy costs while lowering emissions,” Mr Holloway said.

“With more than 200 local households signing up in the first year, we’re excited to help even more residents and businesses take advantage of clean energy in round two.”

Maitland City Council Executive Manager City Futures, Gunika Singh said Solar Neighbourhoods was proof councils could show leadership and help shape community involvement in environmental sustainability.

“To us, success looks like a community where our residents and businessowners have the information they need to consider sustainability in their decision making,” Ms Singh said.

Round two of Solar Neighbourhoods is now open and will close on 20 December 2026, providing access to quality solar, batteries and electric vehicle chargers from program partner 1KOMMA5 Australia and their network of local installers.

The NSW Government’s Home Energy Saver Program allows eligible households to access fee-free and interest-free loans of up to $15,000 to purchase products, such as solar, batteries and EV chargers. 

Nine of the 12 Solar Neighbourhoods packages are priced under $15,000.

Participants must sign a contract by 31 October to access 2026 pricing and maximise the available government rebates.

To be part of this year’s Solar Neighbourhoods program head to the website for more information: https://solarneighbourhoods.com.au/

Future of disability advocacy secured in NSW with $75 million investment

People with disability across NSW will benefit from strengthened advocacy services as the Minns Labor Government invests over $75 million in representative disability organisations.

This critical investment into the NSW disability sector will support 20 not-for-profit non-government organisations deliver individual, systemic, and representative advocacy to all people with disability in NSW, regardless of whether or not they are an National Disability Insurance Scheme participant.

The Disability Advocacy Futures Program also funds the NSW Disability Advocacy Network, which coordinates and supports funded providers, drives advice to the NSW Government, and builds innovation and learning across the disability sector.

This investment will also complement the rollout of the new Thriving Kids program, with general supports including disability-specific parenting programs and supported playgroups due to commence from October this year.

Secure government funding provides community organisations with certainty, allowing them to retain experienced staff and enhance and expand services with confidence. The length of the new DAFP contracts will more than double to five years, from the previous two year contracts. This is in line with the Minns Labor Government’s nation-leading Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty agreement.

As part of this $75 million program, the Minns Labor Government is investing nearly $2 million in Side By Side Advocacy to provide specialist advocacy support for people with intellectual disability. Thanks to this funding, the Parramatta-based organisation will now be able to expand its services statewide.

The full list of the funded disability advocacy services is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“The Minns Labor Government is investing $75 million in disability advocacy services because they are critical to building a stronger and fairer community.

“I’m grateful to the disability advocacy organisations for the support, advice and information they deliver to people of disability, whilst ensuring their voices are heard by government. Working together, we’re determined to build a more inclusive and accessible NSW.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:

“The Minns Labor Government is securing the future for community services in NSW, including disability supports like Side by Side Advocacy in Parramatta.

“Side by Side Advocacy does amazing work supporting people with intellectual disability in our community. This investment means Side by Side can grow and provide greater supports across NSW for people with disability.”

Physical Disability Council of NSW CEO and NSW Disability Advocacy Network Chair, Edward Morris said:

“Strong independent advocacy is essential to making an inclusive society a reality, particularly at a time when people are navigating a complex and changing disability support system.

“We welcome this significant long-term investment in disability advocacy services in NSW. This commitment supports the rights, inclusion and independence of people with disability across NSW.”

Side by Side Advocacy Executive Officer, Kim Roots said:

“Receiving NSW Government Disability Advocacy Futures Program funding for the first time marks an exciting new chapter for Side By Side Advocacy and recognises more than 30 years of specialist expertise in supporting people with intellectual disability to participate in civic life and influence the decisions that affect them.

“This investment will enable us to engage more people across NSW, including people who face barriers to participation, and bring a broader range of lived experience and community perspectives into public decision-making. This will ensure more people with intellectual disability have the opportunity to contribute.”

More than 730 charged as Minns Government backs NSW Police in major DV crackdown

NSW Police have charged 732 people with 1,589 offences in just three days as part of the latest crackdown on domestic violence, backed by the Minns Labor Government.

Operation Amarok XIV ran from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August, targeting repeat, wanted and high-risk domestic and family violence offenders across NSW.

Police executed 228 arrest warrants and conducted 12,054 apprehended domestic violence order compliance checks, identifying 321 alleged breaches.

Officers also conducted 1,497 bail compliance checks, identifying a further 225 alleged breaches.

Police carried out 93 Firearms Prohibition Order searches and seized 118 firearms and 16 other weapons.

The results are sobering and a stark reminder of the scale of domestic violence in NSW and why we cannot let up.

For the first time, NSW Police partnered with ACT Policing during the operation, strengthening cross-border enforcement and making it harder for alleged offenders to evade police.

Operation Amarok has now been deployed 14 times since it began in 2023, resulting in more than 8,000 arrests and more than 16,500 charges.

The intelligence-led operation is coordinated by the NSW Police Domestic and Family Violence Command, which was introduced by the Minns Government, bringing together police districts, high-risk offender teams and specialist commands.

The Minns Government has also given NSW Police and the courts stronger tools to hold alleged offenders to account.

Since March 2023, the Government has implemented coercive control laws, made bail tougher, introduced electronic monitoring, strengthened penalties for serious and repeat ADVO breaches and introduced Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders for high-risk offenders.

NSW has also legislated Australia’s first specific 25-year standard non-parole period for the murder of a current or former intimate partner.

The Government is investing an additional $184.1 million to increase funding for six frontline specialist domestic and family violence programs by 50 per cent over four years.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“732 people charged. 1,589 offences. Three days. These are the results police deliver when we back them with the resources and support to crack down on offenders.

“This is the fourteenth Operation Amarok, and our police are not slowing down. The Minns Government supports this operation and backs every officer going through doors to protect victim-survivors.

“These alleged offenders rely on fear and control. Amarok turns that pressure back onto them.

“For the first time, NSW Police worked with ACT Policing. A border is not a hiding place, and it should not protect alleged offenders from the consequences of their actions.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The recent results of Operation Amarok are sobering. But it also means many more victim-survivors are safer at home and in the community.

“With our Police now working with ACT Police in this recent operation, perpetrators can no longer escape by crossing the border.

“The Minns Labor Government continues to work hard to support victim-survivors when they escape violence through increased funding for specialist support programs and taking strong action to hold domestic and family violence perpetrators to account.”