16 News

The Digital Duty of Care Bill has passed the House of Representatives. It will now go to a Senate inquiry with hearings to be held on the 9th and 10th of November.

Greens spokesperson for communications, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: 

“Last week’s horrific attack on Helen Haines shows why a strong Digital Duty of Care that actually works is more urgent than ever. Big Tech has turned hatred and division into a business model, cashing in while our communities pay the price.

“Australians young and old are sick of having our lives controlled by big tech. Social media companies have lost their social licence and the Australians want them held to account for the harm they cause in the community. 

“This legislation will now go before an inquiry, where I will kick the tyres and hold Big Tech’s feet to the fire to ensure these laws have teeth, and put the safety of Australians ahead of corporate profits. 

“The Greens will be fighting for this legislation to protect Australians and their children. That means giving people harmed online the right to seek compensation, tackling the toxic, addictive algorithms, and imposing fines tied to global revenue. 

“We know these companies only respond to one thing: penalties that hit them where it hurts. 

“Just yesterday the eSafety Commissioner added her voice to the chorus calling for a private right to action, so Australians have a pathway for compensation when they are harmed online. 

“Australians also need an external complaints pathway, free from the profit driven whims of Big Tech’s content moderation. This would put the safety of users and basic human decency ahead of Big Tech’s bottom line.

“The Greens will work to ensure all Australians are safe online, and have the freedom to choose what they see on their feeds. 

“Big Tech cannot be allowed to keep raking in billions while fuelling fear, hatred and division in our society. They have a responsibility to not harm their customers, and it’s high time they put people before profits. 

On the eve of an appearance at Senate Estimates, the CSIRO has told staff it plans to cut 100 jobs across its biosecurity and technology research units.

These cuts will further undermine Australia’s sovereign science capabilities, damage staff morale, and add to a mounting redundancy bill which could have been spent on researchers’ wages.

Greens spokesperson for Science, Senator Vanessa Bleyer:

“It seems the razor gang at CSIRO was not content with cutting climate science jobs in the middle of a climate crisis, and now they are back for more.

“At the same time as research roles are being cut from the biosecurity unit, its remit is broadening to include plant, animal and environmental health alongside human health.

“Surely this would require more researchers, not fewer, particularly as we need to adapt to emerging threats like H5 bird flu.

“This is an organisation which has the money to pay its top executive more than $1 million a year, but won’t expand its staff headcount.

“Australia’s sovereign scientific capabilities must be maintained, and this ongoing campaign of cuts undermines them.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to the Philippines this week to represent Australia at the 13^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). 

The Deputy Prime Minister’s attendance at the ADMM-Plus underlines Australia’s strong commitment to a region with ASEAN at its centre.

From 28-29 October, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with counterparts from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for deepening defence cooperation. 

He will also hold minilateral meetings with partners on priority areas of strategic collaboration including maritime security, defence infrastructure, cyber security and training and exercises. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“I welcome the opportunity to deepen defence relationships with some of Australia’s key partners in the region. 

“ASEAN sits at the core of Australia’s vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, where all countries are free to exercise their sovereignty.

“The ADMM-Plus continues to provide an important forum for Australia to engage with our partners on shared ambitions.”

The Albanese Government has today introduced new legislation to protect Defence bases, personnel, and critical assets, as well as accelerate the development of capability Defence needs to keep Australians safe. 

The Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026 reforms the Defence Act 1903 to establish a modern legislative framework that meets Australia’s complex and challenging strategic environment.

This includes a new framework to support Defence capability development and preparedness activities, enabling Defence, industry and trusted international partners to develop, test and introduce advanced capabilities more efficiently in Australia.

These reforms are critical to implement the National Defence Strategy and progress work on Pillars I and II of AUKUS. 

Importantly, the legislation also provides Defence with an enduring legislative authority to conduct counter-measures against uncrewed systems (UXS, more commonly referred to as ‘drones’) over sensitive Defence sites. 

This includes the ability to detect, identify, monitor, track and, where necessary, take action against UXS devices. It follows a number of recent UXS incursions at Defence bases, and at military bases in other similar jurisdictions globally and builds on the Albanese Government’s previous regulatory changes. 

These counter-measures will be done where it is safe to do so and with appropriate safeguards in place. The Bill also includes a number of additional oversight powers for the Inspector-General Australian Defence Force (IGADF). 

This legislation will help ensure Defence can develop and sustain the capabilities Australia needs to be more self-reliant and support Australian defence industry. Importantly, they will help Defence fulfil its mission of defending Australia and its national interests.

The introduction of the Bill is an important step and the reforms will now be subject to Parliamentary consideration before any changes take effect.

Further information can be found at: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/governance/defence-legislation-amendment-accelerating-capability-protecting-bases-bill-2026  

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia’s strategic circumstances demand urgency, discipline and a relentless focus on delivering capability. 

“These reforms will provide Defence with a modern legislative framework to accelerate capability development, protect our people and bases, and respond to emerging security threats. 

“As we implement the National Defence Strategy, these reforms will help ensure Defence can work effectively with Australian industry and trusted international partners to deliver the capabilities Australia needs.”

Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Khalil MP:

“As Australia’s strategic environment becomes more challenging, protecting Defence personnel, critical infrastructure and sensitive capabilities has never been more important.

“Modern threats demand modern laws. These reforms will strengthen the legislative framework to support Defence’s security arrangements, while ensuring strong safeguards and oversight.

“This Bill will help ensure we can protect what matters most while also boosting our ability to work with industry and Australia’s international partners to strengthen our Defence estate.”

The Albanese Government has appointed Ms Kellie Parker to the role of National Armaments Director.

Ms Parker will be responsible for leading the new Defence Delivery Agency when established on 1 July 2027, with responsibility for delivering acquisition and sustainment projects. 

Ms Parker has over 20 years’ experience spanning operational leadership, complex asset development and major transformation across the iron ore and aluminium mining areas. Most recently she was Chief Executive, Australia at Rio Tinto, responsible for delivering a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of projects with thousands of Australian suppliers. 

This extensive experience will support closer collaboration with Australian defence industry and more expedient delivery of capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with stronger commercial discipline. 

Her significant experience leading a large organisation, managing complex matters in a high‑accountability environment, and delivering operational outcomes will also be invaluable in her role as the National Armaments Director.

This appointment is the next step in delivering on the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensure the ADF is equipped to keep our nation safe. 

As a statutory appointment, Ms Parker will be appointed as National Armaments Director Designate from 9 November 2026 until the establishment of the Defence Delivery Agency from 1 July 2027.

Ms Nadine Williams, who has been Interim National Armaments Director and instrumental in delivering this ambitious reform, will remain in the role until Ms Parker commences on 9 November. Ms Williams’ leadership has been invaluable and we thank her for her time and dedication during this time.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“I congratulate Ms Parker on her successful appointment to this role. Her significant experience in leadership, transformation and delivering operational outcomes will serve her well as she takes on this important responsibility.

“I thank Ms Nadine Williams for her leadership, advice and management of one of the most significant reforms in the Defence portfolio in decades, and helping to deliver the foundations to ensure its success.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: 

“The Albanese Government has been clear about its ambitions for reform of Defence’s capability acquisition process. Kellie has had a distinguished career in the private sector over several decades, and her appointment matches our ambitions to deliver increasingly complex defence projects at speed and scale. 

“This appointment is about bolstering timely, cost-efficient and accountable delivery of capabilities, and getting better bang for buck for the record investment the Albanese Government is making in defence.”

Kellie Parker: 

“I’m excited and honoured to be appointed as the first National Armaments Director during a time of reform and transformation across Defence. 

“I look forward to being part of the team responsible for delivering outcomes that support the Australian Defence Force through the acquisition and sustainment of capabilities, systems and platforms. 

“An important focus will be working closely with businesses and organisations across Australia to support a home-grown Defence industrial base.”

This week I will attend meetings of the G20 and Quad foreign ministers in Atlanta, United States.

The meetings come as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy supplies and drive up fuel prices, with flow-on effects for the cost of food and other essentials.

Through the G20, Australia works with major global economies to strengthen economic resilience, support sustainable growth, and advance peace and security.

This week, we will focus on pressing global challenges, including threats to energy security and global supply chains.

Protecting the free flow of international trade is part of that effort. Australia has joined the European Union-led `No Fees/No Tolls’ pledge, opposing unlawful fees and tolls that would undermine freedom of navigation and set a dangerous precedent for international shipping.

I will advocate for these principles in my discussions with international counterparts during the visit.

I will also meet with counterparts from the United States, India and Japan for the third Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this year.

Together, we will advance practical cooperation on regional security, maritime security and economic resilience in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.