Perrottet backs ban on gay conversion practices
Tamsin Rose
New South Wales is a step closer to banning so-called gay conversion therapy after the premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he would support legislation to end the damaging practices.
He said:
There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable.
When the parliament returns, my government will provide in principle support for legislation that brings an end to any harmful practices. This is a complex matter and in working through it with parliamentary colleagues we will carefully consider the legal expression and effect of such laws.
Earlier in the week he had refused to give the reform his support.
The backing from Perrottet is a win for independent Alex Greenwich, who this month said he would introduce a bill to ban the practice.
The opposition has already agreed to support it.
I’m grateful for the Premier’s support to end LGBT conversion practices in NSW. We start @SydWorldPride with both @Dom_Perrottet and @ChrisMinnsMP backing legislation to support and protect the LGBTQ community in NSW. This is a good day for our state. https://t.co/LsgMURLAgm
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) February 16, 2023
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Anthony Albanese has expressed the government’s confidence in Reserve Bank governor Phil Lowe, who has been copping scrutiny this week for interest rate decisions, first in Senate estimates and today in the house economics committee.
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The PM told ABC Melbourne:
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He’s doing his job now and we have, we have confidence … the decision, has has not [been made about his reappointment] but he has the government’s confidence and the Reserve Bank, of course, makes these decisions independently and it’s very important that they be allowed to do that … But as for future appointments that decision will come down the track.
\n
I’ll let the RBA do its own job. We have made it very clear that the government hasn’t come to a view on a reappointment in the future. We will have that discussion down the track that will be a decision for the treasurer. But our job we’re focused on our job which is making sure that we do what we can to do with the inflation challenge, which is out there.
\n
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New South Wales is a step closer to banning so-called gay conversion therapy after the premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he would support legislation to end the damaging practices.
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He said:
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\n
There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable.
\n
When the parliament returns, my government will provide in principle support for legislation that brings an end to any harmful practices. This is a complex matter and in working through it with parliamentary colleagues we will carefully consider the legal expression and effect of such laws.
\n
","elementId":"55132557-625c-46cc-878a-1d7d0c71fa80"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Earlier in the week he had refused to give the reform his support.
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The backing from Perrottet is a win for independent Alex Greenwich, who this month said he would introduce a bill to ban the practice.
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The opposition has already agreed to support it.
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I’m grateful for the Premier’s support to end LGBT conversion practices in NSW. We start @SydWorldPride with both @Dom_Perrottet and @ChrisMinnsMP backing legislation to support and protect the LGBTQ community in NSW. This is a good day for our state. https://t.co/LsgMURLAgm
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) February 16, 2023
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The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says Australia has “an enormous amount of work to do” in boosting results for the youngest children as the federal government convenes a major summit on early education this morning.
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Parliament House will host the early years summit today, at which 100 delegates from parenting, education, family and social organisations will have input into the federal early years strategy for the first five years of a child’s life.
","elementId":"7cac4d80-8c67-4c56-a1bc-b72d8c7e60b3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said the summit was about “the big ideas to get the policy and support settings right for Australia’s little children.”
","elementId":"d0a31ed5-1ab9-4e75-8a97-f021c9a8641c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"
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We know that the early years are where the building blocks are stacked for life-long physical, emotional, social and cognitive health and wellbeing.
\n
There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children. It’s time we better coordinate federal spending across health, welfare and education, to close gaps in services and better address intergenerational disadvantage.
\n
","elementId":"a27c4f60-642a-4892-8abe-f21c96647c52"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
After a fortnight of parliament sitting, the summit will hear from Albanese, treasurer Jim Chalmers, Rishworth and early childhood minister Anne Aly.
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Chalmers will say that “good early years policy is good economic policy as well”; Rishworth is expected to say: “There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children.”
","elementId":"1ea0ef62-3852-4f88-9906-136362056ef4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Delegates include the Parenthood’s Georgie Dent, Muslim Women Australia’s Maha Abdo, NDIS expert Bruce Bonyhady, Thrive By Five’s Jay Weatherill, Nicola Forrest of the Minderoo Foundation, Sam Mostyn of the women’s economic equality taskforce, and representatives of PWC, Uniting Care, Carers Australia and union groups.
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Albanese will say:
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\n
This summit is a chance to be clear about our aspirations for the wellbeing, education and development of all of our children.
\n
Ultimately, your discussions will help shape the commonwealth early years strategy, a new approach by our government to ensuring our kids have the best possible start in life.
\n
We know we have an enormous amount of work to do to ensure the best results, but I am absolutely confident that together, we can deliver on our commitment to improve the lives of all Australian young people.
\n
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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day’s news. I’m Martin Farrer, here to get things rolling before my colleague Natasha May takes over.
","elementId":"a60060a8-3d22-4419-ab7f-11f24ef64e13"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Former prime minister Scott Morrison is making a splash back on the world stage with a speech in Tokyo today in which he accuses western leaders of appeasing China, saying that accommodating China was the worst assumption since the infamous Munich agreement with Hitler. He is expected to urge the Albanese government to consider targeting Chinese officials with Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions (which his government didn’t do).
","elementId":"a541fbcb-76b6-4937-b35a-d232862f50d7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
After news yesterday that Domain had seen profits plunge because of a lack of new home sales listings, there are more signs today that there is trouble ahead for the housing market with warnings of an “avalanche” of people in mortgage stress this year when they are obliged to switch from fixed to variable rates. One householder in Wagga Wagga said repayments had gone up $300 a fortnight. Against this background, the head of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, will today face his second parliamentary grilling of the week, at the House of Representatives’ economics committee.
","elementId":"a8613139-e5ba-4cf9-9e25-75aaea6f3496"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The Queensland resources minister, Scott Stewart, said he expects a thorough investigation into the deaths of two miners near Cloncurry on Wednesday. As the community mourned the loss of Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, Stewart said: “The loss of a life in any workplace at any time is not acceptable. Families should be able to expect that when their loved ones depart for work that they return safely.”
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Key events
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Anthony Albanese has expressed the government’s confidence in Reserve Bank governor Phil Lowe, who has been copping scrutiny this week for interest rate decisions, first in Senate estimates and today in the house economics committee.
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The PM told ABC Melbourne:
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He’s doing his job now and we have, we have confidence … the decision, has has not [been made about his reappointment] but he has the government’s confidence and the Reserve Bank, of course, makes these decisions independently and it’s very important that they be allowed to do that … But as for future appointments that decision will come down the track.
\n
I’ll let the RBA do its own job. We have made it very clear that the government hasn’t come to a view on a reappointment in the future. We will have that discussion down the track that will be a decision for the treasurer. But our job we’re focused on our job which is making sure that we do what we can to do with the inflation challenge, which is out there.
\n
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New South Wales is a step closer to banning so-called gay conversion therapy after the premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he would support legislation to end the damaging practices.
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He said:
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There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable.
\n
When the parliament returns, my government will provide in principle support for legislation that brings an end to any harmful practices. This is a complex matter and in working through it with parliamentary colleagues we will carefully consider the legal expression and effect of such laws.
\n
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Earlier in the week he had refused to give the reform his support.
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The backing from Perrottet is a win for independent Alex Greenwich, who this month said he would introduce a bill to ban the practice.
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The opposition has already agreed to support it.
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I’m grateful for the Premier’s support to end LGBT conversion practices in NSW. We start @SydWorldPride with both @Dom_Perrottet and @ChrisMinnsMP backing legislation to support and protect the LGBTQ community in NSW. This is a good day for our state. https://t.co/LsgMURLAgm
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) February 16, 2023
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The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says Australia has “an enormous amount of work to do” in boosting results for the youngest children as the federal government convenes a major summit on early education this morning.
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Parliament House will host the early years summit today, at which 100 delegates from parenting, education, family and social organisations will have input into the federal early years strategy for the first five years of a child’s life.
","elementId":"7cac4d80-8c67-4c56-a1bc-b72d8c7e60b3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said the summit was about “the big ideas to get the policy and support settings right for Australia’s little children.”
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We know that the early years are where the building blocks are stacked for life-long physical, emotional, social and cognitive health and wellbeing.
\n
There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children. It’s time we better coordinate federal spending across health, welfare and education, to close gaps in services and better address intergenerational disadvantage.
\n
","elementId":"a27c4f60-642a-4892-8abe-f21c96647c52"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
After a fortnight of parliament sitting, the summit will hear from Albanese, treasurer Jim Chalmers, Rishworth and early childhood minister Anne Aly.
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Chalmers will say that “good early years policy is good economic policy as well”; Rishworth is expected to say: “There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children.”
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Delegates include the Parenthood’s Georgie Dent, Muslim Women Australia’s Maha Abdo, NDIS expert Bruce Bonyhady, Thrive By Five’s Jay Weatherill, Nicola Forrest of the Minderoo Foundation, Sam Mostyn of the women’s economic equality taskforce, and representatives of PWC, Uniting Care, Carers Australia and union groups.
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Albanese will say:
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\n
This summit is a chance to be clear about our aspirations for the wellbeing, education and development of all of our children.
\n
Ultimately, your discussions will help shape the commonwealth early years strategy, a new approach by our government to ensuring our kids have the best possible start in life.
\n
We know we have an enormous amount of work to do to ensure the best results, but I am absolutely confident that together, we can deliver on our commitment to improve the lives of all Australian young people.
\n
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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day’s news. I’m Martin Farrer, here to get things rolling before my colleague Natasha May takes over.
","elementId":"a60060a8-3d22-4419-ab7f-11f24ef64e13"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Former prime minister Scott Morrison is making a splash back on the world stage with a speech in Tokyo today in which he accuses western leaders of appeasing China, saying that accommodating China was the worst assumption since the infamous Munich agreement with Hitler. He is expected to urge the Albanese government to consider targeting Chinese officials with Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions (which his government didn’t do).
","elementId":"a541fbcb-76b6-4937-b35a-d232862f50d7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
After news yesterday that Domain had seen profits plunge because of a lack of new home sales listings, there are more signs today that there is trouble ahead for the housing market with warnings of an “avalanche” of people in mortgage stress this year when they are obliged to switch from fixed to variable rates. One householder in Wagga Wagga said repayments had gone up $300 a fortnight. Against this background, the head of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, will today face his second parliamentary grilling of the week, at the House of Representatives’ economics committee.
","elementId":"a8613139-e5ba-4cf9-9e25-75aaea6f3496"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The Queensland resources minister, Scott Stewart, said he expects a thorough investigation into the deaths of two miners near Cloncurry on Wednesday. As the community mourned the loss of Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, Stewart said: “The loss of a life in any workplace at any time is not acceptable. Families should be able to expect that when their loved ones depart for work that they return safely.”
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Flood victims given marching orders from Victorian site
Victoria’s purpose-build quarantine centre will close its doors as a flood recovery site, with residents given a little over a month’s notice to vacate, AAP reports.
The Mickleham centre in Melbourne’s outer north was set up as temporary emergency accommodation in mid-October after widespread flooding hit central and northern Victoria.
It has housed 255 residents so far and 44 from five local government areas remain on site.
They have been told to pack up and leave by the end of March, when the federal government-owned centre is handed back to the Commonwealth.
Remaining residents will be helped to return to their own homes or into alternative accommodation closer to home, such as private rental, social housing, hotels and caravan parks.
Emergency Recovery Victoria is working on a pilot program, allowing people to stay in caravans and modular homes placed on their own properties while repair and rebuilding work continues.
In addition, residents will be connected with a recovery support worker.
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said people living on site are keen to get back to their home towns as quickly as possible.
Now the flood waters have receded and it’s safe to return, we’re helping everyone who’s staying at the centre to return to their communities – and we’ll keep providing support to everyone who needs it once they’re back in their communities.
We will continue to stand with flood-impacted communities for as long as it takes to recover from this extraordinarily tough event.
Paul Karp
PM spruiks Labor’s Aston candidate Mary Doyle
Albanese also talked up Labor’s candidate in the Aston byelection, Mary Doyle, who contested the seat at the 2022 election.
Albanese said:
She’s a great candidate. She ran less than a year ago, since the people of Aston voted and she received almost an 8% swing so it’s now sitting around about 53% whereas it was above 60, I think before the election So she’s a great candidate, she works in the finance sector. She has lived in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for a long period of time. She studied performing at Tafe.
She is someone who’s also had real-world experience with the health system. Mary got breast cancer when she was just 25. And going through that treatment and recovery has meant that she is a passionate advocate of Medicare.
And she’s got a couple of kids, she’s a single mum. And she’s someone who I think would make an outstanding member of parliament.
Albanese said it would be “a pretty tough ask to win a position from government during a byelection”, noting this had not been done for 100 years.
He said:
We think that it’s the right thing to do to contest the byelection so we’ll be doing. So of course, the Liberal party will be hot favourites if they get around to selecting a candidate. There’s a bit of chaos on the other side at the moment, in the, in the Vic branch, I think.
But we are very early on selecting our candidate. Mary was preselected unoppposed because the locals really wanted her to run again. And when Alan Tudge announced resignation last week but he hasn’t actually resigned yet. So the byelection date hasn’t been established I’m not quite sure what’s going on there. But when it is called, Mary Doyle will be the candidate.
Albanese expresses confidence in RBA governor Phil Lowe
Paul Karp
Anthony Albanese has expressed the government’s confidence in Reserve Bank governor Phil Lowe, who has been copping scrutiny this week for interest rate decisions, first in Senate estimates and today in the house economics committee.
The PM told ABC Melbourne:
He’s doing his job now and we have, we have confidence … the decision, has has not [been made about his reappointment] but he has the government’s confidence and the Reserve Bank, of course, makes these decisions independently and it’s very important that they be allowed to do that … But as for future appointments that decision will come down the track.
I’ll let the RBA do its own job. We have made it very clear that the government hasn’t come to a view on a reappointment in the future. We will have that discussion down the track that will be a decision for the treasurer. But our job we’re focused on our job which is making sure that we do what we can to do with the inflation challenge, which is out there.
Summit to focus on First Nations children
Social services minister Amanda Rishworth says First Nations children, as well as children with a disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will be a priority at the early years summit today.
She told ABC Radio:
There is a significant focus as we have discussion on those children that are most at risk of falling behind and not getting support.
First Nations children are absolutely one of those groups of people that we don’t see the outcomes we need to see. And so there is a significant focus today at the summit and how we can best lift those that are most at risk of falling behind.
And so there will be a focus, particularly on First Nations children, as well as for example, children for culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disability.
Marles says Australia able to track balloons
The defence minister, Richard Marles, says government would have capability to track a balloon if one was to appear over Australia as it did in the US a couple weeks ago.
Marles is speaking to ABC News Breakfast after the speech from US President Joe Biden saying nothing suggests China’s spy balloon program is related to three unidentified objects downed over North America. Biden says the balloons are most likely related to private companies.
Marles:
Well, I think it’s important that this statement’s been made by the president to clarify the circumstances. There’s obviously been a particular fascination about balloons over the last month given the original spy balloon that we saw over the United States. I think from an Australian point of view, what’s important to say is that we’ve had no advice of any balloon of that kind being over Australia but we very much do have the capability to track such an object if there was one-to-and to deal with it.
Marles was also asked about the calls from former prime minister Scott Morrison for the government to impose human rights sanctions on Chinese officials over the treatment of Uyghur minorities and other minorities in China.
Look, human rights matter and need to be central in the way we engage with the world. For this government, we will always call out human rights concerns where we have them and we’ve done that in respect of Xinjiang and the Uyghur population. I’ve done it publicly in China.
It forms part of the way in which we speak with China in our relationship. I think it’s also important, though, that in doing that, you know, be we raise those issues in a respectful way with China and in the context of the broader relationship and in the context of seeking to take steps which actually make a difference and it is important that we are stabilising our relationship with China.
You know, we value a productive relationship with China and so pursuing that has been an objective of the government. But we can do that and in the same context raise our concerns about human rights, which we do.
Perrottet backs ban on gay conversion practices
Tamsin Rose
New South Wales is a step closer to banning so-called gay conversion therapy after the premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he would support legislation to end the damaging practices.
He said:
There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable.
When the parliament returns, my government will provide in principle support for legislation that brings an end to any harmful practices. This is a complex matter and in working through it with parliamentary colleagues we will carefully consider the legal expression and effect of such laws.
Earlier in the week he had refused to give the reform his support.
The backing from Perrottet is a win for independent Alex Greenwich, who this month said he would introduce a bill to ban the practice.
The opposition has already agreed to support it.
I’m grateful for the Premier’s support to end LGBT conversion practices in NSW. We start @SydWorldPride with both @Dom_Perrottet and @ChrisMinnsMP backing legislation to support and protect the LGBTQ community in NSW. This is a good day for our state. https://t.co/LsgMURLAgm
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) February 16, 2023
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Tamsin Rose
NSW Labor pledges bike paths in western Sydney
A New South Wales Labor government would pour $60m into footpaths and bike paths across western Sydney and the regions if elected in March.
The state opposition leader, Chris Minns, will today promise to boost the state’s active transport budget with an extra $15m a year over the next four years.
The money would be focused on new development areas lacking in walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as existing areas where options are poor.
Minns said:
We all want our communities to be more walkable and more cycle friendly. It shouldn’t matter whether you’re living in Leppington or Lilyfield. Everyone should have access to quality walking and cycling infrastructure.
Condolences over mine deaths
The two men trapped 125 metres underground at a north-west Queensland mine were found dead yesterday.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, as well as resources minister, Madeleine King, and opposition leader, Peter Dutton, have expressed their condolences to the families of the two men, Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis.
My deepest condolences to Dylan and Trevor’s families. You are in our hearts tonight. https://t.co/2bgLMeMJgf
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 16, 2023
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My condolences to the families and and friends of Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, who have been found deceased at the Dugald River Mine.
My heart goes out their fellow miners who are impacted by this terrible tragedy.
— Madeleine King MP (@MadeleineMHKing) February 16, 2023
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My condolences to the families and and friends of Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, who have been found deceased at the Dugald River Mine.
My heart goes out their fellow miners who are impacted by this terrible tragedy.
— Madeleine King MP (@MadeleineMHKing) February 16, 2023
Terrible news to hear of the tragic passing of two Australian men at the Dugald River Mine near Cloncurry. Deepest condolences to the families.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) February 16, 2023
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Terrible news to hear of the tragic passing of two Australian men at the Dugald River Mine near Cloncurry. Deepest condolences to the families.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) February 16, 2023
You can read more about the tragedy here:
Australia sends aircraft to enforce North Korea sanctions
Australia has deployed a Poseidon patrol aircraft on Operation Argos as part of its commitment to enforcing UN security council sanctions on North Korea, the defence department said last night.
Australia is supporting UN sanctions through the deployment of maritime patrol aircraft and Royal Australian Navy vessels.
The P-8A Poseidon will operate from Kadena airbase in Japan, conducting airborne surveillance to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods in the region.
Since 2018 Australia has deployed RAAF maritime patrol aircraft on eleven occasions and navy vessels eight times in support of the operation.
Ann Aly speaks about son
The early childhood minister, Anne Aly, who is co-chairing the early years summit, spoke to ABC News about her own child’s battle with a hearing loss that she didn’t pick up until he went to daycare.
Because we picked it up at two and because we picked it up early enough that there was no long-term hearing damage.
He was able to get surgery. As soon as he got that surgery, he started to talk and he hasn’t shut up since.
He went on to become dux of his school. That is an example of how we can get it right in the first five years.
PNG delegation in Australia to discuss defence pact
Good morning! Natasha May reporting for blog duty.
A high-level delegation from Papua New Guinea will meet with their Australian counterparts in Canberra today for the 29th ministerial forum to discuss security, development and economic potential.
Both nations are locked in negotiations over a new defence pact, which leaders are hoping to have completed by April, AAP reports.
Pacific minister Pat Conroy said the forum would help Australia implement what it has promised to its Pacific neighbour, including bringing in more labour scheme workers, tackling security challenges and promoting a PNG rugby league team.
It was great to speak with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey again so soon after my trip to PNG in January.
Tonight’s reception in Parliament precedes the Ministerial Forum between 🇦🇺 and 🇵🇬 ministers tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NxX5U4Q2qb
— Senator Nita Green (@nitagreenqld) February 16, 2023
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It was great to speak with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey again so soon after my trip to PNG in January.
Tonight’s reception in Parliament precedes the Ministerial Forum between 🇦🇺 and 🇵🇬 ministers tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NxX5U4Q2qb
— Senator Nita Green (@nitagreenqld) February 16, 2023
Early years summit to address education shortfall
Josh Butler
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says Australia has “an enormous amount of work to do” in boosting results for the youngest children as the federal government convenes a major summit on early education this morning.
Parliament House will host the early years summit today, at which 100 delegates from parenting, education, family and social organisations will have input into the federal early years strategy for the first five years of a child’s life.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said the summit was about “the big ideas to get the policy and support settings right for Australia’s little children.”
We know that the early years are where the building blocks are stacked for life-long physical, emotional, social and cognitive health and wellbeing.
There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children. It’s time we better coordinate federal spending across health, welfare and education, to close gaps in services and better address intergenerational disadvantage.
After a fortnight of parliament sitting, the summit will hear from Albanese, treasurer Jim Chalmers, Rishworth and early childhood minister Anne Aly.
Chalmers will say that “good early years policy is good economic policy as well”; Rishworth is expected to say: “There is strong evidence that when we identify and intervene early for issues arising in the early years, this significantly alters the trajectory for children.”
Delegates include the Parenthood’s Georgie Dent, Muslim Women Australia’s Maha Abdo, NDIS expert Bruce Bonyhady, Thrive By Five’s Jay Weatherill, Nicola Forrest of the Minderoo Foundation, Sam Mostyn of the women’s economic equality taskforce, and representatives of PWC, Uniting Care, Carers Australia and union groups.
Albanese will say:
This summit is a chance to be clear about our aspirations for the wellbeing, education and development of all of our children.
Ultimately, your discussions will help shape the commonwealth early years strategy, a new approach by our government to ensuring our kids have the best possible start in life.
We know we have an enormous amount of work to do to ensure the best results, but I am absolutely confident that together, we can deliver on our commitment to improve the lives of all Australian young people.
Martin Farrer
Education visa processing delays
The Department of Education has acknowledged lengthy visa processing delays for international students are an “area of concern” for the government after students told Guardian Australia they had faced wait times of more than three years for outcomes.
At Senate estimates last night, Greens senator and higher education spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi asked the panel if the Department of Education had been in contact with home affairs to improve the significant backlog.
Students from deemed high-risk countries including Iran, Pakistan, India and China have told Guardian Australia they are turning to countries with streamlined visa processing times due to frustration with the Australian system.
Faruqi said:
Is the department talking to home affairs?
The department’s secretary, Tony Cook, said it was under “regular contact” with home affairs regarding the delays.
There are some issues around security particularly around the courses some of these students might be studying that home affairs takes under consideration.
The department’s first assistant secretary, Karen Sandercock, said it was an issue that had been brought to the attention of the department through a “number of sources”.
I think it’s of shared interest to us and the Department of Home Affairs as to how we can improve visa processing in these areas.
She said there were a “range of considerations” that were taken into account by government agencies. Students from a wide range of Stem and technology fields face lengthy security clearances and delays – even after their respective universities clear them for studying banned subjects.
The department’s group manager, Dom English, said officials were aware of the complaints, which were under “active discussion”.
We’re not aware of the specific timeframes [of wait times] but we are aware of broad concerns. Universities do raise this with us and raise it with home affairs directly … we are joined in those discussions. Visa processing has been an area of concern and focus for the government.
Anthony Chisholm, the assistant minister for education and regional development, added the federal government inherited a “significant backlog” from the Coalition when it came into office.
We have thrown significant extra resources at processing. The backlog has been cut, but there is obviously more work to do and we all get feedback from the university sector about that.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day’s news. I’m Martin Farrer, here to get things rolling before my colleague Natasha May takes over.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison is making a splash back on the world stage with a speech in Tokyo today in which he accuses western leaders of appeasing China, saying that accommodating China was the worst assumption since the infamous Munich agreement with Hitler. He is expected to urge the Albanese government to consider targeting Chinese officials with Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions (which his government didn’t do).
After news yesterday that Domain had seen profits plunge because of a lack of new home sales listings, there are more signs today that there is trouble ahead for the housing market with warnings of an “avalanche” of people in mortgage stress this year when they are obliged to switch from fixed to variable rates. One householder in Wagga Wagga said repayments had gone up $300 a fortnight. Against this background, the head of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, will today face his second parliamentary grilling of the week, at the House of Representatives’ economics committee.
The Queensland resources minister, Scott Stewart, said he expects a thorough investigation into the deaths of two miners near Cloncurry on Wednesday. As the community mourned the loss of Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, Stewart said: “The loss of a life in any workplace at any time is not acceptable. Families should be able to expect that when their loved ones depart for work that they return safely.”
