What we learned today, Friday 17 March
And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s a wrap of the main events today:
The US state department has approved the sale of up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia, to the tune of $1.3bn.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australian banks are “well placed” to withstand some vulnerability.
The PM was campaigning with NSW opposition leader, Chris Minns, and said that the incumbent government had reached “the end of its life”.
NSW Nationals MP Stephen Bromhead died earlier today.
The Productivity Commission said in its five-yearly report that “the often touted ‘four-day week’ is that much harder to achieve”.
Four people were arrested after climate protesters occupied Dominic Perrottet’s office.
Victoria’s Country Fire Authority chief said tomorrow will be “biggest fire day since devastating 19-20 bushfire season”.
TIME released its list of the world’s greatest places for 2023 and the only Australian capital to make the list was Brisbane.
Updated
Light plane crash reported at Bankstown airport
AAP is reporting that a light plane has crashed at an airport in Sydney’s south-west, with fire crews working to free the pilot from the wreckage.
The single-engine, four-seater aircraft came down at Bankstown airport about 3.40pm on Friday, Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed.
The plane flipped on impact, trapping the male pilot.
Eight fire crews are on scene to manage fire risk as rescue crews work to free the pilot who has suspected leg injuries.
Paramedics are also on standby to stabilise the pilot and assess his condition.
It’s not yet clear what caused the crash.
Updated
Missing police stun grenade found in Townsville
AAP is reporting that a police stun grenade missing in a suburban street has been found four days after a fatal siege in north Queensland.
Police realised they had lost the device after an audit of specialist gear used in a nearly 10-hour siege that ended with the discovery of an armed man’s body in the Townsville suburb of Kirwan on Monday.
Officers repeatedly searched the street for the grenade but were forced to admit it was lost and asked the public to help.
“The device is not a lethal device but has the capacity to cause injury to a person in close proximity if the device is handled incorrectly,” they said in a statement on Thursday.
“Members of the public who have information about the location of this device may not know the significance of such a piece of equipment and are urged not to tamper with it and call police immediately.”
A day after the public plea, police found the “distraction device” still at the scene.
Police will review how the device was lost during the police operation, which started after a man fired several shots at nearby houses, a car and police vehicles on Sunday night.
The shots left bullet holes in windscreens and panels of five vehicles that investigators believe officers were in at the time.
Police have not detailed the weapon used and have confirmed officers did not fire back.
The emergency order was revoked at 6.45am after police entered the home and found a 50-year-old man dead.
No one else was injured.
Updated
More on WA death of abseiling instructor
Just building on the news of the abseiling instructor who died while abseiling with a group of school students at a popular West Australian tourist spot, the school principal has released a statement.
Newman College acting principal Lucie McCrory said the students had been taking part in an outdoor education camp, and extended her condolences to the family of the instructor on behalf of the school.
The college has deployed all necessary resources to support the wellbeing and pastoral care of students and staff who have been impacted by this tragic incident. They arrived home late last night.
Police have praised the conduct of our staff and students and their response to the emergency services. The college will provide such assistance as is necessary to the relevant authorities as they investigate this incident.
Updated
Tim Ayres asked about Aukus effect on manufacturing
The assistant minister for manufacturing was just on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, where he was asked about the manufacturing “uplift” the Aukus deal will bring.
Ayres said he was confident that, with the support of the states, Australia’s manufacturing capacity can be resuscitated to meet its needs:
You are right to point to both the enormous opportunity for Australian industry and the significant challenges in front of us.
We need to make sure that we’re skilling generations of workers to come - PhD, engineers, tradespeople, submariners, all of the way through - these are very significant opportunities for the Australian industry.
It sits very comfortably alongside our ambitions in the National Reconstruction Fund and our industry policy ambition for critical minerals and supply chains to lift Australia up the value chain, but that is going to require consistency, stability, a commitment in terms of purpose, allocating resources in terms of skills in particular, and that’s why the critical path process focused on those issues very strongly.
I’m very confident that with the co-operation of the states and with the pathway forward that was identified in the statements this week, that we will be able to deliver an onshore manufacturing program that will really revitalise Australian industry and put manufacturing back again at the centre of the national economy.
Updated
More on Menindee mass fish deaths
AAP is reporting that millions of native fish have washed up dead near Menindee in outback NSW, in a series of mass kills caused by floods and hot weather.
The state Department of Primary Industries said fish including bony herring, Murray cod and perch had died on the lower Darling-Baaka River, in the far west, along with carp.
“This event is ongoing as a heatwave across western NSW continues to put further stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding,” the department said on Friday.
The deaths were likely caused by low oxygen levels as floods recede, a situation made worse by fish needing more oxygen because of the warmer weather.
Bony herring were a boom-and-bust species, the department said, which thrive in floods but are more susceptible to stresses when water flows return to normal.
“NSW DPI understands that fish death events are distressing to the local community, particularly on the lower Darling-Baaka.”
Local nature photographer Geoff Looney found huge clusters of dead fish near the main weir at Menindee on Thursday evening.
“The stink was terrible. I nearly had to put a mask on,” Looney told AAP.
I was worried about my own health. That water right in the top comes down to our pumping station for the town.
People north of Menindee say there’s cod and perch floating down the river everywhere.
Updated
Four arrested after climate protesters occupy Dominic Perrottet’s office
NSW police have confirmed that four people have been arrested as part of a protest that occupied Dominic Perrottet’s office in Epping.
A group of six teenagers and a dozen adult supporters occupied the office earlier today, protesting the approval of new coal and gas projects.
Police say that at least 15 people entered the office, with no reports of injuries.
In a statement, they said the police approached the protesters at around 11am:
About 11am today (Friday 17 March 2023), officers from the Ryde Police Area Command responded to reports of an unauthorised protest involving 15 people at an office complex in Rawson Street, Epping.
Two men, aged 62 and 64, and two women, aged 40 and 65, were arrested for trespassing.
All four were taken to Ryde Police Station and are currently assisting with inquiries.
Updated
Victoria Country Fire Authority chief says tomorrow will be ‘biggest fire day since devastating 19-20 bushfire season’
Next up Jason Heffernen, chief officer at the Country Fire Authority, tells reporters that there are currently four bush and scrub fires burning across Victoria.
He adds that there are 55 firefighters supporting suppression operations across those fire-grounds, assisted by 17 water-bombing aircrafts.
We will be seeing what is likely to be the most significant fire danger the state has seen this season.
It will likely be the biggest fire day we have seen since the devastating 19-20 bushfire season.
A total fire ban has been declared for the Mali, Wimmera, south-west, northern country, northern central and central parts.
We are expecting quite high temperatures, and hot and gusty northerly winds, perfect for conditions and grass fires should they ignite and spread.
Updated
BoM warns of extreme fire danger in parts of Victoria tomorrow
Authorities have stepped up for a press conference on the fire danger in Victoria today.
Keris Arndt, a meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology, says that tomorrow will be the most significant fire danger day in Victoria this season.
We’re looking at elevated fire danger across the state. It’s only the fourth time we have issued fire danger warnings for the state of Victoria this season and the first time for more than two districts.
We’re expecting extreme fire dangers through the Wimmera south-west, central and north-central districts and high fire dangers to other districts in Victoria.
These fire dangers are due to hot, dry and windy conditions we see across the state tomorrow.
Generally speaking across the state, we’ll see temperatures rise to the high 30s/low 40s across Victoria. In Melbourne itself, looking at a maximum of 37 degrees. If we reach that 37, it is the latest in the season we have seen temperatures that high since 2007.
Updated
Good afternoon, Mostafa Rachwani with you, taking you through the rest of the day’s news.
And with that, I am going to hand the blog over to Mostafa Rachwani, whose capable hands will guide you through the afternoon.
Thank you for spending part of your day with me – it was a big morning! And before I go – a special shoutout to our Brissy readers for their (hotly contested) win.
Australian banks push higher as global fears subside
Australian bank shares lifted in early trading on Friday as confidence seeped back into a global financial system supported by government and regulatory intervention in the US and Europe.
At the end of a tumultuous week sparked by the collapse of California-based Silicon Valley Bank, the US Federal Reserve has offered funds to eligible banks to plug any shortfalls.
In Europe, agencies provided Credit Suisse with a 50bn Swiss franc (US$54bn) loan amid growing concerns for the viability of the major lender struggling for investor and customer support.
The series of supportive measures have helped douse immediate fears that banks might start failing en masse due to financial weaknesses caused by a rapid hike in interest rates.
Shares in Australia’s major banks were all up in early trading following a volatile week, while the broader market was slightly down.
The uncertainty surrounding global banks has changed the outlook for interest rates, with many now expecting the Reserve Bank will leave rates unchanged next month, ending a record run of consecutive rises going back to May.
Westpac said on Friday it expects a pause in rate changes in April, followed by a final 0.25 percentage point increase in May, taking the cash rate to 3.85%.
Preliminary high court win for Ruby Princess passenger
From AAP:
A desperate passenger from the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise is set to find out whether she’ll go home with compensation, or just Covid-19, after a preliminary win in Australia’s highest court.
Former nurse Susan Karpik is heading a class action case against the cruise company, arguing the liner failed in its duty to take reasonable care of the passengers after 28 people died from the virus in March 2020.
She’s seeking damages against Australian charter company Carnival, which trades under the Princess Cruises name, and the operator of the Ruby Princess, Bermuda-registered Princess Cruise Lines.
Overseas passengers were excluded from the class action due to an earlier ruling and they’re fighting to get back in.
Karpik is a resident of British Columbia in Canada and signed a US version of the contract.
The high court granted special leave to hear the case on Friday, ruling there was prospect of success.
The substance of the case will be heard at a later date.
Updated
Total fire ban for parts of Victoria
From AAP:
The Country Fire Authority has declared a total fire ban across parts of Victoria, with temperatures in the high 30s and up to 45km/h winds expected in affected districts.
The ban was declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central and Central for Saturday.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said Saturday’s conditions could make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start.
“We are asking people to take heed of the total fire ban conditions,” he said.
“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
Total fire bans require no fires be lit or remain lit for the duration of the ban, including campfires and for those who have permits for fuel reduction.
People with fuel-reduction permits must postpone any burns until after the ban is lifted.
Updated
Albanese on Perrottet’s future fund for children: ‘It just reinforces inequality’
The prime minister also said he did not approve of the premier’s key election pledge to launch a superannuation-style fund for the state’s children, saying it would create a greater divide between rich and poor.
The Kids Future Fund, which calls on parents to make contributions to an account, with the government matching payments up to $400, could see funds grow for some up to $49,000.
“It’s certainly not a progressive policy, from what I’ve seen,” Albanese told reporters on Friday.
“It just reinforces inequality rather than addressing what is needed.
“A Labor policy would be giving support to the most disadvantaged and the most vulnerable.”
From AAP
Updated
Albanese on the NSW campaign trail with Chris Minns
From AAP:
Anthony Albanese has launched a series of bombs at the Liberal party while joining NSW Labor leader Chris Minns on the campaign trail, days out from the state election.
“There comes a time when a government reaches the end of its life,” the prime minister told reporters from the Sydney seat of Balmain on Friday.
“This government in NSW is showing all of those signs.”
Albanese said it was “remarkable” that federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton had not joined Premier Dominic Perrottet during his campaign for re-election as the state’s premier.
“What we’ve seen though is that Peter Dutton wasn’t even at the campaign launch for Dominic Perrottet, and hasn’t been seen with Perrottet since last October,” he said.
“The truth is that the Liberal party are a dysfunctional party.
“They’re riven by division. They’re not fighting for the people of NSW because they’re too busy fighting each other.
Updated
A gong for Brisbane’s ‘integrated resort cityscape’
Get ready for a national fist fight!
TIME has released its list of the world’s greatest places for 2023 and the only Australian capital to make the list is … (drum roll) … Brissy!
Queensland’s capital took out the gong for its “integrated resort cityscape”, “perennial sunshine” and the “canopy of Moreton Bay fig trees”.
Fair? Tell me in the comments … I know you want to.
Updated
Adelaide festival surpasses box-office targets
From AAP:
Ahead of its closing weekend, the Adelaide festival has brought in just under $6 million so far.
More than a dozen shows have enjoyed sold-out runs, including Windmill Theatre’s surreal Hans and Gret and Christian Spuck’s choreographed Messa da Requiem.
The festival’s return to a full-strength slate of international programming has seen 83,312 tickets sold, with a quarter of those going to interstate visitors.
Among the best-selling were the STC’s latest cine-theatre production, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde.
Most of the 2023 content was programmed by long-time artistic directors Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield, and their replacement, Ruth Mackenzie, said members of the public approach her on the street with their feedback.
“It’s really great to get notes of things we can do better, but actually an awful lot of people are just saying this is really fantastic,” she told AAP.
Updated
Investigation into death of more than a million fish in Darling River
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is investigating the deaths of more than a million fish in the Darling River at Menindee.
The mass deaths have been attributed to a drop in oxygen levels in the river, with plant matter from recent floods sucking oxygen from the water.
The floods have also coincided with a surge in fish breeding, leading to much larger numbers within the river system. More to come.
Updated
Government ‘progressing’ two-thirds of Productivity Commission reforms, Chalmers says
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says that while “we won’t be taking up every idea” in the Productivity Commission’s tome, “we are progressing, in some form, more than two-thirds of the 29 reform directives” outlined in the report.
As at least half of the report’s 71 recommendations involve state and territory governments in part or in full, Chalmers plans to chat with his counterparts in June, he says.
“The former Coalition government did not fully implement any of the recommendations of the last five-yearly review,” he says. (Not fact-checked.)
“We are focused on creating the stability and certainty necessary for capital to flow towards areas where we have advantages and opportunities to underpin a more modern industrial base,” Chalmers says.
Even the $368bn (give or take) subs deal from this week gets a look in from the treasurer: “The government is also building new partnerships for productivity by grasping the industrial opportunities of net zero, through a focus on advanced manufacturing and by broadening and deepening our economic base through investments like Aukus.”
Interestingly enough, the PC report doesn’t seem to like submarine programs.
“The ambitious Collins class submarine program provides an example of what can go wrong and what might be done to shift the procurement mindset,” it says.
“At conception in 1982, the goal was to acquire 10 boats at $100 million each (1982). By December 1999, the cost of the fewer planned boats was $850 million each,” it says.
“Of the five boats in the water in 1999, none were performing adequately.”
“Not all aspects of the Collins program were disastrous” (phew!)... but defence procurement “is ripe for deep and disinterested scrutiny of its processes”.
“There are strong grounds for re-thinking defence procurement, drawing on advice from those outside defence,” it concludes.
Wonder if that’s one of the recommendations the Albanese government will adopt.
Updated
Albanese: ‘Penny Wong will go down as Australia’s greatest foreign minister when history looks back’
Albanese has been asked about the 220 Tomahawk missiles it is set to purchase from the US.
He pointed towards the Defence Strategic Review coming out in April:
As an island continent, submarines are a vital piece of our defence framework. And the truth is that nuclear submarines are far superior than conventional submarines. They’re faster. They’re quieter. They can stay under for longer.
In addition to that, we’ve already made some announcements about our capacity in terms of drones, in terms of other issues. And we’ll have more to say about our weaponry going forward. But that’s just one element to it. It’s very important.
The other thing that Australia’s been doing - led by Penny Wong, who I think will go down as Australia’s greatest foreign minister, when history looks back - when you look at her achievements in less than one year as foreign minister, our relationship with France has been repaired, our relationship with the United States has never been stronger, our relationship in Asean has never been stronger.
We’ve put back together the Pacific Islands Forum, working with countries. I was the first foreign leader to address the Papua New Guinea parliament in January of this year. The visit that I had to India was extremely successful.
In May, we’ll be hosting US President Biden, President Kishida and Prime Minister Modi here in Australia for the Quad leaders’ meeting.
When you look at what we are doing - we are not just investing in our capability, we are investing in our relationships. And that is constructive, because we want peace and security and stability in our region.
Updated
Albanese asked about Australia’s contribution to Ukraine
PM is asked if the government plans to have a more systemic approach to delivering weapons and ammunition to Ukraine:
I pay tribute to your brother and to the other Ukrainian citizens who are fighting for all of us. They’re fighting for the international rule of law. They’re fighting for sovereignty of nations to be respected. And that’s why Australia has an obligation to provide assistance - and we are doing that.
We are the largest non-Nato contributors in the world. We have Bushmasters which are being built - they’re in Bendigo – which will continue to go to Ukraine. We’re providing other support, both military and also training in the United Kingdom as we speak. I’ve spoken to some of our armed forces who are providing that training, and I think they are doing a remarkable job.
The people of Ukraine deserve our utmost respect. The barbaric, illegal invasion of Ukraine is something that Australia has opposed unequivocally. We’ll continue to do what we can when we can to provide assistance.
Updated
Albanese says voice referendum will be held sometime ‘October to December’
Anthony Albanese is talking about the timeline for the referendum for the voice:
We’ll introduce legislation into the parliament in the last sitting week of March. We’ve said that for a long period of time. We’ll do that.
There will then be a parliamentary committee process, of which we will have input, which will be able to be made by yourself as a citizen, or by anyone else, to have that input.
We will be seeking input, as well, from members of parliament, and then the legislation will be voted on in June, and then the referendum will be no sooner than 2 months and 33 days, and [no later than] 6 months [after passing parliament].
So, sometime between September and December, the referendum. But of course, the truth is it’s not going to - I’ll give you the big tip, exclusive today - it won’t be on grand final day, AFL or NRL weekend. So that means it’s October to December.
Updated
We are going to Sydney now, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking.
Productivity Commission: ‘The often touted ‘four-day week’ is that much harder to achieve’
If the ACCC is Australia’s market regulator, the Productivity Commission is the nation’s market motivator to offer what it says is evidence-based advice to foster economic growth.
Today it released its five-yearly report, optimistically entitled “advancing prosperity”. The first such inquiry, “shifting the dial”, didn’t shift much at all after its release in 2017.
Wading through the 1,000-plus page report might not be the most productive use of your time. There are no fewer than “29 reform directives and 71 specific recommendations”.
As the commission has said previously, we are getting more productive (making more from less) at the slowest pace in yonks. “Over the decade to 2020, average annual labour productivity growth in Australia was the slowest in 60 years, falling to just 1.1% compared to 1.8% over those six decades to 2019-20,” it says.
Instead of doubling output every 39 years, we’ll take 64 years at this pace. Or in their words (for all those taking today off): “The often touted ‘4-day week’ is that much harder to achieve.”
Overall, services – unlike mining, say – are harder to automate, so the more our economy becomes service-based the harder it is to generate more output.
Government operations tend to be “non-market”, sometimes without competition or cost to the client. The larger this sector grows, the tougher it will be to drive innovation, so the PC says.
“If productivity growth in the non-market sector continued at its historic level, then (under the simplest assumptions) in 40 years that sector would account for more than 40% of employment,” it says. The current share is about 25%.
Mind you, the market sector is not particularly nimble either. “Some 98% of Australian businesses do not produce new-to-the-world innovations,” the report says.
Unlike the 2017 report, there is a large section dealing with climate change, particularly decarbonisation efforts. The PC hasn’t been a fan of climate action in the past, and they seem reluctant backers now. If we are going to act, we should have “a single, explicit carbon price” - which was scrapped by the Abbott government in 2014.
It recommends an expansion of the federal government’s safeguard mechanism to include electricity generation to the 200-odd industrial sites captured, roughly doubling the carbon emissions cover to a bit over half.
Still, any action might prove a drag on productivity, particularly if it’s not effectively done. “Because the cost of carbon emissions has not been reflected in GDP or business profits, abatement efforts could, in many instances, increase the cost of production and could put downward pressure on measured productivity, at least in the short term,” it says.
(Of course, if Australia and other polluters don’t act, productivity will likely spiral downwards amid ecosystem and societal collapse.)
There are a bunch of other interesting recommendations, which we’ll highlight soon. Stay tuned.
Updated
Global Citizen calls for funding for climate change, ‘a matter of political will’
Michael Sheldrick, co-founder & chief policy, impact and government affairs officer for Global Citizen, an international education and advocacy organisation, has released a statement calling for more funding for climate change:
This week, Australians saw President Biden, [the] British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and [the] Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, formalise an agreement, Aukus, to own and operate nuclear-powered submarines at a cost to Australia of up to AU$368bn. This is the equivalent of 217 years of aid to the Pacific at Australia’s current spend in the region.
It’s clear that Australia has the capacity to fund measures vital to its national and global security. Climate change is clearly the great security challenge of our time. Just ask any of Australia’s friends in the Pacific.
To put this into perspective, paying for Australia’s fair share towards the impacts of climate change is equivalent to the cost of just one nuclear-powered submarine.
We aren’t asking Australia to commit to a new measure: we’re simply calling on Australia to fulfil the promise they made in the Paris Agreement. Our government promised to play its part in closing the global US$100bn climate financing gap, which included supporting climate resiliency programs in the Pacific and South East Asia.
This is something we can be doing to deliver on promises – it’s just a matter of political will.
Updated
Abseiling instructor dies at WA tourist spot
Police are investigating the death of an instructor who died while abseiling with a group of school students at a popular West Australian tourist spot, AAP reports.
The 53-year-old man had been facilitating an excursion with students and teachers from a metropolitan high school at Brides Cave in Boranup, near Margaret River.
Police say a number of the group had already abseiled to the bottom of the cave area on Thursday afternoon when the instructor fell. First aid was provided to the man until a rescue helicopter paramedic was lowered into the cave and took over.
“Tragically, the man became unresponsive and was unable to be revived. He died at the scene,” WA police said in a statement.
The man’s colleagues and emergency service volunteers assisted with the recovery of the instructor, students and teachers from the bottom of the cave. Police have notified WorkSafe of the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Updated
The Aston by-election campaigning continues, even at concerts.
Important by-election in Melbourne in a few weeks. Mary Doyle is running for @AustralianLabor to capture Aston from the Tory Liberals. She was at the show tonight recharging her activism. Go Mary! #MaryDoyle4Aston pic.twitter.com/JakhKxckhj
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) March 16, 2023
SA First Nations voice intended to pass on special 26 March Sunday sitting
Maher is back up and giving a rundown of what will happen on 26 March when both SA houses of parliament will sit to vote on the state’s voice bill:
The intention is the South Australian First Nations voice bill will pass parliament on that special Sunday sitting.
There will be speeches and musical acts at parliament, he said.
A real recognition and celebration of what we’re doing in South Australia is something quite extraordinary.
Updated
Burney stresses no final date set for dissolving working group
There will be processes in place to finalise recommendations but … the role of the engagement group and working group don’t have a final date, despite what the media has been saying in the last little while.
These two groups are from First Nations leaders right across the country in geographic as well as policy areas. As well as people that have been involved … in the delivery process for six years. The value of these groups is immeasurable.
Updated
Linda Burney: SA model on Treaty ‘helpful’
Burney is asked about what the SA members shared in terms of their own model around Treaty:
Lessons around making sure the rounds of consultation and representations were done thoroughly. Issues around how it fits with other legislation. Issues around how it might interface with the parliament.
I’m not saying we’re going to mirror everything, but what I am saying is it has been really helpful to listen to … what the South Australian model is. But most importantly, that it is actually about to happen.
Updated
And back to Burney – who says there is no division between the group.
I want to make that extraordinarily clear. The wording will be decided on in the near future. The work of the working group and engagement group will absolutely inform where we go in terms of finalising that. I can assure you, we are so close. It is exciting.
Updated
Dreyfus promises voice bill before parliament by end of ‘coming sitting fortnight’
Mark Dreyfus is up:
We will have a constitution alteration bill in the parliament by the end of the coming sitting fortnight. That will contain the words that will amend the constitution and the question that will be put to the Australian people.
Quick note – parliament is sitting from next Monday 20 March for two weeks until Thursday 30 March.
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Burney says Australia is on the verge of ‘something remarkable’
It is on the verge of recognising, finally, First Nations people in a way that is going to make us feel all proud and walk taller on the day after the referendum. People have been working for decades towards this.
The life expectancy outcomes and many of the other social justice outcomes fo people is totally unacceptable.
This is a way to make sure decisions made around and about us are informed by First Nations people from across the country. Can I finally say this, that through the efforts of the working group and the engagement group, we are on track to get this thing done. And get it done we will.
We will finalise the question and the amendments for the Australian constitution and you all know those words in a very short period of time.
Burney finishes by thanking the other members of the working group who are representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around the country.
Updated
Linda Burney says attorney general will introduce bill in last two weeks of parliament
Burney says the attorney general, in the last two weeks of parliament, will introduce the constitution alteration bill:
That will outline what the question is to the Australian people and what the amendments will be to the constitution. And as the prime minister has said, we will have a referendum to enshrine our First Nations voice, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in a voice into the Australian constitution.
It is about consultation. It is about negotiation. And it is certainly about representation. That is exactly what the voice is about. It is about making sure that First Nations voices, Aboriginal and Torres Strait voices are heard by the parliament.
Updated
Linda Burney is speaking now:
We are doing the work needed to get this voice right. I can assure you that we are on track. We are taking our time. We are consulting.
And we are being very deliberate about being on-track and very deliberate about getting the work done to make sure this voice is a voice that people are asking for. The referendum will be at the end of this year.
It is no longer academic. It is actually happening.
Updated
Referendum wording to be released in coming weeks
Thomas Mayo is up now:
I am a member of the referendum working group on the engagement group. We are around 60 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all around the country, we come from remote communities in regional areas and cities, and we are doing a lot of hard work to reach a set of words that we can take to the Australian people that will see the nation become a better country – a better nation where we … simply recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for a long-existing and continuing heritage and culture, [and] do that in a way that gives greater fairness to our people who have decisions made about us all the time as a distinct people, to give us a voice to those decisions.
Mayo says they will announce the wording in the coming weeks.
Updated
SA minister for Aboriginal affairs: ‘nothing to lose, everything to gain’ on voice
Maher:
There is nothing to lose and everything to gain from an Aboriginal voice to parliament and we are looking forward, as a South Australian government and in South Australia, to supporting the yes campaign in the lead-up to the federal referendum later this year.
Updated
South Australia to pass legislation for First Nations voice to state parliament
The South Australian minister for Aboriginal affairs, Kyam Maher, is speaking now:
During parliamentary seatings next week, we will pass legislation for a First Nations voice to the South Australian parliament. A fully elected body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who will have a legislative right to have their views heard by the parliament of South Australia and by the executive government in South Australia.
I am pleased to be able to announce today that we will have a special sitting of the South Australian parliament on Sunday the 26 March at 11am.
... we will close off part of North Terrace to allow as many people to come into the city; there will be free public transport into the city for as many South Australians that want to witness this historic event in South Australia, the passing of our legislation that we hope will provide some comfort to people around Australia in the lead-up to a referendum.
Updated
Voice referendum working group representatives Linda Burney and Pat Dodson are expected to address the media soon …
Updated
Treaty Assembly in Victoria back yes vote for Voice
The elected members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria – the democratic body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria’s Treaty process – have voted to support the yes vote in the lead up to the referendum.
The Assembly’s co-chair, Bangerang and Wiradjuri elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, said just like having a “democratic voice” for Aboriginal people in Victoria has been a vital part of advancing the shared journey to Treaty, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to parliament would be an important step toward a Treaty at a national level.
Having a democratic voice for the Aboriginal community has worked so well for us here in Victoria that we want to help make sure mob all over the country can also benefit from something similar at a national level.
Any step forward that gives us a greater say in the decisions that affect our lives is a step worth taking, we’ve seen that here on our journey towards Treaty.
Treaty is happening in Victoria and that’s, in a big part, because we already have a Voice here. It’s a forum that can hear all of the views and ideas from Aboriginal communities and distil that into practical advice that will improve lives.
The Uluru statement is about Voice, Treaty and Truth. If we want all three, now is the time to take that first step and vote yes at the referendum.
The vote will see the Assembly support the yes vote alongside its work on the Victorian Treaty process that seeks to put First Peoples in the driver’s seat when it comes to decisions that affect First Peoples.
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AFL boss McLachlan: gambling restrictions will likely be tightened
We have a set of restrictions, they’re being reviewed at the moment, and probably they’ll end up tighter but we don’t believe in prohibition, because all it does is drive it underground and offshore and has its own set of problems.
Updated
AFL CEO on staff betting: ‘integrity of our game is critical’
Outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan was on 3AW earlier. We mentioned he talked about gambling but we’ve got a bit more here.
McLachlan was asked about AFL staff betting on games:
For clarity, no one at the AFL has ever been able to bet on a game. But it’s just been tightened for certain cohorts involved in football departments and others, to tipping and social betting. The policy was essentially legal bets, you could have a bet with your mates or whatever.
Whether it’s too heavy-handed or not, the integrity of our game is critical. We’ll continue to make decisions in that lens.
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Good news for southern Queensland – severe heatwave conditions will peak today:
⚠️🌡️ Severe Heatwave conditions will peak today in southern QLD, with maximums in the mid to high 30s. Humidity will exacerbate the heat across coastal areas. Coolers days from tomorrow onwards for coastal areas as easterly winds strengthen. Stay safe & follow @qldhealth advice. pic.twitter.com/oXQQ7wkOxU
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 16, 2023
Updated
AFL CEO says volume of gambling ads in sport is ‘too much’
Speaking on 3AW earlier AFL’s CEO, Gillon McLachlan, said he believes there are too many gambling ads in the sport.
“I think there’s probably too much … I just think the volume is too much so it’s in your face.”
— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) March 16, 2023
— ALF CEO Gillon McLachlan on betting ads
It comes after Guardian Australia published a story yesterday showing gambling ads had surpassed umpiring and rule changes as the most common fan concern.
Read the full story here:
Updated
PM denies giving false hope on lowering power bills
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has denied the government raised a false hope of falling energy bills, as gas customers are warned to brace for possible shortfalls in the coming winter, AAP reports.
The Australian Energy Market Operator warned of risks to gas supply in eastern states unless more production is set aside specifically for domestic use.
While its most recent report said customer demand would be met in central and eastern Australia, supply risks in areas such as Victoria remained.
Albanese told the ABC there was pressure on household energy bills, but that relief action was being carried out.
Albanese:
People do understand that Australia isn’t immune from the impact of the war that has gone on in Ukraine. What we have done is intervene, we haven’t sat back and do nothing about it.
We’ve seen wholesale prices essentially be half of what they would have been and what was predicted at the time of the October budget.
That intervention has been successful, but we recognise that people (are) doing it tough and that it is having an impact, but we’re being straight with people as well.
The federal government struck a deal with state and territory governments at the end of last year to cap the price of coal and gas, with further relief measures to be rolled out in jurisdictions to lower energy bills.
Albanese said modelling carried out showing a drop in energy bills was conducted before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and related energy cost hikes.
Updated
Almost half of Australians say they have been recently targeted by scams
More than 82% of Australians are confident they can detect a cybercrime attempt, and almost half (47%) have recently been (or think they have been) targeted by a scam, new research conducted by Telstra has found.
Despite cybercrime being on the rise the equivalent of 3.3 million Australians are apathetic, admitting that they “don’t see the point in cybersecurity” as they don’t think they’re at risk.
Demonstrating the volume of scams Australia is facing, Telstra is now blocking about 10m scam calls and almost 23m SMS scams on average a month, contributing to the almost 230m SMS scams blocked since its Cleaner Pipes initiative was first introduced.
Telstra’s cybersecurity expert Darren Pauli said:
We do business on our phones, we do our banking on our phones, we shop on our phones, we watch the news on our phones, and we connect with family and friends on our phones. Australia has one of the highest ownership of smartphones globally at almost 80%.
This is creating a larger population of users and opportunities for cybercriminals to target and a corresponding increase in SMS and phone scams.
Tips for recognising and avoiding scams:
Turn on multi-factor authentication for all of your accounts wherever it is offered. It’s the best defence tool at your fingertips.
Set up a password manager (there’s one built into your phone and web browser) and start to change any password that is reused for another account.
Stay sceptical of all unexpected requests regardless of the apparent sender or caller. Don’t let persistent scammers pressure you into bypassing your good sense of judgment.
Be mindful of where your real personal information is located. Basic websites probably don’t need your real date of birth just to set up an account. Consider an alias.
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Wish Guardian Australia a happy birthday
Guardian Australia is turning 10 in May! Would you like to feature in a video wishing us a happy birthday?
We’re making a short video, similar to this one, and we want to hear from readers from around Australia about what the Guardian means to them.
Please film yourself with the phone facing horizontally, say your name and where you’re from and add your birthday message.
Send the video or a link to: guardian.australia.video@theguardian.com
Updated
Selling Tomahawks to Australia will ‘enhance’ capability of US forces operating globally, Pentagon says
It might be worth adding a little more context to the news that the US has approved the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Australia:
When he made the original Aukus announcement back in September 2021, Scott Morrison said the government would “also acquire additional long-range strike capabilities for the Australian defence force”, including:
Tomahawk cruise missiles, to be fielded on our Hobart class destroyers, enabling our maritime assets to strike land targets at greater distances, with better precision.
Morrison said this would be part of a package “to deter and respond to potential security challenges during the transition to a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines”.
The news from the US gives more detail about Australia’s plans.
A Pentagon agency issued statement overnight saying that the state department had now approved a foreign military sale to Australia “for an estimated cost of US$895m [A$1.3bn]”. Here are the details:
The government of Australia has requested to buy up to two hundred (200) Tomahawk Block V All Up Rounds (AUR) (RGM-109E); and up to twenty (20) Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds (AUR) (RGM-109E).
The Pentagon statement said the proposed sale would “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” because “Australia is one of our most important allies in the western Pacific”. It added:
The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to interoperate with U.S. maritime forces and other allied forces as well as its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest. By deploying the Tomahawk Weapon System, Australia will contribute to global readiness and enhance the capability of U.S. Forces operating alongside them globally. Australia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
Updated
GPs call for government to give international medical graduates easier access to work
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging the government to make it easier and more attractive for international medical graduates to work in Australia to help address the health system crisis.
The RACGP is calling on the government to:
Fast-track applications for international medical graduates planning on working in areas of need.
Reinstate the subsidy for international medical graduates’ training to become a specialist GP in Australia and support relocation.
Boost support for GPs with advanced skills in rural and remote communities
Work with Indigenous groups to develop cultural training for doctors before they start to practise in Australia.
The RACGP president, Dr Nicole Higgins, said international medical graduates are held back and becoming disillusioned by red tape:
Australia’s health system is in crisis and one of the key issues is that we have a shortage of workers right across the board, including GPs, pharmacists and nurses.
Rural and remote communities are particularly affected. Lack of access to health services causes worse health outcomes and lower life expectancy in rural areas.
But there is a simple solution to boost the number of GPs in the short-term: we can and should be doing much more to attract international medical graduates to Australia, and to support and retain them as valuable community members.
Updated
Victoria records 3,960 Covid cases and 29 deaths
The Victorian Covid numbers are out – and they have also increased slightly. The state has recorded 3,960 cases this week, up from 3,319 last week.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths, down from 33 the previous week.
This week we reported 3,960 new cases with a daily average hospital occupancy of 114 and 4 patients in ICU.
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) March 16, 2023
29 deaths were reported in the past 7 days.
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/poGgD59cPd
Updated
NSW records 8,905 weekly Covid cases and 22 deaths
The NSW Covid numbers are out:
In the 7 days to 4pm Thursday there are 8,905 new cases – up from the 7,871 recorded last week, and 22 deaths, which is down from the 36 recorded last week.
COVID-19 weekly update – Friday 17 March 2023
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 16, 2023
In the 7 days to 4pm Thursday 16 March:
- 8,905 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded: 4,601 rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 4,304 PCR tests
- 22 lives lost pic.twitter.com/e3d55ESAtH
We are looking at a new wave but epidemiologists say it is not expected to be as high as previous ones – read more here:
Updated
Calls for Queensland to release Lake Eyre basin plan
Campaigners are calling for an end to delays on a key plan that will help decide the future of the Lake Eyre basin’s wild rivers and floodplains, which the Queensland government has pledged to protect, AAP reports.
In a joint letter to premier, Annastacia Palaszcuk, several members of the Lake Eyre Basin Stakeholder Advisory group are calling for the immediate release of the consultation regulatory impact statement.
The statement will assess options to better protect the rivers and floodplains and weigh up how this can be achieved alongside sustainable economic development, the Department of Environment’s website says.
There has been widespread concern about how new oil and gas development could affect the environmentally and culturally important area, and better protections have been an election commitment of the Palaszcuk government.
The document will give Indigenous groups and community members a chance to have their say on the future of the important river system.
Updated
Foxtel TV chief Brian Walsh has died
Foxtel’s veteran television chief, Brian Walsh, the creator of some of the biggest TV hits, has died suddenly in Sydney.
Walsh was behind Foxtel’s Wentworth, Upright, Deadline Gallipoli, The Kettering Incident, The End and most recently the award-winning and globally distributed series Love Me, Colin from Accounts and The Twelve.
The Foxtel Group chief executive, Patrick Delany, said:
This is a very difficult day for the Foxtel Group family, for Australia’s creative community and the millions of Australians who watched and loved the stories that Brian brought to life through television. Australia’s creative community has lost a much-loved figure in Brian. For us, the loss is heavily felt.
At the Foxtel Group, Brian was a longtime mentor, a confidant, a colleague and an unwavering friend to so many. Today, we are grieving Brian’s passing. Our condolences go to his family and to those closest to him. We have lost an icon of Australian television that will never be replaced. Rest in peace, Brian.
At the Ten Network Walsh was the marketing force behind the acclaimed Kennedy Miller mini-series Vietnam, The Bangkok Hilton and The Dirtwater Dynasty. As a publicist at Ten he is also credited with the global success of the iconic Australian family drama series, Neighbours and launching the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce.
Updated
World’s longest surf under way in Cronulla
In Cronulla Blake Johnston has broken the record for the world’s longest surf – and he is still going.
He has currently been in the water for 32 hours – and is trying to hit 40 hours.
His brother was just on ABC saying Johnston decided to do the massive surf to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of losing their dad to suicide.
I am immensely proud of what he has done and what he is doing, he still has nine hours to go which is huge and I think he is starting to get physically tired now, but overall, so incredibly proud.
Updated
NSW deputy premier pays tribute to ‘Brommy’
The New South Wales deputy premier, Paul Toole, has also released a statement after the news of Stephen Bromhead’s death:
Brommy, like me, was part of the class of Nats MPs who entered parliament in 2011 determined to make a difference. He did not disappoint.
No one has fought harder to ensure the people of Myall Lakes get the health services they deserve and his death will be felt throughout the community. In Taree, where they’ll remember his fight to upgrade Manning Base hospital. In Forster, where his legacy will be a public hospital. And in Old Bar, where we’re building a new ambulance station.
It’s testament to the character of Brommy that when it came time to say his goodbyes to the parliament last year that rather than just list his many achievements, he used it to say thank you for the privilege of being able to serve.
He set a shining example as a Nationals MP of someone who fought passionately for what mattered to his community and when that fight was won, went straight into battle on the next issue.
It’s because of that passion that Stephen Bromhead’s legacy can today be seen right across the Myall Lakes electorate and will stand long into the future.
Updated
NSW Nationals MP Stephen Bromhead has died
The premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet, has released a statement about the death of Nationals MP Stephen Bromhead, who was affectionately called Brommy:
On behalf of the NSW government and the people of NSW I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Stephen Bromhead MP, who passed away yesterday after a battle with mesothelioma.
In particular, I extend my deepest sympathies to Stephen’s wife Sue, to my Nationals colleagues, and to the people of Myall Lakes who are mourning the loss of a dear friend and loyal member.
Stephen’s passing comes just 10 days before what would have been the 12-year anniversary of his election as the member for Myall Lakes.
Stephen was the quintessential Nationals member, dedicated wholly to making sure the people of Myall Lakes – and all of regional NSW – got their fair share.
Given his early career in health, it is fitting that Stephen’s great legacy can be seen in the major upgrades to health facilities he delivered for his community, among many other important achievements.
Updated
Chalmers says he disagrees with Keating’s Aukus comments but their personal relationship remains important
The end of Jim Chalmers’ interview with Patricia Karvelas on RN Breakfast delves into the awkwardness of Labor great Paul Keating criticising the Aukus deal “the worst decision in all of history” and Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong and Richard Marles in particular.
Chalmers is a good friend of Keating, who has been somewhat of a mentor to him. He is also a doctor because he did a PhD on Keating: “Brawler statesman: Paul Keating and prime ministerial leadership in Australia.”
So it’s a close bond.
What does Keating’s visceral criticisms of the Aukus decision mean for his personal relationship, Chalmers is asked.
Chalmers says:
For me personally, you know, Paul Keating is someone who is important to me, my friendship with Paul means a lot to me, but that doesn’t mean that I have to agree with him in every instance. And I don’t agree with him in this instance.
And he will continue to speak with him.
And I don’t think I’ll be the only one. But I’ve made it really clear this morning and on other occasions that I don’t agree with his view. And the government doesn’t agree either. And I think in particular, when it comes to his assessment of Richard and Penny, Anthony, I don’t agree with that at all. You’re asking me about my relationship with Paul Keating, being upfront with you and saying that it matters a great deal to me – it does. And, you know, I talk to him about the economy very frequently, sometimes multiple times a week. I talked to him about superannuation and other issues, and I’ll continue to do that.
Updated
Younger Australians most affected by cost-of-living crisis, research finds
Sky-high living costs are weighing heavily on younger generations and leading to much higher levels of financial stress compared with older cohorts, AAP reports.
Finder’s latest cost-of-living report found 70% of generation Z respondents were reporting financial stress compared with 29% of baby boomers.
More than 60% of gen Y respondents, and 45% of those in the gen X cohort, said their financial situation was causing them stress.
The head of consumer research at Finder, Graham Cooke, said the difference was significant.
He said a small difference between generations could be expected but to have gen Z experiencing financial stress at more than double the rate of baby boomers was notable.
“It seems younger Australians are more heavily impacted by the current cost-of-living crisis,” Cooke said.
Updated
Australia to spend $1.3bn on US cruise missiles
We’ve got some more information on the news the Albanese government is set to spend $1.3bn buying 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said Australia would be working closely with the US to get more missile capability.
“It’s a really important part of what we need to be doing with our posture, which is to have a greater ability to project,” he told Nine’s Today program on Friday.
Making sure we have longer-range strike missiles is a really important capability for the country. It enables us to be able to reach out beyond our shores further and that’s ultimately how we are able to keep Australia safe.
The defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, said the missiles were able to be fired from the US Virginia-class submarines Australia would be acquiring under the Aukus deal.
“We certainly want the best possible capability for the Australian defence force so that includes the ability to strike opponents as far away as possible from the Australian mainland,” he told ABC TV.
The cruise missiles are a critical part of that, as are the submarines that launch them.
The announcement of the missiles follows criticism from former Labor prime minister Paul Keating about the submarine deal.
Updated
Australian banks ‘well placed’ to withstand some vulnerability, treasurer says
Chalmers is asked about international banking after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the bailout of Credit Suisse.
He says globally there is “a lot of uncertainty, a lot of vulnerability and volatility” but that Australian banks are well regulated, and in a good position to withstand global uncertainty.
Our banking system is really well capitalised. It’s well regulated. We’re well placed in Australia to withstand some of the vulnerability in banking systems.
Whether it’s Silicon Valley banks, and the steps taken by the Americans, or credit Swiss, and the loans provided by the central bank, we’re monitoring it closely.
Updated
Review of productivity commission under way – Chalmers
Chalmers says he wants to a shake-up of the way the nation’s productivity is calculated and has started that process:
We have already begun via the Treasury a review process. It’s already consulting with a number of people who have a view about the future of the productivity commission.
Thats been happening since I flagged it in the year.
Updated
Government already acting on productivity commission recommendations, treasurer says
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is on RN Breakfast – he’s being asked about the productivity commission report coming out later today.
We’re moving in a number of areas the productivity commission will be talking about.
Already in areas in skills, universities, cyber and migration. Across all five themes identified today. We are already acting.
That doesn’t mean we’ll agree with 71 recommendations put forwards by the PC today.
Chalmers says none of the recommendations from the last report were implemented and is asked if industrial relations is one area where there will be conflict:
You can expect that.
Updated
Spot power prices hit maximum as east coast heatwave lifts energy demand
The late-season heatwave that is baking a large swathe of eastern Australia is also keeping the operators of the main electricity grid busy.
Last evening, wholesale power prices jumped briefly to their maximum $15,500/MWh in Queensland, and about $1,000 below that in New South Wales. (Spot prices usually average closer to $100/MWh.)
Spot power prices spiked to their maximums of $15,500/megawatt-hour briefly in Queensland last night, and more than $14,500 in NSW. @AEMO_Energy also activated a reserve contract to ensure supply during strains on the grid. More are possible this evening as heatwave rolls on. pic.twitter.com/PD7ng39Ljk
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) March 16, 2023
The Australian Energy Market Operator had been issuing “lack of reserve” notices for the two states for a couple of days for the evening peak (when the sun goes down but demand often goes up).
The operator also entered into a reserve contract, effectively preparing to pay for big users to power off or prepare too. (It doesn’t look like the intervention was actually needed, but payments will follow anyway.)
The contract ran for an hour after 7pm (AEDT).
We foreshadowed this issue might arise earlier this week, with this look at how NSW’s energy system faces some notable challenges after the state election on 25 March:
Remember, we lose AGL’s Liddell coal-fired power plant in stages from about 20 April with a full closure of the 50-year-old clunker and its remaining 1,260MW of capacity.
As Paul McArdle from consultancy Global-Roam notes:
“I expect there will be a number of direct conversations happening about all of this [including Liddell’s closure] in the coming days within market participants, energy user representatives, government departments and so on.”
Friday will be another warm day, with peak temperatures approaching the mid-30s in parts of western Sydney (30C in the city itself) and 36C in Brisbane.
Melbourne joins in the heat too, with a top of 37C forecast by the bureau for Saturday. The heat starts to dissipate by early next week, but may near 40C in western Sydney on Sunday.
At least those hot days will land during the weekend when power demand will be less than during a week day.
Still, it might not be fun on sports fields across much of the eastern states, as Mostafa Rachwani notes here:
Updated
US to sell Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia
The US state department has approved the sale of up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia, Reuters is reporting.
If the deal goes through it will cost Australians $1.3bn.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency told the US Congress of the possible sale on Thursday.
More to come.
Updated
Good morning everyone! This is Cait Kelly.
A new report from the UN has revealed Australia has the world’s second-highest consumption rate of bottled water, per capita, behind Singapore.
On average, Australians each spent about $580 buying 504L of bottled water in 2021 – and is the 10th fastest-growing national market in the world.
We’ve also got some news from the federal police who have said they believe billions of dollars are laundered in Australia every year through the property market.
The Australian federal police, border force, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission will come together in Sydney on Friday to launch taskforce Avarus to help drain the lifeblood out of international criminal syndicates.
I’ll bring you more on those in a minute.
Let’s get into it.
Updated
Productivity report preview
Ways to bolster the pay packets of Australians while dealing with climate change, the digital revolution and global tensions will be outlined in a major new report, writes Australian Associated Press.
The Productivity Commission’s 1000-page inquiry, to be released in full on Friday, will contain 71 suggestions to kickstart Australia’s sluggish productivity performance that’s weighing on personal incomes and overall prosperity.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there were no easy wins in the report.
“All are complex and none will respond to quick-fix, easy win, whack-a-mole policymaking,” Dr Chalmers told a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event in Brisbane.
The report will identify five trends: the growing services sector, the costs of the climate crisis, the need for a more skilled and adaptable workforce, the growing role of data and digital technology and how economic dynamism is affected by geopolitical tensions.
And the 71 recommendations will be nestled under five action areas, including building an adaptable, skilled workforce, and lifting productivity in the non-market sector, which includes health, social services and education.
The blueprint for future productivity growth will contain suggestions to better harness data and digital technology and improve economic dynamism by “fostering competition, efficiency and contestability in markets”.
The report will also outline opportunities to reach net zero emissions while limiting the productivity damage caused by the climate crisis.
Failing to boost Australia’s economic performance will have dire consequences for future living standards, with workers in the future likely to earn less and work more if productivity doesn’t improve.
Australia is slipping down the global productivity ranks and growth has reached its slowest point in 60 years, averaging 1.1% a year.
NSW Labor’s $59m Landcare pledge
NSW Labor will commit $59m over four years to continue funding the work of Landcare, a predominantly volunteer organisation that works to restore agricultural land, if it wins the state election on 25 March.
The Greens have also committed to funding the organisation.
Landcare NSW chief executive, Turlough Guerin, had earlier expressed his concern that there was no firm budget commitment beyond June 2023.
“As a predominantly volunteer movement, we rely upon funding support to assist the government to achieve its own outcomes to build the capacity and longevity of positive environmental and agricultural on-ground outcomes,” he said
He said the current funding which supports the employment of 84 regional and local Landcare coordinators was due to finish on 30 June 2023.
Announcing the commitment, Labor said it regarded Landcare as essential.
“We can’t afford to lose the essential work Landcare does in building community partnerships while restoring soil and water, and defending against invasive species,” Labor’s spokesperson on agriculture, Mick Veitch, said.
“Today’s announcement continues Labor’s proud legacy of supporting Landcare in NSW and across Australia.”
Labor’s spokesperson on the environment Penny Sharpe said: “After unprecedented fires and floods, as well as escalating land clearing, our ecosystems and landscapes are suffering in NSW.
“Landcare is one of the best ways to restore nature that we desperately need in NSW after more than a decade of environmental decline.”
Economic modelling shows this investment will generate $218m in benefits for NSW with $3.70 of value for every dollar spent. The funding will enable Landcare to employ more than 84 community leaders mostly in rural and regional areas, including at least 13 positions for First Nations people, covering land management services for more than 60% of the state.
Welcome
Morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the day’s news. I’m Martin Farrer getting you up to speed with what’s on the agenda and in the headlines.
One of the big stories today will be the Productivity Commission’s 1,000-page report due to be released today with 71 suggestions to kickstart Australia’s sluggish productivity performance – and with it wages and overall prosperity. It’s likely to focus on five key trends identified as the growing services sector, the costs of climate change, the need for a more skilled workforce, the growing role of data and digital technology and the impact of geopolitical tensions. More coming on this soon.
The fallout from the announcement of the Aukus submarine deal is continuing to be felt from high politics to the possible impact on local communities around Australia. Anthony Albanese hit back at Paul Keating’s criticisms of the deal but the former PM has been joined in the sceptics camp by another former resident of the Lodge, Malcolm Turnbull, and former Labor environment minister, Peter Garrett. And we’ve got a report today from Wollongong where residents are angry about reports that Port Kembla could be made the east coast base for the subs. They fear it will jeopardise jobs in other sectors.
Fifa have admitted defeat and dropped plans to include the Saudi tourist board as one of the sponsors of this year’s Women’s World Cup starting in Australia and New Zealand in July. A backlash from players and coaches – centred on the Saudi kingdom’s poor human rights and gender rights record – has forced Fifa into a U-turn, announced at the football governing body’s congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
