Media Releases
New Structure of Government Departments
5 December 2019
Prime Minister, Minister for the Public Service
Today, I am announcing changes to the structure of the Australian Public Service (APS) as part of our reform agenda to put Australians at the centre of Government.
This morning, the Governor-General approved my recommendation to reduce the number of Government departments from 18 to 14, to ensure the services that Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and effectively.
Australians should be able to access simple and reliable services, designed around their needs. Having fewer departments will allow us to bust bureaucratic congestion, improve decision-making and ultimately deliver better services for the Australian people.
The new structure will drive greater collaboration on important policy challenges. For example, better integrating the Government’s education and skills agenda and ensuring Australians living in regional areas can access the infrastructure and services they need.
The following changes will take effect on 1 February 2020:
The creation of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, which will consolidate:
the current Department of Education; and
the current Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.
The creation of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which will consolidate:
the current Department of Agriculture; and
environment functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy.
The creation of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, which will consolidate:
the current Department of Industry, Innovation and Science;
energy functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy; and
small business functions from the current Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.
The creation of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, which will consolidate:
the current Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development; and
the current Department of Communications and the Arts.
The Department known as Services Australia (formerly known as the Department of Human Services) will be established as a new Executive Agency, within the Social Services Department.
Ten departments remain unchanged.
I am also announcing today that the remit of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency will be expanded to include drought. The Hon Shane Stone AC QC will lead the new National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, providing national leadership and a whole-of-government response to support our farmers and regional communities as they respond to, and recover from, the drought and the north Queensland flood from earlier this year.
The Agency will sit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and report to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP.
As a consequence of these machinery changes, there will be movement and change amongst the Secretaries of departments. The following Secretaries will not continue to hold office in the new structure when it takes effect on 1 February 2020:
Ms Kerri Hartland;
Ms Renée Leon PSM;
Mr Mike Mrdak AO;
Mr Daryl Quinlivan; and
Dr Heather Smith PSM.
Each of these senior officials has served their country with dedication, commitment and a deep sense of public service over many years, and their advice, achievements and leadership have been valued by governments past and present.
On behalf of the Government and all Australians, I thank Ms Hartland, Ms Leon, Mr Mrdak, Mr Quinlivan and Dr Smith for everything they have done to advance Australia’s interests, and for their service, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
Mr David Fredericks, currently the Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, will move to be Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO will take up the position of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Mr Metcalfe was Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship from 2005 to 2012 and Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2013. Since then he has been a partner at EY (Ernst and Young). He will bring considerable public policy leadership experience to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and to the Secretaries Board.
The new structure will be implemented before Parliament returns next year. A full list of the new departments and Secretaries is provided below.
I have a deep respect for public servants and their work in delivering the Government’s agenda. I look forward to continuing to work with the public service to achieve the best outcomes for the Australian people.
Press Conference - Parliament House, ACT
5 December 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning everyone. Earlier this year after the election, I sat down with all of the heads of the public service, after the election and I spoke of what my expectations were. I spoke of how at the last election it had been a victory for all of those Australians who are going out there, working hard every day, pursuing their honest, decent aspirations. And that our job as a government with the support of the public service was to deliver for them. I then spoke during the course of the last six months with them about important guideposts that should direct the public service, about how they can support the government to do their jobs.
That they were to operate on the principle of respect and expect. We respect absolutely the professionalism and the dedication of our public service in the important roles they provide. But they should expect from us clear direction, and we should continue to expect from them being able to discharge their duties in that incredibly professional way they do. I talked about having a very strong focus on the delivery of services because that's what government is there to do. I talked about ensuring there was a keen focus on the implementation of policy, not just the development. The success of policy is not recognised in its articulation, but its delivery. Its implementation. Anyone involved in business will understand that it's the execution of your strategy that matters, not just having one. I want a public service that's very much focussed on implementation. I talked about the line of sight between every single person who works in the government and in our public service and the Australians they're serving and making sure that they could see to that Australian that they were seeking to support. Whether it's a brief, they're preparing research, the policy they’re developing, services they're delivering on the ground and ensuring that could be done efficiently and keep Australians connected to them in the work they do each day. I talked about the need to use the digital technologies and the data and the information that we have as a government to better inform on how we implement and how we develop and deliver on policy. And of course, I talked about the need for the at the institution of the public service to continue to be honoured, it's fearless and frank advice and the important place it plays in our democracy.
And I said at that time that I’d be making further changes to the public service and there will be further changes still that we'll announce once we complete the Thodey review response. And we're still waiting on some final advice on that. And I'll make some further announcements about that next week. I understand. But today, what I'm here to do is to announce changes to the structure of the Australian Public Service. And earlier today, the Governor-General approved my recommendation to reduce the number of government departments from 18 to 14. To ensure that services that Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and more effectively, Australians should be able to access simple and reliable services, designed around their needs. Having fewer departments will allow us to bust bureaucratic congestion, improve decision making, and ultimately deliver better services for the Australian people.
The new structures that I'm announcing today will drive greater collaboration. It will break down the silos. It'll ensure that important policy challenges in which different parts of the public service are working on, can work more effectively on together. It means better integration in key areas like education and skills and the delivery of regional services. The changes we made effectively on the 1st of February 2020, four new departments will be established. First, the creation of a Department of Education, Skills and Employment and that consolidates the current Department of Education and Department of Employment Skills, Small and Family Business.
This is about having a continuity from the day you walk into school to the day you walk into a job and beyond, and ensuring that in your job and over your life, we understand that there is a continuous education. Education doesn't start and stop when you leave school. It goes on over your entire life. Learning happens in the workplace. Skills development happens in the school. It happens at university, at TAFE and vocational training. It's a lifelong activity. Well into senior years. And I want a public service agency department that is focused on that continuity of policy and service delivery and engagement with the states.
Second one is the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. I've talked about now for some time that I want a very practical environmental agenda. And there is no section of our country that relies more on our environment than our agricultural sector. Our water policy, all of this is so intrinsically linked by how we address the environmental challenges that we have, not just as a country, but as a globe. And by integrating, I believe, the excellent scientific and other work that is done by the Department of Environment and the programs that they have and connecting that with the work that has been done in water and agricultural policy. And a great example of that, its national soils day. The work that needs to be done to enrich and enhance our soils and what that means for the productivity of our agricultural sector, emissions reduction and all of these issues, I think combined together, very importantly, how we manage our land and our water and our sea and the resources that are there. From an environmental perspective impacts so much on our agricultural prospects.
And those departments will be brought together from the Department of Agriculture and the Environment functions from the Department of Environment and Energy, there'll be the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and that will consolidate Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the energy functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy. That would also include the emissions reduction functions as well. Small business functions from the current Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business will also be taken into that Department. And this is about bringing together all the various different parts of our industry - resources, energy, small business that impact each day on the operations of our Australian economy. At a microeconomic level.
Microeconomic reform is a big part of our economic reform story. Much of the work that has been done in business deregulation and deregulation more broadly will fall into these areas and will be supported by the programs which are about getting people's energy costs down. Ensuring that the access and use of science and digitization technologies and all of these things can become all part of the supply chains that exist in the Australian economy. This is a very economic focused department. We will also add to the functions of the Department of Infrastructure. It will be now known as the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. It will merge, it will take together, I should say, the current Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development and it'll add to that the functions of the Department of Communications and the Arts. This will ensure, particularly in the area of communications, you're getting a strong synergy between what's happening in communications policies, communications, infrastructure delivery and regional Australia.
I want to ensure that the remote and regional parts of our country are connected. I want to ensure that our regional towns and communities are plugged in and are locked in to the prosperity that can be achieved and will be achieved in our economy in the years to come. Infrastructure, communications, they are the same thing these days. They are actually plugging people in and connecting them in inclusively into the benefits of a growing economy. And it works both ways. Allowing the bush to contribute to the cities, and the cities to contribute to the bush. And getting those connections far stronger than they are today. And finally, the department known as Services Australia, which was formerly known as the Department of Human Services, will be established as a new executive agency. And this will all sit within the Social Services Department. Ten other departments remain unchanged.
I am also announcing today that the remit of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency will be expanded now to include drought. The Honourable Shane Stone AC QC will lead the new National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, providing national leadership and a whole of government response to support our farmers and regional communities as they respond to, recover from, the drought and the North Queensland flood earlier this year.
I've got to say there have been few activities that I've been more proud of in our public service than the work that they have done to reach out and support the regional grazing and other families affected by the droughts in north Queensland. It has been the public service at their best, whether it was in Townsville or across the range, the sense of confidence, encouragement and hope that was given by these amazing people working within that agency led by Shane has been truly inspirational. And the letters I've received from people, from out there in Cloncurry and Julia Creek and in Townsville, just so encouraged by the work they've done. We need that same level of connection between our public service and those being impacted by drought. Not just until it rains, but beyond when it rains as well, as our bush will grow again and our agricultural sectors that have been affected so heavily by drought. We will build and they will prosper again and even in the depth of despair that you often see when you go to these drought affected communities, you can still see the glimmer of hope. And what I'm seeking out of this agency, which will have more people out there, not here, connecting with them on the ground, ensuring that they are fully aware of all the government services and programmes. It's been one of our challenges in the drought. The number of times when I've spoken to people in communities, and they said I wasn't aware that that programme was in place. I wasn't aware that you'd increased the funding for that programme. I wasn't aware that you'd been working on that with the New South Wales government or the Queensland government. It's one thing to have these policies and programs. But as I said, when delivery and implementation is the test, you need to connect to people. And what Shane and his team have been able to do in Queensland I want to see them do across the drought affected areas of this country.
Now, with all of these changes… and that agency will continue to sit within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and it will report to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, which is of course, David Littleproud. Now, a consequence of these machinery changes that there will be a movement of change amongst a number of secretaries from departments and there'll be a number of those who will not be continuing as a result of those changes. And there are five and I want to thank all of them. Kerri Hartland, Renée Leon, Mike Mrdak, Daryl Quinlivan, and Dr. Heather Smith. I want to thank all of them for their tremendous service to our country. They have served in our public service over a long period of time. They are deeply respected by their colleagues, by all those who've had the pleasure to work for them. And as a result of these structural changes, that is the only reason why these changes have been made and I want to thank all of them very much for their service.
In terms of secretaries who are continuing in the roles that they'll have, David Fredericks, who is currently the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Energy, will move to be the new Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and Andrew Metcalfe will be returning to the ranks of the Australian Public Service. Andrew will take up the position of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. As you know, and as I recall very well too, Mr Metcalf was Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship from 2005 to 2012, and he was Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2013. Since then, he has been a partner at EY, and I know he will bring considerable public policy leadership experience and strength to this Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and to the Secretaries board itself.
This brings together some new secretaries who have been elevated in recent times where I've made earlier announcements about that. Simon Atkinson is another one who's just joined the secretaries ranks. This, I think, will give a further drive across these 14 departments. I want to particularly thank all of those who have assisted as we’ve worked through this, particularly to Phil Gaetjens as the head of my department and of course John Kunkel in my office and everyone else who's been involved in working through this and of course, the Public Services Commissioner. This is about getting better services on the ground. It's about getting more focus on Australians in the delivery and development of policy. It's about making sure that I keep my promises to the Australian people, the things I said I would do and I am doing, I want to keep doing and I will keep doing. And I'll be able to better do that with the structures and the changes that we've made and I look forward to getting on with that job. These changes come into effect on the 1st of February next year and obviously between now and then we will move towards those new arrangements.
JOURNALIST: As well as those Departmental Secretaries you’ve named, Prime Minister, how many public servants will find out over the Christmas break they are losing their job and will this necessitate a ministerial reshuffle with these changes?
PRIME MINISTER: On the second point, there are no changes to the ministry or portfolio responsibilities. Neither were any contemplated or that was not what this is about. That remains as I announced it after the election. I'm very pleased, very pleased, with the performance of all of my ministers and the work they've been doing. It's been a very busy six months and I'm very pleased with the appointments that we've made and the way they've been taking to their task over the last six months. In terms of in the public service and the numbers there, this has not being done as a savings measure. This has been done as a structural measure to better align and bring together functions within the public service so they can all do their jobs more effectively and help more Australians. And so department secretaries and others will undertake the normal things that they do in managing their budgets and those who were previously performing functions in the areas they've talked about in other departments will now perform those functions in new departments. This isn't about any cost savings measures. I expect, frankly, all departments secretaries to be realising maximum efficiencies for how they run their departments every single day of the year. That's their job. That's why they're paid to do what they do and I expect them to continue to do that. And whatever decisions they take over the next 12 months, two years, five years, they'll take those decisions. They’re not decisions that the Government takes.
JOURNALIST: Who will be the senior minister in the new Environment and Agriculture Department? Will it be… will the Liberals still be in charge of the environment or will it now be the Nationals?
PRIME MINISTER: The portfolio Minister for the Environment which is Sussan Ley is responsible for the environment and Bridget McKenzie who is the Minister for Agriculture will be responsible for agriculture policy and David Littleproud is responsible for water policy. It's not uncommon for departments to have multiple ministers. They have multiple ministers now. And so the officials that work in these departments respond to the minister that is responsible for those portfolio issues. So who's the senior minister on environment? Well, it's the Minister for the Environment. Who's the senior minister on agriculture? It's the Minister for Agriculture. It should be very plain.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you say this wasn’t done as a savings measure but can you tell us what the Budget impact will be of these changes?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m not anticipating any Budget impact from these changes.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has said the offer is still -
PRIME MINISTER: I’m happy to move to that, but any other questions on this issue?
JOURNALIST: So you’re saying that no one in the public service is going to be losing their job?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm saying that's matters for secretaries and there is nothing in these changes that is a directive to secretaries about making any changes in those areas.
JOURNALIST: Was the restructure recommended by the Thodey Review?
PRIME MINISTER: I’ll be making a response to the Thodey Review next week. But what we have done here today is consistent entirely with the thrust of the Thodey Review.
JOURNALIST: Does Angus Taylor remain in the energy portfolio as Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: Of course he does.
JOURNALIST: Why?
PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely he does. Why would he not?
JOURNALIST: Why would he be retained?
PRIME MINISTER: Because emissions are falling and I made it very clear in the House the other day the work Angus has done over the last six months to get the big stick legislation through, to ensure that the dodgy late payment fees that are charged by energy companies, they are all gone. I mean, the progress Angus has been making in whether it's in getting energy costs down, stabilising those energy costs, emissions reductions are occurring. Angus will be heading off to the COP25 meeting where he should be next week and he'll be representing Australia there at a ministerial level, as you'd expect him to. So the policy performance of Angus Taylor is not under question.
JOURNALIST: Christian Porter [inaudible] IR…
PRIME MINISTER: He’s got a big brain, Christian.
JOURNALIST: He’s the Leader of the House, it’s going to be a tough job. Is it too much, is there too much on his plate?
PRIME MINISTER: On Christian’s? Too much is never enough for Christian Porter’s capabilities. He’s an outstanding minister and he's demonstrating that on a daily basis. And as I've often said, I’ve got the best lawyer when it comes to Christian Porter. I only wish Anthony Albanese had as good a lawyer as I do because the Shadow Attorney-General is still zero for eight.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, with energy moving in and emissions reduction moving into that economic focused department, as you put it. Is that trying to take some of the ideology out of that issue?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I've never been a fan of the ideology of it. I'm interested in the science of it and the practicality of it and the achievement of the targets that the Government has set. And so much of that is engaged in how you work with industry and how you ensure you get energy prices down and you keep a balance between those policies and our economy. Our Government is committed to taking action on climate change. We are taking action on climate change and we're getting results on emissions reduction. Emissions today are lower than they were when we came to Government. Emissions have fallen for the last two years. Emissions are reducing. In 2020, we will hit our Kyoto 2020 targets and we'll beat them and we'll beat them, I can tell you now, by more than the 367 million tonnes that I've previously advised. Our most recent advice is we're going to beat it by even more than that. Even more than that. So our focus when it comes to climate change and taking action on reducing emissions is a very practical one. And this was a key issue that was considered at the last election. The last election was not a question of whether we needed to take action on climate change. The last election was a question about getting balance in your policies. You don't have to destroy your economy and reduce jobs to reduce emissions. But the Labor Party thinks differently and the Greens think differently. They want economy-wrecking targets. We didn't support that and neither did the Australian people. So my Government will continue to keep a balance of taking action on climate change. Meaningful, meaningful action, which is getting results and ensuring that we do that while getting electricity prices down and ensuring our economy continues to grow.
JOURNALIST: Is it your understanding the Member for Chisolm donated $100,000 at the last election or that she loaned the Liberal Party $100,000 and what do you make of her request that the money be returned to her?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's a matter for the Victorian division of Liberal Party. I was a state director a long time ago, that's no longer my job.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, on refugee resettlement, do you still want to bring back the lifetime ban legislation and if so, how far should that extend? Should that block a return to Australia by those people who’ve gone to the United States? Should it be restricted to New Zealand? How far should it go?
PRIME MINISTER: Our policy is set out in the Bill that we've sought to have passed, and that Bill hasn't to date not had the requisite support to pass the Parliament.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Ardern has reiterated her offer in terms of the refugee resettlement and she said very clearly this morning that any restriction on refugee movements by the Australian government is a matter for your government. So it sounds like she's very much open to this deal being done. How soon would you like to see 150 resettle across the ditch?
PRIME MINISTER: We've always been very aware of the New Zealand government's offer. And as I said here yesterday and in other places, the Government will continue to implement our policies as we've set them out and as we've decided to do as a government and that's what we'll do.
JOURNALIST: If Labor backs the lifetime ban for that New Zealand cohort, does that make the deal possible, probable, and will you be seeking it?
PRIME MINISTER: There are so many hypotheticals in that question I don't know where to begin. The first of it was an assumption that Labor would actually support strong border protection policies. And all the evidence I've seen, including yesterday in the Senate where they voted to actually keep Australia's border protection policies undermined by the changes they made a year ago. See, I just don't trust Labor on border protection. I just don't because they don't believe in it. How do I know that? I've watched it for 10 years. I just don't trust them on border protection. They say all sorts of stuff. But I know what they think and I know what they believe and it's not what I believe on border protection. And so I don't trust them, the Australian people don’t trust them.
JOURNALIST: Don't you think it's appropriate to have permanently secret legal proceeding in Australia in 2019?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there are court orders in place restricting the disclosure of information on that matter and the National Security Information Act was invoked to manage the protection of national security information on those proceedings and in proceedings like these. And the Attorney-General has said that the information is of the kind that could endanger the lives or safety of others.
JOURNALIST: [Inaudible] to Bernard Collaery and Witness K [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER: I’ve just answered the question.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the New Zealand deal has 150 people to be taken off offshore detention off the table. It still doesn’t solve the numbers that are held in offshore detention. How quickly would you like to see those remaining people resettled? Has the Government got an aspirational timeline?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it has always been our policy to seek the resolution of that caseload and you will recall this time last year our Government and I, in particular, had played a key role ensuring that we got every child off Nauru. Every single one. We're the same government that got every single child out of detention in Australia. We are the same government that has ensured that medical transfers have taken place where they have needed to be done so on the basis of the medical advice that we have received through our agencies. We're the same government which has ensured that our border protection regime has maintained its security and that we have not seen the deaths at sea that were so common under Labor's failures that while you could never get used to these things, there was a great risk of it and becoming resigned to it. In fact, the previous Labor government had become resigned to their failures on border protection. But as you saw last year, when Labor sought to undermine - and successfully did so in the Parliament - Australia's border protection regime, we didn't blink. We said we will take the first opportunity we can with the support of the Australian people to repeal those laws. And we have. Labor had the shortest window to undermine Australia's border protection laws. And the second that just jarred open for a while in they went, as quickly as they could, to undermine Australia's border protection laws. They couldn't wait to do it and then they did it. And we have shut that down. So our objective hasn't changed and our record speaks for itself. Every child off Nauru, every child out of detention. We've closed the detention centres that Labor had to open. Our record speaks to our objective and our aspiration, and that is to resolve the caseload that's there.
JOURNALIST: Just on the back of the growth figures yesterday and we saw a slide in quarters, what is your message to people over Christmas? Would you like them to go out and spend?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm sure their kids would with Christmas coming up. There's no doubt about that. Look, when we passed our changes to the Income Tax Act, when we provided the tax relief that we promised, my promise was simply this. I want Australians to earn more and I want them to keep more of what they earn. What Australians do with their own money is up to them. They want to spend it? Good for them. If they want to save it, if they want to pay down debt. And what we saw in the national accounts figures yesterday that they substantially decided to pay down their debt. Now, the Commonwealth Government is doing the same thing. This is why we think surpluses are important, because it means you can pay down debt. And what happens when you pay down debt? It means you're more financially resilient. It means that consumers, as a result of the tax relief we provided, are now more financially resilient as they go into this Christmas than they were at last Christmas, which means as they go into 2020, they are in a stronger position. We have made Australians in their economic circumstances stronger by ensuring that they can keep more of what they earn. And what we saw yesterday in the national accounts with the increase in household disposable income and what we saw in the average wage increases that we saw yesterday is Australians being able to earn more. And because of our actions as a government, they've been able to keep more of what they earn. So what they do, Phil, is up to them. The best message I have to Australians is Merry Christmas and 2020 is going to be a great year. Thank you.
Press Conference - Parliament House, ACT
4 December 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
PRIME MINISTER: The Australian public are in no doubt about our Government’s commitment to strong borders. Our Government has always been consistent. The Liberal and National parties have always been consistent. We have always taken the actions necessary to ensure that Australians can have confidence in the way our borders are managed, which enables them to have confidence about how our immigration programme is managed. A year ago, the Labor Party sought to take advantage of the situation of the time to undermine our border protection regime which has been so successful. The medical evacuation process which had been in place under our Government for some years had provided for and was working to provide medical evacuations based on medical advice. That process was never under threat, that process was working to deliver that compassionate care as it was needed. What the Labor Party sought to do a year ago was to provide a weakening of our border regime for people to get around the rules and find to their way to Australia. Now, we've always understood that that type of loophole doesn't strengthen our borders, it only weakens them. And so we stood up to that a year ago and a year ago, we were defeated in the Parliament. But we stood firm. And we stood firm and went to an election and said support the Coalition and we will repeal those laws. And so today, we fulfilled that promise to the Australian people. A promise that the Liberal and Nationals have always kept to the Australian people, that they can count on us when it comes to border protection, just like they can count on us when it comes to economic management, on national security, on supporting a strong budget to ensure we have the resilience to deal with the issues in the future. And so today I am pleased that we are able, working together with the Minister for Home Affairs and our Senate team, to repeal those loopholes that were put in place and supported by the Labor Party. You know, the Labor Party hasn't changed. At the last election, they were told that the Australian people wanted stronger borders, not their loopholes. They didn't listen. They went into that Parliament and they voted to maintain the loopholes which weakened our border protection regime. They haven't changed their position on higher taxes, they haven't changed their position when it comes to how the Budget should be managed. Anthony Albanese is leading the same set of policies, supports the same weakness, whether it is on economic management or border protection, that Bill Shorten did. There is no difference, nothing has changed, the Labor Party has not listened to the Australian people. We have and we've acted on our promise and we are delivering on our promises.
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Thanks Prime Minister. Firstly, of course, I want to say thank you very much to all of those who have been involved in the negotiations, in particular, the independent Senators and I want to pay tribute to the Prime Minister and to Mathias Cormann and others in the leadership group who have dealt with this issue. Because we know that 12 months ago, Labor took a decision to weaken our border protection policies and we've taken a decision today to strengthen our border protection policies. This was never about bringing people here for medical need because people were already receiving that medical need, either in Nauru, PNG or Taiwan or ultimately if needed in Australia. So this was always a law that was always about getting people here through the backdoor and today we’ve closed that backdoor. We have now 1,000 people plus who have come here under the arrangements, that includes family members, some support people, and we've done that in a way that provides support to that person coming for medical attention and we've been very upfront about the assistance that we've provided. I point out as well that up on Nauru at the moment we have a situation, just to give you some facts, 51 contracted health professionals providing services to 258 transitory persons. One healthcare professional to every five people. We’ve got 22 mental health professionals providing services to 258 transitory persons. That is one mental health professional to every twelve people up there. On PNG, there are 32 contracted health professionals providing services to 208 transitory persons, one mental health professional to every seven transitory persons. 24 mental health professionals are providing support for those people up in PNG. I would finish on this point. I'm very proud of the fact that even though it was Labor that put people on Manus and Nauru, we have now been able to reduce the numbers dramatically. We have got 654 people to the US and one of the things that Labor has to recognise is that the medevac law undermined our capacity to have people accept an offer and to take up a relocation to the United States. It is bad policy for many reasons. It deserved to be voted out today and that’s exactly what we've done.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, was there any undertaking to Jackie Lambie, be it written, verbal, handshake, in order to get her vote to repeal the medevac laws?
PRIME MINISTER: The only undertaking we've given is to implement our policies, that is it.
JOURNALIST: Is it the Government’s current policy that you are prepared to consider the New Zealand deal once the US deal has been… is completed?
PRIME MINISTER: The Government's policy is to ensure that we seek to resettle people who are on Nauru.
JOURNALIST: Jacqui Lambie says there was a condition that she gave to you in order to get her vote to repeal the medevac laws. What is the condition?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm not sure what you are referring to in relation to her statements. I have her statements that are in front of me and I don't read that in her statement at all.
JOURNALIST: Did you give her any assurance whatsoever that they will be a New Zealand deal?
PRIME MINISTER: She has the assurance that the Government will implement its policies.
JOURNALIST: She says she put forward to the Government a proposal and since then, we - you - and her have worked together really hard to advance that proposal. What did she mean by that?
PRIME MINISTER: It means that she is happy with the Government's policies and she is happy with the Bill that was presented to the Senate and she voted for it.
JOURNALIST: Is it the Government’s policy, of which Jackie Lambie has been assured, to consider other options like New Zealand once the US option is exhausted?
PRIME MINISTER: The Government is always looking at ways in which it can resettle those who are on Nauru and I want to particularly pay credit to the Minister for Home Affairs who has not only got every single child off Naura - and I know who put every single child on Naura, it was the Labor Party and their failed border protection policies - and it was under our Government that we got every single child off. And so we will continue to use the arrangements that we have in place to be able to resettle people and that is the assurance that we have provided.
JOURNALIST: Where are we at with the US deal, what are the latest numbers of the transfers with the US?
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: The numbers to the US, 654 are in the US, 251 are in the provisional approval stage to go to the US. 21 people have been approved to go to the US and have been transferred to Australia under the medevac laws and there are 57 people who haven't been approved to go to the US who have been transferred to Australia under the medevac laws.
When is that quota being filled?
JOURNALIST: We've been clear that we have worked very closely with the United States over a period of time now so they will go through individual cases but it is undermined when you've got a Labor-Greens law that allows people to come to Australia through a backdoor and that takes away the incentive for them to accept a relocation to the United States. 650 odd people, that was never a deal that was negotiated by Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard. That is the fact. We were able to negotiate the deal. Like Senator Lambie, like everybody, I don't want people, the Prime Minister does not want any of these people on Manus or Naura and we have worked day and night to clean up Labor's mess to make sure that we get people off and at the same time not to restart boats which is what happened under Labor. The boats just kept coming. So we will deal with this sensibly and that is the approach we have taken.
JOURNALIST: Is it not a problem with the potential resettlement with New Zealand given that we have special visa requirements or special visa relationship with New Zealand?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ve outlined the issues and the complexities and the difficulties of that arrangement in the past.
JOURNALIST: So when can we start seeing this arrangement move forward? Will you be speaking with Prime Minister Ardern?
PRIME MINISTER: I don’t know what you're referring to.
JOURNALIST: The New Zealand offer.
PRIME MINISTER: What I've said is that we are implementing the government's resettlement properties. I’ve made no reference to that at all.
JOURNALIST: ...Jackie Lambie says she couldn't disclose what she had agreed with you on the grounds of national security if it is just the basis of the policy?
PRIME MINISTER: Because the implementation of our policies and the details of that are national security matters and I note that Senator Lambie has thanked the Government for the way we have been able to fully brief her on the implementation of the Government's policies and naturally those are matters that involve briefings from very senior officials who are deeply involved in these matters and I thank her for the very discreet way in which she has availed herself of those briefings and maintained those confidences. We have outlined the decisions and the policies that the Government have taken and how we are implementing those and she's been pleased about that and she has supported the Bill.
JOURNALIST: Was it a case of medical treatment being given to people who wouldn’t die for want of medical treatment, so she did seem to suggest that it was a question of medical treatment that convinced her in the end rather than any other deal?
PRIME MINISTER: I can't speak for her individual reasons and how she has weighed them all up herself. I can't possibly do that. What I can do is that I have dealt with, together with the Minister for Home Affairs, with Peter, in good faith with Senator Lambie and I thank her very much in the way that she has engaged with us, to work with us to get through the issues and I am pleased that she has enabled us to shut the door that Labor sought to prise open last year. Labor sought to prise open the door on Australia's border protection regime because they've never ever believed deep down in the border protection policies that the Government has put in place. The biggest myth running around this place in Australian politics over the last decade is that the Labor Party supports the Government's border protection policies. They simply don't and they don't because they don't believe it. You know how I know that? A year ago they voted to weaken them and today they voted to keep them weak and thankfully the Australian people had their say on the 18th of May and they said shut that door and we did that today on the basis of their endorsement at the last election.
JOURNALIST: Just on the economy...
PRIME MINISTER: Yep, because we have to go to Question Time.
JOURNALIST: You gave a speech a little while ago about, for want of a better word, holding your nerve through the MYEFO period into the Budget. Do today's numbers vindicate that in your view or are you worried about the weaknesses of these figures today?
PRIME MINISTER: What I am pleased about today's numbers is firstly growth through the year has increased from 1.4 per cent to 1.7 per cent. That continues to put us in a very strong position relative to all the major developed countries in the world today. Just on the quarterly figures alone, second only to the United States. When you take it through we are equal to Canada which is second. I am pleased that our through the year growth has increased as a result of these latest numbers. I'm also particularly pleased that the promise I made to Australians at the last election, I said I want them to earn more and I want them to keep more of what they earned. Today’s figures today, which show that the household disposable income grew at 2.5 per cent in the quarter and up 5.1 per cent over the year. Now that is the strongest quarterly rise in a decade that we’ve seen in household disposable income. The average compensation per employee - what they can take home - rose 0.7 per cent in the quarter to be 2.9 per cent higher over the year. That's now back over the decade average. Australians have earned more based on the national accounts numbers, and as a result of the tax relief we provided and legislated, they have kept more of what they earn. I've always said what they do with it is up to them, it is their money. See, I trust Australians to do the right thing with their money. Australians trust our Government to do the right thing with their money. That's why we were elected in May of this year. Thanks very much. Sorry, one more question on this other matter.
JOURNALIST: A Sydney man has been arrested and is due to be charged with terrorism offences. Can you please… is there anything you can say about that?
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: The AFP will provide some public comment in a few minutes time so I won’t pre-empt that. But I think the activity today is really a reminder to all Australians that this threat hasn't gone away. As we’ve seen in London just very recently, people do want to do harm in a country like ours and the United Kingdom. I pay tribute to the Federal Police and ASIO, to the New South Wales police and others involved in the taskforce because there is an enormous amount of activity taking place by the AFP, by ASIO, the other agencies. Obviously we have put in place a record amount of funding to help them with that but the threat of terrorism hasn't gone away. We have had a number of disruptions and obviously, tragically, we have had some that have been successful, on a smaller scale getting through. But I really want to pay tribute to the police today for their activity, the arrests they made, and I want it to be a reminder to all Australians that if they have information about somebody in their family group or community, please contact the police for their sake and for the sake of our community as well.
Press Conference - Parliament House, ACT
2 December 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you for coming together. Foreign interference has been an evolving threat for some years now. It's a threat that our Government has been addressing with stronger laws, stronger powers, greater resources. Over the last few months, on the advice of our agencies, we have worked to establish a countering foreign interference task force which brings together the key agencies to focus our efforts even more greatly on this evolving threat. That ensures that we will be developing new specialist capabilities both from an investigatory capacity as well as being able to pursue investigations and bring them to either disrupt activity or, indeed, follow through and prosecute. This Taskforce to counter foreign interference is about identifying it, disrupting and prosecuting. And that builds on, I think, the outstanding work of our agencies over many years. As I move around at various international fora, one of the key issues that other leaders raise with me is they inquire into how Australia has been able to move so successfully in both identifying, calling out and taking action to counter foreign interference. It's an issue that is presenting in many other jurisdictions, and Australia is seen as a world leader in this area. That is recognised from my perspective purely by the volume of inquiries that are made to me about these issues as we move around, particularly with our close partners.
Foreign interference comes from many, many different sources and it's important that we have the capacity to deal with it. It's an evolving threat and it's also been a building and evolving response. Since we came to Government, we have put in an additional $3.1 billion into ASIO and AFP to deal with the many threats that Australia faces, including this one. And I want to commend the Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, on his leadership of that agenda and ensuring that we're always staying ahead of this and leading the way on this working closely across all of our agencies to ensure that we get the result that Australians expect of us in keeping them safe, keeping Australia safe and most importantly protecting our democracy and our society. Peter.
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Thanks very much, PM. This is an $87.8 million investment into our agencies. We know that for decades, foreign interference has been an issue in our country, like it is in any other democracy, and we want to make sure that we protect our institutions. There's a lot of work that we have done with the higher education sector, for instance. There's work we have been doing behind the scenes for a long period of time. So this investment will go into, obviously, ASIO, the AFP, as well as AUSTRAC, ASD, the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organisation and ONI as well. It is a significant investment and as the Prime Minister rightly points out, it's on the back of significant investment we have made over a period of time, not just financially, but in terms of the laws that the agencies can work with to try and deal with the issue of foreign interference. I want to commend the work of Mike Burgess and before him Duncan Lewis as well as the work of the Australian Federal Police now under Reece Kershaw, before that with Andrew Colvin. All of the front-line officers work on a daily basis, whether it’s in the area of counter-terrorism, in the area of countering foreign interference or many other threats that the Prime Minister alluded to a moment ago that they deal with day and night. This will bolster their capacity to deal with the issue of foreign interference and we have always listened to our agencies about changes to the law that may be required, about further investments that may be needed, and that's exactly what we're doing here today.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what will be done that wasn't being done before? What will the money be spent on? We’re talking more headcount across these agencies or we talking more powerful computer systems? What exactly is the money going to?
PRIME MINISTER: Obviously, there are some elements of this that we can't go into precise detail about for obvious reasons. We're not about to give a heads-up to those who would seek to interfere in Australia's arrangements. But I alluded to in my remarks the development of specialist capabilities. We have the ability to develop a response force here that can really set the standard globally in understanding how foreign interference takes place, understanding how to disrupt it most successfully and to counter it, and ultimately to be able to put yourself in a position where you can take matters to prosecution. Now, in some cases, it would involve the Minister acting in his capacity to be expelling those who shouldn't be in this country if they have acted in this way. As you know, we have already taken some decisions along those lines. So this is an evolution of our capability that has been building. This threat has been evolving and we have been staying ahead of it by building that capability now over many years and most recently, this initiative which improves the collaboration, ensures that the tools they have are world-class and they can work together to identify, disrupt and prosecute.
JOURNALIST: When the most recent example of alleged foreign interference is fully investigated, that is interference in the Liberal Party preselection process in Chisholm, which has been alluded to publicly by ASIO, do you intend to release the result of that investigation or have ASIO release it?
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Well, Michelle, obviously the Director-General, Mr Burgess, put out a statement in relation to these matters. I would expect he would have a subsequent statement to make but that's an issue for him, but as you'd expect, they're not issues we would go into. What can be made publicly available will be, but on the advice I have received, I don't have any concern in relation to issues domestically. I think there is in relation to this particular matter, I think the Director-General will have something further to say in due course and I'll let that investigation run its course.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, it was announced today that Nick Xenophon is working for Huawei as a strategic consultant. Should someone who is a former Senator be on the foreign interest register?
PRIME MINISTER: He needs to comply with the law like everybody else.
JOURNALIST: He says that Huawei has been treated maliciously, unfairly, copped slurs. What do you say to that characterisation of the treatment of Huawei, particularly in the context of the 5G network ban?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, as the Treasurer who made the decision regarding 5G matters, that was a decision we took in Australia's national interest and we stand by it and it was not directed at any one operator. It was a decision that applied across any number of those who would have sought to make applications that would have fallen foul of the standards that we set. So, look, I wish Nick all the best in his new employment and it sounds like he's prosecuting his case. It's a free country.
JOURNALIST: What concerns do you have about Yang Hengjun and what more can be done diplomatically in this area?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, let's be clear - these are matters that are under investigation and these are things that the Director-General of ASIO has already issued a statement on. But I concur with the Minister's response which is to say based on the advice I have, I have no concerns about any of his domestic activities.
JOURNALIST: I think the question actually is about the fellow who is locked up in China.
PRIME MINISTER: I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about the other issue, the names are very similar.
JOURNALIST: Given your frustration with the prosecutions here, do you think that his treatment - he's been shackled for interrogation - that your pursuit of more prosecutions in Australia could see more tit-for-tat?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Australia always has to stand up for our citizens and we have to be true to who we are as a people. And I, as is the Foreign Minister, are very concerned following the most recent consular access that we have had about the treatment and we have raised these issues consistently now for some time and we would like to see the issues about access to lawyers, about getting a clear enunciation of what the matter is that have been brought against the Australian citizen at the centre of this case, and, thirdly, that his access to family and treatment that would meet, you know, world standards is being provided to him. Now, the most recent consular access was a matter of great concern to me and the Foreign Minister and we will continue to make those representations on behalf of an Australian citizen.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, on Ensuring Integrity, do you share the view of your colleagues that Senator Hanson has somehow been cowed by the unions, especially in the shadow of the state election in Queensland next year?
PRIME MINISTER: The Attorney-General has made those comments last week. Look, I just deal with each Bill on its merits and I deal with the Senators as we deal with each case. A number of observations have been made about the events of last week. It was disappointing, it was disappointing that having been given those assurances that that was gone back on ultimately when the vote was taken. Those are the events of last week. I think they're all very transparent about what occurred there and the disappointments we had about how that was handled by One Nation. But we move on to the next issue. We'll be taking the Ensuring Integrity Bill forward again. It will come back into the House of Representatives this week after it goes back through Party Room this week, and we will take it forward because we believe in it. We believe that union thugs should not go on to building sites and threaten people or in any area of the workplace and be able to do that on and on and on and on and not face any expulsion from the industry for doing that. They should be. I put laws in place to do that to bankers. It should be in place to do that to union thugs too.
JOURNALIST: Do you agree with the Americans that your policy of stripping citizenship is counter-productive and that they should be brought back here and prosecuted?
PRIME MINISTER: I believe Australia's policy should be set in Australia's national interest and no-one else.
JOURNALIST: Are you prepared to accept the New Zealand offer in order to try to secure Jacqui Lambie's support for the repeal of the medivac law?
PRIME MINISTER: Our policies on those matters haven't changed.
JOURNALIST: Mr Dutton, you're a former police officer, would you have appreciated or taken a call from the Prime Minister into a matter that you're investigating?
THE HON. PETER DUTTON MP, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Well, you're talking about the dark ages when I was last a police officer. I had a lot of hair, weighed a lot less and it was a long time ago. I said at the time last week I thought the Prime Minister's call was entirely appropriate. The Prime Minister has obligations under the Ministerial Code of Conduct and the alternative view would have been that he didn't avail himself of the information and, therefore, he couldn't fulfil his obligation under the Ministerial Code of Conduct and you would have been critical of that. So I think his actions were entirely appropriate to make the enquiries. The Prime Minister pointed out at the time that Mr Fuller and the New South Wales police have responsibility for the investigation, nobody sought to impede that. Entirely an issue for them. But should the Prime Minister have made the call to get all of the facts to see whether or not he needed to act under Ministerial Code of Conduct? Absolutely. He did the right thing and I think that's been well-detailed.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Government has noted that the ageing population is putting new demands on the pension and the aged care system. Your department, Prime Minister and Cabinet, employs just one person over the age of 65. Should the Government and your department be doing more to employ older Australians?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes. Thank you.
Stepping up Australia's response against foreign interference
2 December 2019
Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Defence
Our Government is strengthening Australia’s response to the threat of foreign interference with a new taskforce to disrupt and deter anyone attempting to undermine our national interests.
The number one priority of our Government is to keep Australians safe which is why we’re investing $87.8 million for a new Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce. It highlights our focus on stepping up our efforts as the threats to Australia evolve.
The Taskforce will work in to the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator that we established last year in the Department of Home Affairs and expand the resources the Coordinator has at their fingertips. It will be led by a senior ASIO officer and bring together a new team of Australian Federal Police investigators and representatives from AUSTRAC, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organisation. The Office of National Intelligence will also support the Taskforce.
This is a boost to our ability to discover, track and disrupt foreign interference in Australia.
The increase in intelligence collection, assessment and law enforcement capabilities will help turn more intelligence assessments into operational disruptions to better protect Australians from foreign interference.
The new dedicated capability of the Taskforce will also increase the collaboration and streamline the decision-making between agencies, and strengthen Australia’s analysis of the sophisticated disinformation activities happening across the world, particularly against democratic processes and elections.
Importantly, this investment will deliver a new capability without detracting from agencies’ continued and necessary efforts on other security challenges.
Today’s announcement builds on the $38.8 million we’ve invested since 2018‑19 to counter foreign interference, which includes establishing a Foreign Interference Threat Assessment Centre in ASIO and funding to support criminal prosecutions under new foreign interference offences.
We have already taken significant steps to strengthen Australia’s capacity to defend against foreign interference, including through the package of legislation introduced in 2018.
We will continue to take strong action to deter acts of foreign interference as the threat evolves, defend against them when they occur, and uphold our laws.
https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42541
Government will protect religious freedoms by getting the law right
30 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
After further considering the hundreds of submissions that have been made to the Exposure Draft of the Religious Discrimination Act (RDA), the Government decided earlier this week to issue a revised and further exposure draft of the RDA Bill to reflect the Government’s response to the consultation to date and provide further opportunity for engagement.
This second and final exposure draft will be released before the end of the year, and will take account of issues raised and provide the opportunity to respond to the revisions made and fine tune the Bill before it is introduced next year.
Our Government takes the issue of discrimination against Australians for their religious beliefs very seriously. We made a commitment to Australians to address this issue at the last election and we are keeping faith with that commitment in a calm and considered process. We’re about listening and getting this right.
Recent statements by Labor seem to be opportunistically trying to derail and discredit this highly consultative and patient process. This is disappointing and betrays a lack of genuine commitment by Labor to the principle that Australians who hold sincere religious beliefs in this country deserve the same legal protections that are rightly provided in other areas such as gender and race. During the election Labor did not stand up for Australia’s many religious communities, and it seems nothing has changed.
Once the Bill is introduced to the Parliament there will also be the opportunity for further engagement through the normal parliamentary process.
Our Government will continue to proceed on the basis of good faith with a view to having a balanced and common sense Bill that protects the important religious freedoms that Australians can sadly no longer take for granted.
I would like to thank the Attorney General for leading this process, all parliamentary colleagues who have engaged sincerely in this process, especially my Government Members and Senators who represent a broad cross section of views, the many religious and non-religious bodies who have also engaged in this process, and Australians of faith and of no faith for the way they have raised issues in a constructive way that enables the Government to take this important agenda forward.
I thank everyone for their constructive patience on this issue and I am sure it will lead to a strong and enduring outcome.
Australia to Return Historic Indian Artefacts
27 November 2019
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Communications Cyber Safety and the Arts
The Australian Government will return three culturally significant artefacts during the Prime Minister’s visit to India in January 2020.
The artefacts, which were held by the National Gallery of Australia (Gallery), were purchased in good faith, but extensive research undertaken by the Gallery has led to its decision to voluntarily return these artefacts to India.
The artefacts being returned are:
Pair of door guardians (dvarapala) 15th Century, Tamil Nadu, India - (two works); and
The serpent king (Nagaraja) 6th to 8th Century, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, India.
“Like India, we understand the value of our ancient cultures and artefacts,” the Prime Minister said.
“The return of these artefacts is the right thing to do. This is another demonstration of the deep relationship between Australia and India.”
Both India and Australia are party to the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transport of Ownership of Cultural Property.
“The strong ties Australian and Indian institutions have made in recent years have helped develop important professional relationships and shared culture. The return of these artefacts also underscores the world’s debt to India’s magnificent culture, history and legacy,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said.
“Historic artefacts play a significant role in modern society by allowing communities to acknowledge and celebrate their shared history and culture. The National Gallery of Australia recognises this, and is strongly committed to the ethical collecting of cultural material and best practice collection management. I commend the Gallery for resolving these legacy issues,” the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said.
Criminal law proceedings are currently underway in India and the United States against former New York art dealer Mr Subhash Kapoor, from whom these artefacts were purchased. The Australian Government does not have any role in these proceedings.
Statement On Indulgence - Australian Bushfires
25 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
Mr Morrison: (Cook—Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service) (14:12): Over recent weeks, Australians have been responding to bushfires across the continent. Many of us here in this place have sat with those who have bravely fought them and who have tirelessly supported those who have been fighting these fires. We have sat, as I did with Owen Whalan up in Taree, and listened to their stories, held their hands and tried to offer words of comfort wherever we could. But mostly we've been simply amazed, once again, that in Australia's most difficult moments we always find the best of Australians in the way that they respond to these events.
I would like to update the House on the fires as we know them now and on recent action in relation to the fires as they have spread across the country. Dangerous fires in New South Wales continue to burn. More than 1.4 million hectares have been burnt. As of this morning, there are more than 60 fires burning. More than 1,900 firefighters and support personnel, along with 95 aircraft, have been battling these fires. Tragically, four people have lost their lives and dozens more have been injured, including those fighting the fires. Over the past two weeks more than 550 homes—not just buildings but homes—have been destroyed and nearly 1,000 more outbuildings.
In Queensland, fires are continuing to burn in the south-east. They have burnt through 183,000 hectares since September. Fifty-five fires are still burning across the state and 20 homes have been confirmed lost. More than 3,600 firefighters have been on the front line for more than two weeks, along with aircraft. Nearly 50 firefighters have sustained injuries, including the pilot of a water-bombing helicopter that crashed near Toowoomba. The situation is ever changing and a state of fire emergency has been declared across 42 local government areas.
In Victoria we've seen an easing in recent days following the catastrophic fire conditions of last Thursday. This easing should assist firefighters in coming days battle the fires as they continue to burn.
Last week parts of South Australia experienced catastrophic fire conditions. Sixteen houses have been destroyed along with 21 other structures and four firefighters were injured. While conditions have eased, fires continue to burn across southern parts of the state.
We are watching in Western Australia closely. Severe to extreme fire dangers are forecast today over southern and central fire weather areas.
The government, through Emergency Management Australia, is working very closely with its state and territory counterparts. I place on record my deep thanks and appreciation for all the premiers for working so closely with the Commonwealth, and I thank them each for their leadership in their respective states during these difficult times. We work in partnership, with everyone knowing their jobs and their responsibilities. It's no different at a government level than it is when you're out in the incident response centre or you're on the fire ground itself. Everyone needs to know what their job is and get it done.
I want to acknowledge the tremendous national effort taking place with firefighters travelling from every state, as well as from New Zealand and the United States. I've had the opportunity to thank both the President this morning and, of course, the Prime Minister of New Zealand earlier. We also thank those who have come from Canada to help where it is needed.
Fire-bombing aircraft have been in action against these fires. These are national assets and ensure the best possible aerial firefighting equipment is available to help Australians. As well, the RAF have transported firefighters and equipment to and from centres across the country. Disaster recovery assistance has been provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth and state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In New South Wales on the ground assistance is coming from the state government also. We're also providing extra financial assistance to the Australian Government disaster recovery payment. This is a non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for each child. There is also the disaster recovery allowance, which is a short-term income support payment to help those who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires. The disaster recovery payment has been activated in 14 local government areas in New South Wales and the allowance has been activated in 32 areas in New South Wales. Both of these payments are administered by the Department of Human Services.
Yesterday, in New South Wales, working with the state government, we announced $48.25 million in bushfire recovery package assistance for the North Coast, the Mid North Coast and the Northern Tablelands. This package includes $15,000 recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and an $18.25 million community recovery fund to fund community projects that stimulate the economy, build resilience and provide much needed mental health support as well.
In Queensland we're providing disaster recovery assistance, under the DRFA, in seven local government areas. This includes support for people suffering personal hardship to help with their immediate emergency needs, as well as things like concessional interest rate loans and freight subsidies for primary producers. We've also activated the disaster recovery payment, the AGDRP, and the Disaster Recovery Allowance, the DRA, for people affected by the Queensland fires. This is supported and administered by the Queensland government with whom we continue to work extremely closely.
I can report that every agency of the Commonwealth stands ready to help and has wherever they can. Across government the necessary plans and responses have been activated. The ATO has activated their community disaster rapid response group to support impacted taxpayers and communities. Taxpayers affected by the fires don't need to worry about their tax affairs. First things first, let's get them back on their feet. The Department of Health has been working with pharmacists regarding the supply of medicines to affected communities. The full resources of our defence forces have been available to assist when and where it has been requested. The Minister for Defence has directed and authorised all local base commanders to provide immediate assistance where it is required.
The work undertaken across Australia in recent weeks has been the result of painstaking preparation. I shudder to think of what might have occurred had we all not prepared accordingly. In a continent as big as ours it is not a question of if a national disaster hits but when, and fire particularly so, as has long been the case. Since the aftermath of Black Saturday, Commonwealth, state and territory governments have actively maintained a level of national preparedness that should reassure all Australians. Our preparedness for national disaster includes a $130.5 million investment by the Commonwealth over five years to reduce the risk and impact of disasters on Australians. As part of this work, $104 million is being distributed to states and territories under the new national partnership agreement on disaster risk reduction for investment initiatives that reduce disaster risk at the state and local levels.
As well, we have developed closely with state, territory and local governments a national Disaster Preparedness Framework to ensure we are positioned to effectively prepare for and manage these severe and catastrophic disasters. This framework is about a new national disaster capability so that people have access to the best information and guidance needed to make informed decisions, and I've seen this at work. I've seen this at work over these most challenging last few months.
Our support of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, an annual investment of $15 million, has provided highly specialised firefighting aircraft that is available to states and territories. In December last year, foreseeing that we would be seeing longer fire seasons, we added another $11 million on top of our annual investment. We've also invested in Emergency Alert, supporting the national telephone based warning system, and we invested over $6 million in the next generation of Australian fire danger rating systems to deliver more accurate and local risk messaging. Again, I've seen it in action.
Our efforts are all about working in partnership with the states and territories, particularly the fire and emergency service professionals. As the providers of police and emergency services, the states and territories take the lead, and we back them in on their capabilities. Of course all work in such dynamic environments can be improved, but I am incredibly proud of the progress and the effort that has been put in right across the country and led so ably by our state governments—preparing for the worst, wherever and whenever it may be, and called into action when it is required.
At times like this we need to remind ourselves of those fundamental truths, that while properties are lost, it's the lives of our families and our loved ones who ultimately matter the most. I am in awe of our countrymen and women who have all stepped up in this very recent time, as they always do: firefighters, volunteers, servicemen and women, community members and neighbours, as well as the businesses who enable those who need to volunteer to go to the aid of their community, and I particularly say thank you to them. Everyone has been playing their part. It has been a time when we've seen our nation's best at their best. We're prepared and we will continue to act.
I know, more broadly, there are debates about other issues, and they rightly have a place for debate in this country. They're important issues, but our focus now is on those directly affected by these fires on the ground, and they will continue to be our focus. That's where our effort will remain, and we thank all of those who have come to their aid.
Condolence - Ben Humphreys
25 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
Mr Morrison: (Cook—Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service) (14:00): I move:
That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 17 November 2019, of the Honourable Benjamin Charles Humphreys AM, a Member of this House for the Division of Griffith from 1977 to 1996, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.
When Ben Humphreys was first elected as the member for Griffith, in 1977, he had never been to Canberra and never set foot in Parliament House. After attending one of his first caucus meetings, he was taken aback—and forgive:
God, I thought all these blokes were mates down here.
In his words, he arrived in Canberra green, with a small 'g'. In 1977 there were only three Labor members in Queensland, and he believed he'd be a oncer. He wasn't, though; he was elected seven times.
He brought to this building and the one down the hill the life experiences that our country always needs. Ben's father was a veteran of the Great War. He suffered lifelong injuries after being run over by a horse-drawn artillery gun. He and his mother were regular visitors to the repat hospital in Brisbane. It was there he saw a hospital full of men struggling with painful ailments, lingering legacies from the Great War: chronic lung conditions from gas poisoning, kidney problems from trench nephritis, the lasting impacts of shrapnel wounds and gunner's deafness. The young Ben saw the suffering and he experienced the burden so often carried by families when the guns fall silent.
In the 1950s, aged 18, conscripted for national service, Ben joined the Navy. He then went on to train as a motor mechanic and then served with the Royal Australian Navy's fleet air arm as an airframe fitter. Later, he opened his own mechanic garage, and two of the blokes who helped him get that business off the ground were veterans from the Second World War. Ben's warmth and outgoing nature meant he made many friends far and wide. In time, his ability to gather people was seen as the right skill to help Labor in its rebuilding effort after 1975. That judgement was right, and in 1977 his seat was one of just two additional seats picked up by the Labor Party. Ten years later he was made veterans' affairs minister.
It was there that the lessons of his life guided his path. He developed a close friendship and relationship with Tim Fischer, and together they helped right the wrongs that were inflicted on our Vietnam War veterans. A motion ordering the service of our Vietnam veterans was passed, moved by Humphreys and seconded by Fischer. The welcome home parade was supported, and the arduous process of designing and completing a Vietnam Forces National Memorial here in Canberra was approved and completed. In 1990 he oversaw a project that will never be forgotten: to mark the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, 58 of the last surviving veterans were flown back to Gallipoli, with nine widows also accompanying them. It meant chartering a special Qantas 747, QF 1915, taking with them veterans, carers, junior legatees, nurses and doctors and the love and respect of a grateful nation. There has never been a flight like it, I imagine: four passengers in their 70s, eight in their 80s, 54 in their 90s and one passenger aged over 100. It was something very special for Australia. On return, Ben Humphreys said it all humbled him, and he was a very humble man.
Ben Humphreys was a substantive minister who helped ensure we kept our promise to the men and women who serve in our name. Tim Fischer once said Ben Humphreys genuinely had the wellbeing of the veterans first and foremost in his mind. Kevin Rudd, who was mentored by Ben, said he was a kind, gentle and good man. At the end of his time in parliament, Ben remarked that he should have struck a medal for his wife, Beryl. Instead, today we give her the thanks of the country for sharing Ben with us. Mr Speaker, I offer the heartfelt sympathy of this parliament and of our nation to Beryl, and to their grandchildren and to their children. Ben was a great Labor man and will be well respected for as long as there are days.
Press Conference - Parliament House, ACT
25 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, everyone. One of my first acts as Prime Minister was to call a Royal Commission into the aged care sector. And also to look specifically at the issues of young Australians who find themselves in aged care facilities around the country. I said at the time that I believed it would be a very uncomfortable exercise for all Australians as we listen to the stories and were shocked and disturbed at the treatment of our older Australians in their moments of greatest vulnerability. I think there are few families around the country, my own included, who are not unfamiliar with the difficult decisions that are made about relatives and loved ones who are placed into aged care facilities, whether those are residential facilities or they're accessing in home care. It's a very sensitive issue. And rightly so for all Australians. And in commissioning the Royal Commission, my intent was to ensure that we could shine quite a bright light, that we could learn deeply from the experiences and the practices that the Royal Commission was able to identify, and to assist us to deal with an issue which is not new. The Royal Commission's interim report, has talked about settings and processes and issues that are not new, that go back over many administrations, over a long period of time. But it befalls to our Government to be able to address the issues that are being identified out of the Royal Commission. And as we've had the interim response report from the Royal Commission, it is now our task to provide an immediate response to that Interim Report, as I promised I would do before the end of the year. Addressing the specific issues that they highlighted in that Interim Report. These responses together do go to those matters.
But I want to stress again that what we really need to establish above and beyond everything else is a culture of respect for older Australians. That this cultural change that has once again been highlighted I think by the Interim Report of the Royal Commission, that requires a broader response than just from governments, it is something that goes to each and every Australian home and family around the country. And so we will do our part as part of making that shift in that culture and also to do the practical things that are necessary now. Of course there will be further responses that will be made in this area. There’ll be further responses in the Budget. There will be further responses in respect of the final recommendations of the Royal Commission or other matters as they arise. Today's announcement is our immediate response to the matters that were highlighted by the Interim Report of the Royal Commission.
So let me run through these, there will be an additional funding package of $537 million provided to the health portfolio. That will address three priority areas. The first is investing just under half a billion dollars for an additional 10,000 home care packages. Secondly, there's just over $25 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home. There will be $10 million for an additional dementia training and support for aged care workers and providers, including to reduce the use of chemical restraint. And there will be additional funds, just $5 million to help meet new targets to remove younger people with disabilities from residential aged care and I stress that funding is in addition to the funding that already exists within the National Disability Insurance Scheme which I'll ask the Minister to speak of directly.
Now this work in terms of addressing the issues that were highlighted in the Interim Report of the Royal Commission, reflects work that is already under way and has been for some time now. Already we have increased the number of In Home Care Places by 44,000 since the 2018-19 Budget alone. At a cost of some $2.7 billion, including today's announcements. Already we have seen the number of young people in aged care facilities fall from 6,287 to 5,606 on the most recent information and there is further work to do there and the Minister will set out the works that we have in train to also address that goal. But before handing over to the Health Minister, I want to assure all Australians that we will deal with these issues as you would if you were standing in my shoes today. I know quite precisely the sorts of things that you are thinking about at the moment when it comes to the treatment of your loved ones in aged care. My family is no different to yours in that respect. And so I have a very deep understanding of the difficult decisions that you're having to make, the conversations you're having to have with the partners, husbands, wives of those loved ones going into care, other siblings. This is hard. And you just want to be assured that they're going to get the care. I want that as much for your family as I want it for mine. I want the response of our Government to have that same level of deep care and responsibility. Greg.
THE HON. GREG HUNT MP, MINISTER FOR HEALTH: Look, thank you very much, Prime Minister. Firstly to acknowledge the work of the royal commissioners. They have fearlessly examined the challenges that Australians face in providing for their later years. I acknowledge both Commissioner Briggs and particularly Commissioner Tracey who passed away. And he worked until his very latest days, whilst he was facing a terminal condition. He was determined to finish this report. In a way this Interim Report is his legacy. So I particularly want to acknowledge and thank them for that and for the fearless but constructive way in which they've gone about it. The Interim Report sets out as the Prime Minister said, three initial priorities. They are findings as opposed to recommendations, but we have acted on those priorities and findings. Firstly in relation to home care, we accept the views of the royal commission that there needs to be a fundamental reform to unify the home care and home support programs. That is a long-term reform which will bring about a very significant change. Tailored care for our older Australians, whether it's in home with lower needs or in home with higher needs. And we're going through a fundamental change already but this is an absolutely indispensable step forward to make this home care system something which will address the needs of every senior Australian. Secondly, as part of that, there is the immediate provision of 10,000 places. And those places are about ensuring that there's additional care and that is tailored to meet the capacity of the work force to expand. The commission was very, very clear on this, as was a previous royal commission about the need to expand the work force in line with the capacity for safety and quality and that's been a very important part of our deliberations on that front. And then as we do this we will also have a single assessment process. That then brings me to what we're doing in relation to dementia and medication management. The commission found there had been medication management used as a form of chemical restraint in circumstances. We immediately acted on the day of the report to have the safe and quality use of medicines raised through the COAG Health Council to be a national health priority for the first time. Now we are moving as of the first of January, to ensure that the medicine Risperidone is only available for a 12-week period without a subsequent approval. This is a very, very important step forward. Risperidone has been identified as an anti-psychotic which has been the subject of overuse and over prescription for chemical restraint purposes. We have worked with the PBAC, with the AMA, the College of GPs and with other parts of the medical and health profession. This will provide a break, a restraint and an oversight on the use of antipsychotics in our aged care homes to protect our residents. As well as that, as the PM mentioned, there will be $25 million for medication management to ensure more frequent medication management and $10 million to support the training of dementia workers in terms of aged care. So it will support them, be able to better provide for, better care for, and better take care of our senior Australians with dementia. Minister Robert will address in more detail what we're doing with younger Australians in aged care but the bottom line is that we're accepting the three goals which the royal commissioners have set out as being the new targets which Australia should embrace.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you. Richard?
SENATOR THE HON. RICHARD COLBECK, MINISTER FOR AGED CARE AND SENIOR AUSTRALIANS, MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORT: Thanks, PM. Just in respect of the new home care packages, as the Prime Minister and Minister Hunt has indicated, there's an additional 10,000 packages that will become available, commencing from the first of December this year. 5,500 packages in the first year. And that's at a cost of just under $500 million. So significant investment. And the additional work we're doing with respect to training staff and providing assistance for people in crisis with dementia care is also going to be extremely important. That's $10 million going to some existing programs that are currently receiving about $37 million a year. So that will bolster that work which builds on the work that we're already doing. And it's important to note, as the Prime Minister has, that we have put an additional 44,000 home care packages into the system since last year's Budget, at a cost of $2.7 billion. So not only do we recognise the need to act off the back of the Royal Commission's Interim Report, we have recognised that for a period of time. When we came to Government there were about 60,000 home care packages in the system. This additional investment will bring the figures for this year to 150,000. That is a significant increase in the capacity of the home care sector and the Royal Commission did note that the demand for home care packages has increased significantly as we've put additional capacity into the market. So just flooding the market with additional packages is not something that they recommended we do. But they said we wanted additional capacity and they did point to the need they do a couple of things. One is reform the way, change the way that the home care was delivered. But also to bring into place the single assessment process which prevents people cycling through a number of assessments as they require delivery of their home care packages.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Richard. Stuart?
THE HON. STUART ROBERT MP, MINISTER FOR THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME, MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Thanks, PM. As the Prime Minister says, the Government has fully embraced the interim recommendations of the Royal Commission in terms of meeting the younger persons in residential aged care targets who by 2022 no younger person under the age of 45 and no new younger people entering aged care and everyone out of aged care under the age of 65 by 2025. If that is their choice. The vast bulk of younger people in residential aged care are NDIS participants as of the 30th of June, 3,788 of them. They all have individual plans. A task force or joint agency task force has been set up between the Department of Social Services, the NDIA and Health to action these strong commitments and goals of removing younger people out of residential aged care. There are 40 staff already in there growing in the coming months to 80. We'll be working with all sectors of the economy, including service or specialist disability accommodation providers and providers of supported independent living to ensure these targets are met. Pleasingly, the last two years we've seen 11% reduction of Australians or younger Australians in residential aged care. In the last two years we've seen a 22% reduction in the quarter by quarter number of new people entering. So the work the Government is doing, and especially the NDIA, is starting to work and I'm looking forward now to finalising, in line with the Royal Commission recommendations.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you. Now I’m happy to take questions. Obviously this is an initial response. There is more to be done and more will be done. Let’s go to this announcement and then other matters, Phil?
JOURNALIST: Just asking in terms of the Budgetary impact, you announced the infrastructure spending last week and now the home care stuff today, you’ve announced the drought funding, is that a it now for significant new infrastructure in the MYEFO?
PRIME MINISTER: Well MYEFO will be in December and you can tune in then. These are the substantive items as you would expect them to be. MYEFO process hasn’t fully completed as of yet and ERC continues to meet and we'll continue to work on a range of issues but all of this will obviously be reconciled in the midyear statement. Mal?
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are there any further measures that might be appropriate to guarantee the financial stability of homes for the aged? There are some concerns that their viability in some areas and I think Mr Robert would be very aware of this, might be going down the gurgler. Is there anything the Government can do further?
PRIME MINISTER: There are some measures that we are currently working on with the Minister. Richard, you might want to comment on this. We're aware of specific cases where these viability questions arose. And we also need to acknowledge this is a sector that's also going through a lot of change. One of the most obvious findings, not just of what the interim report of the royal commission has determined, but frankly what is well known in the sector. Is that people when they're going into aged care now are going in for a shorter period of time. This is residential aged care, and requiring a much higher level need of service, dementia and so on. And so the funding and structure of these commercial centres and not for profit too, by the way, obviously is impacted by that change in how demand is finding its way into the system. A lot of facilities have been built on longest stay, lower care requirements. People off sometimes not choosing not to take those places up and stay at home and get an in home care place. So it's a sector going through a lot of structural change, as you'd expect. That's largely because of the choices Australians want to make. Let's not lose sight of this. The Government's job is to ensure that we're facilitating the choices that Australians want to have as they grow older. As their health care needs change, as their support needs change. It's not to run an institutional system. It's not an end in itself. The purpose is to help people with the choices they want to make about their future. And that means there’s some adjustment that takes place, that we have some measures that we think can assist individual circumstances but we are very cautious that we don’t set any negative incentives in how we might accommodate that. Richard?
MINISTER COLBECK: Just a couple of things, to make the point that today's announcement is very much about a response to the Royal Commission report, not about other things. So we're specifically responding to what the Royal Commission talked to us about in their interim report. Secondly we are also working at the moment on a new methodology for the remuneration of aged care facilities. So they've been paid under an instrument called ACFI that's been in place since about 2008. That's generally recognised as not being fit for purpose any longer. So we are now trialling a new model. That trial starts this week. It will be completed by the end of the first quarter next year. And that changes the way that we recompense aged care facilities much more on the basis of assessing the care needs of the individuals and then making payments to the facilities on that basis. So that's a new process that we're going through. And we will look to progress that so that we can bundle that in with other reforms as we get closer to the end of the Royal Commission process so that there is a larger single set of reforms that are going through. We're obviously aware of calls that have come from other parts of the sector right now. And as the PM, we're working on some options as to how we might handle those things on a specific business by business basis.
JOURNALIST: Just on getting the younger people out of residential homes, you said there was about 5,000 still in. What do you anticipate, would you, are you hoping to get the bulk of those out in the next year or will it sort of being evenly staged up to 2022?
MINISTER ROBERT: The targets we have agreed with the Royal Commission, which are their interim targets, is that all those under 45 – it’s about 170 Australians - out by 2022 and no new Australians going in, which means extensive work with ACAT as well as providers. And then ensuring the rest or the bulk of other Australians are out by 2025, where it is their choice to do so, noting that under the NDIS participants have choice and control. So there will be circumstances where younger people may wish to stay. A classic example would be a middle age Australian, with disability, who wants to stay with mum who's in a nursing home, would be a good example of where they may exercise that choice and control to stay.
PRIME MINISTER: It is also worth making the point, though, I think, Stuart, there are those who are in facilities that are in palliative care as well. There are a number of those. Those arrangements are obviously very sensitive. So when you look at this issue of younger people in aged care facility, not everybody is in the same set of circumstances. And what we want to do is respect the circumstances they’re in, and empower families to make choices and individuals more importantly to make choices about where they would like to be.
JOURNALIST: So where will they go? The 5,000 young disabled people from – will they go into other institutional care? Or will they go home?
MINISTER ROBERT: 3,788 are in 1,416 facilities across Australia. So we are working with disability providers and specialist disability accommodation providers to house them. So for example we right now have 3,500 specialist disability accommodation SDA houses. An increase of 89 per cent from last year, with 990 registered providers to build. So we will be working with all those 990 to identify bespoke housing options, to line up with bespoke NDIS plans that each of those participants have. In line with what the Prime Minister said remember there is 372 Indigenous Australians over the age of 50 who are currently in aged care. 11 per cent are in palliative care as well. So whilst the bulk is NDIS, it’s not the total.
PRIME MINISTER: There is a lot more investor interest going into the development of disability accommodation, particularly for young people. The Youngcare model, you have heard me talk about many times before, we have just been introducing taxation incentive arrangements that will support that type of investment. Because where you have an income support system going into disability care as well, that provides obviously a revenue stream for people's residences, which is something that investors can then go and develop those properties. We're seeing some, I think, fantastic interest in that. That's going to grow into the future, which is tremendous.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what assurances can you give Australians that its political system, its very Parliament, hasn't been infiltrated or sabotaged by Chinese operatives?
PRIME MINISTER: I will come to that. I want to make sure we’ve addressed all the aged care issues that people would like to raise?
JOURNALIST: In the report there is a great deal of emphasis on chemical restraint. You are talking about training people to stop the misuse of chemical constraints. Is there any aspect of policing to ensure the - reassure the public that chemical restraints will actually be – or the misuse of them - will be detected in institutions?
PRIME MINISTER: Greg did you want to answer that?
MINISTER HUNT: A very important part of the medication management is ensuring that there is monitoring. So, what we see is, of course, that each person has a different medication regime, and dementia, by its nature, in some cases can lead to behaviours related to self-harm, or uncontrollable physical violence. What we have to do is two things. One is to ensure that a person is able to get the right medication for them, and that's where we have both the medication regime for individuals, which is $25.5 million going into that, and then, secondly, where we now specifically have for the first time the authorisation for any extended period beyond 12 weeks of anti-psychotic use of Risperidone. So that is an external verification program. That's been quite a challenge for some in the medical community. But I want to thank the AMA and College of GPs for their support. It is a big change. But they have accepted and embraced it.
JOURNALIST: You have said today on this announcement obviously on the Interim Report, there is more to do. Obviously, the Government has to get the final report of the Royal Commission. I’m interested in general terms whether or not - given you have said today the aged care sector is in a period of transition - and the Minister mentioned there's a change to the funding model. Do you see the Government at the end of this process looking at the same aged care system that exists today and tweaking it here and there, topping up funding here and there, or do you envisage the Government will propose something quite different from what exists today?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what I envisage is over the next 12 months the Royal Commission will do its job and I think the Royal Commission will establish, I think, a very strong cause for action and will guide us very significantly in the scale of that change. What I can assure Australians is we're up for that. I wouldn't have called this Royal Commission if I wasn't up for dealing with the - what I knew would always be the significant ramifications of what would come forward. I think it is necessary to have the Royal Commission process, which I think sets the ground for making that sort of scale of change. How large those changes are, it's too early to say. But one thing I won't do is proceed in an incautious way. What we need to do is, I think, be informed by the advice we're getting. We're already investing a billion more in aged care every year. We’re already doing that. I mean you heard the figures from Richard. From 60,000 in home care places to 150,000 on our watch. The demands will change too. We need to understand that into the future. And the training and skills requirements of those working in the sector, and where - that is a huge part. If it was just as simple of funding a whole bunch of new places and everybody would be alright, well, that’s not what we're faced with. Because the system itself has to be able to gear up to respond to those challenges and we need to make the changes to the system so it can actually absorb and make best use of this new support. So, I echo what Greg said in thanking the commissioners. They are doing what I asked them to do, and that is to set the platform, to ensure that we can have lasting change for a new generation.
JOURNALIST: PM, it is time for security vetting of MPs and Ministers?
PRIME MINISTER: On what basis?
JOURNALIST: On the basis of allegations that Chinese and perhaps other overseas interests are trying to influence and infiltrate our Parliament?
PRIME MINISTER: What Australia has done under our Government is to strengthen the legal regime, to strengthen both the integrity and capacity of our intelligence and our law enforcement agencies, and to ensure the Government is informed through the National Security Committee on the impacts of foreign interference like no government has ever been advised and informed before. Significant investment, significant legal reform, significant resourcing, finding the best people in the world to do these jobs, and keep us equipped to keep Australians safe and to protect the Australia that we love - that's the assurance I give Australians.
JOURNALIST: Are you surprised at how aggressive the Chinese Communist Party has been in its attempts to interfere in our democracy?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I will make a more general comment. I mean, a range of allegations have been made. The Director-General of intelligence - of sorry - ASIO has issued a statement, which says that these matters were already under examination and that will continue. So I'm not going to draw any conclusions about that one way or the other, as is appropriate. What I can say is Australia is not naive to the threats that it faces more broadly. And I mean more broadly. More broadly. And that's why we strengthen the laws, that’s why we increased the resources, that's why we established the Department of Home Affairs to bring together all of this in a single portfolio, to ensure Australia was in the best possible position to deal with any threats that come our way broadly. Or specifically.
JOURNALIST: These laws have been in place for 18 months now. You talked about the resources. The former Director-General of ASIO raised the point in his farewell annual report that it's going - foreign interference is going on at unprecedented rates. When we are we going to actually start seeing some arrests, some expulsions of diplomats and what not?
PRIME MINISTER: Well one has already, one had his visa cancelled and he wasn't allowed to return to Australia quite recently. That happened under our watch. I'm not sure if you're familiar with that case. But what I am referring to is that the resources and the regime has been put in place to do its job, and any improvements, any additional matters that we would need to look at, on the basis of advice to address that, and the government would obviously - based on our record and our form - we would do that. So, these laws and these resources - and these institutions - are world-class. I mean, when I speak to other leaders, they look at our laws and they say, "We want more of what they are having", when it comes to protecting their countries. They want the integration that we have between our agencies. They want the legal frameworks that we've had that the courage to establish, and defend, and defend in response to criticism of those laws. So, I can assure Australians - our Government will never be lacking on the watch when it comes to protecting Australia's legitimate interests in this area.
JOURNALIST: The Chief of the Defence Force has also described this as a kind of grey zone warfare, which is another term that we hear about. Do we have the spending of our defence and intelligence money right? We're spending a lot on big kit. Perhaps is there more to be done on the home front, do you think, in terms of resources that could be devoted to these organisations, which are pursuing this kind of interference?
PRIME MINISTER: When I refer to the investment we have made in agencies and resources, I'm not excluding the work of our ADF and the ASD and other important agencies. They are very much part of our planning, our preparations. They have been integral to the work that we have already done. You mentioned the previous Director-General of ASIO. He was monumentally involved in setting up the very systems to ensure Australia is protected against whatever threats may come at us right now. And so I'm not surprised he would make those remarks, because they were the same remarks he would make when he would be advising and recommending action which we adopted.
JOURNALIST: You have spoken about the broad threats that Australia faces. Could you, perhaps, comment on the specifics of this allegation that China tried to infiltrate the political party that you lead in order to corrupt, in a way, Australia's democracy?
PRIME MINISTER: I find the allegations deeply disturbing and troubling. And I refer you to the Director-General's statement, which said that these matters were already under investigation, and those investigations are continuing. I would caution anyone leaping to any conclusions about these matters. And that's why we have these agencies. I'm not. But I do find the allegations troubling and disturbing.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister will you grant the alleged spy asylum if the agencies find that it’s warranted, regardless of any threats of retribution from our biggest trading partner?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think we have to separate the issues here. Asylum claims are assessed on their merits, through an independent process which is run through the Department of Home Affairs by the relevant officials. And that is the same case for this person, or anyone else who might make such a claim. That claim would be assessed about what they would be - a reasonable fear of persecution in their home country. If they were to make judgements along these lines, that would necessarily mean that any allegations they've made, were true or untrue, it would just simply go to the specific circumstances of that individual. Now, I expect the department to make their decisions in the ordinary course of events, and they will do that. And we will honour our obligations, as we always do, under the Refugee Convention.
JOURNALIST: Was this matter raised when you spoke to Donald Trump this morning?
PRIME MINISTER: I don't go into my private conversations with the President. What I can say though- but I thank you for the question about speaking to President Trump this morning. It was a great opportunity to say thank you to the President for the amazing work done to get Tim Weeks out and to get him on his way home. We appreciate the tremendous work they’ve done in relation to that case. We work with them on many such cases. He was also very interested to know how we were going in relation to the terrible bushfires in Australia. He was very aware of that, and had been very impressed by the firefighting efforts of Australians, and I also thanked him for the participation of our friends from the United States - as we do from all of the other countries - who are participating and helping us. So that was another good opportunity. We talked broadly about strategic issues in the region, like we always do, because we both have a keen interest in those. And - so that was pretty much a good summary -
JOURNALIST: So he didn’t raise it and neither did you?
PRIME MINISTER: I think I’ve answered the question, and in a way I was happy to do it.
JOURNALIST: Have you spoken to Tim Weeks since his release?
PRIME MINISTER: I haven't spoken to Tim as yet, but I have spoken to his family. They were very grateful. Very, very grateful.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister can you guarantee the safety of Mr Wang and his family while his asylum claim is processed?
PRIME MINISTER: Well he's in Australia. He's in Australia. And we have the rule of law in Australia. And as a result then you can expect the same protections to apply to anyone who is living in our country, whether on a visa or any other arrangement. I've made it pretty clear that the Director-General of ASIO has issued a statement on this matter about how it's being handled, and that's exactly how it should be handled. So, I can assure Australians that under our Government, the resources have never been stronger, the laws have never been tougher, and the Government has never been more determined to keep Australians free and safe from foreign interference. Thank you very much.
Response to Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report
25 November 2019
Prime Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Morrison Government is taking strong action to respond to the three priority areas identified in the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Interim Report released on October 31, by increasing home care packages, reducing chemical restraints, and getting younger people out of residential aged care.
The Royal Commission’s interim report is clear - as a country, the Government, the Aged Care Sector and the entire Australian community, we can and must do better in providing improved support for our older Australians.
We will deliver a $537 million funding package to respond to the Interim Report, across the identified three priority areas, including;
investing $496.3 million for an additional 10,000 home care packages;
providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home, and new restrictions and education for prescribers on the use of medication as a chemical restraint;
delivering $10 million for additional dementia training and support for aged care workers and providers, including to reduce the use of chemical restraint; and
investing $4.7 million to help meet new targets to remove younger people with disabilities from residential aged care.
Increasing the number of Home Care packages
The additional 10,000 home care packages will be focused on the Royal Commission’s identified areas of need and is strongly weighted towards level 3 and level 4 packages, which provide a high level of care.
These packages will be rolled out from 1 December 2019.
Since the 2018-19 Budget, the Government has invested $2.7 billion in 44,000 new home care packages.
We have also more than doubled the number of home care packages available to a record 150,412 this financial year, up from 60,308 in 2012-13 under Labor.
Better medication management and dementia training
The Royal Commission has identified an over-reliance on chemical restraint in aged care, therefore from 1 January 2020, we will also establish stronger safeguards and restrictions for the prescribing of repeat prescriptions of risperidone.
Doctors will still be able to prescribe it but will be required to apply for additional approval if risperidone is to be prescribed beyond an initial 12 week period. These changes have been developed following recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, and in collaboration with doctor’s groups and the broader health sector.
Education resources for prescribers will also be developed to support the appropriate use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care and targeted letters will be sent to high prescribers.
Funding for medication management programs will be increased by $25.5 million, including support for pharmacists to ensure more frequent medication reviews can occur.
The Royal Commission directed that restraint must only be used as a last resort, and amendments to regulations will make this clear.
The Government is also providing an additional $10 million over two years from 2019–20 to increase dementia training and support for aged care workers and health sector staff.
This will better equip them to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, deliver best practice dementia care and comply with the new standards for reducing the use of physical and chemical restraints in aged care.
We have also responded immediately to the Royal Commission’s findings on antipsychotics in aged care facilities by declaring “Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety” a National Health Priority.
Younger people in residential aged care
In March, the Government announced the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Action Plan. Since this time there has been a reduction in the number of younger people in residential aged care, including a decline in the number of younger people entering the aged-care system.
However, in response to the Royal Commission, the Government will strengthen the initial targets of the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Action Plan.
The new targets, apart from in exceptional circumstances, will seek to ensure there are;
No people under the age of 65 entering residential aged care by 2022;
No people under the age of 45 living in residential aged care by 2022; and
No people under the age of 65 living in residential aged care by 2025.
The Government will invest $4.7 million to help remove young people from residential aged care and further support these goals by:
establishing a Joint Agency Taskforce (JATF) between the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to develop a new strategy that builds on the Action Plan and takes action to ensure these new targets are met;
establishing a specialist team within the NDIA to prevent younger people with a disability who are eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme from entering aged care. The specialist team will grow to 80 complex support needs planners by end March 2020 to find suitable accommodation and match participants to vacancies;
working with industry to identify all available Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living supports across the country to develop a database of existing and new housing options available now and in the future; and
undertaking a detailed analysis of younger people currently living in aged care, as well as up to 2,000 young people at risk of entering aged care, to better inform new policies and pathways to find alternate accommodation.
Building on longer term reforms
These measures will complement the major reforms the Morrison Government has been undertaking to improve standards, oversight, funding and transparency in the care of older Australians.
In line with the long-term direction as identified by the Royal Commission, we will also progress further measures, including;
providing simpler aged care assessments by creating a single assessment workforce and network; and
establishing a single unified system for care of our elderly in the home.
We will unify the Home Care and Commonwealth Home Support Programs, in line with the Royal Commission’s direction to deliver a seamless system of care, tailoring services to the needs of the individual.
These changes will be guided by the final recommendations of the Royal Commission and will have the goal of improving care and ending the wait for home care packages.
Simplifying the system for consumers
The Government will streamline assessment by creating a single assessment workforce and a single network of assessment organisations that are able to undertake all aged care eligibility assessments.
This will help people to be connected to care sooner, reduce duplication and inefficiencies, and stop a revolving door of assessments where vulnerable older people get sent to multiple organisations depending on the programs for which they are eligible.
Key reforms continue
The Royal Commission’s final report is due on 12 November 2020, however the Government’s rigorous oversight of the sector and reform program continues.
The Government has established a new independent aged care watchdog in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, upgraded Aged Care Quality Standards and introduced regulations to minimise the use of restraints, and we are developing a Serious Incident Response Scheme.
The Government is also expanding the powers of the Commission, with the new Commissioner responsible for the approval of aged care providers, compliance and enforcement actions in relation to the care being provided, and the administration of the responsibilities of approved providers to report assaults.
While we undertake these reforms we will continue to deliver record funding for older Australians of $21.7 billion in 2019-20, growing to an estimated $25.4 billion in 2022-23, up from $13.3 billion in 2012-13.
There will be more work to do across aged care as we continue to listen and respond to the issues raised by the Royal Commission.
Like every Australian, we were appalled by the revelations of the Interim Report, however we will do everything we can to build an aged care system of the highest quality.
Monaro Highway upgrade funding brought forward
25 November 2019
Prime Minister, Acting ACT Chief Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure, ACT Minister for Roads and Active Travel
Residents of South Canberra and Tuggeranong will benefit from an acceleration of funding for upgrades to the Monaro Highway.
The $200 million project which is being jointly funded by both governments, includes widening works and targeted safety upgrades to bust congestion along the corridor.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical infrastructure projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s plan for a stronger economy meant critical road project work could be brought forward as part of the Government’s $100 billion pipeline.
The Prime Minister said fast-tracking $30 million for the Monaro Highway to the 2020-21 financial year would help to expedite upgrades which increase safety, improve freight productivity and boost tourism.
“By bringing funding forward, we can get on with our infrastructure commitments like the Monaro Highway upgrade which will cut travel times and increase road safety while driving more jobs in the ACT,” the Prime Minister said.
“Delivering critical road and rail projects sooner, as part of our $100 billion infrastructure pipeline, is responsible and considered economic management in partnership with the states and territories.”
Acting ACT Chief Minister Yvette Berry said it was important that the Australian Government contribute funding to infrastructure projects that benefit people living in the national capital and wider region. The ACT Government has also agreed to bring forward $15 million of its contribution to allow the first $45 million of major works to commence construction in the 2020-21 financial year.
“The ACT Government has detailed a 10-year, $14 billion Infrastructure Plan to provide services and jobs to our community, and to grow our regional economy,” Minister Berry said.
“We’re focused on maintaining the Capital as a great place to live, work and visit and so this funding from the Australian Government is welcome.
“The ACT Government has agreed to bring forward $15 million of its contribution to allow the first $45 million of major works to commence construction in the 2020-21 financial year and receiving the Australian Government funding sooner will better support planning and expedite construction for the jointly funded project.
“Completing the upgrades between Royalla Drive and Williamsdale Road and upgrades to the Old Cooma Road intersection in time for the 2020 ski season will help keep Canberrans safe on the roads.
“It is fantastic that the upgrades between Royalla Drive and Williamsdale Road, and upgrades to the Old Cooma Road intersection will now be complete in time for the 2020 ski season,” Minister Berry said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government recognises the need for key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible.
“Not only are we bringing forward $30 million for the $200 million Monaro Highway Upgrade, we are also investing in the Barton Highway, Kings Highway and the William Slim Drive Duplication,” Mr McCormack said.
“These upgrades will improve connectivity for freight and commuters, slashing travel times and getting people home sooner and safer.”
ACT Minister for Roads and Active Travel Chris Steel said he was especially pleased that the accelerated federal funding will get the Monaro Highway Upgrade done sooner for Canberrans.
“The upgrades will keep Canberrans moving by removing at grade intersections to improve safety, traffic flow and speed along the Monaro, between Isabella Drive and Hindmarsh Drive,” Minister Steel said.
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said he was delighted to see the upgrades moving forward, after campaigning for funding to fix congestion and safety issues on the Monaro since 2016.
“In 2016, I committed $1 million to a scoping study into easing congestion for Canberrans on the Monaro and was thrilled to be able to deliver $100 million last year to carry out the recommendations of the study, a commitment I’m pleased has been matched by the ACT Government,” the Senator said.
Project funding brought forward:
$30 million for the $200 million Monaro Highway Upgrade project
Brought forward funding to flow from 2020-21 to expedite construction;
Total cost of the project is $200 million;
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $100 million ($30 million brought forward to 2020-21);
The ACT Government will contribute its first $15 million in 2020-21;
The ACT Government total contribution to the project is $100 million;
$184 million boost to the NT economy
25 November 2019
Prime Minister, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
Critical infrastructure upgrades that improve connectivity for rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory will be brought forward under a $184 million package.
The projects, which include the Outback Way, the Mango Industry Roads upgrades in Litchfield, and upgrades along the Adelaide River to Wadeye road corridor will provide better and more reliable freight links, and keep drivers safer on the Territory’s roads.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical infrastructure projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering critical road projects sooner, as part of a $100 billion pipeline, was a key part of the Government’s plan for a stronger economy.
The Prime Minister said more than $84 million of the new package would be spent in the next 18 months as part of an overall commitment of more than $2.4 billion investment in Territory infrastructure since the 2013 election.
“By bringing funding for these important projects forward, we will drive jobs, boost the Northern Territory economy, reduce travel times and make roads safer,” the Prime Minister said.
“By getting these projects moving, the Territory benefits by getting goods to market more efficiently, improving connectivity and road safety, particularly during severe weather events, in rural and remote communities.
“Delivering critical road and rail projects sooner, as part of our $100 billion infrastructure pipeline, is responsible and considered economic management in partnership with the states and territories – not a knee-jerk reaction.”
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner said the Territory was ready to go with delivery of these important projects.
“We welcome the Australian Government’s recognition of the challenges facing the Northern Territory as it plans investments in infrastructure projects,” Mr Gunner said.
“I am pleased to see an early injection of funding that will help us to deliver important upgrades to roads infrastructure across the Territory. This investment builds on the NT Government’s ongoing construction, tourism and housing stimulus programs.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the package included agreement to move ahead with the delivery of work the Northern Territory Government has indicated is ready to proceed.
“With these measures, the Liberal and Nationals Government has shown it is listening to states and territories and working cooperatively with them to deliver infrastructure projects,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Australian Government is investing heavily in key roads across the Territory that are vital to improved safety and supporting the economy through improved connectivity to the regions and to our markets.
“The Government recognises the need for these key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible.”
Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said she was pleased funding was being brought forward to deliver these projects for Territorians.
“These projects will benefit the Territory’s economy by improving regional freight roads such as the Mango Industry Roads in Litchfield, as well as improving the quality of life for Territorians, including the many Indigenous communities, that live in remote regions of the Northern Territory”, Ms Lawler said.
“We will continue to work with the Australian Government to deliver other nationally significant infrastructure projects to further open up economic development in the Territory.”
Project funding brought forward:
$91.7 million for upgrades on the Alice Springs to Darwin road corridor, including the Mango Industry Roads upgrades in Litchfield;
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three years after previously being allocated beyond the forward estimates.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $73.4 million and the Northern Territory Government contribution is $18.35 million ($91.7 million brought forward).
$54.3 million for the Adelaide River to Wadeye road corridor;
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three years after previously being allocated beyond the forward estimates.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $43.5 million and the Northern Territory Government contribution is $10.8 million ($54.3 million brought forward).
$37.5 million for upgrades on the Outback Way;
Funding to flow in 2021–22 after previously being allocated beyond the forward estimates.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $30 million and the Northern Territory Government contribution is $7.5 million ($37.5 million brought forward).
More than $173 million boost for Tasmanian jobs and the economy
25 November 2019
Prime Minister, Premier of Tasmania, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Infrastructure projects across Tasmania will be brought forward under a more than $173 million package that will boost the state’s economy by driving more jobs and supporting the local tourism and agricultural industries.
The package includes an acceleration of funding for critical upgrades to the Bass and Midland Highways, the Port of Burnie Shiploader, and the Hobart Airport Interchange.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical road projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering critical road projects sooner, as part of the Government’s $100 billion pipeline, was responsible and considered economic management.
The Prime Minister said more than $95 million of the new package would be spent in the next 18 months as part of an overall commitment of more than $2.7 billion investment in Tasmanian infrastructure since the 2013 election.
“We’re continuing to work with the Hodgman Liberal Government to bust congestion and support jobs and the Tasmanian economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“We’ve identified projects that are shovel-ready and are getting them moving so Tasmanians can benefit from better infrastructure and the jobs and investment that come with it.
“Delivering critical road and rail projects sooner, as part of our $100 billion infrastructure pipeline, is responsible and considered economic management, in stark contrast to Labor’s daily calls of panic and crisis in their attempt to blow the Budget.”
Premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman said the Australian and Tasmanian Governments had a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road and rail projects.
“Whether it’s securing city-shaping investments through the Hobart to Launceston City Deals, investing in safer Midland Highway or upgrading our regional freight rail network, our governments are working together to get it done,” the Premier said.
“We’re accelerating Federal and State funding for important projects such as the Bass Highway and the Hobart to Sorell corridor under our plan to invest in the infrastructure our growing state needs.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government was investing heavily in key roads in regional Tasmania that are vital to improved safety and supporting the economy through improved connectivity to the regions and markets.
“The Government recognises the need for these key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible,” Mr McCormack said.
“That is why we are bringing forward $46.4 million for the Bass Highway corridor through our Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, allowing priority works to get underway between Marrawah and Wynyard, and between Cooee and Wynyard.
“We are also bringing forward $41.9 million to accelerate Midland Highway projects including safety upgrades to the Spring Hill and Melton-Mowbray to Lovely Banks sections.”
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Australian Government was investing heavily in congestion-busting projects in the state.
“Accelerating funding to the Hobart to Sorell corridor will help us get work underway from early 2020 on the congestion-busting Hobart Airport Interchange, which will reduce delays on this busy section of the Tasman Highway and improve access to and from the state’s primary tourist gateway,” Mr Tudge said.
“Today is all about the strong partnership with the Tasmanian Government, with whom we have partnered – alongside local councils – to deliver the Hobart and Launceston City Deals.
“The City Deals are 10-year plans to support the productivity and livability of both cities to maximise their future economic potential.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said fast-tracking of the Australian Government funding for the Port of Burnie Shiploader will prioritise replacement of the existing 50-year-old unit.
“Investing in the Port of Burnie Shiploader will increase productivity in ship loading rates and secure the minerals export supply chain out of the Burnie port,” Mr Ferguson said.
“This is part of Trance 3 of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation, which is supporting Tasmania’s world-class industries and producers right across the state.
“The Tasmanian Government is well placed to deliver these road and rail projects and has been undertaking necessary project planning in anticipation of this funding announcement.”
Project funding brought forward:
$46.4 million for Bass Highway Corridor improvements, including Marrawah to Wynyard and Cooee to Wynyard
Funding to flow from 2020-21 and over the next three financial years to enable the commencement of works after the majority of funding was previously allocated beyond 2021-22.
Total Australian Government contribution to the project is $100 million, in addition to the $40 million contribution from the Tasmanian Government.
$45 million for the Hobart to Sorell Corridor, including the Hobart Airport Interchange
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three financial years to enable the commencement of works after the majority of funding was previously allocated beyond 2020-21.
Total Australian Government contribution to the project is $130 million, in addition to the $32.5 million contribution from the Tasmanian Government.
$41.9 million for the Midland Highway Upgrade, including upgrades at Spring Hill and Melton Mowbray to North of Lovely Banks
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three financial years to enable the continuation of works after the majority of funding was previously allocated beyond 2022-23.
Total Australian Government contribution to the project is $400 million, in addition to the $100 million contribution from the Tasmanian Government.
$40 million for the Port of Burnie Shiploader
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2021-22 under Tranche 3 of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation program.
This project is fully funded by the Australian Government.
Radio Interview with Neil Mitchell - 3AW
22 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
NEIL MITCHELL: Prime Minister, good morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning Neil, happy birthday for yesterday. I won't sing, if that's all right.
MITCHELL: Thank you very much. Prime Minister, can I start with China? First, the US President’s about to sign legislation passed by Congress supporting the Hong Kong protesters. China's responded, threatening retaliation. Do we support the US or China?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we don't have to make these choices. I mean, we have a direct relationship with China. We have a direct relationship with the United States. The situation in Hong Kong is very concerning. And we have many Australians who obviously live in Hong Kong and many Australians who have family who live in Hong Kong. And we've been urging restraint and patience. And at the end of the day, it's a matter for the Hong Kong administration to deal with the civil issues there. Our interventions, overt or otherwise don't necessarily help that situation. And so we still maintain hope for some sort of peaceful resolution. But for the people of Hong Kong, this is very, very difficult. I know there are a lot of Australians are very concerned about that, and so am I and the Foreign Minister.
MITCHELL: You don't think the US involvement, won't help?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the exercise here is to ensure that you can restore order on the ground with the civil authorities in Hong Kong. I mean, in the same way, if there were massive protests in any other country, it’s their country's responsibility to sort that out -
MITCHELL: Yeah but the US is willing to undertake - the US is willing to take a stand. Why aren't we?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have taken a very strong position in terms of how we would like to see this resolved. And we've urged that restraint. And that's what we've done when we've had discussions in that area. And we think that's the most constructive way to bring about a resolution to this. And we certainly hope there is. But it is deeply troubling and concerning for the people of Hong Kong. And we look forward to the Hong Kong administration being able to resolve it.
MITCHELL: Still on China, former head of ASIO Duncan Lewis says the Chinese government's trying to take over Australia's political system through insidious foreign interference operations. And they're his words. Do you accept there’s a structured effort by China to infiltrate Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, when Duncan was in the job, I mean, he worked closely with our Government over many years to ensure that we had the most robust and well-resourced system of protections and legal systems to protect Australia's democracy and to ensure that we could maintain the integrity of our system from any and all sort of threats. And that applies globally. And that's exactly what we're doing. Our position, our laws, our resources, our agencies have never been better cast. And I got to say, Duncan played a huge role in getting us in that position.
MITCHELL: Well, do you accept, as he says, that there is a structured effort by the Chinese Government to infiltrate Australia's political system?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, all I'll say is, and I'll say this very assuredly that we have all the systems in place and we have the legal system in place to ensure that Australia's interests are always protected. But I don't go into running commentaries about where these things come from or why.
MITCHELL: But there is a growing tension with China, isn’t Australia heading to the point where it's going to have to take a stand, it’s a moral stand?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have a direct relationship with China. I only met- sat down with Premier Li Keqiang the other day and we both talked about the need for our relationship to improve and to use the relationship we have through a very structured partnership to improve that relationship. And that is across many levels, not just at the economic level. I mean, we work with China in the Pacific on healthcare to deal with major disease issues in the South Pacific. We work with them on on the counter trafficking issues and counter-terrorism issues, trans-national crime. So the relationship is quite broad. And I don't find it's ever helped by focussing on the issues in the relationship and the difference between the two systems. Neil, and we sort of talked about this later. I said very plainly to the Chinese and they said the same thing. We're not looking to adopt their system and they're not looking to adopt ours.
MITCHELL: But Prime Minister, we've concentration camps there. We've got an Australian citizen effectively held without charge. Did you raise those with him?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes.
MITCHELL: What was his reaction to, an Australian citizen effectively-
PRIME MINISTER: I don’t go in to private conversations, but what I do say and these issues have been regularly raised in all our engagements as they should be in the proper processes. And that's where we do it. And we don't step back from who we are or what we're about or our democracy and what that democracy requires of us in terms of standing up for our values-
MITCHELL: But it is a moral, is a moral clash with China inevitable here? Because the morality, morality under which they're operating at the moment seems significantly different to ours?
PRIME MINISTER: We're two different countries with two different systems. And I don't think that's of any great surprise to anyone. What matters is that we hold true to our system. What they do is a matter for them. They're a sovereign country.
MITCHELL: Well, even if they're running concentration camps, it's a matter for them?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's why we raise these issues with them. This is why we joined with 30 other countries through the United Nations, including the United States to condemn those actions. So it's not like Neil, that these matters aren't raised, haven't been raised and that we haven't spoken about them. Of course we have. But at the same time, there's a bigger relationship here, which we continue to pursue.
MITCHELL: On to the roads issue, and this is related to the roads issue, the OECD says the economy is weak. Higher taxes, low wage growth. When you look at that background, we’ll get to the roads in a moment. People are hurting. What hope can you offer average Australians? I mean wages growth isn't gonna return soon is it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well the way it will return, and wages growth is up 0.6 per cent real over the last year, and that's higher than it was when we came to government. But the other thing that the OECD figures show is they've actually lifted their forecasts for Australia from what they previously said for next year. And what they said was that there needed to be that structural investment in the economy, which is exactly what we've been about and -
MITCHELL: But they also say the economy is weak?
PRIME MINISTER: -we’ve been working on for the last six months.
MITCHELL: But they also say the economy is weak, they say it’s weak don’t they?
PRIME MINISTER: Well compared to other countries around the world, that is not the assessment. I mean, we've had Germany, we've had Singapore, we've had South Korea, United Kingdom all have negative quarters recently. And in this calendar year, our economy is growing by half a per cent in both of the first two quarters of this year. And the figures for the third quarter will come out in December. So Australia is facing economic challenges. We've never walked away from that. I acknowledge that openly. That's why we put the tax relief in place. That's why we've brought forward the infrastructure spending. That's why take the NDIS, for example, over this year and next year, we'll see. I think about 170,000 extra people come into that system, which will see an extra I think about $9 billion dollars invested in that service provision. So there's a lot of investment happening, but we're not putting up taxes. The budget's in surplus.
MITCHELL: Yeah well, they do criticise the taxes though- they say restrictive taxes like the GST, real estate, stamp duty, land taxes need to be reviewed. Now, I know some of those are state taxes, but they need to be reviewed?
PRIME MINISTER: Well the OECD and other international agencies have been telling us we should put up the GST. Well, I don't agree with them. We're not going to do that.
MITCHELL: Okay. What about lifting Newstart, that will get some money into the economy?
PRIME MINISTER: Newstart goes up twice a year.
MITCHELL: What about a substantial rise in Newstart? Would you look at that?
PRIME MINISTER: My priorities are what we discussed last time on the program and that is responding to the aged care needs, to ensure the NDIS is fully funded, to ensure we're responding to the needs of our veterans, to bring forward infrastructure spending as we've just done, and to ensure that we're not increasing taxes, and we're paying down debt. They’re the priorities I've set out and they're the ones that have the first call on the Budget. And of course, above and beyond all of that is the significant increase in investment we've made to respond to the drought. I mean, since the election we’ve tripled our response to $1 billion dollars just since the election, and that's in the grants and payments that doesn't include the two year interest free loans of $1 billion dollars that we have available farmers and rural communities.
MITCHELL: So Newstart doesn't fit into that.
PRIME MINISTER: It goes up twice a year. And our priority is not on boosting welfare payments by increasing taxes. It's to ensure we're funding aged care, child care, disability care, our support for veterans. All of those services.
MITCHELL: By the way, will that aged care- you told me last on the money would flow by Christmas is that still the case?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes.
MITCHELL: Okay. Now on the roads. The aim is to do, as you say in your statement. Aim is to drive up jobs and strengthen the economy. And this is why you're bringing forward the spending. Good. But surely those benefits are still a long way off, aren't they?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh no, a lot of this will happen in the next 18 months. I mean, around the country, we've got $1.8 billion, which could only be spent in the next 18 months. I mean, in Victoria, it's a billion dollar package, which is half from the Commonwealth and half from the state government. And look, I think your listeners, Victorians, would be pleased that the Premier and I, we’re from different sides of politics. But we’ve just got to get these projects done. And that's what we're doing, whether it's the north east link or –
MITCHELL: But the North East link, work doesn't start on that that till 2021?
PRIME MINISTER: No, we've got hundreds of millions of dollars of additional and extra spending and brought forward spending happening in the next 18 months.
MITCHELL: So can work on North East start quicker, start before 2021?
PRIME MINISTER: All of these projects are being brought forward. But then you've got –
MITCHELL: Including North East?
PRIME MINISTER: - Moama bridge, you've got the South Gippsland Highway realignment, you've got the commuter carparks, Craigieburn and Hurstbridge stations, you've got the Gippsland, South Gippsland Highway realignment, all of these things –
MITCHELL: But you would hope the North East –
PRIME MINISTER: - happening now.
MITCHELL: You would hope the North East Link work starts before 2021?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, these are things that we can only rely on the state government to deliver because they run the operational side of the project but we're bringing this expenditure forward. We're bringing expenditure of over half a billion dollars forward in Victoria. And that's part of a $3.8 billion dollar program around the country. Now, when you combine that with what we've put into the tax relief and the extra drought support. That means in just this year, and next year alone, there's an extra $9.5 billion. Since the election, we've put extra into the economy and that supports jobs. But on these road projects, it's also making country roads safer and it's helping people getting home sooner and safer in the cities.
MITCHELL: But the money we're talking about today is not new money. It's just being brought forward correct?
PRIME MINISTER: No it’s new money as well.
MITCHELL: Where?
PRIME MINISTER: I mean, in Victoria, there's $245 million of new money as well as $269 million of bring forwards and all of that is then matched by the state government as well. So there's new money and bring forward money.
MITCHELL: Does this mean the East West link's off the table?
PRIME MINISTER: No, it's still there as our proposal. But obviously the state government has a different view. But there's $370 millio,n let me confirm, in the next 18 months in Vic. $370 million.
MITCHELL: And is the billion dollars still there for East West if needed?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes.
MITCHELL: Any time. Just sitting there still?
PRIME MINISTER: It's up to the state government, whether they want to build it.
MITCHELL: Isn’t it time to take the shackles off that and just get the money spent to get some jobs our there?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's sitting in the contingency reserve, so it would be new money we would have to spring in. It's not sitting there as a Budgeted item. It's sitting there as what's called a contingent liability. And if the state government wants to build it, we will activate that and we'll put the new spending in.
MITCHELL: But that’s part of my point, the government says they will not build it. You've got to assume this government's there for the next seven years at least? Does -
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I don't make any assumptions –
MITCHELL: Alright, after what happened –
PRIME MINISTER: We both face elections in about three years’ time, but look it remains our commitment. They don't want to do it. We're not spending a lot of time with the Victorian government having that argument going round and round. I know their view. They know our view. And so the Premier and I have, I think, rightly focussed on the things that we need to focus on, and that's what we can do now. And just this morning, we were texting each other about the bushfires and the situation there. And I'm pleased that, you know, yesterday went better than people feared. And today's a better day. And again, what we're seeing in Victoria and the bravery there and the tremendously coordinated effort, I've seen that up in Queensland, where I was earlier in the week, and South Australia, and it proved to be better than we'd hoped, and in New South Wales it's been devastating.
MITCHELL: You're texting with Daniel Andrews. Have you got any plan to keep the lights on in Victoria? This summer, we've been told brownouts are certain. Can you do anything to keep the lights on in Victoria?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, fundamentally, that is the job of the Victorian government. I mean –
MITCHELL: It’s a pretty big failure, I mean I know he’s your mate, but it's a pretty big failure if we can't keep the lights on.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I agree. And I mean, the energy ministers are meeting today. And Angus Taylor, our Energy Minister, wants to see - and I fully support him. We want to see an improvement in the reliability guarantees that go into the east coast energy market, the NEM. And he's pursuing that with those ministers today. But it really is for the state government in Victoria to deal with issues of the gas supply, with the reliable power generation that's available in the state. The most recent issues that we've had, my advice is they were transmission issues and some of them were actually fire affected out of South Australia and New South Wales. So, I mean, we've got a call things for what they are in some circumstance but there is the risk exactly of what you say, Neil. And that is entirely a matter for the Victorian government to address.
MITCHELL: A caller off-air makes the point. There's been a lot of blow-outs already on our infrastructure work. When you hand over this money, is there any guarantee it's spent wisely or will it just go into CFMMEU pockets?
PRIME MINISTER: There are conditions that are placed on all of these arrangements –
MITCHELL: What are they?
PRIME MINISTER: - probity issues, and the Auditor General's oversight and all of those matters. And one of the things we have seen in Victoria and when we've got half a billion going into Victoria. But I'm sure Victorians noticed there was a little more going into Queensland. The reason for that is in Victoria, we were a bit further ahead with our program. There wasn't as much to bring forward because we were actually cracking a much stronger pace. Now, in Victoria, because of how much is being spent and the same is true in New South Wales, there are big infrastructure programs which are one of the reasons why those two state economies themselves are doing much better. That starts to put pressure on prices, that puts pressure on materials prices, on wages and particularly on wages that's not something the Premier and I are going to be unhappy about because we want to see wages better in Victoria and New South Wales.
MITCHELL: Yeah, Westpac, our very best interpretation is they've turned a blind eye to assisting paedophiles and child pornographers. The board meets today. What would you like to see come out of that board?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I would like to see at this board meeting and the many board meetings that will follow a confident plan to address, firstly, the clear weaknesses they've had in their systems that have allowed this to take place, which they've identified. And secondly, there has to be some understanding of the accountability for when these things happen. I mean, I was the Treasurer who introduced the banking executive accountability regime to ensure there were accountable people in these organisations.
MITCHELL: That's part of the problem isn’t it? It doesn't seem there’s anybody accountable for this? Who's wearing it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this will be the decision of the board. I mean, it's not for politicians or frankly, radio broadcasters either I'm sure you’d agree, to decide who goes and who's accountable. That's the board's job.
MITCHELL: Well, you seem to say yesterday you thought the chief executive should go. Is that correct?
PRIME MINISTER: No what I said was, is that those are decisions for the board, not for politicians. And as is appropriately the case, I mean, when this happened at Commonwealth Bank, I was the Treasurer at the time and APRA initiated what was then the Laker review, which was done by APRA. And that review highlighted what I thought were very serious failings at board level. And I remember when I released the report, I said every Board Director in the country, don’t care if you run a bank, you run an energy company, anything. They should read this report because it went into the failings of boards to actually properly oversight what was happening in companies. And that's their job.
MITCHELL: That’s what’s happened here isn’t it?
PRIME MINISTER: And they've got to make the calls that I think reassure people's confidence in the bank systems and the processes they have and that there is accountability that is at work in these institutions. That’s what I think.
MITCHELL: So you think the confidence, the confidence in the banking system is undermined?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, when you have things like this, of course, it gets damaged. Now we have the best banking system in the world let me stress that. I mean, our banks have gone through many challenges and stood up. And that's because of the good prudential regulation and good management. But clearly, there are failings in these systems and they need to be fixed. And boards need to take accountability for that, for their shareholders and for their customers and the public at large. Everybody is watching them.
MITCHELL: Prime Minister, all these fires. This, is this the new normal? Do you think is this what we're looking at for the future?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's certainly been advice I've been receiving. I know there's been a lot of discussion about this, Neil. I mean, I've been making it clear for some time. I mean, the broader effects of global climate change obviously have impacts, obviously have impacts on weather events around the world. And as a result, you know, the drought conditions combined here in Australia means that we're facing a very punishing season and that that was the advice that we've been getting for some time. And that's why we put additional resources in. And I've got to say, the coordinated effort in response to this nationally, having learnt from the horrific fires on Black Saturday, I mean, the lessons from that awful event, I can assure your listeners, have been put into place. I've seen it in operation, particularly over these fires.
MITCHELL: Well the Black Saturday Survivors tell me it's worse than ever in those areas. But I mean that that isn't your responsibility. I accept that. But do you accept then, I mean, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre says climate change doesn't start fires, but it aggravates it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well yeah, I’ve never disputed that.
MITCHELL: But yet you say there's nothing Australia can do about it?
PRIME MINISTER: The point I've been making is this. There's no doubt that the climatic effects, which are global impact on Australia and they contribute to these conditions. What I don't accept, Neil, is this. What's being put about is that if Australia adopted higher, more reckless, economy-destroying emissions reduction targets, Australia alone, 1.3 per cent of emissions. If we did that, then we wouldn't be having the fire season we're having now. And that's just not credible. People have tried to, you know, reinterpret this. But let me be really clear. The suggestion that Australia, by having some trade-off where we could have higher emissions reduction targets, which would destroy jobs in regional communities, if we did that, then we wouldn't be having these fires. That is just not true.
MITCHELL: Prime Minister, what age do you intend to retire? Do you want to ever retire?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh look, my grandfather, he passed away at the office. But that's an individual choice.
MITCHELL: How old was he?
PRIME MINISTER: I mean, I love what I do. And I will I would love to keep doing it for as long as people will have me to do the job. But that’s my choice -
MITCHELL: Look, I agree with you.
PRIME MINISTER: - People should have their own choices about what they want to do.
MITCHELL: So what age should the pension age be?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the pension age is currently 66. It was raised by the Labor Party. And one of the first things I did when I became Prime Minister with Josh as Treasurer is we abolished any plans to lift the pension age above what the Labor Party has.
MITCHELL: The message I'm getting from a lot of people is that they want to work older, but they can't, they can't get jobs. There is age discrimination. Can you take that on?
PRIME MINISTER: We have, and my ‘18/19 Budget had a quite a big package on that and we did a lot of learning from a lot of companies that were taking older workers on. But there are still impediments like how our workers comp works in state jurisdictions. There are still issues around how superannuation works. And we've changed a lot of those as well to enable people to work and be able to continue to make contributions to their super in their pension phase. All we want, Neil, is, look, I think the fact that people are living longer and healthier. It's not a burden. It's a great benefit. It's a blessing. It's awesome. The fact that people live longer and healthier is fantastic.
MITCHELL: Okay.
PRIME MINISTER: And we just want people to have the choices, that they want to have.
MITCHELL: Just finally, is Donald Trump coming for the President's cup? It’s only a couple of weeks off?
PRIME MINISTER: No, he won't be coming. And I'm not surprised. I mean, there's a bit on, there is a bit on both with the election and what's going on in the in the Congress and ultimately the Senate. So that's not surprising. It was always a ‘nice to do, if he could’, but –
MITCHELL: So will you be hosting?
PRIME MINISTER: I'll be down there, yeah.
MITCHELL: So you become, I still think if he's not there don’t you?
PRIME MINISTER: I assume so, but I’m just looking to come and have a good look. And it's going to be a great event, I'm sure.
MITCHELL: Thank you so much for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot Neil. All the best.
$1 billion road boost for Victorian economy
22 November 2019
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Premier of Victoria, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure
A federal and state infrastructure package will boost the Victorian economy with more than $1 billion in project funding aimed at busting congestion and increasing road safety.
The package includes the Federal Government bringing forward $262 million for early works on the North East Link and more than $184 million in additional funding for the Monash Freeway Stage 2 project which commences next year.
When combined with funding from the State Government, it locks in a further billion dollar spend on infrastructure for Victoria over the next four years on top of the billions already being spent by both governments across roads and rail.
The Morrison Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical road projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering critical road projects sooner, as part of the Government’s $100 billion pipeline, was responsible and considered economic management.
“We’ve been working closely with the Victorian Government to identify the projects that are shovel-ready to get them moving,” the Prime Minister said.
“We want these road and rail projects delivered as quickly as possible so Victorians can benefit from better infrastructure and the jobs and investment that come with it.
“We will bring forward $269 million in federal funding for existing projects on top of the $184 million we committed to Stage 2 of the Monash Freeway upgrade back in September.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews welcomed the deal, which fast-tracks spending on road projects across the state.
“I’m pleased to have struck this significant agreement, which will help us deliver the vital second stage of the Monash Freeway Upgrade,” Premier Andrews said.
“We’ll continue working closely with the Federal Government to deliver the major projects our state needs and help create Victorian jobs.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government was investing heavily in key roads in regional Victoria that are vital to safety and supporting the economy through improved connectivity to the regions and to our markets.
“The Government recognises the need for these key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This package includes additional funding for regional projects including, $32.6 million for the South Gippsland Highway realignment between Koonwarra and Meeniyan and $28.7 million for the Echuca-Moama Bridge.
“Upgrading these highways will improve safety and travel times on some of Victoria’s busiest freight and passenger road corridors.”
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the investments would flow within months.
“There’s $370 million of the new package that will be spent in just the next 18 months to get these projects done,” the Treasurer said.
“By bringing forward funding for these important road projects we will drive jobs, boost the economy and make Victorian roads and highways safer, while reducing travel times so people can be with their families instead of being stuck in traffic.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the new package followed a significant funding boost for Victorian infrastructure at the most recent Budget.
“Since coming to Government we have committed more than $29.1 billion towards infrastructure in Victoria, including $6 billion committed in the 2019–20 Budget and the 2019 Federal Election with more than $1.4 billion in targeted local projects to be delivered under the Urban Congestion Fund,” Minister Tudge said.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said today’s announcement built on the Andrews Government’s record investment in major transport infrastructure.
“This funding builds on the more than $70 billion we’ve invested in Victoria’s transport network, to boost services, reduce congestion and get people home quicker, every day.”
Project funding brought forward:
$262 million for early works on the North East Link
Funding to flow immediately over the forward estimates in support of the $15.8 billion project.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $1.75 billion ($262 million brought forward).
The Victorian Government is providing the remaining contributions to the project.
$7.1 million for Commuter Car Park Upgrades – Northern Lines at Craigieburn and Hurstbridge
Funding to flow immediately this financial year to enable the commencement of works.
Australian Government contribution to Commuter Car Parks projects on these lines is $70 million ($7.1 million brought forward).
Additional funding:
$183.8 million for Stage 2 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade
Funding to flow immediately and enable construction to commence in January 2020.
Total cost of both stages of the Monash Freeway Upgrade has increased from $1 billion to $1.37 billion.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $683.8 million.
The Victorian Government contribution to the project is $683.8 million.
$32.6 million for the South Gippsland Highway realignment between Koonwarra and Meeniyan
Funding to flow immediately to enable construction to commence early next year with the Victorian Government also providing additional funding of $32.6 million.
Total cost of the project has increased from $50 million to $115.2 million.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $57.6 million.
The Victorian Government contribution to the project is $57.6 million.
$28.7 million for the Echuca-Moama Bridge
Funding to flow immediately to enable completion in mid-2021 with the Victorian Government providing additional funding of $15 million.
Total cost of the project has increased from $280 million to $323.7 million.
The Australian Government contribution to the project is $125.7 million.
The Victorian Government contribution to the project is $111 million.
The New South Wales Government is also contributing $87 million towards this project.
Radio interview with Ray Hadley - 2GB
21 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
RAY HADLEY: Most Thursdays we have an appointment with the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton but he’s having a week off so the Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on the line right now. Prime Minister good morning to you.
PRIME MINISTER: G’day Ray how are you mate?
HADLEY: good thanks
PRIME MINISTER: Congratulations too by the way.
HADLEY: Thank you thank you, I got your note and I appreciate it [inaudible] thank you very much and my best wishes to you and your family. Westpac. They can overcome most things banks, but they can’t overcome allegedly letting paedophiles transfer money from this country to South East Asia. I can’t think of too much lower in business practices.
PRIME MINISTER: You're absolutely spot on about that. I mean, it is deeply disturbing the nature of these transactions and the broader breaches that have occurred, and they'll be facing the music over this and they should and they've got to lift their game. I mean, we've been through a Royal Commission. There were similar breaches that were found to have occurred at CommBank and they've been addressed. And that resulted in the biggest commercial fine ever imposed on a company in Australia's history under the prosecution that followed. And there'll be one here, too. And I’m with all Australians in just complete disbelief and in fury. And, but we've got a court process. We've got a prosecution process, that will all be followed. And the accountabilities will fall where they must.
HADLEY: Well, I think you- in some of these matters happened post the Royal Commission. That fine record fine, held previously by the Commonwealth Bank is about to be usurped by the fine levelled at Westpac. I think we can nearly guarantee that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that could well be the case. I mean, I obviously can't pre-empt these things and that that process will take its course. I want to thank and commend AUSTRAC again for the work they're doing. They're creating the compliance environment through the work they're doing where, you know, these things get revealed. And that's what I think people would expected of the cop on the beat in this area.
HADLEY: Okay. You've made the announcement this week about the major infrastructure announcements and Queensland benefits greatly. New South Wales benefits greatly, but not quite as well as Queensland. And you're pumping $2 billion dollars into Queensland, $2 billion elsewhere. Is that a reflection on how far Queensland's behind New South Wales in terms of infrastructure, perhaps?
PRIME MINISTER: That's not an unfair assessment. I mean, I very much welcome being able to get to the start line on what is a $1.3 billion in additional commitments from the Commonwealth in Queensland. And I want to stress that that's in particular dealing in regional areas up there in Cairns and north of Cairns, from Cooktown to Weipa, Townsville to Roma, Toowoomba to Seymour, Shute Harbour Road. There's big money going into regional road safety, there’s $400 million, some to still be allocated to a lot of these regional projects, as well as the M1 and, you know, the Logan Station. I mean, the Queensland is there is catching up to do, but the credit where it's due. I mean, I think your Queensland listeners, Ray, will just want governments to work with each other and get stuff done. So I'm glad we got to that point, yesterday.
HADLEY: And it signals to what the people of Australia, do you want a bit more money spent? You want more people working, that you want to try and pump up the economy to a certain extent?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we want to invest in things that are really helpful now. The jobs, that aren’t sort of here today gone tomorrow, like the cash splashes that were done years ago and the panic settings then, which we're still paying for 10 years later, this, you know, building these, this infrastructure when we've done it carefully. I mean, it was just after the election, we didn't sort of rush into this and draw up a list over the weekend. We spent the last six months working with states and territories because all states and territories in every part of the country have been part of this program. We've got the schedules right. We've got the timings right. We've got the costings right as we understand them. And we've committed the money and so have the states. So this will provide important investment into the economy. And when you combine it with the tax cuts we did just after the election and, you know, we've tripled our investment in drought relief and I'm talking just grants and payments have grown, to $1 billion dollars since the election. We've got $9.5 billion in additional investment going into the Australian economy this year and next year alone. So, you know, the Australian economy, it faces some headwinds, but we're doing a lot better than other countries like Germany and Singapore and South Korea and the UK and so many others. So you know, Australians do well when we're up against it.
HADLEY: You’re spending a lot of money in rural New South Wales, almost half the $570 million you sent down to New South Wales over 18 months will go to regional. Do you think that, and I'm not this is not a criticism of the government here, but they've spent a lot of money, in major cities, particularly Sydney, as they need to, because it’s a city of 5 million plus. But to a certain extent, the bush has missed out?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, we've got a lot of those congestion busting projects, whether they're car parks, railway stations or, you know, right hand turn lanes down in the Shire where there's a project which is going ahead there. But, you know, we've got the Pacific Highway, Woolgoolga – Ballina project. We've got that really important Milton to Ulladulla bypass. Now, those of us that live in the south of Sydney and take our holidays down that way, we know of the terrible accidents that have occurred down on the south coast and, you know, investing in the Princes Highway down there is incredibly important, we’ve got the Newell highway upgrades going throughout New South Wales, this will bring important stimulus spending to the roads into regional areas obviously impacted by drought. That's on top of the $2 million dollars we're putting too into all of those councils and the more than $130 million we're putting into the Roads to Recovery in those drought affected areas. So there's a lot of money going into those areas because they need it. They really need it.
HADLEY: Now I consider you, and I’m not being disrespectful- as a knockabout sort of bloke. I've known you for a long time from the days you work with the continuous call team for a bit of fun reporting on the Southern Districts football team. And, you know, you get out in the crowd down there at Shark Park and watch your team. And so I think, you know, for a politician, particularly for a Prime Minister, you try to be in touch with what's happening. When Josh Frydenberg, I think a good bloke, by the way. But I think what he's saying now, what he wants people to do is retain and stay in the workforce at 65. Now, he's been accused of being ageist. I don't think he's ageist, but I think he might be living in a bit of a bubble because what's happened since he made those comments and he wasn't trying to be offensive, but many are offended by it. Older Australians have contacted me in large numbers via email and phone calls saying, well, hang on a sec. You know, I'm 62. I can't get a job. I can't even get an interview. So if Josh wants me to get a job, I've got to get an interview. And then all of a sudden, raising its ugly head was worker's comp. I've done some investigation in New South Wales, particularly if you're over 65, you can't be covered by worker's comp. There's two organisations who give policies out, but employers are reluctant because of the constraints and all the types of things you have to do to get a worker over 65 covered. So if we’re going to attack that angle and say, you know, as a person Prime Minister, who's 65 is still working and hopefully for a little bit longer yet. I think it's important we make sure that people are given a chance to participate in the workforce and they're not sidelined because they are 63 or 64 or 65 or shock, horror 71.
PRIME MINISTER: I couldn't agree more with all of that. And I think sort of Josh has been misunderstood. I mean, all he was simply saying is that he wants people to have choices about what they want to do as they as they grow older and if they want to be able to continue to work and do that, then you've got to knock out these sort of impediments, like the ones you were just talking about. You’ve got to make sure that there are the jobs there. But the good news is that we've had strong jobs growth that those over 55, now it's got to be stronger still. But it has been one of the strong areas of jobs growth but there are still the impediments and there are still workplaces. Not everybody operates like Bunnings. I got to say, and I think they're a good example when it comes to employing more senior Australians and I always find that the support I get from them when I walk in there, is very helpful. They know far more about those odd jobs than I would, but we do need to address those issues. But it really is just about I mean, people are living longer. That's true, but they're also living healthier, longer and that's great. I mean, ageing is not some blight on the Australian economy. It's not. I mean, this is a good thing. People are living longer and healthier, how good’s that? I mean, we want that. And when that happens, we want people to have more choices about what they do in the healthy years that they have.
HADLEY: So we get a guarantee from you and the Treasurer, the impediments that I've spoken about and there are many of them, as you'd understand, will be removed and what would be a good idea for Josh and the Treasurer to employ for the first time ever, a media adviser over the age of 55.
PRIME MINISTER: We've got a few of those in the team across the government I’ve got to say,
HADLEY: No, not over 55? Prime Minister you might have a few over 50’s-
PRIME MINISTER: Well, they're certainly available, I mean John Mangos is working for us. You remember John?
HADLEY: He’s a great man John.
PRIME MINISTER: He works for one of our Senators. John's a great bloke. So you know I agree with that. I mean, we got to be taking people right across the perspective to get that understanding. But let me make this point. After I became Prime Minister, I binned the idea of raising the pension age, tossed it in the bin. The only changes to the pension age that are now occurring are the changes that were introduced under the Labor government. So we're not changing the pension age. We're not changing the retirement age. That's what it is. And I binned those changes within weeks of becoming Prime Minister. So we just want to see people as they live longer and healthier to have more choices. And that means getting rid of the impediments. Now, some of those are state, as you've acknowledged, but we will work with the states to see if we can knock those out. I'm quite sure Gladys would be keen to see, you know, older Australians as they live healthier in to their older years, have more opportunities.
HADLEY: Okay. We go back to where I started the program. Fires, now we’ve got a red alert in Victoria. You've been dealing with New South Wales and Queensland and travelling about the place all of a sudden South Australia and now Victoria. And those temperatures you've probably heard as I came to you, in southern parts of New South Wales, 41, 42, 43. Total fire ban in those areas as well. I mean, as I've said to you last time we spoke, you’re a man of faith and I know you pray for rain but by crikey that's about what we need right now, don't we?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we do not just obviously for the drought, but right across the eastern seaboard, but as you say, down in South Australia, I’ve been in contact the South Australian Premier this morning about the fires occurring there. And let's not forget, it's been firefighters coming out of South Australia and Victoria and Western Australia that have been fighting and assisting with those efforts in New South Wales and Queensland. So that means these firefighters have got to look after their own states. I was up in Queensland. Yesterday at the management centre there, and one of the things I've been really impressed with Ray is that the national coordination effort, the lessons from the Black Saturday fires being implemented, the technology they now have, which can be deployed on the ground in the local incident response centres, being able to predict which way fires are going to go, where they can put their containment lines, how they keep their crews safe and keep them informed about what's happening. This is really helping all of these crews fight these fires and save homes. I’m mean we've sadly had hundreds of homes lost. But I tell you, as they've told me when I've sat down with them, it would have been thousands without the amazing coordinated effort. You know, we've been told that this fire season was going to be longer and harder. We've been told that earlier in the year and we put additional resources in and states have done the same. And I think the effort and the response as we see down on the south coast, as we've seen down in Victoria, the same coordination and professionalism that we've seen already in New South Wales and Queensland we’ll see in South Australia and Victoria as well.
HADLEY: Okay. Back where we started and what's going on with Westpac? We've seen Ian Narev from the Commonwealth go, Andrew Thorburn from NAB, should the board take a close look at their CEO in light of what he's presided over? Mr Hartzer?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's a matter for them, as you know, it’s not for Prime Ministers to hire and fire bank chief executives-
HADLEY: Well they may listen. They may listen to you if you said something about it.
PRIME MINISTER: I’m sure they will reflect deeply on these events and they'll make decisions as they see fit. And as you know, as you rightly said, the other boards have gone down that path, and they'll have to make those calls and they'll have to be accountable for them, too. I mean, this is sort of the point, the banks have to be accountable for the decisions they make. Now, and in these cases how these processes were allowed to be in place is quite mystifying. I think for most people, including me and that will have to be delved into and the courts will deal with it. But at the same time, let's not forget the really important role the banks play in the economy. Now, I don't want this to be an excuse for people not to be given home loans or small businesses to be stiffed on them getting access to credit. This is really important in our economy at the moment, the banks are a vital supply of oxygen, economic oxygen to our small and medium sized business sector. And I don't want, you know, all this attention from AUSTRAC to be some excuse for not actually, you know, backing our Australian businesses to employ people.
HADLEY: Well done, we'll talk again soon. Thanks for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot for the time mate.
HADLEY: All the best.
Radio interview with Sabra Lane - ABC AM
21 November 2019
Prime Minister of Australia
SABRA LANE: The Prime Minister joins us now. Good morning, Prime Minister, and welcome to the program.
PRIME MINISTER: G’day Sabra.
LANE: You've said that you are appalled by this. The bank's chief executive, Brian Hartzer, is he the right person to sort this out given that he oversaw the 23 million breaches?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's ultimately a judgment for the board of Westpac, I mean it’s for the board to make decisions about who should be running banks, not governments. But all I know is AUSTRAC has been doing their job. They're the cop on the beat here. This is the second occasion with a major bank. You’ll remember their very successful investigation which led to the prosecution of Commonwealth Bank and the outcome there. So they're doing their job. The board and the executives of Westpac need to do theirs.
LANE: Should Mr Hartzer or someone resign? And you know, the bank self-reported this instance.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, these are things that the board and the management need to determine themselves. It's not for the government to say who should be in those jobs or not, but they should be taking this very seriously, reflecting on it very deeply, and taking the appropriate decisions for the protection of people's interests in Australia, their safety. As you've highlighted in your report, these are some very disturbing, very disturbing transactions involving despicable behaviour.
LANE: AUSTRAC says this is systemic. Have you been given guarantees that ANZ and NAB are in the clear of similar scandals?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, these issues were raised at the time of the CBA process. And these are things that the Treasury and the relevant agencies, particularly AUSTRAC, will be following through and pursuing very closely with all agencies.
LANE: To the fires, it's already been a very bad season. There are three emergency alerts this morning on Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Victoria's on Code Red today. The former fire chief, Greg Mullins, he tried to meet with you in April to warn you that this season would be very bad. And that fire seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres are overlapping, making it increasingly difficult to source big water bombers. Why didn't you meet with him?
PRIME MINISTER: This is advice we already have from existing fire chiefs doing the existing job. This is why we put the additional resources into our emergency services and our aviation firefighting assets. These are things that were very well known to the government. I mean, it's the contribution of these issues to global weather conditions and to conditions here in Australia are known and acknowledged. And so we were getting on with the job of preparing for what is already being a very devastating fire season. I've got to say the national coordination and the response effort, I was up in Queensland yesterday, and I've been in touch with the South Australian Premier this morning, in New South Wales it's been outstanding also. The coordinated effort and the response, the learnings from, particularly, the Black Saturday fires have been put in action and that is saving lives and it's saving homes. So we've been getting on with the job.
LANE: He and twenty three other ex-fire chiefs did seek the meeting with you. He's gone to the top because he views this is as very urgent and doesn't think that the Government's factoring in climate change enough, already 250 homes have been lost. We're not even into summer yet.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, I take issue with- the preparations, I mean, we were taking the preparations and I think you've seen that demonstrated in the response effort from the state agencies working together closely with the Commonwealth. I mean, in February, I acknowledged the contribution of those factors to what was happening in Australia, amongst many other issues. But let me say this, Sabra, the suggestion that any way, shape or form with Australia accountable for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions, that the individual actions of Australia are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it's here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence either. Climate change is a global phenomenon, and we're doing our bit as part of the response to climate change. We're taking action on climate change. But I think to suggest that with just that 1.3 per cent of global emissions that Australia doing something differently, more or less, would have changed the fire outcome this season. I don't think that stands up to any credible scientific evidence at all.
LANE: The former chief of Victorian Country Fire Service, Neil Bibby, says the federal government fundamentally doesn't like talking about climate change and that politics is the reason why the federal government is ignoring their advice. How do you respond?
PRIME MINISTER: We like taking action on climate change. That's what we like doing. We've got our commitments for Kyoto 2020. Remember, they are the commitments that were put in place to deal with the global climatic conditions that we're experiencing right now. And we not only lived up to those commitments for next year, but we will beat them by 367 million tonnes. If anything, Australia is an overachiever on our commitments, on global commitments, and for 2030, we will meet those as well with the mechanisms that we’ve put in place and we'll ensure we do achieve that and we'll take the action necessary to do that. So, you know, I'm up for taking action on it, not just jabbering on about it.
LANE: Goldman Sachs outlined in a report in September the need to adapt to the effects of climate change and that it could drive one of the largest infrastructure build-outs in history. How much of that thinking has been factored into the projects that you're bringing forward to try and stimulate the economy?
PRIME MINISTER: Well these projects are about strengthening our economy, creating jobs, building our productivity capacity for the future. Getting people home sooner and safer. And all these projects will be done in accordance with the environmental conditions and other approval processes that are in place in our state and territories and will work closely with them to ensure for longer term projects that they move swiftly. And so that the projects we're talking about now, like down in Milton Ulladulla. Now Milton Ulladulla and the Princes Highways, many of your listeners who live down that way, and I suspect, many in Canberra will be very familiar with how dangerous that stretch of road is. And these are the things we're fixing. This is where we've been working in partnership with state and territory governments to get priority infrastructure projects which are good for the economy, good for people's safety on the roads and get them happening now. These aren't once off sugar hit payments. I mean, that's here today, gone tomorrow. But you do pay for it for the next decade -
LANE: And what happens-
PRIME MINISTER: - are actually investing in the economy and investing in jobs.
LANE: What happens, though, Prime Minister, if the billions more you’re spending now don't fire up the economy? What is the next step to stimulate the economy, given that the RBA can't cut interest rates much further?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the RBA will make their decisions. The government will make our decisions. What we've been doing since the election is sitting down with state and territory Premiers and bringing forward these infrastructure projects. It was exactly the thing that Phil Lowe has been saying for some time and that we've been acting on for a long time. But you just don't go out and spend $3.8 billion dollars based on a phone call over the weekend. You get the planning right. You get the scheduling right. You talk to the states about what the priorities are because they're the ones who ultimately have to deliver the projects on the ground. We've done that work. We didn't rush it. We didn't rush around with our arms flapping in the air in some sort of panicked crisis as the Labor Party wanted us to do. We just took the sober, calm, methodical approach, got the projects ready, put the money in, stood up with Premiers from both sides of politics, everybody working together to get this done.
LANE: Come Budget time if interest rates are still at emergency lows, the nation's growth rate is still struggling and inflation is still low, and unemployment hasn't hit 4.5 per cent, which is the level that some economists think is required before there is a big jump in wages across the board. But you deliver a surplus. Will it be worth it?
PRIME MINISTER: Surplus pays down debt. This is very important. I mean, a surplus is not as I said in the speech last night at the BCA, money that’s sort of left down the back of the couch with no economic purpose. It pays down debt. We’ve got a $19 billion dollar-
LANE: But if the economy is still struggling will it be worth it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well it’s critically important for Australia's future financial resilience. I mean, we are facing headwinds not just now, Sabra, but for years to come. And you just don't go and erode all of your financial resources at a time like this. What you do is you make measured and careful decisions. Let's not forget, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, all had negative quarters. Australia grew at 1.4 per cent. We grew at half a per cent for the first two quarters of this calendar year. And the bank, the RBA, that is- Treasury, OECD, IMF, all of these organisations are saying that next year will be a stronger year for Australia. So look, what we will continue to do is be measured and we will continue to apply the discipline that has enables us to bring the Budget back into a position of strength so we can fund record levels of investment in to the NDIS. More than 100, 000 extra people will come onto the NDIS in the next 18 months or so, and that will be funded. That will also be putting significant resources into the economy, more funding in aged care, more funding in health and education, all of that on top of the tax relief that we've afforded, the extra infrastructure investment. Importantly, the drought relief and getting those stimulus payments into regional communities, that is having a big impact on those communities, positively.
LANE: A couple of weeks ago, you flagged action to stop what you called indulgent practices by some businesses who refuse to provide services like banking and insurance to the coal sector. What are you going to do about it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, when we when we've finalised our arrangements, we'll make those announcements.
LANE: And when will you detail that? Would that be something that we should expect in weeks or months?
PRIME MINISTER: No, when it’s finalised we’ll make an announcement.
LANE: Some businesses are following the advice from regulators about future potential risks, APRA and the Reserve Bank have talked about the dangers of stranded assets. Shouldn't companies and boards be factoring that into purchasing decisions that they make now?
PRIME MINISTER: You mean in terms of any changes we might make?
LANE: Well in terms of making investment decisions based on climate risk and based on the possibility of stranded assets in the future?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, our climate action targets are set. They've been set for years. I mean, there's nothing unsure about the fact that we have a 26 per cent target for 2030. I mean, there's been no change to that for years. There's been absolute certainty. I mean, the renewable investments we're seeing in Australia are at record levels and at top-of-world scales. So Australia's action and Australia's response is incredibly well understood. And it hasn't changed and it's not changing. So I think there's a very clear and certain environment as there is a clear and certain environment about what the government's economic policy and direction is- one of stability and certainty, not one of chaos and panic that we saw under Labor, which meant that we're still paying for their recklessness when they lost their nerve years ago.
LANE: The interim report, you just touched on aged care. The interim report from the Commission says it needs fundamental reform and redesign, not a mere patching up. And that frequent minor shifts aren't actually helping, when the final report is returned. Is your commitment- is your government prepared to undertake thorough and widespread reform of this sector?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ve already begun that process and the reason I initiated the Royal Commission was to ensure that we could get to the absolute bottom of all of these issues. I mean, aged care is a very complex issue. As the interim report made very clear, this is not issues just over a few years, this is over 30 years. And I think the Australian public know that. I mean, all Australians, I think at some time in their lives and I'm no stranger to this either, you are dealing with elderly parents or loved ones or others who are going in to this system. And we all have many different experiences of it. And there are many challenges in the system which are which are further impacted by the ageing of the population and the demand pressures coming through. But what I will do, I mean, three issues were highlighted, issues around in-home aged care places; issues about young people being in these care facilities, and I'm pleased that we've got that number already down from 6,200 to 5,600. We're already seeing a change there and we're going to see more changes there. And it also deals with chemical restraints within the aged care system. Now, they are just some early issues that they're highlighting, but they've also highlighted, particularly in in-home aged care, that there needs to be change to how that system is run. And I agree with that. We agree with that. And so we're not just going to throw more money at a problem. Putting more money in will also be accompanied by fixing the system that you're putting the money into. Otherwise, you're wasting money and you're raising people's expectations of better outcomes that won't come without charge.
LANE: Prime Minister, we're out of time. Thank you for joining AM this morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot, Sabra. Good to talk to you.
Road and rail investment to boost NSW
21 November 2019
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Premier of NSW, Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure, NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads
The New South Wales economy will be boosted by a $570 million infrastructure package to bust congestion and make regional roads safer.
The Morrison Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical road projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the NSW package included the acceleration of $530 million in federal funding across three major regional projects that would increase safety, improve freight productivity and boost tourism.
The Prime Minister said $212 million of the new package would be spent in the next 18 months as part of a $33 billion investment in NSW infrastructure from the Federal Government since the 2013 election.
“We’re bringing forward these important projects to cut travel times and make roads safer while boosting jobs and the economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“We can get these projects moving because of our responsible economic management rather than the sort of knee-jerk reactions we’ve seen in the past from Labor. This is a key part of our plan for a stronger economy and our pipeline of $100 billion worth of congestion-busting roads and rail.
“We’re also injecting $20 million in extra funding for the final link of the vital Pacific Highway upgrade and we’ve locked in $8.8 million for the Brig O’Johnston Bridge project at Clarence Town and $7.9 million for the Davey Road Interchange in Albury.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government was investing heavily in key roads in regional NSW that are vital to improved safety and supporting the economy through improved connectivity to the regions and to our markets.
“The Government recognises the need for these key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That is why we are bringing forward $185 million for the Toowoomba to Seymour corridor under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, with significant funding already allocated to Stage 2 of the Newell Highway’s Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla project and $23 million allocated to the upgrade and sealing of priority sections of Tooraweenah Road.
“We are also accelerating a $200 million investment in the Newell Highway to support construction of the Parkes Bypass and the delivery of Inland Rail, as well as $145 million for the Princes Highway corridor, including the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass.”
Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian said the Australian and NSW governments had a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road and rail projects.
“Whether it’s completing the duplication of the Pacific Highway through to the Queensland border by 2020, including our massive joint investment in the Coffs Harbour Bypass, or delivering congestion-busting urban projects like WestConnex and NorthConnex, the results of our two governments’ close working relationship are plain for all to see,” the Premier said.
“I am especially pleased that accelerated federal funding for key initiatives such as the Newell Highway upgrades, and the Princes Highway corridor will enable us to get on with the job of delivering the state’s record infrastructure investment program.”
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Government is getting on with the job of delivering congestion-busting projects for the people of NSW.
“We are continuing to work with the NSW Government to deliver signature projects in Sydney and across the State, including NorthConnex and Westconnex.”
“At the same time we are tackling local pinch points and smaller traffic headaches with our Urban Congestion Fund that will deliver 49 projects across Sydney and surrounds.”
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance welcomed the deal.
“Across the state, $55.6 billion is being invested in transport and roads infrastructure over the next four years, and we are pleased to be able to accelerate the delivery of some of the highest priority projects thanks to the Federal Government’s support,” Minister Constance said.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the package announced today was a big win for regional areas would help fast track benefits of infrastructure investment for the bush.
“This is a fantastic example of federal and state governments working closely together to deliver concrete outcomes across the state, including for regional communities,” Minister Toole said.
Project funding brought forward
$185 million for the $300 million Toowoomba to Seymour (NSW section) Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) package
Funding to flow immediately and over the next three years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2020-21.
The Australian Government is fully funding Stage 2 of the Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla project ($81.1 million) and the Tooraweenah Road Upgrade project ($23 million).
This package will deliver upgrades targeting increases in higher efficiency freight vehicle access and improving the overall efficiency and safety of the corridor.
$200 million for the $400 million Newell Highway Upgrades package
Funding will flow from next year and the following three years to enable the commencement of works, including the Parkes Bypass, after previously being allocated beyond 2024-25.
The Australian Government’s contribution to the package is $400 million.
The NSW Government is partnering with the Australian Government on both funding and delivery of works on this corridor.
Further investment decisions will be informed by the Australian Government’s Newell Highway Corridor Strategy and will target improved safety for all road users and help realise transport efficiency gains offered through the delivery of Inland Rail.
$145 million for the $500 million Princes Highway Corridor (NSW) package
Funding will flow immediately and over the next three years to facilitate project development and expedite construction commencement, including the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass.
The Australian Government has committed $500 million to upgrading the corridor.
The NSW Government is partnering with the Australian Government on both funding and delivery of works on this corridor.
The upgrades will support the implementation of the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy and target greater efficiency and safety for all road users, and improve the amenity for local communities.
Additional Funding
$20 million for the Pacific Highway Woolgoolga to Ballina project
Funding to flow over the next year to enable completion of the project on-time in late 2020.
Australian Government contribution to the project is $3.76 billion (including $3.48 billion towards construction and $282.3 million towards planning and preconstruction).
The NSW Government are providing the remaining funding towards the project.
$4 million for the $20 million Dixons Long Point Crossing project
Funding to flow immediately to progress planning and expedite construction commencement.
The Australian Government is fully funding this $20 million project, which will ensure safer community access to the river crossing.
The project includes construction of a bridge over the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point, and the upgrade of Long Point Road and Ullamalla Road on either side of the bridge.
Planning is underway with geotechnical studies and surveys to identify the most appropriate river crossing site.
Confirmed funding
$8.8 million for the Brig O’Johnston Bridge project
Funding to flow from 2020-21 to enable the project to commence following completion of planning and design.
Australian Government contribution to the project is $8.8 million.
$7.9 million for the Davey Road Interchange project
Funding to flow immediately and over the next two years to expedite construction and delivery of road safety benefits.
Australian Government is partnering with the NSW Government and the Albury City Council.
The project involves the construction of south-facing on and off ramps at the existing Davey Road - Hume Freeway overpass, and an additional roundabout at the eastern ramp intersection with Davey Road.
When complete, the new infrastructure will help to reduce travel times for heavy vehicles travelling into the north Albury area, and reduce operating costs for the freight industry.
New measures delivering deregulation for Australian business
20 November 2019
Prime Minister, Treasurer, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Making it easier to export more Australian food and agriculture, streamlining project approval processes, helping small businesses employ more Australians and creating a one-stop shop for business registers are among the next wave of deregulation reform being delivered by the Morrison Government.
The Prime Minister said his government was focused on busting the obstacles that slow down and even stop business investment and new job creation.
“We want to create the space for businesses in our economy to back themselves and take our growth to the next level,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our Deregulation Agenda has a laser focus on reducing the regulatory compliance burden on business.
“The reforms we’re delivering hone in on what we’ve been hearing directly from Australian businesses that will help them grow and employ more people.”
The new reforms include:
A new online checklist – So employers know the exact steps to employing their first person. From minimum pay and conditions to tax and superannuation, and developing a new prototype ‘regtech’ platform to take employers step-by-step through the process of employing their first staff.
Simplifying business registers - Modernising Australia’s business registers to make it easier and faster for business to interact with government, including upgrading and consolidating 32 separate business registers onto a single system. The new registry will allow business to view and manage their data in one location using a tell-us-once principle and lay the foundation stone for future ‘regtech’ initiatives.
A single digital environmental approvals process and biodiversity database – Getting beneficial major projects up and running by transforming the approvals process, reducing approval times and bringing forward economic activity. Partnering with the Western Australian Government where there is a large pipeline of major projects coming forward over the next decade on the new system as a first step towards a consistent nationwide process and we will also develop a biodiversity database, that can be rolled out nationally, to store and share information, which will also help speed up assessments.
A modern export documents system – Replacing the existing paper based system with a new online system so food exporters can get their product to market faster and more simply with more secure certification as well as establishing a new trade information service for business on how to export. Also expanding the Trusted Trader Program and Known Consignor Scheme to expedite the flow of cargo.
“We will continue to work with the States and Territories and the business community to simplify Australia’s business environment and ensure regulation is fit for purpose,” the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
“The measures continue the Coalition Government’s commitment to reduce red tape and unnecessary regulation, making it easier for businesses to invest, create jobs and grow the economy.”
“We are tackling regulation from the viewpoint of business—putting ourselves in their shoes, getting down on the factory floor and looking at regulation from their perspective. There is always more work to do, but the Government has renewed our commitment to deregulation”, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ben Morton said.
“An initial emphasis has been making it easier for businesses to navigate their existing regulatory environments.
“The Deregulation Taskforce is also working on opportunities to adopt technological or ‘regtech’ solutions which make it easier for business to cost-effectively navigate and comply with regulatory requirements.
“As well as overseeing the implementation of initial measures, the Taskforce will continue to identify more reforms to help business. There is more work to do and the Deregulation Taskforce will report back in the new year on further opportunities to reduce the regulatory burden focused on regulatory and legislative design and reduction.”
Further information is available on the Deregulation Taskforce webpage.