Australia's population grew by 2.1 per cent in the year to 30 June 2024, according to the latest figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Beidar Cho, ABS head of demography, said: "Our population at 30 June 2024 was 27.2 million people, an increase of 552,000 people since the same time last year.“There were 666,800 overseas migration arrivals and 221,200 departures. This means that 445,600 people were added to our population for the year to 30 June 2024, continuing a recent downward trend in net overseas migration."Natural increase, which is made up of births and deaths, was 106,400 people, up 3.4 per cent from the previous year. There were 289,100 births and 182,700 deaths registered over the period, with births dropping 0.7 per cent and deaths falling 2.9 per cent.“Western Australia had the fastest rise in population, growing 2.8 per cent in the last year. This was followed by Victoria, which grew by 2.4 per cent, and Queensland, which rose 2.3 per cent,” Ms Cho said.Tasmania saw the least growth, with a 0.3 per cent rise in population over the period.

Aussies have capitalised on Black Friday and Cyber sales, with Australia Post’s parcel data from the cyber weekend (29 November – 2 December) revealing a record eCommerce period with online purchases up 7.8% compared to the same time last year.1This year’s most popular purchase category for Aussies was specialty food and liquor, experiencing year-on-year (YoY) growth of 23.6%. This was followed by health and beauty with YoY growth of 6.1%, hobbies and recreational goods at 5%, and fashion and apparel at 4.3%.Across the country, Queensland saw the strongest growth in online purchases YoY at 12.1%, followed by the Northern Territory and Tasmania at 9.7%.Australia Post Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post, and eCommerce Services, Gary Starr, said delivery teams are well equipped to meet the increased delivery demands.“Cyber sales have provided Aussies with a great opportunity to drive their dollar further which is why the sales events have been history making.“Customers can be assured that we’ve added more capacity across our workforce, including recruiting thousands of new team members, weekend deliveries, and more freighter capacity to manage the increased volume. We’ve also extended Post Office trading hours in select locations.”Australia Post also saw an uptick in App usage with 1.7 million customers2 using the Aus Post App over the cyber period, up 22% from the same time last year. 6.8 million App pages were viewed during the cyber period, with the parcel tracking feature the most popular.Australia Post is encouraging customers to get their Christmas gifts in the Post as the deadline for last sending dates fast approaches."While many have already made their purchases ahead of time, there are those who love a last-minute dash. We want to reassure customers that we are more prepared than ever to ensure that every parcel sent by our last sending dates will be delivered by Christmas day.“It is, however, important that customers understand that if they miss our Parcel Post and Express Post cut-off dates, there is a possibility their parcel will arrive after Christmas day," Mr Starr emphasised.To give items the best chance of arriving on time, parcels should be sent by Friday, 20 December for most destinations within Australia, or if sending via Express Post by Monday, 23 December. People sending to or from Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and outside a metro area should allow additional time.

The NSW Government is employing 300 new workers to support foster children to stay connected to their families and keep them safe.   Family time, or family visits between children in foster care and their birth families, often requires support and supervision by trained staff.  Until now, this support has predominantly been outsourced to private service providers and cost the taxpayer $14.2 million in 2023/24.   As part of the State Government’s ongoing reform of the foster care system, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) will now directly employ up to 300 family-time workers.  The expansion of family time workers will improve support for children and their families through:  increased consistency in staff training more support for positive interactions during family time  recruiting 20% of specialist staff who identify as Aboriginal to increase culturally appropriate assistance based on a family’s culture and needs  strengthening relationships between DCJ, families and children through consistent staffing The expansion of this service will also provide more opportunities for parents to build their skills and confidence in raising their kids, helping to show they can care for them safely. As trust and safety are established, contact could become more frequent and less supervised, which may also lead to a decision to restore the child to their family through the Children’s Court. Last week, the Minns Labor Government released the ‘System review into out-of-home care,’ which examined the $2 billion outsourced foster care system. The review’s authors were often unable to follow the dollar to determine if taxpayer funds were being used to meaningfully support vulnerable children and young people.  By directly employing family-time workers, the NSW Government is ensuring these workers are equipped to provide stronger support to foster children and their families. The decision is also responsive to the review's recommendation to embed relational approaches in out-of-home care services by ensuring the same workers are supporting the same families each time.  DCJ has started recruiting for these roles across NSW in Sydney, Murrumbidgee, Western NSW and Far West. This will be followed by recruitment efforts in all other areas across the state next year.   Family time workers will be supported by dedicated DCJ team leaders and provided with comprehensive training and guidelines to enable them to work with children and families.   A 2022 research report about birth family contact in NSW found more than half of staff across NGOs and DCJ needed more training in supervising visits. The expansion of this service will allow the NSW Government to provide this training.  Additionally, this expansion will increase opportunities for family time workers to become caseworkers and contribute towards decreasing staff vacancies across the state.  For further information or to apply, please visit the family time worker website.   Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said, “It is very important that children in care remain connected with their families where it's safe to do so.  “Our goal is to do all we can to restore children to their families. Supervised family visits are an essential part of that process.  “Directly employing family time workers is an important element of the Minns Labor Government’s sweeping reforms of the foster care system, aimed at improving outcomes for vulnerable children and reducing unnecessary costs.  “We are entering a significant time of change so that we can make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across NSW.”  Mark Tinelt, Aboriginal Family Time Team Leader, said, “I am looking forward to my role as one of the newly appointed Aboriginal-identified family time team leaders.  “This program is about re-creating relationships between children and parents, their supports, and, more importantly, the relationship between our mob in community and DCJ.  “Over the next few years, we will be positioned in an extraordinarily unique space where Aboriginal People, working with DCJ, will be empowered to continue the stories of our old People, our song lines, our kinship connections and our cultural responsibilities by facilitating healing spaces for families and their supports.”  Andrea Te Ua, Family Time Team Leader, said, “I have been a family time worker and worked with DCJ for 15 years.  “Being a previous contact worker was a very rewarding experience. Family time workers play an important role in ensuring children in care are connected to their families and spend meaningful, quality time with them.  “I am excited as a newly appointed family time team leader to lead family time workers to deliver quality and culturally appropriate family time services.” 

The arrest of two men in Australia sparked an international investigation that saved six children in the Philippines from sexual abuse.Two women were also arrested in the Philippines after two child sexual abuse investigations in Australia uncovered crucial evidence.A 41-year-old Tasmanian man from Kings Meadows, near Launceston, was arrested in April over online child abuse offences, sparking a joint investigation between federal police in Australia and the Philippines.Investigators seized child abuse images and videos as well as a text conversation with a person who had sold child abuse material that was stored on the charged man's mobile phone.Digital forensic analysis of the phone led Australian Federal Police investigators to evidence that the seller and the child victims were in the Philippines.A second man, 41, was arrested at Melbourne Airport in April after child abuse material was found on his phone when he arrived on a flight from the Philippines. A search of his home uncovered evidence of contact offending against child victims offshore.Intelligence from both investigations was provided to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre and AFP investigators in Manila identified common aspects between the cases, including victims linked to both men.On November 14, police and social workers executed search warrants in the Cagayan De Oro region in the southern Philippines.Two women, aged 43 and 23, were charged with human trafficking and child abuse material offences that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.AFP investigators concluded the child victims were in the Philippines. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)The children, the youngest just two years old, were removed from harm and placed in the care of child welfare services.  The rescues and arrests were a powerful reminder of why the AFP worked closely with partners around the globe, AFP Manila liaison officer Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall said."These children's lives have been irrecoverably damaged, and we know there are too many other children still at risk," she said."That is why we will never give up our fight to keep children safe and stop those who try to exploit or abuse them."The Tasmanian man was charged with four counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material and four counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16. The matter is still before the courts.The Victorian man was charged by the AFP with several counts of possessing, soliciting and causing the transmission of child abuse material using a carriage service, one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside Australia and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia. He pleaded guilty on November 28 and will be sentenced in April.1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028By Abe Maddison in Adelaide

Public consultation opened today on the draft GenCost 2024-25 Report, an annual assessment of Australia’s future electricity generation costs used in infrastructure planning. GenCost is a technology-agnostic and policy-neutral report published by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).  (The nine-week public consultation period for the draft 2024-25 GenCost Report is now open for input._It focuses on cost estimates for new build electricity generation, storage, and hydrogen technologies, providing business leaders and decision makers with updated capital costs and data comparisons for their planning and financing studies. The draft report found renewables continue to have the lowest cost range of any new-build electricity generation technology, for the seventh year in a row.  It also found inflationary pressures continue to ease but the impact on each technology’s unique raw material inputs and supply chains remains mixed. Key points Large-scale solar photovoltaics (PV) capital costs have fallen 8 per cent two years in a row. Battery costs recorded the largest annual reduction, with capital costs falling 20 per cent. Onshore wind generation costs increased 2 per cent (but at a reduced rate from an 8 per cent increase last year), reflecting ongoing but moderate increases in equipment and installation costs. Gas turbine costings increased 11 per cent, reflecting the additional cost of being hydrogen ready which is now an industry standard. Modelling nuclear’s long operational life factor across all new-build electricity generation technologies presents no unique cost advantage over other technologies. ​CSIRO’s Director of Energy, Dr Dietmar Tourbier, said GenCost provides objective cost benchmarks using the best available and verifiable data. “GenCost’s annual update delivers data-based forecasts that support informed decision-making across the energy sector,” Dr Tourbier said.  “Collaboration and transparency are central to this process, and the feedback we receive plays a vital role in ensuring our data and projections are relevant and impactful.”  Nuclear updates Since GenCost provided the first detailed costings for new-build, large-scale nuclear electricity generation in Australia, three considerations have emerged regarding a facility’s:   Longer operational life (60 years) Estimated capacity factor range for Australia (the average time it operates at full capacity) Estimated development time (the planning, regulatory, community and construction activities anticipated to introduce a new domestic electricity source). ​CSIRO Chief Energy Economist and GenCost lead author, Mr Paul Graham, said today’s draft report found no unique cost advantage in nuclear technology. “Similar cost savings can be achieved with shorter-lived technologies, including renewables, even when accounting for the need to build them twice,” Mr Graham said.  “The lack of an economic advantage is due to the substantial nuclear re-investment costs required to achieve long operational life.” The draft report found GenCost’s previous analysis of nuclear’s capacity factor range of 53-89 per cent fair and remains unaltered based on verifiable data and consideration of Australia’s unique electricity generation sector.  It also reported that global median nuclear construction times have increased from 6 years to 8.2 years over the last 5 years, placing a development timeframe of between 12-17 years. Based on this analysis, GenCost maintained the total development lead time for nuclear in Australia will be at least 15 years. GenCost’s modelling methods and data sources are published online, and its authors actively respond to and engage the spectrum of interests across the electricity generation sector. Collaborative partner, AEMO, complements this through provision of industry data, technical review of information and facilitation of consultation. The draft GenCost 2024-25 report is open for consultation until 11 February 2025. Feedback should be sent to AEMO.The final GenCost 2024-25 report will be released in the second quarter of 2025. Download the GenCost 2024-25 consultation draft.

The majority of casual employees prefer to work in casual employment, according to new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).David Taylor, ABS head of labour statistics, said, “Three-quarters of casual employees currently prefer casual employment, with the flexibility in hours the main reason for over half of these people. The higher hourly pay rate was the main reason for almost a quarter of people preferring casual employment.”“For the one-quarter of casual employees who would prefer a non-casual job, the most common reasons were to have paid leave entitlements or have more secure employment.”.There were over 2.5 million employees without paid holiday or sick leave entitlements – a commonly used measure of casual workers – in August 2024. This represents 22 per cent of all employees (and 18 per cent of all employed people).“Casual employment was particularly impacted by the pandemic, falling from around 25 per cent of employees to under 21 per cent in 2020. While the share of casual employees subsequently rose to almost 24 per cent between 2020 and 2022, it has since dropped to just over 22 per cent of all employees in August 2024.” Mr Taylor said.Working from homeWorking from home is still more common among Australians after the pandemic, but slightly less than it was a year ago.“Our latest data, for August 2024, shows that 36 per cent of Australians usually work from home. While this was slightly down from 37 per cent in 2023, it was still four percentage points above the pre-pandemic level. This shows that many of the changes in working arrangements have continued beyond the pandemic.” Mr Taylor said.The main reasons people usually worked from home was to work more flexibly or choose their own hours, followed by operating a business from home or having a home-based job.Further details can be found in Working arrangements.Employee earningsHalf of all employees earned at least $1,396 a week in their main job in August 2024. This was an extra $96 a week, or 7.4 per cent more than in August 2023. Median hourly earnings were $40.00, up from $39.70 in August 2023.Median weekly earnings were around $1,700 for full-time employees, and $691 for part-time employees.The occupation groups with highest median weekly earnings were Managers ($2,100 per week) and Professionals ($1,827). The lowest were Sales workers ($714) and Labourers ($900).Further details can be found in Employee earnings.Trade union membershipThe number of trade union members rose by 175,800 to 1.6 million employees between August 2022 and August 2024. The trade union membership rate was 13.1 per cent of all employees in August 2024, compared with 12.5 per cent in August 2022 and 16.3 per cent 10 years ago.Further details can be found in Trade union membership.

The political fight over the federal government's response to anti-Semitism has ramped up following the firebombing of a synagogue as the opposition promised a crackdown.The firebombing at Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue is being investigated by Victoria Police and an Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism squad, with a meeting set for Monday.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes it has hallmarks of an act of terror, saying anti-Semitism has no place in Australia.The attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea happened in the early hours of Friday. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused him of not taking a stronger line, pledging to deport people on visas who display anti-Semitic behaviour and a dedicated federal task force to tackle the issue.If the coalition is elected after next year's federal election, the federal police-led body will tasked with investigating historic complaints about anti-Semitism dating back to October 7, 2023.This includes "blatant acts of discrimination, racism online and threats that have been made to people of Jewish faith", Mr Dutton said in Melbourne on Monday.Investigations into public display of symbols, incitement, harassment and other offences that didn't result in criminal charges will be re-opened.Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson pledged to issue a ministerial direction to the AFP to prioritise anti-Semitism and amend migration laws to ensure anti-Semitic conduct is captured.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has already cancelled and denied visas to people who've made anti-Semitic remarks - which is possible under the character test for visas.Stronger laws cracking down on the display of terror symbols passed federal parliament in October and anti-doxxing protections in November, without the support of the opposition.Doxxing refers to the revealing of a person's private information, such as phone numbers or addresses, without their consent and is often used to encourage harassment.Labor has also appointed Australia's first special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who is Jewish, called for unity over "partisan bickering", given the distress and fear being felt in the Jewish community."I have experienced levels of anti-Semitism, as has every Australian Jew, like we have never experienced it before in our lives," he said."That's got to stop and it's not a time for finger-pointing, it's not a time for cheap criticisms."The government on Sunday announced an extra $32.5 million in funding over the next 18 months to improve security measures to protect the Jewish community.While politicians have branded the synagogue attack an act of terror, Mr Dreyfus said while the attack caused fear and distress, which was "a core part of a terrorist activity", it was important that police be able to conduct their assessments without political interference.Ex-federal Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is a member of Melbourne's Jewish community, claimed "the government's weakness (in calling out anti-Semitism) has emboldened those who hate and emboldened those who harm"."It's clearly a terrorist attack under the legislation, it's a house of worship, so it's a religiously motivated attack," he told Nine's Today Show on Monday.The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has written to the prime minister asking him "to reflect on how this has been allowed to occur".It wants Mr Albanese to "review the government's rhetoric and public statements on anti-Semitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict".Lifeline 13 11 14beyondblue 1300 22 4636By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

The Minns Labor Government will consider reforms to laws regulating protests outside religious institutions and places of worship that aim to intimidate or prevent religious people from practicing their faith in NSW, to prevent the scenes of division seen outside the Great Synagogue of last week.  Everyone has a right to gather at mosques, churches, synagogues, and places of worship to participate in their faith free from intimidation.And while everyone has the right to protest peacefully in NSW, the right to peaceful assembly does not permit or excuse the intimidation or vilification of people based on their faith or religion. There have been too many instances across the country in recent times, where places of worship have been the target of protests.Protesting outside places of religious worship is inflammatory and provocative.Freedom of religious expression is critical to what makes Australia and NSW a free and democratic society.NSW must strike the right balance between religious freedoms and the right to protest in the interests of community harmony.We celebrate being a multicultural, multi-faith nation as we should, and nowhere more so than NSW, where we are an example to the world of how we can live together, as one people despite our differences.Premier Chris Minns said, “I’ve asked the Attorney General and The Cabinet Office to look at ways we can better protect places of worship from protests and provide reform options to Government.” “I am horrified by the attack at the Addas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, and the recent sight of protests out the front of a religious institution.“Being heckled on the way in to observe your faith is not consistent with the principles of a multi-cultural, multi-faith community where all are protected by law from someone stopping them from prayer.“Holding the line isn’t enough. We have to go further and ensure that people’s rights to religious freedom of expression and worship is protected.”Attorney General Michael Daley said, “Religious freedom is the bedrock of our multicultural state. People have the right to feel safe in their own city, in their own churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship.” “While we respect the right to protest we want to send a clear message that it should not be impinging on people gathering freely with their chosen faith community.”Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said, “Our multicultural and multifaith society is one of our state’s greatest achievements, but it can’t be taken for granted. It requires constant vigilance and work to ensure harmony is maintained.“Whilst the majority of citizens are united in our ability to empathise and to learn from the many cultures that make up our great state, unfortunately, we have seen a rise in Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents.  “The announcement today to explore legislative or regulatory reform is a logical next step to ensure all faith communities in our state have the protection required to practice freedom of religion.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today published the new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), the first major update to Australia’s occupation classification in 20 years.Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen said, “Having an occupation classification that reflects the modern labour market supports efficient, accurate and informed decision-making by governments, industry and businesses.”“Key benefits are the inclusion of new and emerging occupations, better coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander occupations and the removal of gendered language like ‘man’ and ‘woman’ from occupation titles and descriptions.”In 2022, the Australian government announced $23.7 million funding over four years for the ABS to comprehensively review the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and put in place a maintenance program from 2025.The formal consultation period for the review took over 200 days, involved over 2,000 groups and received 800 submissions from interested parties across Commonwealth and State Government agencies, and private industry.Dr Gruen said “The update to the classification has been a huge, coordinated effort across many teams over the past two years. While today marks a key milestone, there is more to do. “The ABS is committed to regular updates of OSCA and we are developing a plan for ongoing feedback.”The new classification is available on the ABS website and will be reflected in official labour market statistics from September 2026, and in 2026 Census data outputs.  For more information: About OSCA | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)Occupation Classification for Australia (OSCA), 2024, version 1.0

Public hospital admissions for elective surgery were the highest on record in 2023–24, according to new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), indicating a return to pre-COVID levels of elective surgical activity.There were 771,600 admissions from public hospital elective surgery waitlists in 2023–24 (excluding the Northern Territory*), a 5% increase from 735,500 in 2022–23. These findings are contained in new updates to the AIHW’s MyHospitals platform, showing national, state and hospital-level elective surgery wait times and emergency department presentations in 2023–24. ‘While most elective surgeries performed in Australia are undertaken in private hospitals, the information presented in this update provides an overview of elective surgeries from public hospital waitlists,’ said AIHW spokesperson Clara Jellie.‘The increase in the number of admissions from public hospital elective surgery waitlists follows a period of considerable disruption to the health system as a result of the pandemic, where we saw fluctuations in the numbers of elective surgeries being performed as outbreaks of COVID-19 impacted patients, and the availability of hospital staff and resources.‘Elective surgeries are procedures that are deemed medically necessary, but are planned surgeries that are not conducted as a result of an emergency presentation, and as a result, may be subject to delays.’The largest increases in elective surgery admissions compared with 2022–23 was seen in the Australian Capital Territory (19%) and Victoria (10%). Over a 5-year period, the largest increases in admissions were in Tasmania (10% annual average increase since 2019–20), and in Victoria (4.9%). Cataract extraction was the most common procedure for those admitted from an elective surgery waitlist, accounting for 11% of all intended procedures. Although the most common surgical specialty associated with admissions was general surgery, representing 20% of all surgeries, the areas of surgical speciality that have seen the greatest percentage increases in admissions from elective surgery waitlists were vascular surgery (12% increase compared with 2022–23) and paediatric surgery (8.2% annual average growth since 2019–20). Improvements in waiting times for elective surgery waitlist admissions have also been recorded, according to the new updates released today.Half (50%) of all patients were admitted within 46 days in 2023–24, an improvement from 49 days in 2022–23. Nine in 10 (90%) patients were admitted within 329 days – down from 361 days in 2022–23. Around 6.4% of patients waited more than a year – down from 9.6% in the previous reporting period (2022–23).The number of emergency department presentations increased by 0.4% in 2023–24, with 8.83 million emergency department presentations (excluding the Northern Territory) compared with 8.80 million in 2022–23. Around 2 in 3 (67%) emergency department patients were ‘seen on time’ for their urgency category, a slight increase from 65% in 2022–23. Nearly 100% of resuscitation patients were seen immediately, and 67% of those categorised as emergency cases (where clinical care should start within 10 minutes) were seen on time. These patients accounted for 18% of all emergency department presentations; the remaining 82% were categorised as urgent, semi-urgent or non-urgent patients. *The AIHW expects to update published information to include data for Northern Territory once finalised.*

The NSW Government is currently spending significantly more public money promoting coal than helping regional communities transition away from it, according to new research by the Australia Institute. The report, Greenwashing Coal in New South Wales, reveals a stark contrast in funding priorities. State government organisations that are meant to be supporting communities with the transition away from coal have an initial budget of just $5.2 million, while public subsidies for coal research and promotion far exceed this amount. Key points:The NSW Government’s proposed Future Jobs and Investment Authorities for the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West regions aim to assist coal-reliant communities' transition. But they are severely underfunded with a collective budget of just $5.2 million for all four authorities.These Authorities are not able to access increased funding from the Future Jobs and Investment Fund until 2028-29.Organisations devoted to promoting and prolonging the NSW coal industry, by contrast, have significantly more resources:Coal Innovation NSW spent $27 million last year and has a balance of $45 million.The coal industry organisation Low Emissions Technology Australia (LETA) is promoted as a $700 million fund. This fund is publicly subsidised, but recently asked to stop receiving contributions due to a significant surplus of funding.The report calls for the abolition of Coal Innovation NSW and associated funds. It also recommends royalty deduction subsidies to LETA be immediately abolished.“The NSW Government is far more focused on promoting coal than helping communities move away from it,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute. “The current approach undermines both the state’s emissions reduction efforts and the future of regional communities.“What governments do is more important than what they say. Regional communities need funding to transition smoothly, but instead, the lion’s share of government funding is used to promote speculative technologies that assist the coal industry. “The NSW Government has the opportunity to lead the way by redirecting funds and ensuring these communities thrive in a post-coal economy. It should impose a moratorium on new coal projects, abolish Coal Innovation NSW and end royalty deductions for coal industry promotion.“In contrast to the meagre funding in NSW, the German Coal Commission budgeted $3.4 billion per year to allow its regions to move past coal. This is what genuine climate leadership and caring for communities looks like. Unfortunately, the NSW Government has a long way to go.“This research shows that the NSW Government is happy to use the budget to subsidise the coal industry, just as its response to the Newcastle coal port protests showed that it was happy to sacrifice democratic rights for the coal industry.”Beau Blenman, a 7th generation Hunter Valley local who has worked in mining for over two decades said: "Coal mining has devastated our once-beautiful agricultural valley, damaging the environment and eroding the fabric of our community.”"The toll from coal mining in the Hunter has been severe, from polluted air to degraded aquifers. Despite the government’s claims of caring about biodiversity, mining rehabilitation efforts here have been woefully inadequate."We're witnessing our weather systems change while foreign-owned companies profit at the expense of our land and people,” Mr Blenman said.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released ten facts about the Australian economy in the September quarter 2024.Our lowest annual economic growth since 2020. The economy grew 0.3 per cent in the September quarter 2024, and 0.8 per compared to September 2023. This was the lowest annual[1] growth rate since the December quarter 2020. Inflation was the lowest since 2021. Annual inflation fell to its lowest rate since the March quarter 2021. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 0.2 per cent in the September quarter and was only up 2.8 per cent compared to the September quarter 2023. Annual goods inflation dropped sharply to 1.4 per cent, with significant falls in both electricity[2] and automotive fuel prices. Annual services inflation remained high at 4.6 per cent as rent and insurance prices continued to rise. Wages slowed. Annual wages, as measured by the Wage Price Index (WPI) was 3.5 per cent. This was the first time the WPI fell below 4.0 per cent since the June quarter 2023. Wage rises for many jobs this quarter were linked to the outcomes of the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision. The latest decision for a 3.75 per cent wage increase paid from 1 July 2024 was lower than the increase of 5.75 per cent awarded in 2023. Employment remained strong. The labour market remained tight, with a low unemployment rate and high levels of employment and participation. While job vacancies continued to decline, demand for labour remained high, with large number of people continuing to find work.Electricity rebates and warm weather reduced electricity and gas household expenditure. Another round of electricity bill relief rebates, including the commonwealth electricity bill relief fund helped household budgets this quarter September. This followed the rollout of other electricity bill relief packages in September quarters 2022 and 2023. The rebates 2 drove a 1.4 per cent increase in general government expenditure and, when paired with the unseasonably warm end to winter, supported a 16.7 per cent fall in electricity and gas expenditure.  Households took home more pay. The implementation of the federal government stage 3 tax cuts saw a 3.8 per cent fall in income tax paid by households. This contributed to the 1.5 per cent increase in household disposable income and the increase in the household saving ratio to 3.2 per cent.Level of public investment was the highest on record. Public investment rose 6.3 per cent, led by higher defence investment. State and local investment was also strong with both the general government and public non-financial corporations sectors investing in the three R's (roads, rail and renewables), plus major health projects. Business investment levels remained elevated. Despite falling 0.6 per cent in the September quarter, private business investment remained high. This quarter and the previous five quarters saw the level of investment (in real terms) being greater than $75b per quarter. Investment during the quarter was driven by machinery and equipment and computer software. The last time we saw sustained levels of investment this high was during the mining construction boom between 2012 and 2014. We searched for sun, sports and slopes. Travel services imports rose 9.9 per cent in the quarter as Aussies spent more time abroad. The number of residents going on short-term travel rose, with the biggest contribution coming from holiday makers. Destinations were varied as people chased the summer sun in Asia or Olympic fever in Europe, while others preferred to hit the slopes in New Zealand.Our current account deficit continued. Australia’s net primary income deficit fell to its smallest level since September quarter 2021, with an offsetting fall in the trade balance. This reflected the continuing fall in Australia's terms of trade and led to the sixth current account deficit in a row. [1] Annual growth refers to through the year. This refers to growth between one quarter and the corresponding quarter the year after. For example, growth between December 2019 and December 2020.[2] For more information on the different treatments of economic policies between CPI and the National Accounts please see:

As part of the NSW Government plan to develop regional economies in NSW, the Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty has today launched the NSW Government’s Seaweed Prospectus, which forecasts a potential $2.3 billion boost to the NSW economy through the growth of seaweed-related industries.The prospectus outlines the opportunities available for investors in NSW to tap into the fast-growing seaweed industry.With the State’s ready access to seawater, saline groundwater, abundant land, and skilled labour, economic modelling has shown NSW has the capacity to produce two million tonnes of seaweed each year by 2030, adding an estimated $2.3 billion to the NSW economy.This production capacity could help meet growing demand in the global market for seaweed-derived products such as pet food, nutraceuticals, bioplastics, and methane-reducing supplements.It is estimated the global market for seaweed-derived products could be worth an additional $16 billion by 2030, with NSW in a position to claim up to 14 percent of the market.Of the 1,500 native Australian seaweed species, 230 grow in NSW. This includes key species Ulva spp, Ecklonia radiata, and Asparagopsis. Despite Australia boasting 15 percent of global seaweed species, we currently import some A$40 million of seaweed products.The prospectus highlights the key opportunities for investment in the sector including:Cultivation of seaweed, including co-location with existing aquaculture systems and using nutrient-rich waste streams from food processing and wastewater treatment facilities.Processing and manufacturing value-added seaweed products such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofertilizer.Leveraging the State’s research and development capacity with partnerships with leading universities and research institutions developing new and emerging seaweed applications and cultivation practices.Minister Moriarty launched the prospectus in Huskisson at PhycoHealth, a South Coast business that specialises in sustainable seaweed products, during a three-day NSW Government-led trade mission beginning in the region today.Consuls-General from 13 countries are exploring the region’s progressive aquaculture, food and beverage, manufacturing, tourism and clean tech industries as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Investment Activation Program, which aims to drive growth, create jobs, and promote investment in regional NSW.The Seaweed Prospectus is a key deliverable under the NSW Government’s recently released Aquaculture Vision Statement.To view the Seaweed Investment Prospectus, go to: Investregional.nsw.gov.au/seaweed.Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “The South Coast trade mission has been a great opportunity to roll out the welcome mat to global markets and launch the NSW Government’s Seaweed Prospectus in a region that is already leading the way with its thriving aquaculture industry.“Regional NSW has a lucrative opportunity to celebrate our natural resources, get ahead of the game and cultivate a strong state economy, and I am proud that this Seaweed Prospectus may help open doors to new investment opportunities.”Minister for Industry and Trade, Anoulack Chanthivong said, “With the market for seaweed related products creating a potential $2.3 billion boost to the NSW economy, the Minns Labor Government is ready to capitalise on NSW’s abundant natural seaweed resources.“NSW is fortunate to grow 230 of the 1500 native Australian seaweed species, which places us in a great position to be an important player in the global seaweed product market which is forecast to be worth an additional $16 billion by 2030.“The Minns Labor Government is focused on diversifying our international trade offerings, and the Seaweed Prospectus will provide a platform to supercharge a rich potential trade stream for NSW industry.”PhycoHealth Founder, Dr Pia Winberg said, “With an estimated $1 billion in sustainable innovation and enterprise from seaweed alone on NSW's doorstep, the opportunity for Australia to lead the way in aquaculture and sustainability is immense."We are proud to be one of the leading aquaculture ventures in New South Wales, working alongside other remarkable initiatives, such as the largest shellfish industry in Australia and oyster and mussel leases dotting the state's coastline."Seeing the government acknowledge the importance of what we are building here makes our work all the more meaningful."

Doctors and lawyers are calling for people who use drugs to be given healthcare appointments instead of court dates.A mayor with a front-row seat to the most liberal drug decriminalisation policy in the US will join experts and decision-makers at a landmark Australian forum aiming to build consensus on how drug use and its associated harms will be managed in the coming years and decades.They will join representatives from almost 300 organisations and dozens of politicians on Wednesday for the Sydney leg of the NSW Drug Summit.Approaches to treatment and rehabilitation will be discussed at the NSW Drug Summit. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)Royal Australasian College of Physicians president Jennifer Martin said addressing drug use would require funding for treatment services, including for the trauma that could prompt people to start using drugs.Reducing stigma around use would make it easier for those in need of treatment to seek help and decriminalisation would prevent long-lasting adverse impacts associated with the justice system, she added."There is no one silver bullet that will fix the issue ... a health-focused approach requires a comprehensive understanding of interconnecting issues," Professor Martin said.While Australia addresses drug use through the lens of harm minimisation, reform advocates have urged NSW to go further with wider decriminalisation for personal use and improved support for rehabilitation services.Ted Wheeler is expected to outline the risk of doing one without the other.The mayor of Oregon's largest city has said addiction rates and overdose rates skyrocketed in Portland after possession for personal use was decriminalised in 2020.Rather than being sent to court or jail, people caught with a small amount of illicit drugs were fined up to $US100 ($A155).The state backtracked in April."To decriminalise the use of drugs before you actually had the treatment services in place was obviously a huge mistake," Mr Wheeler told the New York Times at the time.Large numbers of children in NSW are impacted by parental drug use, welfare agencies say. (AAP PHOTOS)The summit is also expected to hear about holistic approaches to rehabilitation, including catering for families."There are clearly large numbers of children in NSW who are impacted by parental drug use," the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies said in a submission to the summit."However, there are very few services that can provide whole-of-family support and even fewer residential rehabilitation and withdrawal management services that can allow parents to bring their children."Input is also expected from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, law and order bodies, people with lived experience of drug use and those involved in the 1999 drug summit.Data published by the summit suggested the number of people going through the justice system for drug use and drug possession incidents in NSW was declining - to about 22,800 in 2023.About half were for cannabis, although one in three of those users were sent down diversionary pathways.Law Society of NSW president Brett McGrath said cannabis cautions and diversions were a positive step towards a health-based approach to drug reform, and backed further investment in rehabilitation services."Investment in rehabilitation services, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW, coupled with criminal law reform, will contribute to improved community safety and relieve strain on the police and courts," he said.The society also supports reinstating a youth drug and alcohol court and expanding to the existing children's court the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program, both products of the previous drug summit.By Jack Gramenz and Luke Costin in Sydney

Australia has changed its diplomatic position in backing a United Nations resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of Palestine.Australia was among 157 countries that supported the resolution, while eight voted against it, including the US and Israel.The motion called for a peaceful settlement of Palestine and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.Australia's ambassador to the UN James Larsen told the General Assembly the position reflected growing international momentum."A two-state solution remains the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples," he said.Earlier, deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley said it was disappointing that Australia would shift its stance away from that of the US and Israel at the UN.Sussan Ley says the decision could affect Australia's close relationship with the US. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)"We still have hostages in tunnels under Gaza. We still have Hamas in the Gaza Strip, almost in control. And how is this not rewarding terrorists at this point in time?" she told Sky News on Wednesday."At a critical point in the relationship that we should be having with the US, this is not going to encourage that strong closeness that we need with our nearest ally when it comes to the relationship we have to have."By Andrew Brown in Canberra

The Federal Government welcomes China lifting the remaining suspensions on two Australian meat processing establishments, paving the way for full resumption of red meat exports to China.This development follows the lifting of suspensions on eight beef processing facilities in May this year.The Government has consistently advocated for the final two establishments in Queensland to be able to resume exports into China.China is the second largest market for Australian beef and veal after the United States. The removal today of the final two suspensions marks a return to business as usual for beef and veal exports, which topped $2.2 billion in 2023-24.Today’s announcement follows forecasts that Australia’s red meat exports are set to break records in 2024–25.The boost of red meat exports is forecast to push the overall value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry to $94.3 billion, the second highest on record, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "This is great news for Australian exporters, producers and farmers."Since we were elected, we've worked tirelessly to resume trade, and that's exactly what we are seeing."It's a win for trade and a win for Australian jobs – something my Government will always back."Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “The removal of all impediments on Australian beef exports to China affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor Government.“The Government will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their world-class products on the global stage, including through efforts to diversify and expand trade markets.”Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said, "We are close to the point where China’s trade impediments, which impacted $20 billion worth of Australian exports, have all been removed.“The removal of trade impediments has not only saved but also created thousands of new jobs in Australia.“Beef producers in Queensland, winemakers in South Australia, and barley growers in Western Australia have all benefited from this Government’s steady hand on the trade tiller.”Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins MP said, “I welcome today’s news by China and thank our red meat industry and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officials who have worked so hard to get this outcome. “Concerted engagement and advocacy with our largest trading partner have been rewarded with the lifting of suspensions on all Australian meat export facilities in the past 12 months.  “In 2023-24, Australia exported over 70 per cent of its agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to 169 markets globally – the most diversified trade has ever been. This is thanks to our Government.” 

The man wanted over Melbourne's infamous Easey Street murders has boarded a plane back to Australia. Perry Kouroumblis was arrested at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in September over the slaying of Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, in January 1977.The friends were found dead with multiple stab wounds in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood.Ms Bartlett's 16-month-old son Gregory was found unharmed in his cot.The 65-year-old Kouroumblis was pictured by several media outlets being escorted onto a Qatar Airways flight which departed at Monday afternoon local time. Kouroumblis is expected to land in Australia on Tuesday night. (AP PHOTO)He will return to Melbourne on a second flight via Doha that is expected to land on Tuesday night.Kouroumblis previously told Italian authorities he was "happy" to be extradited but a judge will have final sign off.Charges have not been laid and he maintains his innocence.Kouroumblis' lawyer, Serena Tucci, said her client was prepared to face trial and his extradition could happen without a court appearance."It's very possible that the judge's signature could happen right as the guards are there at the prison, and within an hour, he's gone," she told the ABC last month.Victoria Police had an INTERPOL red notice alert out for Kouroumblis on two charges of murder and one of rape.Shane Patton described the murders as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide". (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)However, he was not able to be arrested in Greece due to a 20-year statute of limitation on the initiation of murder charges.Ms Armstrong and Ms Bartlett were last seen alive on January 10, 1977, and their bodies were found three days later.Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has described the murders as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide".The force offered a $1 million reward in 2017 to catch those responsible.The women went to school together at Benalla in Victoria's north, and their families said their deaths changed many lives "irrevocably".By Holly Hales in Melbourne

Racism towards Indigenous medical trainees and interns is prompting more than a quarter to consider other careers, a survey shows.Health authorities say societal racism risks further deterioration in health outcomes and challenging attempts to improve life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.More than half of the Indigenous trainees surveyed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency reported experiencing or witnessing racism, bullying, or sexual harassment, compared to a third of trainees in total.Medical Board of Australia chair Anne Tonkin was appalled by the survey results."Our health system and our community need to do better," Dr Tonkin said.Indigenous practitioners are key to delivering culturally safe healthcare, particularly in remote communities.Among national targets aimed at improving outcomes for Indigenous people is closing the gap in life expectancy by 2031.The target would pass its deadline by the time an aspiring doctor beginning their study in 2025 would qualify, which typically takes at least seven years.More than 80 per cent of survey respondents said it was worth investing the time, reporting their medical school studies prepared them well, but almost two-thirds were stressed over the cost.Almost 30 per cent of Indigenous trainees, and close to one in five trainees in total, were considering a career outside of medicine.Dr Tonkin said the racism and harassment trainees reported witnessing and experiencing was a societal issue and not just a problem in the medical sector."(Survey) results anchor deficits in the culture of medicine firmly to wider community attitudes and behaviours," she said.About half the respondents said patients and their families were the most common source of their reported experiences.13YARN 13 92 76Lifeline 13 11 14By Jack Gramenz in Sydney

The NSW Labor Government is today marking an important milestone in its reform of the foster care system with the release of a landmark report that calls for sweeping changes.The ‘System review into out-of-home care,’ commissioned by the Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington MP, examined the outsourced foster care system and investigated how taxpayer money is being spent by non-government providers.The report found that the $2 billion out-of-home care (OOHC) system, created under the former coalition government, is:not fit for purpose and fails to meet the needs of children and young people at an efficient costcharacterised by a profound lack of accountability and ineffective oversightoverly complex, fragmented, and slow to respond in the best interests of children and young peoplelargely devoid of robust evidence-based practicesThe review’s authors were often unable to follow the dollar to determine if taxpayer funds were being used to meaningfully support vulnerable children and young people.The final report provides a roadmap for rebuilding system accountability and oversight; improving contractual and financial management; collaborating with and elevating the voices of children, families and carers; and building a stronger workforce.The 13 recommendations include:ceasing the current practice of outsourcing case management to non-government providers before final orders are made by the Children’s Courtmandating greater financial transparency between OOHC providers and foster carers (including relative and kinship carers), so that carers are aware of the significant taxpayer funding being provided to their case management agencyrequiring OOHC providers to clearly identify the direct services and supports provided to children and young people as a result of taxpayer fundingboosting accountability in the outsourced sector through key performance indicators, comparative analyses, and regular financial and performance auditsensuring all OOHC placement types are evidence-informed, reducing the reliance on High-Cost Emergency Arrangements (HCEAs)The review was commissioned following a harrowing report by the Advocate for Children and Young People that details the first-hand experiences of the state’s most vulnerable young people in emergency accommodation. This type of accommodation can cost upwards of $2 million a year for each child, costing taxpayers more than $38,000 a week.The system review was led by former Assistant Commissioner with NSW Police, Gelina Talbot, and former executive director of the Department of Communities and Justice, Lauren Dean. Their report sets out a blueprint for change and provides important insights into a system that often fails to meet the needs of children and young people.  While considering the report in its entirety, the NSW Government is already getting on with the job of implementing many of the recommendations, including:Announcing a total ban on Alternative Care Arrangements (ACAs) by March 2025Reducing the number of children placed in ACAs by 81 per cent since November 2023, down to just 27 childrenReducing the number of children placed in all types of HCEAs by 33 per cent since November 2023Opening the Waratah Care Cottages to better support children and sibling groups who are currently stuck in HCEAsImplementing Active Efforts legislation, meaning DCJ must do everything practical to ensure children are safe and connected to their family, culture and community; as well as undertake extensive family-finding processes if a child is removedFinding safe homes for 849 children by commencing recruitment of more than 200 emergency foster carers after the former government stopped recruitingSigning a historic deal to increase caseworker pay to attract and retain more caseworkersIncreasing workforce capability by redeploying casework specialists back to the frontline so more families are seen by highly skilled caseworkersThe NSW Government acknowledges the important contributions of the hundreds of stakeholders, caseworkers, foster carers, families, and children and young people whose valuable contributions made this report possible.The NSW Government is closely reviewing the findings and recommendations of the report and will formally respond in the coming months. Read the ‘System review into out-of-home-care.’Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said, “I thank Gelina Talbot and Lauren Dean for their clear and decisive report that lays out a significant roadmap for reform.“The Minns Labor Government has been open and honest about the spiralling out-of-home care system we inherited. Now we have the evidence and the recommendations we need to start turning the ship around so that vulnerable children and young people get the supports they need.“It’s shocking that some out-of-home care providers are failing to provide basic supports to children, despite being paid hundreds of thousands, and in some cases, millions, of taxpayer dollars to do so. “Right now, we know taxpayer money is not always flowing to the children who need it.“As a government, we are committed to ensuring every dollar invested in the child protection system goes to the vulnerable children who need it.“Over the past 18 months, the Minns Labor Government has been stabilising the system, now we will begin rebuilding the foundations so that we can invest in better outcomes. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure increased accountability and transparency translates to better outcomes for children and young people.