Follow the day’s news, live. Flash flooding in Queensland 03:01 Flash flooding has occurred in areas of south-east Queensland this morning, according to the state’s fire and rescue service. The wild weather comes as part of the developing east coast low, most prominently causing havoc at major music festival Splendour in the Grass. We’ve already seen flash flooding in some SEQ areas this morning, so it’s vital motorists heed warnings & take note of road closures. Reconsider the need to travel but if you must, and you do come across floodwater, back it up and find a safer route. If it's flooded, forget it. https://t.co/dx6CtMOXlw— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) July 21, 2022 An East Coast Low developing off the south-east #Qld coast will remain offshore but bring damaging winds and waves to the Qld coast from today and the northern #NSW coast over coming days. pic.twitter.com/Cpy61Bd46O— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) July 21, 2022 Albanese government doubles foreign investment fees 02:54 Paul Karp The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, also spoke about the Albanese government’s first meeting with the state and territory treasurers since it was elected in May. Chalmers said treasurers were looking for a “new approach” and had demonstrated “terrific spirit” at the meeting on Friday morning, with treasurers from “both sides of the political fence looking for solutions not for conflict”. Chalmers announced that the fees and penalties for foreign investors will be doubled, raking in an extra $455m over four years. Earlier, in a statement, Chalmers said: Australia welcomes foreign investment that is in Australia’s interests. Foreign investment application fees ensure the cost of administering the foreign investment framework is not borne by Australians, and penalties encourage compliance with our rules. Australia continues to be an attractive place for investment. We have a lot to offer global investors including strong institutions, transparent regulations and a highly-skilled workforce. We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future. Foreign investment fees will continue to make up only a small proportion of total foreign direct investment. Decisions like this are made necessary by the state of the budget we have inherited from our predecessors. Agriculture minister warns against foot-and-mouth disease 'scaremongering' 02:45 Paul Karp The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, has warned against “scaremongering” on foot-and-mouth disease at a press conference in Brisbane. Watt said: Despite what some might be hearing or saying Australia remains foot-and-mouth free and Australian meat products are safe to eat. We continue to enjoys the safest meat and dairy products in the world. Important we remain calm and work collaboratively … scaremongering and fanning the flames of genuine concern does nothing to help our $80bn agriculture industry remain strong, and retain its strong international reputation. Watt also said Australia’s defences were “built up over many decades” but blamed the Coalition for “having allowed that wall to decay”. He gave the example of white spot disease, which entered Australia “under the last government”. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said he had “a very high level of confidence in the minister’s efforts and industry’s effort to keep the challenge at bay”, saying they were “working around the clock to ensure Australia does the best we can” to keep foot-and-mouth disease out. Asked if a support package would be given if foot-and-mouth disease does enter Australia, Chalmers said the government recognises livestock is a “really crucial industry for Australia” as a source of employment and food. Within the “bounds of responsible economic management” the cabinet would consider anything Watt asks for. 02:42 Foreign investment fees and penalties increased Foreign investment application fees will double and penalties will be increased in a move that will add $455m to the budget’s bottom line, AAP reports. The new fees range from $4,000 on investments valued at less than $75,000, to more than $1m for residential investments over $40m and commercial ones over $2bn. While foreign investment in the nation’s interest is welcomed, application fees ensure the cost of administering the foreign investment framework is not borne by Australians, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said: We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future. We will always put Australian interests first. That means ensuring Australians benefit from foreign investment in Australia. Chalmers said the increase, a policy that Labor took to the election, was necessary due to the state of the budget. Residential properties up to $2m will have an additional fee of about 1.3%, while the maximum fee for commercial investments over $50m will generally sit at less than 0.1% of the transaction value. This drops to an increase of less than 0.03% for large commercial investments, which make up the majority of foreign investment in Australia. The new fees will come into effect from 29 July. Queensland records 10 Covid deaths and 1,050 people in hospital 02:34 There were 9,023 new cases in Queensland in the last reporting period and 10 deaths. There are 1,050 people in hospital in the state with 26 in intensive care. Today we have recorded 9,023 new COVID-19 cases. Sadly, we have reported 10 deaths in the past 24 hours. Full details➡️https://t.co/rKHIwrGADi pic.twitter.com/826fq1Qdvl— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) July 22, 2022 02:21 Possibilities of bilateral cooperation ‘really powerful’ – Kennedy Caroline Kennedy was also asked about the length of time that’s elapsed since Australia had an ambassador from the US. Q: “It’s been 549 days since the last time there was an American Ambassador to Australia. At that time, some people wondered whether the relationship had been downgraded, maybe it didn’t matter to the US. What do you say to people who have had that concern?” Kennedy said it was “not true” that the Australia-US relationship had been downgraded. I wish you could have been with me in DC. The sense of excitement about all the possibilities for bilateral cooperation is really powerful. I think everybody feels that it’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long to confirm ambassadors but all my predecessors I’ve consulted with including Ambassador Culvahouse who have all given me great advice, and, you know, between Covid and all of that, I think it’s been a lot of that, but we’ve also seen that people can work remotely and I think that there’s been a lot of work ongoing, even though there hasn’t been an ambassador. So now we’ll see if having an ambassador makes a difference. I hope that I can tell you that it does. 02:15 US and Australia cooperation will have ‘big impact’ in the Pacific, new ambassador says Circling back to the new US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, and her media conference following her arrival in Australia. Kennedy acknowledged that the US had stepped back from the Pacific region over recent years and said she was glad the US was once again refocusing its efforts. I know there’s a lot of work to do in the Pacific ... after an absence of many years in terms of the US engagement. Kennedy highlighted the personal significance the Pacific region has for her because of links with her father John F Kennedy: It’s certainly a big focus now, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit. Certainly, for me personally, it has great significance, since my father served in the Pacific and was rescued by two Solomon Islanders and an Australian coast watcher. This is a critical area in the region, and I think the U.S. needs to do more. We’re putting our embassies back in and the Peace Corps coming, and USAID is coming back and we’re coming back. We haven’t been there for a while, but I think that, that that is all tremendously positive, and I think the U.S. and Australia working together will make a big impact. © Provided by The Guardian US ambassador, Caroline Kennedy, speaks to the media after arriving in Sydney. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/EPA 02:11 ‘I’m ready to get filthy today’: muddy conditions at Splendour © Provided by The Guardian The campsite has now been closed to new arrivals, who are being diverted offsite. Photograph: Maddie Denham While many are disappointed by, and fearful for their safety, camping in the muddy conditions at Splendour in the Grass, others have decided to embrace the event regardless – que sera, sera. Boomers have also taken to social media to remind the young ’uns about the mud at Woodstock in 1969. Sunshine would be nice for #SITG but I’ve done Glastonbury plenty of times in the mud and it’s always amazing. I’m ready to get filthy today ⛈🎸🍺 #Splendour #SplendourInTheGrass pic.twitter.com/fggbNk31pG— Leon Sjogren (@Leonsjogren) July 21, 2022 Woodstock 1969 boomers in the mud #splendourinthegrass pic.twitter.com/3nhyfFfCMt— Politic@l Spinner (@LesStonehouse) July 21, 2022 01:59 Donna Lu Huntsman telescope launched to hunt for ultra-faint galaxies A new telescope, called the Huntsman telescope, has been launched at Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, NSW. Inspired by the Dragonfly telescope in the US, the Huntsman is the only telescope of its kind in the southern hemisphere and is designed to hunt for ultra-faint galaxies. The telescope was unveiled by Macquarie University and supported by Canon Australia, who provided an array of 10 super-telephoto lenses that power the telescope. The telescope’s principal researcher, Dr Lee Spitler, of Macquarie University, said in a statement: The Huntsman telescope is pioneering the way in which we view our southern skies by capturing images of the faintest galaxy structures that conventional telescopes simply couldn’t. The ability to [see] the faintest and smallest galaxies in the universe will help us understand the potential fate of the Milky Way in the far distant future. Researchers believe the telescope will shed light on galaxy formation and evolution – how galaxies form, how they grow, and what happens when they collide. Spitler said the telescope would help scientists understand what might happen if our galaxy – the Milky Way – collided with the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy, which is predicted to occur in 4.5bn years. © Provided by The Guardian The Huntsman Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, NSW. Photograph: Canon Australia 01:59 Splendour in the Grass photographs Heavy rain soaked the Splendour in the Grass campsite last night, making muddy conditions for campers. Organisers announced earlier this morning they are no longer accepting any more campers or vehicles. Festival goer Maddie Denham, who is one of the attendees still at the site, shared these images with Guardian Australia showing the conditions. © Provided by The Guardian Muddy conditions at the Splendour in the Grass campsite. Photograph: Maddie Denham © Provided by The Guardian The campsite has now been closed to new arrivals, who are being diverted offsite. Photograph: Maddie Denham © Provided by The Guardian Some attendees have raised health and safety concerns about the level of mud and water at the campsite. Photograph: Maddie Denham Video: Major flooding possible in NSW (Sky News Australia) Major flooding possible in NSW Sky News Australia See more videos SHARE SHARE TWEET SHARE EMAIL What to watch next Matthew Guy trying to be 'more left-wing' than Daniel Andrews Sky News Australia Rural communities ‘fearful’ government is not taking FMD seriously Sky News Australia Albanese 'a million per cent right' on coal and gas project comments Sky News Australia Putin ‘seeking assurances’ he has support Sky News Australia Ukrainian teenager released after 90 days in Russian prison Sky News Australia 'Time to wake the dragon': Game of Thrones prequel arrives at Comic-Con Sky News Australia Farmers 'terrified' of potential foot and mouth disease outbreak Sky News Australia 'Come home': Ireland Opposition Leader's plea to Irish-Australian tradies Sky News Australia Ireland looks to bring its tradies home Sky News Australia NASA's $US10 billion James Webb Telescope experiences 'significant uncorrectable' damage Sky News Australia 'We should not accept this rubbish': Medicare blasted over 'birthing parent' declaration Sky News Australia Joe Biden puts climate change in 'context of a war' Sky News Australia Enshrining Labor's climate target into law 'a suicide note' Sky News Australia ANZ 'buying the future' with $4.9 billion Suncorp deal Sky News Australia 'Instagram influencer': AOC hits back at claims she 'faked' being handcuffed Sky News Australia ASX 200 finishes the day up on Thursday Sky News Australia Click to expand Replay Video Matthew Guy trying to be 'more left-wing' than Daniel Andrews Whenever the Liberal Party try to be more left than the Labor Party it just Sky News Australia Rural communities ‘fearful’ government is not taking FMD seriously Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan says people from rural areas know how important it is to deal with the issue of foot and mouth disease and “deal with it seriously”. Sky News Australia Albanese 'a million per cent right' on coal and gas project comments The Australian’s Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan says Anthony Albanese deserves a “gold star” after the Prime Minister revealed the Greens' push to ban new coal and gas projects may actually lead to an increase in global emissions. Sky News Australia UP NEXT Splendour in the Grass no longer accepting campers 01:49 Splendour in the Grass is banning any more campers or vehicles from entering the site near Byron Bay in northern NSW because of heavy rain and muddy conditions. © Provided by The Guardian Muddy conditions at the Splendour in the Grass campsite. Photograph: Maddie Denham Those arriving to camp at the festival are being moved to the Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah. A statement just posted to the festival’s Facebook page says: Due to ongoing weather conditions we can no longer accept any campers or vehicles including day parking at North Byron Parklands (NBP). All incoming camping patrons and day parkers should proceed to Byron Events Farm (BEF) at 35 Yarun Rd, Tyagarah NSW 2481. This does not include Accessible, Flashcamp and Tent City patrons who will still be accepted at NBP. Free bus shuttles between BEF to NBP will be available. We thank you for your patience here and big shout out to our staff who are working around Mother Nature to get you in here safely. 01:43 Melissa Davey Australian birthrate falls to lowest in over a decade Australia has seen its lowest birthrate in more than a decade but stillborn rates have remained stubborn, based on the latest mothers and babies data. In 2020, there were 295,796 babies born to 291,712 mothers. This represents a fall from 66 women per 1,000 giving birth in 2007 to 56 per 1,000 in 2020, according to the Australia’s mothers and babies report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], published today. Related: Australian birthrate falls to lowest in over a decade 01:26 Treasurer meeting with state and territory counterparts The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is today meeting state and territory treasurers before the new federal parliament sits for the first time next week. The minister for women, Katy Gallagher, is also meeting with her state and territory counterparts today to discuss gender equality and policy priorities. Australians deserve a government that will work with states and territories in their best interests. We will bring people together to tackle our shared economic challenges. Convening state and territory Treasurers in Brisbane today. #auspol #ausecon pic.twitter.com/TPSKYIYjb7— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) July 21, 2022 01:13 Adeshola Ore Victoria’s power-saving scheme gets a top-up The Victorian government will inject an extra $205m to its $250m power saving bonus program. The scheme allows Victorian households to receive a $250 payment if they seek out a better energy deal via a comparison website, in a bid to reduce the burden of rising costs of living. The state’s energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio said 1 million Victorians had already participated in the program. We are proud to have supported 1 million Victorian households with their energy bills while helping them find the cheapest deal available. D’Ambrosio said the extra $250m would be sufficient to cover the additional demand but that extra funding could be provided for the uncapped program. The program runs until 30 June. 01:10 Health and safety concerns at Splendour in the Grass Attendees at Splendour in the Grass are expressing health and safety concerns as they are being asked to pitch tents amid deep puddles of water and mud, as well as over the lengthy wait times to enter the campground last night. How are we meant to keep safe and healthy in these conditions? Cancel festival and let us go home @SITG @Channel10AU @Channel9 @Channel7 pic.twitter.com/YBKPVpgPcM— Kate (@kate_ohagan3) July 21, 2022 We have been this queue for HOURS - since 4pm. We’ve been driving since 6am. Cars running out of petrol. Cars bogged. This is unsafe, and inhumane. @SITG #splendourinthegrass pic.twitter.com/oMU9fawXVr— Danni (@dannikedar) July 21, 2022 01:03 Unions pushing for ‘work from home’ to become a long-term right McManus is discussing the long term future of working from home arrangements, as unions push for ‘work from home’ to become a long-term right enshrined in workplace agreements. She says there is the need to work out what arrangements should be in place, with the need to ensure that it doesn’t end up being only women working from home and being penalised by not being as visible in the workplace. She highlights there are many benefits for workers doing their job from home. They are often less stressed, save time and money on resources like fuel. McManus says while international reactions from employers have been mixed, with some companies forcing all workers back into the office and others deciding to carry on the flexibility the pandemic showed was possible. McManus says driving increased flexibility is employers’ recognition that “happier workers means more productive workforce”. NSW records 15 Covid deaths and 2,202 people in hospital 22 Jul 2022 00:45 There were 18,669 new cases in the last reporting period, and 55 people are in intensive care. COVID-19 update – Friday 22 July 2022 In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday: - 96.8% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine - 95.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/BkHcsg4ILx— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) July 21, 2022 22 Jul 2022 00:38 US ambassador arrives in Australia The new US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, has arrived this morning and told the media she feels “lucky … to serve here and to live here.” Kennedy has been in Washington DC for the past month and says “everybody is so excited about working together and the Quad and in the Pacific” especially following US president Joe Biden’s “great” meeting with prime minister Anthony Albanese in Tokyo. There’s a big agenda and I can’t wait to get started. Personally this means a great deal to me. My my husband is here with me. We first came to Australia on our honeymoon 36 years ago, almost exactly, because three days ago was our anniversary. Then we are were fortunate to come back with our children when we were in Japan. So we met so many wonderful people and I can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to get a chance to serve here and to live here and get to know even more people. Heavy surf and high winds on east coast 22 Jul 2022 00:37 Beaches are closed and there have been multiple reports of cars in floodwater as a powerful offshore weather system moves south along Australia’s east coast, AAP reports. Emergency crews responded to two separate incidents when drivers found themselves in trouble on roads about three hours north west of Brisbane. A woman was assessed at the scene and didn’t need to be taken to hospital after an incident on the Bunya Highway near Kingaroy early this morning. Two people in their 50s also avoided injury when a car entered floodwater on Kumbia Road in Brooklands. Rainfall totals of more than 100mm have been reported in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with the town of Maleny among the hardest hit. Damaging winds averaging around 50 kilometres per hour are possible in exposed parts of the coast, and peak gusts may reach 110km/h on Fraser Island, also known as K’gari. There is also a minor flood warning in place for the Stanley River at Woodford, about an hour north of Brisbane. The low-pressure weather system is expected to move south on Friday and Saturday, and beaches have been closed on the Gold Coast because of the dangerous conditions. Wild surf is forecast for the NSW north coast from Friday, with wave heights of more than five metres possible. Dangerous beach conditions could affect the popular seaside towns of Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina and Yamba. The warning comes as thousands of music fans make their way to Byron Bay for the Splendour in the Grass music festival, where campers faced long queues to enter. A message on the festival’s Facebook page said late on Thursday: The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected. We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine. Splendour in the Grass organisers say show will go on 22 Jul 2022 00:35 As popular music festival Splendour in the Grass is hit by the east coast low, festival-goers wade through mud after many spent hours waiting to gain access to the camp ground. The campsite was left soaked by heavy rain last night. The ABC is reporting that many attendees, despite arriving at the site in the afternoon didn’t get to their tents until the early hours of the morning after being made to wait in their cars to gain entry to the grounds. The festival’s Facebook page made a post very late last night (approximately 10 hours ago) saying: We are extending our campgrounds entry hours at NBP tonight so if you’re in the queue, we will get you in. Please be patient – we hear you. The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected. We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine. Camping at Splendour looks fun this year 😳 pic.twitter.com/zmtYUE0ZG9— Eden Richards (@Eden_Richards) July 21, 2022 can't wait for everyone to start posting Splendour pics like pic.twitter.com/ZNvLXWGhNw— James Colley (@JamColley) July 21, 2022 Victoria records 25 Covid deaths and 840 people in hospital 22 Jul 2022 00:26 There were 12,278 new cases in the last reporting period, and 33 people are in intensive care. We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday. Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives. More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAchah#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/AO0zMy75ni— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) July 21, 2022 Splendour in the Grass in the mud 22 Jul 2022 00:02 One of Australia’s most popular music festivals, Splendour in the Grass, held near Byron Bay in northern NSW, starts today. But ticket holders are crossing their fingers that organisers will cancel and refund tickets. Heavy rain has soaked the festival’s campgrounds and attendees have been left stranded. The campsite entry was closed last night and huge numbers of festival-goers were told they would have to wait 11 hours in their cars, some of which were out of fuel. There are people here out of fuel being told they’ll just have to wait til the morning after waiting 11 HOURS in line - they’ve just closed entry to the campsite and there are THOUSANDS of cars backed up. #splendourinthegrass @SITG pic.twitter.com/dLge4qLEhv— Danni (@dannikedar) July 21, 2022 Splendour in the grass 2022, really hoping for a cancel-refund tickets- let me go home announcement asap xxx @SITG pic.twitter.com/xioLqzFRUp— Kate (@kate_ohagan3) July 21, 2022 22 Jul 2022 00:02 In Kennedy’s media conference following her arrival in Australia, she has stood up for a female journalist whose question was interrupted by a male colleague. "Did you just talk over the woman?" New US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy was expecting a bit more patience from the press during her first press conference in the country. #auspol @SBSnews pic.twitter.com/LK7BVisEfn— Naveen Razik (@naveenjrazik) July 21, 2022 Minister for women happy for abortion to be on agenda 21 Jul 2022 23:53 The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said he won’t revisit a Labor policy requiring public hospitals to offer abortion services as part of the commonwealth funding arrangements. When asked about the issue, Katy Gallagher, the minister for women is saying it’s an issue for the states to decide but that she was happy to put it on the agenda for today’s meeting where state and territory ministers responsible for women are gathering in Adelaide. The state determines what they provide through the hospitals and surgical terminations are provided through public hospitals as required, but there are obviously private termination-of-pregnancy services that are offered across Australia. The commonwealth doesn’t dictate what [public hospitals] provide. But I would also say that Minister [Ged] Kearney is actually responsible for putting together … a national women’s health plan. Working with Minister [Mark] Butler, reproductive health, access to reproductive health services will form part of that plan. But we are happy to have the discussion with state and territory ministers today, noting that the issue they raised was about nationally consistent laws for the provision of termination of pregnancy services. And that is a matter that constitutionally rested with the states and territories. But I think when it was raised with me about whether or not it could be discussed at this meeting, I was happy to facilitate that if this is the way we want to engage with states and territories. If they have issues they’d like to raise, then we should facilitate that through the agenda, have the discussion and work our way through but, you know, and that’s what we’ll do today on that matter. 21 Jul 2022 23:42 Trade union secretary urges employers to allow employees to work from home Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, is speaking to ABC Radio about how workers are faring amid the surging Covid cases. She says the nurses’ union has reported dire conditions as staff struggle under the workload caused by the increase in cases. She has encouraged the rest of the working population to work from home because “we should all be backing our healthcare workers”. However, she says the uptake of the government’s recommendation has been “patchy”. It’s been a bit of a scramble because we don’t have health orders requiring it … it comes down to whether the employer is going to listen to the recommendation. McManus says “unionised workplaces will be moving first,” because they will be able to put pressure on employers. However she says: Every good employer until this wave recedes should be allowing employees to work from home. 21 Jul 2022 23:37 Russia sanctions 39 Australians with security links The Russian government says it has added 39 representatives of Australian officials, security services and defence firms to a blacklist of people barred from entering the country, AAP reports. The Russian list issued on Friday morning includes Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, NSW Minister for Corrections Geoff Lee and members of the Department of Home Affairs. Russia’s foreign ministry released the list in what it said was a response to Australia’s adoption of a sanctions law similar to the US Magnitsky Act that provides for targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against individuals. The original act, adopted by the United States in 2012, is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who was arrested and later died in prison in Russia in 2009 after accusing Russian officials of a massive tax fraud. The Magnitsky-style reforms were adopted in Australia in December 2021 and allow the government to target individuals who perpetrate human rights abuses and conduct egregious acts of international concern. The Russian government last month barred 121 Australian citizens including business people, army officials, academics and journalists from the country in retaliatory sanctions. with Reuters 21 Jul 2022 23:37 Aim to address gender pay gap within the year Gallagher says the national plan for gender equality, which addresses the gender pay gap, is a key part of her work and “something we’d like to deliver in the first 12 months”. I don’t want to have a long process of putting this together. States and territories have moved alone in a sense or move individually in this area, but we think there is the opportunity to pull it together and have a national plan. We’ll be looking at ...those issues arise like gender, the gender pay gap but also leadership representation rights, some of those issues around care and caring responsibilities, and health and wellbeing as well. Gallagher says she is also aiming within the next month to finalise the women’s economic security task force, who will help her develop the national plan for gender equality. 21 Jul 2022 22:58 Measurable targets and October timeline for new national domestic violence plan Senator Katy Gallagher, the federal minister for women, is speaking to ABC Radio ahead of the meeting she will host today bringing together all the state and territory ministers responsible for women. She says her colleague Amanda Rishworth, the social services minister, is leading the national plan to end violence against women and children. She says she’s in favour of targets and measurable elements in the plan. The issue of violence against women is so significant in terms of numbers and prevalence and impact. We have to be able to measure the implementation of this plan in some way Currently there isn’t a national plan as the last one ended on 30 June, and Gallagher says the aim is to be able to have the new one ready by the third quarter of the year – around September/October. Good morning! 21 Jul 2022 22:40 Ministers responsible for women meet today for the first time under the new government to finalise the national plan to end violence against women and children. Housing for women escaping violence is set to be a priority, as the ministers aim to add greater detail to the plan drafted under the Morrison government, which was criticised for lacking detail. Health experts are also calling for Medicare item numbers for abortions and pregnancy counselling. Australia continues to battle its third Omicron wave, with the 89 deaths reported yesterday the highest single-day total since January during the height of the first Omicron wave. The government is urging greater take up of antiviral medications amid concern about the shelf life of remaining treatments, after the health minister Mark Butler has criticised the Morrison government for allowing the drugs to “gather dust.” It comes as Australia’s fourth-dose vaccination rate is likely to pass 30% of the eligible population within the next day, with data showing greater uptake for those 65. The climate change minister, Chris Bowen, will release a new set of regulations today scrapping changes to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency introduced in the last days of the Morrison government that would have allowed it to fund some fossil fuel developments. Let’s jump in!
Follow the day’s news, live.
Flash flooding has occurred in areas of south-east Queensland this morning, according to the state’s fire and rescue service.
The wild weather comes as part of the developing east coast low, most prominently causing havoc at major music festival Splendour in the Grass.
We’ve already seen flash flooding in some SEQ areas this morning, so it’s vital motorists heed warnings & take note of road closures. Reconsider the need to travel but if you must, and you do come across floodwater, back it up and find a safer route. If it's flooded, forget it. https://t.co/dx6CtMOXlw
An East Coast Low developing off the south-east #Qld coast will remain offshore but bring damaging winds and waves to the Qld coast from today and the northern #NSW coast over coming days. pic.twitter.com/Cpy61Bd46O
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, also spoke about the Albanese government’s first meeting with the state and territory treasurers since it was elected in May.
Chalmers said treasurers were looking for a “new approach” and had demonstrated “terrific spirit” at the meeting on Friday morning, with treasurers from “both sides of the political fence looking for solutions not for conflict”.
Chalmers announced that the fees and penalties for foreign investors will be doubled, raking in an extra $455m over four years.
Earlier, in a statement, Chalmers said:
Australia welcomes foreign investment that is in Australia’s interests. Foreign investment application fees ensure the cost of administering the foreign investment framework is not borne by Australians, and penalties encourage compliance with our rules. Australia continues to be an attractive place for investment. We have a lot to offer global investors including strong institutions, transparent regulations and a highly-skilled workforce. We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future. Foreign investment fees will continue to make up only a small proportion of total foreign direct investment. Decisions like this are made necessary by the state of the budget we have inherited from our predecessors.
Australia welcomes foreign investment that is in Australia’s interests. Foreign investment application fees ensure the cost of administering the foreign investment framework is not borne by Australians, and penalties encourage compliance with our rules.
Australia continues to be an attractive place for investment. We have a lot to offer global investors including strong institutions, transparent regulations and a highly-skilled workforce. We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future.
Foreign investment fees will continue to make up only a small proportion of total foreign direct investment.
Decisions like this are made necessary by the state of the budget we have inherited from our predecessors.
The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, has warned against “scaremongering” on foot-and-mouth disease at a press conference in Brisbane.
Despite what some might be hearing or saying Australia remains foot-and-mouth free and Australian meat products are safe to eat. We continue to enjoys the safest meat and dairy products in the world. Important we remain calm and work collaboratively … scaremongering and fanning the flames of genuine concern does nothing to help our $80bn agriculture industry remain strong, and retain its strong international reputation.
Watt also said Australia’s defences were “built up over many decades” but blamed the Coalition for “having allowed that wall to decay”. He gave the example of white spot disease, which entered Australia “under the last government”.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said he had “a very high level of confidence in the minister’s efforts and industry’s effort to keep the challenge at bay”, saying they were “working around the clock to ensure Australia does the best we can” to keep foot-and-mouth disease out.
Asked if a support package would be given if foot-and-mouth disease does enter Australia, Chalmers said the government recognises livestock is a “really crucial industry for Australia” as a source of employment and food. Within the “bounds of responsible economic management” the cabinet would consider anything Watt asks for.
Foreign investment fees and penalties increased
Foreign investment application fees will double and penalties will be increased in a move that will add $455m to the budget’s bottom line, AAP reports.
The new fees range from $4,000 on investments valued at less than $75,000, to more than $1m for residential investments over $40m and commercial ones over $2bn.
While foreign investment in the nation’s interest is welcomed, application fees ensure the cost of administering the foreign investment framework is not borne by Australians, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said:
We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future. We will always put Australian interests first. That means ensuring Australians benefit from foreign investment in Australia.
We welcome foreign investment in Australia because it plays a crucial role in Australia’s economic success and will continue to be important into the future.
We will always put Australian interests first. That means ensuring Australians benefit from foreign investment in Australia.
Chalmers said the increase, a policy that Labor took to the election, was necessary due to the state of the budget.
Residential properties up to $2m will have an additional fee of about 1.3%, while the maximum fee for commercial investments over $50m will generally sit at less than 0.1% of the transaction value.
This drops to an increase of less than 0.03% for large commercial investments, which make up the majority of foreign investment in Australia.
The new fees will come into effect from 29 July.
There were 9,023 new cases in Queensland in the last reporting period and 10 deaths. There are 1,050 people in hospital in the state with 26 in intensive care.
Today we have recorded 9,023 new COVID-19 cases.
Sadly, we have reported 10 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Full details➡️https://t.co/rKHIwrGADi pic.twitter.com/826fq1Qdvl
Possibilities of bilateral cooperation ‘really powerful’ – Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy was also asked about the length of time that’s elapsed since Australia had an ambassador from the US.
Q: “It’s been 549 days since the last time there was an American Ambassador to Australia. At that time, some people wondered whether the relationship had been downgraded, maybe it didn’t matter to the US. What do you say to people who have had that concern?”
Kennedy said it was “not true” that the Australia-US relationship had been downgraded.
I wish you could have been with me in DC. The sense of excitement about all the possibilities for bilateral cooperation is really powerful. I think everybody feels that it’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long to confirm ambassadors but all my predecessors I’ve consulted with including Ambassador Culvahouse who have all given me great advice, and, you know, between Covid and all of that, I think it’s been a lot of that, but we’ve also seen that people can work remotely and I think that there’s been a lot of work ongoing, even though there hasn’t been an ambassador. So now we’ll see if having an ambassador makes a difference. I hope that I can tell you that it does.
I wish you could have been with me in DC. The sense of excitement about all the possibilities for bilateral cooperation is really powerful.
I think everybody feels that it’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long to confirm ambassadors but all my predecessors I’ve consulted with including Ambassador Culvahouse who have all given me great advice, and, you know, between Covid and all of that, I think it’s been a lot of that, but we’ve also seen that people can work remotely and I think that there’s been a lot of work ongoing, even though there hasn’t been an ambassador. So now we’ll see if having an ambassador makes a difference. I hope that I can tell you that it does.
US and Australia cooperation will have ‘big impact’ in the Pacific, new ambassador says
Circling back to the new US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, and her media conference following her arrival in Australia. Kennedy acknowledged that the US had stepped back from the Pacific region over recent years and said she was glad the US was once again refocusing its efforts.
I know there’s a lot of work to do in the Pacific ... after an absence of many years in terms of the US engagement.
Kennedy highlighted the personal significance the Pacific region has for her because of links with her father John F Kennedy:
It’s certainly a big focus now, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit. Certainly, for me personally, it has great significance, since my father served in the Pacific and was rescued by two Solomon Islanders and an Australian coast watcher. This is a critical area in the region, and I think the U.S. needs to do more. We’re putting our embassies back in and the Peace Corps coming, and USAID is coming back and we’re coming back. We haven’t been there for a while, but I think that, that that is all tremendously positive, and I think the U.S. and Australia working together will make a big impact.
It’s certainly a big focus now, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit. Certainly, for me personally, it has great significance, since my father served in the Pacific and was rescued by two Solomon Islanders and an Australian coast watcher.
This is a critical area in the region, and I think the U.S. needs to do more. We’re putting our embassies back in and the Peace Corps coming, and USAID is coming back and we’re coming back. We haven’t been there for a while, but I think that, that that is all tremendously positive, and I think the U.S. and Australia working together will make a big impact.
‘I’m ready to get filthy today’: muddy conditions at Splendour
While many are disappointed by, and fearful for their safety, camping in the muddy conditions at Splendour in the Grass, others have decided to embrace the event regardless – que sera, sera.
Boomers have also taken to social media to remind the young ’uns about the mud at Woodstock in 1969.
Sunshine would be nice for #SITG but I’ve done Glastonbury plenty of times in the mud and it’s always amazing. I’m ready to get filthy today ⛈🎸🍺 #Splendour #SplendourInTheGrass pic.twitter.com/fggbNk31pG
Woodstock 1969 boomers in the mud #splendourinthegrass pic.twitter.com/3nhyfFfCMt
Huntsman telescope launched to hunt for ultra-faint galaxies
A new telescope, called the Huntsman telescope, has been launched at Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, NSW.
Inspired by the Dragonfly telescope in the US, the Huntsman is the only telescope of its kind in the southern hemisphere and is designed to hunt for ultra-faint galaxies.
The telescope was unveiled by Macquarie University and supported by Canon Australia, who provided an array of 10 super-telephoto lenses that power the telescope.
The telescope’s principal researcher, Dr Lee Spitler, of Macquarie University, said in a statement:
The Huntsman telescope is pioneering the way in which we view our southern skies by capturing images of the faintest galaxy structures that conventional telescopes simply couldn’t. The ability to [see] the faintest and smallest galaxies in the universe will help us understand the potential fate of the Milky Way in the far distant future.
The Huntsman telescope is pioneering the way in which we view our southern skies by capturing images of the faintest galaxy structures that conventional telescopes simply couldn’t.
The ability to [see] the faintest and smallest galaxies in the universe will help us understand the potential fate of the Milky Way in the far distant future.
Researchers believe the telescope will shed light on galaxy formation and evolution – how galaxies form, how they grow, and what happens when they collide.
Spitler said the telescope would help scientists understand what might happen if our galaxy – the Milky Way – collided with the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy, which is predicted to occur in 4.5bn years.
Splendour in the Grass photographs
Heavy rain soaked the Splendour in the Grass campsite last night, making muddy conditions for campers. Organisers announced earlier this morning they are no longer accepting any more campers or vehicles.
Festival goer Maddie Denham, who is one of the attendees still at the site, shared these images with Guardian Australia showing the conditions.
Video: Major flooding possible in NSW (Sky News Australia)
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Splendour in the Grass is banning any more campers or vehicles from entering the site near Byron Bay in northern NSW because of heavy rain and muddy conditions.
Those arriving to camp at the festival are being moved to the Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah.
A statement just posted to the festival’s Facebook page says:
Due to ongoing weather conditions we can no longer accept any campers or vehicles including day parking at North Byron Parklands (NBP). All incoming camping patrons and day parkers should proceed to Byron Events Farm (BEF) at 35 Yarun Rd, Tyagarah NSW 2481. This does not include Accessible, Flashcamp and Tent City patrons who will still be accepted at NBP. Free bus shuttles between BEF to NBP will be available. We thank you for your patience here and big shout out to our staff who are working around Mother Nature to get you in here safely.
Due to ongoing weather conditions we can no longer accept any campers or vehicles including day parking at North Byron Parklands (NBP).
All incoming camping patrons and day parkers should proceed to Byron Events Farm (BEF) at 35 Yarun Rd, Tyagarah NSW 2481.
This does not include Accessible, Flashcamp and Tent City patrons who will still be accepted at NBP.
Free bus shuttles between BEF to NBP will be available.
We thank you for your patience here and big shout out to our staff who are working around Mother Nature to get you in here safely.
Australian birthrate falls to lowest in over a decade
Australia has seen its lowest birthrate in more than a decade but stillborn rates have remained stubborn, based on the latest mothers and babies data.
In 2020, there were 295,796 babies born to 291,712 mothers. This represents a fall from 66 women per 1,000 giving birth in 2007 to 56 per 1,000 in 2020, according to the Australia’s mothers and babies report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], published today.
Related: Australian birthrate falls to lowest in over a decade
Treasurer meeting with state and territory counterparts
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is today meeting state and territory treasurers before the new federal parliament sits for the first time next week.
The minister for women, Katy Gallagher, is also meeting with her state and territory counterparts today to discuss gender equality and policy priorities.
Australians deserve a government that will work with states and territories in their best interests. We will bring people together to tackle our shared economic challenges. Convening state and territory Treasurers in Brisbane today. #auspol #ausecon pic.twitter.com/TPSKYIYjb7
Victoria’s power-saving scheme gets a top-up
The Victorian government will inject an extra $205m to its $250m power saving bonus program.
The scheme allows Victorian households to receive a $250 payment if they seek out a better energy deal via a comparison website, in a bid to reduce the burden of rising costs of living.
The state’s energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio said 1 million Victorians had already participated in the program.
We are proud to have supported 1 million Victorian households with their energy bills while helping them find the cheapest deal available.
D’Ambrosio said the extra $250m would be sufficient to cover the additional demand but that extra funding could be provided for the uncapped program. The program runs until 30 June.
Health and safety concerns at Splendour in the Grass
Attendees at Splendour in the Grass are expressing health and safety concerns as they are being asked to pitch tents amid deep puddles of water and mud, as well as over the lengthy wait times to enter the campground last night.
How are we meant to keep safe and healthy in these conditions? Cancel festival and let us go home @SITG @Channel10AU @Channel9 @Channel7 pic.twitter.com/YBKPVpgPcM
We have been this queue for HOURS - since 4pm. We’ve been driving since 6am. Cars running out of petrol. Cars bogged. This is unsafe, and inhumane. @SITG #splendourinthegrass pic.twitter.com/oMU9fawXVr
Unions pushing for ‘work from home’ to become a long-term right
McManus is discussing the long term future of working from home arrangements, as unions push for ‘work from home’ to become a long-term right enshrined in workplace agreements.
She says there is the need to work out what arrangements should be in place, with the need to ensure that it doesn’t end up being only women working from home and being penalised by not being as visible in the workplace.
She highlights there are many benefits for workers doing their job from home. They are often less stressed, save time and money on resources like fuel.
McManus says while international reactions from employers have been mixed, with some companies forcing all workers back into the office and others deciding to carry on the flexibility the pandemic showed was possible.
McManus says driving increased flexibility is employers’ recognition that “happier workers means more productive workforce”.
There were 18,669 new cases in the last reporting period, and 55 people are in intensive care.
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:
- 96.8% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 95.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/BkHcsg4ILx
US ambassador arrives in Australia
The new US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, has arrived this morning and told the media she feels “lucky … to serve here and to live here.”
Kennedy has been in Washington DC for the past month and says “everybody is so excited about working together and the Quad and in the Pacific” especially following US president Joe Biden’s “great” meeting with prime minister Anthony Albanese in Tokyo.
There’s a big agenda and I can’t wait to get started. Personally this means a great deal to me. My my husband is here with me. We first came to Australia on our honeymoon 36 years ago, almost exactly, because three days ago was our anniversary. Then we are were fortunate to come back with our children when we were in Japan. So we met so many wonderful people and I can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to get a chance to serve here and to live here and get to know even more people.
Beaches are closed and there have been multiple reports of cars in floodwater as a powerful offshore weather system moves south along Australia’s east coast, AAP reports.
Emergency crews responded to two separate incidents when drivers found themselves in trouble on roads about three hours north west of Brisbane.
A woman was assessed at the scene and didn’t need to be taken to hospital after an incident on the Bunya Highway near Kingaroy early this morning.
Two people in their 50s also avoided injury when a car entered floodwater on Kumbia Road in Brooklands.
Rainfall totals of more than 100mm have been reported in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with the town of Maleny among the hardest hit.
Damaging winds averaging around 50 kilometres per hour are possible in exposed parts of the coast, and peak gusts may reach 110km/h on Fraser Island, also known as K’gari.
There is also a minor flood warning in place for the Stanley River at Woodford, about an hour north of Brisbane.
The low-pressure weather system is expected to move south on Friday and Saturday, and beaches have been closed on the Gold Coast because of the dangerous conditions.
Wild surf is forecast for the NSW north coast from Friday, with wave heights of more than five metres possible.
Dangerous beach conditions could affect the popular seaside towns of Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina and Yamba.
The warning comes as thousands of music fans make their way to Byron Bay for the Splendour in the Grass music festival, where campers faced long queues to enter.
A message on the festival’s Facebook page said late on Thursday:
The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected. We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine.
The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected.
We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine.
As popular music festival Splendour in the Grass is hit by the east coast low, festival-goers wade through mud after many spent hours waiting to gain access to the camp ground.
The campsite was left soaked by heavy rain last night.
The ABC is reporting that many attendees, despite arriving at the site in the afternoon didn’t get to their tents until the early hours of the morning after being made to wait in their cars to gain entry to the grounds.
The festival’s Facebook page made a post very late last night (approximately 10 hours ago) saying:
We are extending our campgrounds entry hours at NBP tonight so if you’re in the queue, we will get you in. Please be patient – we hear you. The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected. We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine.
We are extending our campgrounds entry hours at NBP tonight so if you’re in the queue, we will get you in. Please be patient – we hear you.
The weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected.
We are doing the best we can – the show will go on rain, hail or shine.
Camping at Splendour looks fun this year 😳 pic.twitter.com/zmtYUE0ZG9
can't wait for everyone to start posting Splendour pics like pic.twitter.com/ZNvLXWGhNw
There were 12,278 new cases in the last reporting period, and 33 people are in intensive care.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAchah#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/AO0zMy75ni
One of Australia’s most popular music festivals, Splendour in the Grass, held near Byron Bay in northern NSW, starts today. But ticket holders are crossing their fingers that organisers will cancel and refund tickets.
Heavy rain has soaked the festival’s campgrounds and attendees have been left stranded. The campsite entry was closed last night and huge numbers of festival-goers were told they would have to wait 11 hours in their cars, some of which were out of fuel.
There are people here out of fuel being told they’ll just have to wait til the morning after waiting 11 HOURS in line - they’ve just closed entry to the campsite and there are THOUSANDS of cars backed up. #splendourinthegrass @SITG pic.twitter.com/dLge4qLEhv
Splendour in the grass 2022, really hoping for a cancel-refund tickets- let me go home announcement asap xxx @SITG pic.twitter.com/xioLqzFRUp
In Kennedy’s media conference following her arrival in Australia, she has stood up for a female journalist whose question was interrupted by a male colleague.
"Did you just talk over the woman?" New US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy was expecting a bit more patience from the press during her first press conference in the country. #auspol @SBSnews pic.twitter.com/LK7BVisEfn
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said he won’t revisit a Labor policy requiring public hospitals to offer abortion services as part of the commonwealth funding arrangements.
When asked about the issue, Katy Gallagher, the minister for women is saying it’s an issue for the states to decide but that she was happy to put it on the agenda for today’s meeting where state and territory ministers responsible for women are gathering in Adelaide.
The state determines what they provide through the hospitals and surgical terminations are provided through public hospitals as required, but there are obviously private termination-of-pregnancy services that are offered across Australia. The commonwealth doesn’t dictate what [public hospitals] provide. But I would also say that Minister [Ged] Kearney is actually responsible for putting together … a national women’s health plan. Working with Minister [Mark] Butler, reproductive health, access to reproductive health services will form part of that plan. But we are happy to have the discussion with state and territory ministers today, noting that the issue they raised was about nationally consistent laws for the provision of termination of pregnancy services. And that is a matter that constitutionally rested with the states and territories. But I think when it was raised with me about whether or not it could be discussed at this meeting, I was happy to facilitate that if this is the way we want to engage with states and territories. If they have issues they’d like to raise, then we should facilitate that through the agenda, have the discussion and work our way through but, you know, and that’s what we’ll do today on that matter.
The state determines what they provide through the hospitals and surgical terminations are provided through public hospitals as required, but there are obviously private termination-of-pregnancy services that are offered across Australia.
The commonwealth doesn’t dictate what [public hospitals] provide. But I would also say that Minister [Ged] Kearney is actually responsible for putting together … a national women’s health plan. Working with Minister [Mark] Butler, reproductive health, access to reproductive health services will form part of that plan.
But we are happy to have the discussion with state and territory ministers today, noting that the issue they raised was about nationally consistent laws for the provision of termination of pregnancy services. And that is a matter that constitutionally rested with the states and territories.
But I think when it was raised with me about whether or not it could be discussed at this meeting, I was happy to facilitate that if this is the way we want to engage with states and territories. If they have issues they’d like to raise, then we should facilitate that through the agenda, have the discussion and work our way through but, you know, and that’s what we’ll do today on that matter.
Trade union secretary urges employers to allow employees to work from home
Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, is speaking to ABC Radio about how workers are faring amid the surging Covid cases.
She says the nurses’ union has reported dire conditions as staff struggle under the workload caused by the increase in cases. She has encouraged the rest of the working population to work from home because “we should all be backing our healthcare workers”.
However, she says the uptake of the government’s recommendation has been “patchy”.
It’s been a bit of a scramble because we don’t have health orders requiring it … it comes down to whether the employer is going to listen to the recommendation.
McManus says “unionised workplaces will be moving first,” because they will be able to put pressure on employers. However she says:
Every good employer until this wave recedes should be allowing employees to work from home.
Russia sanctions 39 Australians with security links
The Russian government says it has added 39 representatives of Australian officials, security services and defence firms to a blacklist of people barred from entering the country, AAP reports.
The Russian list issued on Friday morning includes Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, NSW Minister for Corrections Geoff Lee and members of the Department of Home Affairs.
Russia’s foreign ministry released the list in what it said was a response to Australia’s adoption of a sanctions law similar to the US Magnitsky Act that provides for targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against individuals.
The original act, adopted by the United States in 2012, is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who was arrested and later died in prison in Russia in 2009 after accusing Russian officials of a massive tax fraud.
The Magnitsky-style reforms were adopted in Australia in December 2021 and allow the government to target individuals who perpetrate human rights abuses and conduct egregious acts of international concern.
The Russian government last month barred 121 Australian citizens including business people, army officials, academics and journalists from the country in retaliatory sanctions.
Aim to address gender pay gap within the year
Gallagher says the national plan for gender equality, which addresses the gender pay gap, is a key part of her work and “something we’d like to deliver in the first 12 months”.
I don’t want to have a long process of putting this together. States and territories have moved alone in a sense or move individually in this area, but we think there is the opportunity to pull it together and have a national plan. We’ll be looking at ...those issues arise like gender, the gender pay gap but also leadership representation rights, some of those issues around care and caring responsibilities, and health and wellbeing as well.
I don’t want to have a long process of putting this together. States and territories have moved alone in a sense or move individually in this area, but we think there is the opportunity to pull it together and have a national plan.
We’ll be looking at ...those issues arise like gender, the gender pay gap but also leadership representation rights, some of those issues around care and caring responsibilities, and health and wellbeing as well.
Gallagher says she is also aiming within the next month to finalise the women’s economic security task force, who will help her develop the national plan for gender equality.
Measurable targets and October timeline for new national domestic violence plan
Senator Katy Gallagher, the federal minister for women, is speaking to ABC Radio ahead of the meeting she will host today bringing together all the state and territory ministers responsible for women.
She says her colleague Amanda Rishworth, the social services minister, is leading the national plan to end violence against women and children.
She says she’s in favour of targets and measurable elements in the plan.
The issue of violence against women is so significant in terms of numbers and prevalence and impact. We have to be able to measure the implementation of this plan in some way
Currently there isn’t a national plan as the last one ended on 30 June, and Gallagher says the aim is to be able to have the new one ready by the third quarter of the year – around September/October.
Ministers responsible for women meet today for the first time under the new government to finalise the national plan to end violence against women and children.
Housing for women escaping violence is set to be a priority, as the ministers aim to add greater detail to the plan drafted under the Morrison government, which was criticised for lacking detail. Health experts are also calling for Medicare item numbers for abortions and pregnancy counselling.
Australia continues to battle its third Omicron wave, with the 89 deaths reported yesterday the highest single-day total since January during the height of the first Omicron wave.
The government is urging greater take up of antiviral medications amid concern about the shelf life of remaining treatments, after the health minister Mark Butler has criticised the Morrison government for allowing the drugs to “gather dust.”
It comes as Australia’s fourth-dose vaccination rate is likely to pass 30% of the eligible population within the next day, with data showing greater uptake for those 65.
The climate change minister, Chris Bowen, will release a new set of regulations today scrapping changes to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency introduced in the last days of the Morrison government that would have allowed it to fund some fossil fuel developments.