Australia information dwell: Minns particulars plan to strengthen hate speech legal guidelines; federal authorities to pay aluminium smelters to go inexperienced

Contingencies in place and plans for reform amid psychiatrists resignations

Chris Minns stated the NSW authorities was “obviously” involved in regards to the prospect of the mass resignation of psychiatrists as a result of “we’ve never seen it before on this scale.”

However now we have made contingencies, and we’ve put them in place … That may imply that we use non-public well being amenities, it’d imply that we’re in a position to make use of locums or people to enter a group that desperately wants assist with psychiatric care.

The premier stated there have been additionally plans in place to reform the system, as a result of “we’re very dependent on psychiatrists, and therefore very vulnerable if they decide to resign on mass.”

And there are issues that we are able to do to make sure that counsellors, psychologists, psychological well being practitioners, acute psychiatric care nurses, have a much bigger say within the psychological well being system [and] we don’t depart them weak throughout industrial disputes.

Minns on mass resignation of psychiatrists in NSW

Greater than 200 psychiatrists working for NSW Well being are anticipated to resign tomorrow over staffing and pay points – two thirds of public sector psychiatrists.

Requested if he would offer any additional pay deal at a gathering at the moment, Chris Minns stated his authorities had elevated the general public psychological well being price range within the state:

We’ve performed that on the particular request of [advocates] within the area who stated that it’s desperately wanted, and we’ve performed it as a result of we expect it’s essential to public security and the psychological well being of the those that dwell within the state.

However this specific dispute is a few 25% pay enhance for psychiatrists, and to place that in context, for a person psychiatrist, that’s the equal of a $90,000 a yr enhance in salaries for a single psychiatrist – that’s the equal of the whole wage for a primary yr nurse.

He acknowledged the wage wages cap in place for 12 years below the earlier authorities however stated “I can’t make that right in a single year”.

I simply make the purpose for the whole decade the earlier authorities was in workplace, psychiatrists didn’t resign on mass, and so they didn’t strike on account of industrial motion.

Minns says individuals ought to be ‘free from vilification on basis of race or religion if you live in Australia’

Persevering with to element the hate speech legal guidelines, Chris Minns argued they had been crucial as a result of “we don’t have the freedom of speech laws that exist in the United States, for example, we’ve never had them in NSW or Australia.”

They’re tighter restrictions, and I feel that’s been on the idea of the truth that now we have individuals from all over the world, from many alternative religions and faiths and backgrounds and cultures, and we encourage them to dwell in Australia, however you’re not free to deliver prejudices to our nation and divide our group in half.

And if that does happen in our group, then we – collectively as a civic establishment, as civic leaders – will stand towards it.

So I feel that that is as essential to multiculturalism as all of our different essential facets of public schooling that promote and engender the concept of cultural range. It’s as essential and that’s, that’s you’re free from vilification on the idea of your race or faith should you dwell in Australia.

The NSW premier Chris Minns is detailing his plan to strengthen hate speech legal guidelines within the state, talking with ABC RN.

He stated hate speech legal guidelines had been in place for a very long time, however they’ve criminalised acts which have induced violence in the neighborhood, “not, for example, vilification, which has been in the civil courts”.

And civil penalties [are] nonetheless towards the legislation that requires a personal particular person to launch a prosecution. So we’re going to be taking a look at that facet of the legislation. It’s in place in different jurisdictions round Australia. I feel, self evidently, one thing wants to vary.

Minns stated there was “no question that Islamophobia is prevalent, and it does happen in NSW”. However the newest data reveals there was “a dramatic, dramatic rise in antisemitic attacks and vilification in the state,” he stated.

[It is] many instances the variety of Islamophobic assaults within the state … I’m not suggesting that’s the case completely, and I’m additionally not making the case in your program that we ought to be turning a blind eye to any form of racist vilification in our group the place it happens, wherever it happens. There must be a standard algorithm, and so they should be utilized constantly.

Ayres on Labor’s probability of majority authorities at subsequent federal election

Tim Ayres was additionally requested what probability Labor has of attaining a majority authorities at this yr’s federal election.

He stated the get together doesn’t “take any election for granted” and the federal government had made “significant progress” on inflation and value of residing aid, and “we’ll continue to do that”.

It is a authorities with the largest pro-manufacturing bundle in Australian historical past. We’re implementing steadily, and the choice for Australia isn’t any cost-of-living assist from Peter Dutton and the Liberals and Nationals, and simply leaving Australian manufacturing to proceed to say no and costing good jobs in our areas and in our outer suburbs.

Tim Ayres gives extra particulars on aluminium announcement

The assistant minister for the Future Made in Australia, Tim Ayres, has spoken with ABC RN about this morning’s aluminium announcement (see earlier submit).

He stated the transfer would assist transition the business to decrease emissions, and assist “thousands of jobs” by way of central Queensland, within the Hunter Valley and in northern Tasmania.

Every of those corporations nonetheless has to work by way of its energy buying agreements in every of the states … however these manufacturing tax credit assure the viability of the aluminium processing sector in Australia, that means that we received’t simply be digging up bauxite in Australia and sending it offshore to be processed some other place.

Rio Tinto makes billions in revenue every year – why does it want authorities assist, and why can’t it self fund this transition? Ayres stated the business was “highly competitive”, including:

Successfully, there’s two decisions right here for for Australia: one is that we abandon native manufacturing in an atmosphere the place our world opponents are taking these sorts of steps to make sure that … manufacturing happens onshore of their international locations. The choice is the Future Made in Australia method the place we step as much as the plate on the aggressive questions and make it possible for manufacturing has acquired a platform for funding in Australia.

Lambie says Labor doing ‘a fair bit of clean up’ from 9 years of Coalition

Requested about polling displaying Peter Dutton had drawn stage to Anthony Albanese as most popular PM, and whether or not this may very well be attributed to Dutton’s stance on legislation and order, Jacqui Lambie responded:

It hasn’t acquired any worse or higher, I can guarantee you. You didn’t get a lot out of him after 9 years, but when individuals wish to fall again into that and go, nicely, , Labor’s had three years and that’s all we’re going to present them, and also you wish to return to the great outdated days – which I wouldn’t say had been the great outdated days below the Liberal Nationwide Social gathering – then be my visitor.

Lambie stated it was extra doubtless “a Christmas time thing” and that folks had been actually feeling the impacts of the price of residing.

It’s not simply in regards to the final three years in authorities, it’s most likely in regards to the final ten. So take a look at who had management of that for 9 years beforehand.

As a result of fairly frankly, I feel Labor’s doing a good bit of unpolluted up. Labor’s additionally put lots of issues through which you’ll not see coming to fruition till the following three years.

In order that’s the place we’re at. You’ll be able to both allow them to end the job, I assume, for the next three years, or you’ll be able to return to the outdated method of the LNP. That’s that’s the selection that they’re going to have on this election.

Lambie says strengthened hate speech legal guidelines ought to be coming from federal stage

Senator Jacqui Lambie spoke with the As we speak Present earlier about information the NSW authorities was shifting to strengthen the state’s hate speech legal guidelines.

Lambie stated that “hate speech right across the board in Australia is out of control”.

And fairly frankly, I discover it absurd that it’s coming from a state stage as a substitute of being handled from the federal government, from federal. It’s not utilized proper throughout the nation.

Shifting to the US, Richard Marles was requested about Donald Trump’s inauguration – which can happen tomorrow morning, Australian time. Marles outlined Australia’s relationship with the incoming administration as follows:

The alliance between Australia and America is our most essential relationship that’s actually the cornerstone of each our overseas coverage and our nationwide safety, and now we have lots of equities within the relationship, and we’re very enthusiastic about having the ability to pursue them with the Trump administration.

He stated feedback from the incoming administration concerning the Aukus deal had been “hugely positive”.

All of the indications are there that it will proceed below the Trump administration … All of the agreements that we’ve requested to be signed and steps to be taken are being taken. Aukus is going on, and it’s on target.

Is Marles frightened negotiations might break down amid ceasefire?

Richard Marles was additionally requested how frightened he’s about Israel resuming hostilities if negotiations break down.

He acknowledged it was a “very fragile and delicate process” and stated “we [can’t] take anything for granted as we move forward”.

We’ve seen non permanent ceasefires previously, however I do suppose that there’s a possibility in what has been introduced for this to be the start of a brand new chapter. I feel the world has to hope and lend its voice [to apply] worldwide strain in direction of that end result, and we will definitely be part of that.

Focus proper now’s on guaranteeing ceasefire course of continues: Marles

Requested if Australia would decide to serving to rebuild Gaza, Richard Marles stated Australia had “already contributed humanitarian assistance”.

Clearly, we’ll work by way of all the alternatives that current themselves when it comes to the best way through which Australia will help as we transfer ahead, however I feel proper now, the main target is on guaranteeing that every one the hassle is maintained so this fragile and delicate course of continues.

The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, is talking with ABC RN in regards to the hostage deal and ceasefire within the Center East, describing this as “very positive and very constructive in the context of the tragedy that we have watched unfold over the last 15 months”.

It’s a great factor to see hostages reunited with their households. It is usually, clearly, great to be seeing the start of humanitarian help begin to circulate into Gaza, and there’s clearly an extended strategy to go when it comes to the rebuilding of Gaza.

Marles stated there was an extended strategy to go to attaining lasting peace, and “this is a fragile and delicate process, and it’s one which is going to require constant effort and vigilance.”

Australia [will] proceed to lend our voice to the promotion of peace, to seeing this association fulfilled, and to seeing the return of all of the hostages, and to seeing the rebuilding of Gaza.

Financial institution of Queensland to shut 14 branches throughout 4 states

The Financial institution of Queensland has closed 14 previously owner-managed branches throughout Queensland, WA, NSW and Victoria.

The Finance Sector Union stated alongside beforehand introduced closures, there could be 16 branches closing throughout February 2025 with a web lack of 18 roles. Nationwide assistant secretary Jason Corridor stated:

Australians depend on native financial institution branches and no quantity of company spin from banks can deny that truth … The removing of branches and ATMs are designed to spice up income whereas decreasing companies. The absence of minimal requirements permits banks to chop companies on a whim with no regard to native wants or preferences.

The total record of branches to be closed, together with 14 introduced at the moment and two beforehand introduced, consists of:

• Logan Central was introduced to workers on 3 January and can shut on 7 February

• Werribee, VIC – introduced in late 2024 and can shut on 13 February

• Newtown, NSW – to shut on 19 February

• Bella Vista, NSW – to shut on 20 February

• Applecross, WA – to shut on 27 February

• Moonee Ponds, VIC – to shut on 27 February

• Richmond, VIC – to shut on 27 February

• Docklands, VIC – to shut on 27 February

• Hampton, VIC – to shut on 27 February

• Rockdale, NSW – to shut on 27 February

• Caloundra, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

• Carindale, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

• Elanora, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

• Sherwood, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

• Springwood, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

• Toowong, Queensland – to shut on 27 February

Two youngsters have died after an accident at a waterfall on the Sunshine Coast, AAP stories.

A 17-year-old lady fell off a waterfall at Queensland’s Wappa Falls about 2.30pm yesterday and a 17-year-old boy jumped into the water to assist her when she didn’t resurface, emergency companies stated.

Police stated the boy, an acquaintance of the lady, additionally went lacking. A search and rescue operation discovered the lady’s physique about 3.30pm and divers recovered the physique of the boy at about 7.30pm.

Wappa Falls stays closed amid a police investigation and officers had been set to organize stories for the coroner concerning each youngsters.

Australia’s aluminium business is ready to share in billions of {dollars} of funding to assist it convert to renewable vitality, AAP stories.

Anthony Albanese will at the moment unveil a inexperienced aluminium manufacturing credit score scheme that may present monetary assist to smelters altering their vitality supply earlier than 2036.

As a part of the $2bn program, amenities can be eligible for assist for each tonne of unpolluted Australian aluminium they make over a decade. The manufacturing credit type a part of the federal authorities’s signature manufacturing program, set to price $22.7bn.

It’s estimated income to GDP for the Australian aluminium business will enhance from $5.1bn a yr to $6bn yearly by 2050. Australia is the sixth-largest producer of aluminium globally.

The business minister, Ed Husic, stated the manufacturing credit score scheme would assist to spice up aluminium jobs whereas additionally decreasing emissions.

With a whole aluminium provide chain uniquely positioned proper right here in Australia, we’re nicely positioned to seize the rewards of the worldwide inexperienced vitality transition. Communities and companies depend on aluminium smelters, and now we have a possibility to companion with the non-public sector to assist these safe well-paying jobs into the long run.

Good morning, and welcome again to a brand new week on the Australia information dwell weblog. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you thru our rolling protection for many of at the moment.

Making information first up this morning: Australia’s aluminium business is ready to share in billions of {dollars} of funding to assist it convert to renewable vitality.

As AAP stories, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will at the moment unveil a inexperienced aluminium manufacturing credit score scheme that may present monetary assist to smelters altering their vitality supply earlier than 2036.

As a part of the $2bn program, amenities can be eligible for assist for each tonne of unpolluted, Australian aluminium they make over a decade.

In Queensland, two youngsters have died after an accident at a waterfall on the Sunshine Coast. We’ll deliver you extra particulars in a second by way of AAP.

When you’ve got any story ideas, suggestions or questions, you’ll be able to attain out by way of e-mail: emily.wind@theguardian.com. Let’s go.