Andrew Giles attacks Coalition’s ‘dangerous’ lack of commitment to rule of law
Paul Karp
The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, has accused the Coalition of a “dangerous” lack of commitment to the rule of law over the way it has weaponised the high court decision that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful.
Giles has told the Law Council in Melbourne:
I am concerned that this has been a debate where heat has consistently obscured light. Where objective, expert voices have been hard to find. Where facts have been overlooked or simply denied.
For example, the opposition leader and the shadow attorney continue to falsely assert that the government chose to release detainees other than the plaintiff. This conduct follows months of the shadow minister for immigration appearing to advocate to simply ignore or put aside a decision of the high court.
The opposition are of course entitled to their views- but not to their own facts. That they rush to score political points, rather than establish a meaningful position shows that they’re not serious people, committed to rule of law.
This is dangerous. To the standard of public debate about important issues, to policy making and to the state of our democracy – a democracy anchored on the separation of powers and the rule of law…
The Albanese government has taken strong action taken to keep the community safe. We will continue to do so. We have done so in keeping with – and promoting – the rule of law and those institutions which make Australia a stronger and safer society.
Key events
Earlier, Ronnie Hayden from the Australian Workers Union spoke to the media from Ballarat, following confirmation a 37-year-old miner has died following the mine collapse yesterday.
The union understands the miners were working on “unsupported ground”, he said, which gave way – trapping both miners and killing one.
This is absolutely devastating. It’s devastating because we’ve lost another worker and no worker should be injured at work. But it is even more devastating because it should have been avoided… We are going to be pushing very hard to make sure that the industrial manslaughter laws are used…
Our members are angry. Our organisers are angry. We would like to thank the rescue service for the work that they did. And we want to make sure that we are putting the Victorian Government on notice let them know that you create the laws, you make sure that you use the laws.
Open letter urges government to fix ‘highly dysfunctional’ FOI system
Sarah Basford Canales
A group of civil society organisations have urged the federal government to boost funding and fix the laws surrounding its “highly dysfunctional” FOI system.
The open letter, which was sent to the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, today, also calls for an independent investigation into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), the FOI watchdog, following allegations of poor workplace behaviour aired in hearings last year.
Signed by 14 groups, including the Centre for Public Integrity, Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Transparency International Australia and former senator Rex Patrick, the letter called for the federal government to adopt the recommendations outlined in a scathing Senate committee report published in December.
That report, chaired by the opposition, recommended oversight of the FoI system be moved from the OAIC to another watchdog, along with a series of other reforms, as well as to clear the mounting backlog of FOI reviews and improve the integrity of the system.
A dissenting report from the committee’s Labor members rejected the recommendations, saying they were “just another attempt by the Liberal party” to abolish the information commissioner’s office.
The letter warned Labor needed to make more progress on FOI reform now it was in a position to do so:
We are deeply concerned by the dissenting inquiry report released by the government members of the committee, which expressed support for Australians’ right to obtain information through FOI laws but failed to meaningfully engage with the delays, cultural issues and under-resourcing within the system. Without taking further steps, the government’s support of the public’s right to access information is hollow.
The OAIC was stripped of funding initially under the Abbott era as part of a dumped proposal to disband the office. Successive governments have not returned the office’s funding to its previous levels for its FOI functions in the years since.
Jewish Council of Australia joins ‘outrage’ over visa cancellations of Palestinian refugees
The Jewish Council of Australia has also expressed “outrage” over reports that Palestinians fleeing war in Gaza have had their visas cancelled en route to Australia.
In a statement, executive officer Sarah Schwartz said:
Many Jewish people have family histories of fleeing persecution and violence, and understand the importance of Australia meeting its obligations under International Law to protect the human rights of refugees.
Asylum Seekers Centre calls for urgent explaination of Palestinians refugee visa cancellations
The Asylum Seekers Centre says it is “deeply concerned” about reports that Palestinians fleeing war in Gaza are having their Australian visas cancelled while en route to Australia.
In a statement, CEO Frances Rush said:
People seeking asylum from Gaza and around the world are fleeing unimaginable danger. We see the impacts of visa uncertainty and unfairness, and wilfully complex systems every day. We cannot treat people fleeing danger in such a careless and harmful way, particularly when doing so risks exacerbating existing physical and mental health conditions.
We are calling on the government to urgently explain and rectify the cancellation of visas for Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
Graham Readfearn
Continued from our last post:
Energy think tank Ember said the IEA’s figures showed Australia’s coal mines emitted 1.7 million tonnes of methane, which was the equivalent of 138Mt of CO2.
Chris Wright, methane advisor at Ember, said:
The global methane tracker… reinforces the urgency to phase in a new emissions reporting standards across the coal industry, especially on open cut coal mines.
It also shows that close to 60 countries have now developed national methane plans, and it’s embarrassing that Australia isn’t one of them.
The IEA report also shows that coal mine methane reductions remain a low hanging fruit that Australia is yet to pick, with the vast majority of their estimated onsite abatement far cheaper than the current price of [Australian carbon credits].
Australia underestimating methane emissions from coal mining by 65% says International Energy Agency
Graham Readfearn
Methane emissions from coal mining in Australia are about 65% higher than the country reports to the United Nations under its climate change agreement, according to new data from the International Energy Agency.
Australia’s official figures are based on estimates agreed with fossil fuel companies, rather than the IEA’s figures, which are based mostly on observations from satellites. The IEA reported similar discrepancies last year.
The IEA’s estimates for methane emissions from the oil and gas sector were also 47% higher than Australia’s official figures, according to the latest edition of the IEA’s global methane tracker.
Australia’s biggest source of methane emissions, according to the IEA, was from agriculture, with 2.3 megatonnes. Coal emitted 1.7Mt and 0.4Mt came from oil and gas.
Piper Rollins, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s methane campaigner, said:
There is way more methane leaking out of coal and gas projects than companies report. In Australia coal and gas companies can get away with not accurately measuring or reporting their methane emissions, relying on guesses rather than direct measurement.
Australia’s methane measuring problem undermines the integrity of our climate targets. At an absolute bare minimum, all coal and gas facilities should be required to accurately measure their emissions and publicly report them.
Benita Kolovos
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan says it has been a “really difficult time” for the Ballarat community, which has also grappled with the alleged murder of local woman Samantha Murphy.
The Ballarat community will also be grieving… the gold mining industry is a big part of Ballarat’s history and past and a big part of its community and economy and many people will know of the miners, will know of their families and will also be touched by this tragedy… It’s a close knit community and many of those in the industry will be suffering today, our thoughts go to them as well.
This has been a terrible accident and really difficult scene and I want to thank the emergency services who responded very quickly yesterday… bringing with them their very particular skill set around mine rescue. It’s a very particular skill set. It can be a dangerous mission as well and I want to thank the emergency services who responded so strongly yesterday and overnight.
Benita Kolovos
Premier confirms 28 other miners freed from fatal mining collapse site
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is speaking at a wind farm in Mount Wallace about the mine collapse in Ballarat that claimed the life of a man. She says she’s thinking of the worker, who will never come home from his shift, and his family:
This is a family that will be grieving and also, our thoughts are with the seriously injured worker who has been taken for treatment for life threatening injuries to the Alfred hospital.
I want to acknowledge the other 28 miners who were also trapped for some time and I can confirm that as at 5:52am this morning, all 28 miners were extricated from the site, but this would have been a terrifying ordeal for those miners and certainly too our thoughts should be with them as well.
The minister for resources, Madeleine King, says she is “deeply saddened” at the death of a miner in Ballarat.
She wrote on X:
I am deeply saddened at the death of a miner in Ballarat. My thoughts are with his family and workmates. Australia’s prosperity is built on the hard work of miners around the country. Workers deserve to come home safe from a shift or a long swing away from home.
I am deeply saddened at the death of a miner in Ballarat.
My thoughts are with his family and workmates.
Australia’s prosperity is built on the hard work of miners around the country.
Workers deserve to come home safe from a shift or a long swing away from home.
— Madeleine King MP (@MadeleineMHKing) March 13, 2024
Reds’ trailblazer Josh Cavallo engaged at Coopers Stadium
Trailblazing A-League Men player Josh Cavallo has thanked Adelaide United after getting engaged to his partner on the pitch at the club’s Coopers Stadium home, AAP reports.
Australian Cavallo came out as the world’s only top-flight openly gay male professional footballer in October 2021 and has since become a vocal advocate for LGBT+ rights.
The 24-year-old Cavallo, who posted photographs of his proposal to his partner Leighton Morrell on social media at the stadium where he has played for three years, said he wanted to “share this special moment” on the pitch.
Starting this year with my fiancée 💍❤️
Thank you @adelaideunited for helping set up this surprise.
You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible. To share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/9ThwrN2Yol
— Josh Cavallo (@JoshuaCavallo) March 13, 2024
“Starting this year with my fiance. Mr & Mr Coming soon,” Cavallo wrote in a post on Instagram, accompanied by a picture of him getting down on one knee to propose to his partner.
Thank you Adelaide United for helping set up this surprise.
You’re (sic) endless support has meant so much to me. You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible, and encouraged me to live everyday of my life authentically.
It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started.
Chalmers reappoints treasury secretary Steven Kennedy for another five-year term
Peter Hannam
At a speech to CEDA in Sydney later today, treasurer Jim Chalmers will reveal the government is reappointing treasury secretary Steven Kennedy for another five-year term, once his current one ends in September.
According to the excerpt of his speech circulated to the media this morning, Chalmers will say:
I thank and pay tribute to my Liberal predecessor for appointing someone of Steven’s calibre, someone who has served both sides of politics with diligence and distinction.
Technically it’s the PM’s call, and Chalmers gave a ringing endorsement. Chalmers said:
I really enjoy working with Steven. Ours is a very effective partnership.
We want to provide some certainty and stability here, we have a lot of important work on the go, so we are starting the [re-appointment] process now.
Adding a personal touch, Chalmers will note Kennedy has lately become a grandad for the first time following the birth to his daughter Amelia and partner Nick of one “little Poppy Jean on Saturday”. (Most babies are on the small side, I suppose…)
Anyway, Chalmers’ second drop follows the news overnight that the public (and ministers) should not expect a budget showering them with money come 14 May, as we reported here:
Andrew Giles attacks Coalition’s ‘dangerous’ lack of commitment to rule of law
Paul Karp
The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, has accused the Coalition of a “dangerous” lack of commitment to the rule of law over the way it has weaponised the high court decision that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful.
Giles has told the Law Council in Melbourne:
I am concerned that this has been a debate where heat has consistently obscured light. Where objective, expert voices have been hard to find. Where facts have been overlooked or simply denied.
For example, the opposition leader and the shadow attorney continue to falsely assert that the government chose to release detainees other than the plaintiff. This conduct follows months of the shadow minister for immigration appearing to advocate to simply ignore or put aside a decision of the high court.
The opposition are of course entitled to their views- but not to their own facts. That they rush to score political points, rather than establish a meaningful position shows that they’re not serious people, committed to rule of law.
This is dangerous. To the standard of public debate about important issues, to policy making and to the state of our democracy – a democracy anchored on the separation of powers and the rule of law…
The Albanese government has taken strong action taken to keep the community safe. We will continue to do so. We have done so in keeping with – and promoting – the rule of law and those institutions which make Australia a stronger and safer society.
Coalition propose ban on posting and boasting of crime
Paul Karp
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, is speaking in Melbourne this morning to announce a Coalition private member’s bill proposing to ban on posting videos of violent crime online.
The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, spoke about the initiative earlier on Channel Nine’s Today program:
The states haven’t done enough.
We have the opportunity through commonwealth law, particularly with telecommunications, to be able to reach into this, where we are seeing these young juveniles playing online games effectively about getting points for not only the crimes, but how they undertake those crimes.
I’m seeing that even out of my own electorate where they break in, they get extra points that they can pull jewellery off a sleeping person. And that’s just not [what] we need as a trajectory as a society. And I think it’s important that we send strong messages, but I think we also need to understand that we need to do juvenile justice and detention differently.
Earlier this week, New South Wales premier Chris Minns announced new laws to criminalise “posting and boasting” about offences on social media, as well as making it harder for teenagers to get bail.
Victory Minerals confirms control of gold mine is with WorkSafe Victoria during investigation into fatal collapse
Victory Minerals, owners of the Ballarat gold mine, have just released this statement:
At approximately 0600 this morning, we brought our remaining team member, trapped by yesterday’s rock fall, to the surface. It was with great sadness that we confirm one of our own has passed away.
Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family and all our people right now. Our absolute priority is supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families and loved ones, as we all come to terms with this tragic news.
One of our other team members who was transported to hospital last night is getting the best care possible. Our thoughts are with him and family and loved ones at this time.
Control of the Ballarat gold mine is transitioning from Victoria Police to WorkSafe Victoria for an investigation into this tragic accident.
Paul Karp
Anthony Albanese confident Aukus deal is ‘rock solid’ no matter result of US election
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has insisted the Aukus alliance will withstand any change in government in the US.
Asked if the alliance is rock solid, Albanese told 2SM Radio:
I certainly think it is, because it’s not an agreement just with President Biden. As important as his support is, it was an agreement with Congress and with the Senate across the board.
I, of course, met with Republican and Democrat senators and congresspeople and there was extraordinary support for Aukus and this proposal is an agreement between our two great nations, not an agreement between two individuals.
So whilst the election in the United States is of course a decision for the people of the United States, we are very confident that regardless of the outcome this agreement will stay in place.
US decision to halve submarine construction in 2025 ‘not fatal blow to Aukus’, congressman says
US Democratic representative Joe Courtney says he doesn’t believe the White House’s decision to cut production of the Virginia-class submarines will be a “fatal blow to Aukus”.
As Amy Remeikis reported yesterday, the US announced it will halve the number of submarines it will build next year. The Pentagon budget draft request includes construction of just one Virginia-class nuclear submarine for 2025.
Under the Aukus agreement, production is meant to be ramped up to ensure Australia will have access to at least three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the 2030s. That is to fill a “capability gap” before nuclear-powered submarines to be built in Adelaide enter into service from the 2040s.
Speaking about the decision on ABC RN early this morning, Courtney – who is also founder of the bipartisan Aukus working group – said the US had “already spent and purchased parts for the second 2025 sub” so “we already have some costs in that vessel”.
Asked if the US can afford to sell submarines to Australia at the end of the decade if it’s behind like this, Courtney said:
I’ve been talking to colleagues over the last few days or so since the budget was released on Monday. There there really was a bit of a whiplash effect in terms of you know, the surprise in terms of this budget.
The hearing processes start in April. We’re not going to get this done until after the election, we’re still finishing up 2024’s budget, which, by the way, did have two submarines included.
We’re gonna have time to really go over what the Navy has submitted. It is a very dense documents, there’s lots of issues that we have to approve [but] I think [we will] come up with the right outcome.
Asked what would happen if Donald Trump wins the next election, Courtney said:
I think for me, it’s a very fair agreement for the US taxpayer, the way it’s structured, and so [Trump] shouldn’t have any argument there.
Victoria police confirm 30 miners involved in collapse
Just circling back to the statement Victoria police released a bit earlier on the mine incident:
Police said that 28 workers made it to a safety pod before being rescued yesterday. It was previously reported that 25 workers were rescued from the pod.
This means 30 workers in total were involved in the incident, according to police. This includes the 21-year-old Ballarat man who was rescued and taken to Alfred hospital in a critical condition yesterday, and the 37-year-old Bruthen man, who died after becoming trapped.
Police confirmed that his body was recovered this morning.
Jonathan Barrett
Singtel says no impending sale of Optus amid reported talks
Optus owner Singtel has told investors there is no impending deal to sell Australia’s second biggest telecommunications company, following reports it will be offloaded to a large private equity company.
The Australian Financial Review reported late yesterday that Singtel would sell Optus to the Toronto-headquartered Brookfield in a deal worth about $16bn.
Singtel told the Singapore exchange that it would “make an announcement if and when there are any material developments which warrant disclosure”. Singtel said in a statement:
There is no impending deal to offload Optus for the said sum, as reported.
Optus remains an integral and strategic part of the Singtel Group and we are committed to Australia for the long term.
Singtel said it regularly conducts strategic reviews of its portfolio to optimise the value of its assets and businesses and will explore all options to maximise shareholder value.
Optus has been through a tumultuous period following last year’s widespread outage, and the damaging 2022 hack.
