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Mt Isa support package secures thousands of regional jobs, defends sovereign capability says AWU

THE Australian Workers' Union (AWU) has strongly endorsed today's announcement of a rescue package for the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, securing more than 1,000 jobs and protecting Australia's critical metals processing capacity.

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said the announcement brings welcome relief to thousands of regional workers after months of uncertainty.

"This investment backs Australia’s potential to become a global manufacturing powerhouse," Mr Farrow said.

“Copper is critical to developing future technologies on our shores. You can't have a Future Made in Australia without the ability to refine our own metals and critical minerals.

“This package demonstrates that both federal and state governments understand that maintaining our sovereign manufacturing capability isn't just about jobs today, it's about securing Australia's place in tomorrow's economy."

The rescue package will ensure the continued operation of facilities that provide half of Australia's copper smelting capacity – a capability essential for the nation's economic sovereignty and industrial future.

"Losing the copper smelter, refinery and the sites it supports, like Phosphate Hill, would have been a crippling blow for the North Queensland region, especially after the closure of the Mt Isa mine earlier this year," said AWU Queensland secretary Stacey Schinnerl.

"Generations of workers have dedicated their lives to this industry, which has bright days ahead of it. Allowing this site to collapse would have been a grave error. We are grateful that long-sighted political leadership has prevailed.”

The AWU has commended the collaborative approach taken by the Albanese and Crisafulli governments in securing this vital support package. The union has long advocated for strategic government intervention to protect Australia's industrial base, particularly in regional communities where these facilities are economic cornerstones.

"This is exactly the kind of partnership between government, industry and workers we need to see more of," Ms Schinnerl said.

"The Mount Isa smelter and Townsville refinery aren’t just workplaces, they are the beating heart of the region, supporting local businesses, families and entire communities."

 

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Intelligence and Security Committee supports amendments to help criminal investigations

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) yesterday tabled its report on the Review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (TOLA Bill), recommending that the Bill pass unamended.

The TOLA Bill amends the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and Crimes Act 1914 to ensure key provisions operate as intended, and support the effective administration of law enforcement, national security and criminal justice processes.

The Bill consists of five schedules:

  • Schedule 1 would permit network activity warrant information to be used, communicated and recorded to meet disclosure obligations, or to be admitted in evidence where necessary to ensure the defendant is afforded a fair trial or to respond to any such information admitted by the defence.
  • Schedule 2 would transfer the statutory function of the Communications Access Coordinator from the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department to the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Schedule 3 would permit limited access to stored communications to allow agencies to undertake development and testing activities.
  • Schedule 4 would address a technical issue with the operation of interception international production orders that has prevented orders from being given to US-based prescribed communications providers in certain circumstances.
  • Schedule 5 would clarify the threshold for authorising and varying controlled operations and subsequently the circumstances in which a participant is protected from criminal responsibility and indemnified against civil liability.

The Committee recommended that the Bill pass unamended.

Chair of the Committee, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The Committee supports the important and proportionate amendments in this Bill. In particular the Committee notes the amendments in Schedule 1 and 5, which respectively enhance the administration of justice and law enforcement’s capacity to investigate serious crime.”

The full report and further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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Holly Rankin chosen to deliver Speaker’s Lecture 2025

SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP has chosen Holly Rankin to deliver the fifth Speaker’s Lecture at Parliament House on October 27, 2025.

Ms Rankin’s lecture, Before the Fall: Can civic institutions engage a new generation in time to save democracy? will explore how politics and traditional media are losing the trust of younger generations, and what a path to true civic engagement could look like in the digital age. 

Ms Rankin is an artist and strategist working at the intersection of culture, politics and public affairs. She is best known as ARIA and APRA nominated recording artist Jack River.

Ms Rankin has played a leading role in nation-building campaigns for consent and gender equality and political integrity.

“I was delighted when Ms Rankin accepted my invitation to deliver this year’s lecture,” the Speaker said.

“The Australian media play a very important role in Australian democracy, and this lecture series provides them the platform to share their unique perspectives.

“I am looking forward to hearing Ms Rankin share her personal experiences and insights into how we can continue to support, inspire and collaborate more strongly with our young people. She has been undertaking some very important work in championing our democracy with our next generation.”

Ms Rankin will be introduced by the Speaker and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Claressa Surtees. 

A Q&A session will be held after her speech, with light refreshments.

To attend in-person – tickets are free and available online. The event will also be broadcast live on the APH website.

Speaker’s Lecture 2025

The annual Speaker’s Lecture is hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is a prestigious opportunity for leaders in Australia’s media landscape to share their insights.

Topic: Can civic institutions engage a new generation in time to save democracy?
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025.
Time: 11am – 12pm AEDT.
Venue: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra
Tickets: Free, available online: Speaker's Lecture 2025
Watch live: www.aph.gov.au/live

 

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CPA Australia backs Board of Taxation review into red tape

AUSTRALIA’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia, has welcomed Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ announcement that the Board of Taxation is being tasked with identifying ways to reduce compliance burdens and red tape in the business tax system as part of its commitment to boost productivity and stimulate economic growth.

CPA Australia has outlined its top three compliance issues that it believes will require fixing as part of the government’s productivity reforms, which have been determined in collaboration with senior members. They are:

  • Simplify BAS reporting and expand simplified trading stock rules;
  • Introduce a simplified FBT regime for small business;
  • Fix technical legislative GST provisions that are unworkable for taxpayers, tax agents and the ATO.

CPA Australia’s tax lead, Jenny Wong, is urging the Board of Taxation to prioritise practical reforms that will deliver immediate benefits for small businesses.

“Simplifying BAS reporting and expanding simplified trading stock rules are some steps that would cut compliance costs and free up business owners to focus on running their business,” she said.

“The complexity of Australia’s fringe benefits tax (FBT) regime is another area ripe for reform. Small businesses should not face the same compliance load as large corporates, yet many currently spend more on FBT record-keeping than on their actual liability. We encourage the government to follow the New Zealand example and consult on a review of FBT to make it less complex and more targeted.

“This review also provides an opportunity to fix longstanding technical flaws in GST law that have frustrated businesses and advisers for decades. Addressing unworkable provisions is not tax reform, it is simply making the law function as intended.

“Cutting tax red tape must mean simplifying what’s broken, not adding new layers of complexity.”

Ms Wong added her congratulations to Andrew Mills on his appointment as acting Chair of the Board of Taxation for a three-month period effective October 1, 2025.

Ms Wong also welcomed news that the Productivity Commission is set to begin its scheduled five-year review of GST distribution, but said that decisions about state distribution should not distract from broader tax reform priorities.  

“Reform of the GST is central to resolving the structural weaknesses in Australia’s tax system,” she said. “Most tax specialists believe that increasing the GST is the key to broadening the overall tax base and reducing the reliance on personal income tax, which would put more money in people’s pockets and ultimately generate more revenue to help drive economic growth.

“It’s crucial that the inevitable wrangling between the states about how the GST is carved up does not distract from these broader objectives.”

 

About CPA Australia   

CPA Australia is Australia’s leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. It has more than 175,000 members in over 100 countries and regions. Core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. It engages with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. A CPA is a Certified Practising Accountant. 

cpaaustralia.com.au

 

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ASMOF vindicated as Court ruling delivers boost for psychiatrists and NSW mental health system in crisis

ASMOF – The Doctors Union – has welcomed a landmark ruling by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission today, which it said vindicated its case and delivered an appropriate pay increase to support NSW psychiatrists and ease pressure on the mental health system in crisis.

ASMOF councillor Ian Korbel said the decision was an important victory for psychiatrists and the mental health patients they care for.

“This is a major win for psychiatrists across NSW, who, since January this year, have courageously put their livelihoods and careers on the line to stand up for a better mental health system for their patients," Dr Korbel said.

“Today, after months of hearings, expert testimony and extensive deliberation, the NSW IRC has finally accepted ASMOF’s arguments that there was a crisis in the NSW mental health system, which was having an adverse impact on the community, and something urgently needed to be done about it.

“In its ruling, the Commission accepted that this crisis was caused by an acute shortage of psychiatrists in NSW, caused by low pay and unsustainable working conditions and as such, ruled that a 20% attraction and retention allowance should be granted to help address the crisis

“This is an appropriate, modest and necessary pay increase that will help bring psychiatrist remuneration in line with other states and territories.

“It will help to attract and retain the psychiatrists we urgently need to shore up the crumbling NSW mental health system.”

While welcoming the decision, Dr Korbel said it was disappointing that the Commission did not rule in favour of other critical reforms ASMOF has proposed, focused on boosting the psychiatrist workforce in NSW.

“While the decision on the attraction and retention allowance for psychiatrists was a welcome step forward, it was disappointing that the Commission did not rule in favour of other critical measures ASMOF proposed be included in an updated Award," Dr Korbel said.

“These included the establishment of a joint staffing committee to address workforce shortages and the provision of appropriate support for psychiatrist trainees.

“Sadly, there is now little incentive for psychiatry trainees to start or continue their training in NSW, placing the future pipeline of psychiatrists for the NSW mental health system at risk.”

Dr Korbel said ASMOF would continue to work with the government to ensure that NSW health services were fit for purpose, with much work still to be done.

“Today’s landmark decision can begin the rebuilding process for NSW," he said. "We want to work with the government to make certain that patients get the care they need, in a system that has safe working conditions and adequate staffing, so that we can provide the best healthcare and support to mental health patients and their families.”

 

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