Category: Scott Morrison

Macron Throws Mother of All Tantrums

Commentary After years of delays, cost blowouts, and subsequent crisis meetings with France’s Naval Group this September, Australia finally cancelled the disastrous program and instead opted for a U.S. or UK nuclear-powered submarine design to ensure national security was not further compromised. To use Australian parlance, that’s when French President Emmanuel Macron chucked the mother…


Australian Indigenous Groups Push Back Over Voter ID Proposal

Australian Senator Amanda Stoker has said that a proposed voter identification (ID) bill would allow for a wide range of proof of identity documentation after two Indigenous bodies described the ID requirement as unnecessary and burdensome. The Central Land Council and the Northern Land Council have both told a Senate estimates hearing that they weren’t consulted about…


Flights From America and Singapore Will Be the First to Enter Australia

International commercial flights from North America and Singapore will be the first to carry passengers to Australia after the country lifts its international travel ban in November. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews confirmed that a Qantas flight from North America and a Singapore Airlines voyage would land in Sydney and that people would be able…


Vocal Opposition to Australian Government’s Move to Introduce Voter ID at Next Election

The federal government is introducing new laws that will require Australians to display voter ID when voting at next the federal election. The proposal has been met with strong criticism from the opposition leader and left-leaning groups with claims of “voter-suppression.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the law was not “earth-shattering” and that the Joint…


Australia Agrees to a Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Plan

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, ahead of the 2021 United Nations (U.N.) Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. Morrison has also assured regional Australia would not take the brunt of a new climate policy that would spell a dramatic shift in how businesses operate….


Australia’s International Travel Ban to Be Lifted on Nov. 1

Fully vaccinated Australians will be able to leave the country without exemptions from Nov.1, when the international borders reopen, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday. “I can announce today that last night the Health Minister signed off on the fact that from the 1st of November, Australians who are double vaccinated will be able…


Australia Declares Goal to Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Australia’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050, ahead of the 2021 United Nations (U.N.) Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. This comes after international pressure, including from current and past U.N. officials, who have demanded that Australia reduce emissions and cut coal use. Morrison also pledged…


Australia Set To Adopt Net Zero Emissions Target

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is primed to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 ahead of the United Nations (U.N.) climate change summit after the coalition partner, the National Party agreed to the proposal over the weekend. As the U.N.’s 26th Climate Change Conference—or COP26—draws near, discussions stirred last week for Australia to adopt its…


The Australian Federal Government’s Net-Zero Betrayal

Commentary With the Liberal-National Coalition government about to officially sign onto a 2050 net-zero emissions target, many Australians are wondering what the point of the 2019 election was. At the so-called “climate election,” the Coalition proposed maintaining their existing policy of a 26 percent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. Labor proposed more significant reductions…


Australia Won’t Welcome Foreign Tourists Until at Least 2022

CANBERRA, Australia—Foreign tourists won’t be welcomed back to Australia until at least next year, the prime minister said Tuesday as he outlined plans for lifting some of the toughest and longest COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by any democracy. The country will instead prioritize the return of skilled migrants and students after it hits Prime Minister…