Latest news with #Pocock
Sydney Morning Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Never mind the economy, climate change is bad for the health
Your article (' Pocock springs test on fate of future children ', July 31) quotes Anthony Albanese, saying that rejecting any moratorium on new fossil fuel projects is 'disastrous for the economy'. Try telling that to the Greeks, or to the 33 million victims of the Pakistani floods in March, or to the flood and fire victims of the eastern half of Australia over recent years. Not only were these events 'disastrous for the economy', but at what cost to human health and welfare and to the environment? Bring on the moratorium. We cannot afford not to. Hugh Barrett, Sanctuary Point May the noise made by the main parties not drown out the sane and sensible discussion in federal decision-making. Changed thinking and behaviours are needed about the approval and assistance provided to fossil fuel projects. When community and expert concern and worsening outlooks concerning 'global boiling' are being raised time and time again, stronger federal leadership is needed. The public values considerations that go well beyond party-political eyes being focused on getting past the next election and maintaining sources of donations, and the current yet still modest 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets. Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT) Pocock's bill to force legislators to consider the impact on future generations of new fossil fuel licences will be unpopular with Labor if it threatens new coal and gas, which Labor relies on for revenue and to contain energy prices. It throws up in stark relief whether future generations must be considered against winning the next election. It seems surprising that it needs legislation. I was under the naive assumption that governments should consider all our welfare in any legislation anyway. Or is it only those who can afford lobbyists who are considered? The independents are doing a good job of forcing government to face up to difficult issues. Gary Barnes, Mosman Pocock says we have a 'moral duty to young people and future generations'. The burden on the youngest members of our society is not just logistical, it is an overwhelming emotional burden. Today's children and young people with whom I work as an occupational therapist are more anxious (scared, fearful, despondent) than this group have been in the last thirty years – and it is over climate. The rest of the article makes it clear that the federal Labor government is trying to shrink the scale of the task in our eyes. Their attempt to displace the emotional burden they promised to take up when they entered office is hurting our children right now. Jo Jackson King, Gidgegannup (WA)
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
The controversial changes the Greens will push on housing reform
When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better."
The Advertiser
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Unions call for halt to government contracts with multinational tech giants
A trio of unions have called for the federal government to cease doing business with large multinational tech corporations, including Amazon. The letter, from Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association (SDA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) demands the re-elected Albanese government enforce the newly instituted Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct, and tear up contracts with global tech giants, accused of union busting, tax dodging and surveillance of overseas workers. "These rules should apply not just to a local subsidiary, but to the entire corporate group's activity around the world," the letter, co-signed by ACTU president Michele O'Neil states. Earlier this year, the government renewed its partnership with US software behemoth Amazon Web Services. SDA NSW branch secretary Bernie Smith told The Canberra Times that Amazon's actions overseas, including closing seven unionised warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec, according to local reports, should prohibit Amazon from gaining lucrative contracts in Australia. "It's disturbing if in one arm of a business the company can act ethically, but chooses not to act so ethically in the other," he said. "We encourage... the government as our collective consumer, to be conscious of who they contract with." Appearing before a Senate committee last year, Amazon executives said the company did not in any way surveil or monitor union activities in their Australian facilities. "We facilitate dozens of lawful union rights of entry in our sites around Australia all the time," head of public policy for Amazon in Australia and New Zealand Matt Levey said. READ MORE: Amazon to inject $20b into Australian 'AI revolution' The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct states employees have the right to join unions, take part in industrial action and collective bargaining. The Code was part of a number of changes brought in by the Labor government following procurement misconduct such as the PwC tax leaks scandal. Independent senator David Pocock has pushed for the government to consider Australian companies first. "The tragedy of this is that, my understanding is that there's a whole bunch of Australian companies that are repeatedly overlooked, and companies like Amazon get big contracts from the federal government," said Mr Pocock. Mr Pocock said there were Australian companies that could have provided cloud computing services at a cheaper rate. "The idea that it's safe to go with multinationals just doesn't seem to actually be true," he said. READ MORE: Why more students are leaving school early in Australia Mr Smith said the government should reconsider the companies it enters into contracts with. "It's a time for us to think about, 'how do we as a community and a society be served by our economy rather [than] the other way around?'" Branch head for whole of contract negotiations at the DTA Nichole Bain said "the government expects all businesses to comply with Australian law". "The government has made significant improvements to procurement across government since coming to office," she said in a statement. "We will continue to work hard to make sure that government purchasing power is maximised and ensure that taxpayers get value for every dollar." Amazon Australia was contacted for comment, but did not respond in time for publishing. Amazon has previously said they plan to invest $13.2 billion into Australia from 2023 to 2027 which will support an average of 11,000 full-time jobs annually. A trio of unions have called for the federal government to cease doing business with large multinational tech corporations, including Amazon. The letter, from Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association (SDA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) demands the re-elected Albanese government enforce the newly instituted Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct, and tear up contracts with global tech giants, accused of union busting, tax dodging and surveillance of overseas workers. "These rules should apply not just to a local subsidiary, but to the entire corporate group's activity around the world," the letter, co-signed by ACTU president Michele O'Neil states. Earlier this year, the government renewed its partnership with US software behemoth Amazon Web Services. SDA NSW branch secretary Bernie Smith told The Canberra Times that Amazon's actions overseas, including closing seven unionised warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec, according to local reports, should prohibit Amazon from gaining lucrative contracts in Australia. "It's disturbing if in one arm of a business the company can act ethically, but chooses not to act so ethically in the other," he said. "We encourage... the government as our collective consumer, to be conscious of who they contract with." Appearing before a Senate committee last year, Amazon executives said the company did not in any way surveil or monitor union activities in their Australian facilities. "We facilitate dozens of lawful union rights of entry in our sites around Australia all the time," head of public policy for Amazon in Australia and New Zealand Matt Levey said. READ MORE: Amazon to inject $20b into Australian 'AI revolution' The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct states employees have the right to join unions, take part in industrial action and collective bargaining. The Code was part of a number of changes brought in by the Labor government following procurement misconduct such as the PwC tax leaks scandal. Independent senator David Pocock has pushed for the government to consider Australian companies first. "The tragedy of this is that, my understanding is that there's a whole bunch of Australian companies that are repeatedly overlooked, and companies like Amazon get big contracts from the federal government," said Mr Pocock. Mr Pocock said there were Australian companies that could have provided cloud computing services at a cheaper rate. "The idea that it's safe to go with multinationals just doesn't seem to actually be true," he said. READ MORE: Why more students are leaving school early in Australia Mr Smith said the government should reconsider the companies it enters into contracts with. "It's a time for us to think about, 'how do we as a community and a society be served by our economy rather [than] the other way around?'" Branch head for whole of contract negotiations at the DTA Nichole Bain said "the government expects all businesses to comply with Australian law". "The government has made significant improvements to procurement across government since coming to office," she said in a statement. "We will continue to work hard to make sure that government purchasing power is maximised and ensure that taxpayers get value for every dollar." Amazon Australia was contacted for comment, but did not respond in time for publishing. Amazon has previously said they plan to invest $13.2 billion into Australia from 2023 to 2027 which will support an average of 11,000 full-time jobs annually. A trio of unions have called for the federal government to cease doing business with large multinational tech corporations, including Amazon. The letter, from Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association (SDA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) demands the re-elected Albanese government enforce the newly instituted Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct, and tear up contracts with global tech giants, accused of union busting, tax dodging and surveillance of overseas workers. "These rules should apply not just to a local subsidiary, but to the entire corporate group's activity around the world," the letter, co-signed by ACTU president Michele O'Neil states. Earlier this year, the government renewed its partnership with US software behemoth Amazon Web Services. SDA NSW branch secretary Bernie Smith told The Canberra Times that Amazon's actions overseas, including closing seven unionised warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec, according to local reports, should prohibit Amazon from gaining lucrative contracts in Australia. "It's disturbing if in one arm of a business the company can act ethically, but chooses not to act so ethically in the other," he said. "We encourage... the government as our collective consumer, to be conscious of who they contract with." Appearing before a Senate committee last year, Amazon executives said the company did not in any way surveil or monitor union activities in their Australian facilities. "We facilitate dozens of lawful union rights of entry in our sites around Australia all the time," head of public policy for Amazon in Australia and New Zealand Matt Levey said. READ MORE: Amazon to inject $20b into Australian 'AI revolution' The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct states employees have the right to join unions, take part in industrial action and collective bargaining. The Code was part of a number of changes brought in by the Labor government following procurement misconduct such as the PwC tax leaks scandal. Independent senator David Pocock has pushed for the government to consider Australian companies first. "The tragedy of this is that, my understanding is that there's a whole bunch of Australian companies that are repeatedly overlooked, and companies like Amazon get big contracts from the federal government," said Mr Pocock. Mr Pocock said there were Australian companies that could have provided cloud computing services at a cheaper rate. "The idea that it's safe to go with multinationals just doesn't seem to actually be true," he said. READ MORE: Why more students are leaving school early in Australia Mr Smith said the government should reconsider the companies it enters into contracts with. "It's a time for us to think about, 'how do we as a community and a society be served by our economy rather [than] the other way around?'" Branch head for whole of contract negotiations at the DTA Nichole Bain said "the government expects all businesses to comply with Australian law". "The government has made significant improvements to procurement across government since coming to office," she said in a statement. "We will continue to work hard to make sure that government purchasing power is maximised and ensure that taxpayers get value for every dollar." Amazon Australia was contacted for comment, but did not respond in time for publishing. Amazon has previously said they plan to invest $13.2 billion into Australia from 2023 to 2027 which will support an average of 11,000 full-time jobs annually. A trio of unions have called for the federal government to cease doing business with large multinational tech corporations, including Amazon. The letter, from Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association (SDA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) demands the re-elected Albanese government enforce the newly instituted Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct, and tear up contracts with global tech giants, accused of union busting, tax dodging and surveillance of overseas workers. "These rules should apply not just to a local subsidiary, but to the entire corporate group's activity around the world," the letter, co-signed by ACTU president Michele O'Neil states. Earlier this year, the government renewed its partnership with US software behemoth Amazon Web Services. SDA NSW branch secretary Bernie Smith told The Canberra Times that Amazon's actions overseas, including closing seven unionised warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec, according to local reports, should prohibit Amazon from gaining lucrative contracts in Australia. "It's disturbing if in one arm of a business the company can act ethically, but chooses not to act so ethically in the other," he said. "We encourage... the government as our collective consumer, to be conscious of who they contract with." Appearing before a Senate committee last year, Amazon executives said the company did not in any way surveil or monitor union activities in their Australian facilities. "We facilitate dozens of lawful union rights of entry in our sites around Australia all the time," head of public policy for Amazon in Australia and New Zealand Matt Levey said. READ MORE: Amazon to inject $20b into Australian 'AI revolution' The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct states employees have the right to join unions, take part in industrial action and collective bargaining. The Code was part of a number of changes brought in by the Labor government following procurement misconduct such as the PwC tax leaks scandal. Independent senator David Pocock has pushed for the government to consider Australian companies first. "The tragedy of this is that, my understanding is that there's a whole bunch of Australian companies that are repeatedly overlooked, and companies like Amazon get big contracts from the federal government," said Mr Pocock. Mr Pocock said there were Australian companies that could have provided cloud computing services at a cheaper rate. "The idea that it's safe to go with multinationals just doesn't seem to actually be true," he said. READ MORE: Why more students are leaving school early in Australia Mr Smith said the government should reconsider the companies it enters into contracts with. "It's a time for us to think about, 'how do we as a community and a society be served by our economy rather [than] the other way around?'" Branch head for whole of contract negotiations at the DTA Nichole Bain said "the government expects all businesses to comply with Australian law". "The government has made significant improvements to procurement across government since coming to office," she said in a statement. "We will continue to work hard to make sure that government purchasing power is maximised and ensure that taxpayers get value for every dollar." Amazon Australia was contacted for comment, but did not respond in time for publishing. Amazon has previously said they plan to invest $13.2 billion into Australia from 2023 to 2027 which will support an average of 11,000 full-time jobs annually.
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Australia to be the ‘middle power' in achieving peace in the Middle East
Independent Senator David Pocock says he has been urging the Albanese government to place sanctions on Israeli ministers for over a year after he claimed the Israeli government's actions are 'unacceptable'. 'Given the concern amongst the Australian community, there's a real sense the Australian government can't end this war, but they can actually be a middle power,' Mr Pocock told Sky News Australia. 'I think it's totally unacceptable what is happening.'
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Bipartisanship': Albanese government has ‘blinkers on' in hope to get defence from US
Independent Senator David Pocock slams Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles for 'pushing forward' on the 'hope' Australia will get US submarines, following the Pentagon's review of AUKUS. Mr Pocock claimed the Albanese government has a 'bipartisan' view on this defence matter with the US. 'I think we should take this as an opportunity to actually do a review ourselves, I think that is long overdue,' Mr Pocock told Sky News Australia. 'I don't think that major parties have really made the case to the Australian people that we are guaranteed to receive this capability with the amount of money that we are already shovelling out.'
