UN says 875 Palestinians killed near Gaza aid sites
The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, while the remaining 201 were killed on the routes of other aid convoys.
The GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a UN-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the allegation.
The GHF, which began distributing food packages in Gaza in late May after Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade, previously told Reuters that such incidents have not occurred on its sites and accused the UN of misinformation, which it denies.
The GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest UN figures.
"The data we have is based on our own information gathering through various reliable sources, including medical human rights and humanitarian organisations," Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva.
The United Nations has called the GHF aid model "inherently unsafe" and a violation of humanitarian impartiality standards.
The GHF said it had delivered more than 75 million meals to Gaza Palestinians since the end of May, and that other humanitarian groups had "nearly all of their aid looted" by Hamas or criminal gangs.
The Israeli army previously told Reuters in a statement that it was reviewing recent mass casualties and that it had sought to minimise friction between Palestinians and the Israel Defence Forces by installing fences and signs and opening additional routes.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has previously cited instances of violent pillaging of aid, and the UN World Food Program said last week that most trucks carrying food assistance into Gaza had been intercepted by "hungry civilian communities".
Separately, an Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defence establishment, but officials say a practical plan has yet to be crafted.
Even without a clear blueprint, opposition critics have denounced the proposal, with some likening the suggested site to a "concentration camp", which could lead to ethnic cleansing in the coastal enclave devastated by 21 months of conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration has defended the project, saying it would offer civilians a safe haven while further weakening Hamas militants' grip on Gaza, but it remains unclear whether it is a concrete government policy.
The idea was floated by Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier this month and Netanyahu convened minister and defence officials to discuss it late on Sunday.
The military had been asked to put together a detailed proposition, but Netanyahu dismissed it as far too costly and complicated, two Israeli officials who were present said, and ordered them to come up with something cheaper and faster.
An Israeli military source said it was a complex initiative that required intricate logistics for infrastructure such as sewage, sanitation, medical services, water and food supplies.
Planning was in a very initial phase only, the source said, and the goal was to help Palestinians who do not want to live under Hamas rule.
Hamas did not respond to a request for comment.
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ABC News
6 minutes ago
- ABC News
Anthony Albanese calls recent actions in Gaza 'completely indefensible' in interview from China
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described recent actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza as "completely indefensible" and says he told Israeli President Isaac Herzog directly that Israel was losing support by its own actions. In an interview with the ABC as he wrapped up his six-day visit to China, the prime minister was asked about the broader rapid changes in global affairs unfolding at present, and since he had first won office in 2022. Mr Albanese's comments on Israel are his most critical since May, when he described the blockade on aid into Gaza as "completely unacceptable" and criticised what he said were Israel's "excuses and explanations". He also said he had raised Beijing's support for Russia and its involvement in the Ukraine war with China's leadership during his visit. Mr Albanese was asked whether Israel's place in the world had changed, after condemnation by the International Court of Justice, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being accused of "crimes against humanity and war crimes" by the International Criminal Court. In addition to its actions in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, and its recent controversial intervention in the distribution of aid in Gaza, Israel has recently taken unilateral actions, in the form of bombing campaigns, against both Iran and Syria. "We need to always engage in the world as it is, rather than as we would like it to be," he said. "Israel's actions, many of the actions of the Netanyahu government, including by its ministers, have led my government indeed to sanction ministers in the Netanyahu government. We would not have thought that was on the agenda in 2022, when I was elected. "Australia is a long-term supporter — and indeed played a role in the creation of the State of Israel. "But at that time it's important to remember that two states were envisaged and Australia and certainly my government, has continued to support two states in the Middle East: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. "We want Israel to continue to exist within secure borders and to be able to live without the threat of terrorists such as Hamas engaging in the sort of atrocities we saw on October 7. "But Palestinians have a legitimate aspiration for a state of their own and to be able to achieve prosperity, and that is something that has been a bipartisan position as well going back to John Howard who said there could be no peace in the Middle East, without dealing with the Palestinian question." Pressed on whether Australia needed to change its view of what was happening in Israel with reports of Palestinians regularly being killed while waiting for food and water, Mr Albanese said: "Well, that is completely indefensible. "And we've called that out each and every time that that has occurred. And we have, I've issued a number of joint statements, for example with the Canadian and New Zealand prime ministers. "We've joined the international community, which overwhelmingly has condemned actions such as that. "And the other thing that we've done is to say in private, what we say publicly as well, which is that Israel, and we say this as a friend, sometimes you gotta be straight and upfront. Asked what chance there was for a two-state solution, when Gaza had been largely reduced to rubble and there had been further incursions into the West Bank by Israel, Mr Albanese said: "The globe has to play a role in it, and obviously the role of the United States will be central to that. "Australia isn't a central player in the Middle East, but what we can do is continue to do what we have done, which is to take a principled position. "We opposed unequivocally the atrocity that occurred on October 7 [when Hamas led an attack on Israelis which left close to 1,200 people dead]. "We have called for a ceasefire consistently. We've called for the release of hostages. We have also called for the aid to be able to flow to the people of Gaza, and we've called out Israel for its actions that have led, of course, to such appalling conditions and loss of innocent life in the resolution that was carried in the parliament just days after October 7. "I think that will stand the test of history well, because when you look at that [resolution] at the time, we spoke about opposing the loss of innocent life, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian." The prime minister was also asked how China's current portrayal of itself as a global peacemaker, and a calm and steady hand in contrast to the Trump administration in the US, stood up in the face of Chinese support for Russia in its war in Ukraine, which included claims that Chinese troops had been captured on the battlefield. "We made our position very clear about Ukraine to the Chinese leadership here over the past days," Mr Albanese said. "We do have differences. We do have differences with some of the actions of China in our own region, let alone in Ukraine. And we point those out. "We, for example, in the Pacific are very clear that we want the Pacific family to look after our own security and don't want to see an increased military presence in the region. Now we'll continue to do that. "We engage with our Pacific neighbours just as we engage constructively with our ASEAN neighbours as well."
The Advertiser
36 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Why a fossil fuel-free COP could put Australia's bid over the edge
When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet.
The Advertiser
40 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Australia hands over first tranche of tanks to Ukraine
The first tranche of Australian tanks has been handed over to the Ukrainian army to help its defence against Russia's invasion. Australia pledged to give Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks at a value of $245 million. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would aid Ukrainian firepower and complement other military equipment donated by allies to repel Russia's invasion. "Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace," Mr Marles said. A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers haven't been released. Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine are targeting civilians in record numbers, according to the United Nations human rights office. At least 139 civilians have been killed and more than 790 injured as of July 15. June marked the deadliest month for civilians in more than three years, the UN said. Australia will also deploy a Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to protect the corridors to Ukraine through which aid is delivered. "Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion to aid Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. It comes as the federal government negotiates a non-binding security pact with Ukraine, following more than two dozen other nations that have similar agreements. The agreements are largely vague, aren't legally binding and don't include joint security or defence guarantees. Areas of co-operation for Australia and Ukraine likely to be included in such a pact span military assistance and collaboration. A second agreement eliminating double taxation to encourage investment in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the devastating war is also set to be inked. The delivery of tanks also comes as United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal to try and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to protect Ukrainians facing a harsh winter as Russia attacks critical infrastructure. The winter response plan aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to more than 1.7 million people between October 2025 and March 2026. The first tranche of Australian tanks has been handed over to the Ukrainian army to help its defence against Russia's invasion. Australia pledged to give Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks at a value of $245 million. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would aid Ukrainian firepower and complement other military equipment donated by allies to repel Russia's invasion. "Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace," Mr Marles said. A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers haven't been released. Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine are targeting civilians in record numbers, according to the United Nations human rights office. At least 139 civilians have been killed and more than 790 injured as of July 15. June marked the deadliest month for civilians in more than three years, the UN said. Australia will also deploy a Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to protect the corridors to Ukraine through which aid is delivered. "Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion to aid Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. It comes as the federal government negotiates a non-binding security pact with Ukraine, following more than two dozen other nations that have similar agreements. The agreements are largely vague, aren't legally binding and don't include joint security or defence guarantees. Areas of co-operation for Australia and Ukraine likely to be included in such a pact span military assistance and collaboration. A second agreement eliminating double taxation to encourage investment in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the devastating war is also set to be inked. The delivery of tanks also comes as United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal to try and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to protect Ukrainians facing a harsh winter as Russia attacks critical infrastructure. The winter response plan aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to more than 1.7 million people between October 2025 and March 2026. The first tranche of Australian tanks has been handed over to the Ukrainian army to help its defence against Russia's invasion. Australia pledged to give Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks at a value of $245 million. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would aid Ukrainian firepower and complement other military equipment donated by allies to repel Russia's invasion. "Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace," Mr Marles said. A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers haven't been released. Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine are targeting civilians in record numbers, according to the United Nations human rights office. At least 139 civilians have been killed and more than 790 injured as of July 15. June marked the deadliest month for civilians in more than three years, the UN said. Australia will also deploy a Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to protect the corridors to Ukraine through which aid is delivered. "Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion to aid Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. It comes as the federal government negotiates a non-binding security pact with Ukraine, following more than two dozen other nations that have similar agreements. The agreements are largely vague, aren't legally binding and don't include joint security or defence guarantees. Areas of co-operation for Australia and Ukraine likely to be included in such a pact span military assistance and collaboration. A second agreement eliminating double taxation to encourage investment in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the devastating war is also set to be inked. The delivery of tanks also comes as United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal to try and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to protect Ukrainians facing a harsh winter as Russia attacks critical infrastructure. The winter response plan aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to more than 1.7 million people between October 2025 and March 2026. The first tranche of Australian tanks has been handed over to the Ukrainian army to help its defence against Russia's invasion. Australia pledged to give Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks at a value of $245 million. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would aid Ukrainian firepower and complement other military equipment donated by allies to repel Russia's invasion. "Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace," Mr Marles said. A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers haven't been released. Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine are targeting civilians in record numbers, according to the United Nations human rights office. At least 139 civilians have been killed and more than 790 injured as of July 15. June marked the deadliest month for civilians in more than three years, the UN said. Australia will also deploy a Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to protect the corridors to Ukraine through which aid is delivered. "Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion to aid Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. It comes as the federal government negotiates a non-binding security pact with Ukraine, following more than two dozen other nations that have similar agreements. The agreements are largely vague, aren't legally binding and don't include joint security or defence guarantees. Areas of co-operation for Australia and Ukraine likely to be included in such a pact span military assistance and collaboration. A second agreement eliminating double taxation to encourage investment in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the devastating war is also set to be inked. The delivery of tanks also comes as United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal to try and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to protect Ukrainians facing a harsh winter as Russia attacks critical infrastructure. The winter response plan aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to more than 1.7 million people between October 2025 and March 2026.
