Senator Raff Ciccone

So deeply grateful to everyone who joined us yesterday to honour the life of our beloved Jimmy. Your presence, kind words and shared memories have provided immense comfort during this difficult time. Your support means the world. With heartfelt appreciation. Vale Jimmy. 🕊️🖤🤍

🇦🇺🇪🇺 Australia's free trade agreement with the European Union presents significant opportunities for our exporters, workers and businesses, opening doors to 27 markets and supporting jobs. This is a multi-billion-dollar deal that will strengthen our economy and create new pathways for Australian industries to grow. During Question Time, I asked Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, about the importance of securing a deal that delivers real benefits for Australia. #auspol #australia #eu #europeanunion #austrade #ausecon #europeancommission

Australia's refreshed Critical Minerals Strategy focuses on economic resilience, national security and industrial capability. Critical minerals are essential to many technologies we rely on, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to advanced manufacturing and defence. The refreshed strategy recognises the importance of working with trusted partners and places more emphasis on processing and refining critical minerals here in Australia. You can read the strategy here: 👉industry.gov.au/publications… #auspol #criticalminerals #australia

🛠️ A strong skills system means more opportunities for Australians to learn new skills, build a career and find secure work close to home. The Albanese Government has made Free TAFE permanent, committing more than $1.6 billion to support at least 100,000 Free TAFE and VET places annually from next year. 👷‍♀️ I highlighted in the Senate why investing in skills and training is essential to addressing skills shortages and delivering the workforce Australia needs. #auspol #freetafe #tafe #skillsshortage #australia

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🌱 Always great to support @CropLifeOZ's Parliamentary event recently with Member for Bendigo @LMChesters MP and connect with leaders from across Australia's agriculture and research sectors. The event highlighted how plant science and innovation are helping Australian farmers meet challenges and improve productivity. Thanks to the team at CropLife, led by CEO @Matthew_Cossey, for bringing industry, research and government representatives together. #auspol #croplife #agriculture #ausag

Over the next two days, Senate Estimates will focus on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade portfolios, examining the key issues shaping Australia's engagement with the world. You can watch the live stream from 9am AEDT here: 👉youtube.com/watch?v=WhgzLktl… #auspol #senate

🌏 Australia's cyber threat landscape is changing, with AI enabling cybercriminals and malicious state actors to find vulnerabilities and disrupt systems faster. The Australian Signals Directorate's Annual Cyber Threat Report for 2025-26 reveals more than 1,500 cyber security incidents (up 20 per cent), over 82,000 cybercrime reports and an average self-reported cybercrime cost of $33,000 for individuals and $93,500 for businesses. The report urges organisations to take five essential actions: log all cyber events, replace legacy technology, manage supply chain risks, boost AI preparedness and prepare for quantum computing threats to encryption. 🛡️ You can read the report here: 👉cyber.gov.au/publication/ann… #auspol #cybersecurity #annualcyberthreatreport #cyberthreatreport #australia

🔐 'Take a second. Stay secure' is this year's theme for Cyber Security Action Month, reminding us that staying safe online starts with everyday actions. Earlier this month, @ASDGovAu joined six international partners in warning about Chinese government-linked hackers using tools to target organisations worldwide. In the Senate, I encouraged Australians to check their online security because keeping our families, businesses and communities safe starts with the basics. 🛡️ #auspol #cybersecurity

Great to join colleagues at the Australia-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group Reception in Canberra, hosted by UAE Ambassador Dr @altaffaq. The UAE has faced sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks on its cities and infrastructure, and Australia has stood with our friends, providing support to help the UAE and the thousands of Australians who live there. We are grateful for the care and support the UAE has shown Australians throughout the conflict. Our partnership is also growing economically. Two-way trade reached $12.7 billion last year and the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has just marked its first anniversary, opening new markets for Australian businesses and supporting local jobs. 🇦🇺🇦🇪 #auspol #australia #uae #unitedarabemirates #ausecon #austrade #cepa

🔐 October is Cyber Security Action Month, and staying safe online starts with simple steps like updating your software, using strong passwords and turning on multi-factor authentication. The Australian Signals Directorate received more than 84,700 cybercrime reports in 2024-25, highlighting why cyber security is everyone's responsibility. In my regular spot on 2CC, I spoke about the growing threat of cybercrime and the simple steps we can all take to better protect ourselves online. 🛡️ #auspol #cybersecurity

🚗 Nearly $135 million will be invested in 45 new road safety projects across Australia, including more than $24 million for eight projects in Victoria. Two of these projects will benefit the Wannon community, with $5 million to upgrade Woorndoo-Streatham Road at Nerrin Nerrin and $3.7 million to improve Forest Road in Bellbrae between Larcombes Road and the Great Ocean Road. The Albanese Government is investing in the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program to improve key transport routes and strengthen local infrastructure, helping create safer journeys for all road users. See the full list of funded projects here: 👉investment.infrastructure.go… #auspol #roadsafety #wannon #regionalvictoria @moyne_shire

🏇 As the Spring Racing Carnival gathers pace, there's plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks. Racing is an important part of Victoria's sporting culture, economy and community life, with nearly 100,000 Victorians participating in the industry, including trainers, jockeys, stable staff, breeders and volunteers. Around 80 per cent of these roles are based in regional areas, highlighting the industry's significant contribution beyond the track. 📰 You can read my op-ed here: 👉senatorciccone.com.au/import… #auspol #racingindustry #springracing #racingvictoria #coxplate #countryracing #regionalvictoria

🕯️🧡 Tonight, I invite you to light a candle for Helen Haines MP and to keep her loved ones, staff and the broader Indi community in our thoughts and prayers. May this small gesture reflect the care, compassion and solidarity of so many Australians as we continue to wish Helen strength in her recovery. #auspol

Australians are being exposed to extremist content online at an increasingly young age, and the risks are growing. Evidence heard by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security this week highlighted the need for a closer examination of what is driving radicalisation and how we can respond. I spoke with @News24Aust about the PJCIS inquiry's work and the steps needed to better protect our communities. Read the story here: 👉news24.com.au/politics/austr… #auspol #pjcis #radicalisation #australia #nationalsecurity