Sussan Ley is ‘unusual' because Australians ‘don't know a lot about her'
'Most opposition leaders and Coalition leaders, really since the Howard era, we've known a lot about them the day they took the job,' he told Sky News Australia.
'Sussan Ley is an unknown quantity, and, in that sense, she has the capacity to tell her story her way.'

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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia complains to China about live-fire exercise as Albanese begins Shanghai tourism mission
Shanghai: Australia has complained to China about a live-fire exercise in February that disrupted flights between Sydney and New Zealand, delivering the message a day before Anthony Albanese touched down in Shanghai with a plan to woo Chinese tourists Down Under. Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised Australia's concerns about the heavily armed flotilla that circumnavigated Australia earlier this year in a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Malaysia on Friday, the government confirmed. Her expression of disapproval at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a day after she warned of China's rapid military build-up, serves as a reminder of the points of difference with Australia's largest trading partner even after years of calmer relations under Labor. The emergence of a Chinese flotilla sailing around Australia's east coast in February sparked concern in Canberra about the lack of notice of live-firing, despite the voyage being conducted in accordance with international law. Flanked by a delegation of Australian captains of industry, the prime minister arrived in Shanghai on Saturday, where he will announce a memorandum of understanding between Tourism Australia and Chinese-owned The site is the world's largest booking platform and owns Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip. The deal is designed to give Australia a leg-up over other nations in the lucrative Chinese holiday market, which is worth $9.2 billion to Australia. A new tourism video featuring award-winning Chinese actor Yu Shu, under the banner of Australia's 'Come and Say G'day' campaign, will also be released. Albanese said Australia's relationship with China went beyond beef, barley, red wine and lobster, all of which were blocked from China after the ruling Chinese Communist Party punished the Morrison government for its blunt criticisms of China's actions particularly during the pandemic. 'Expanding our tourism relationship with China will mean more jobs for Australians and a boost to Australian businesses,' Albanese said in a statement marking the start of his six-day visit to China.

The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Australia complains to China about live-fire exercise as Albanese begins Shanghai tourism mission
Shanghai: Australia has complained to China about a live-fire exercise in February that disrupted flights between Sydney and New Zealand, delivering the message a day before Anthony Albanese touched down in Shanghai with a plan to woo Chinese tourists Down Under. Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised Australia's concerns about the heavily armed flotilla that circumnavigated Australia earlier this year in a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Malaysia on Friday, the government confirmed. Her expression of disapproval at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a day after she warned of China's rapid military build-up, serves as a reminder of the points of difference with Australia's largest trading partner even after years of calmer relations under Labor. The emergence of a Chinese flotilla sailing around Australia's east coast in February sparked concern in Canberra about the lack of notice of live-firing, despite the voyage being conducted in accordance with international law. Flanked by a delegation of Australian captains of industry, the prime minister arrived in Shanghai on Saturday, where he will announce a memorandum of understanding between Tourism Australia and Chinese-owned The site is the world's largest booking platform and owns Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip. The deal is designed to give Australia a leg-up over other nations in the lucrative Chinese holiday market, which is worth $9.2 billion to Australia. A new tourism video featuring award-winning Chinese actor Yu Shu, under the banner of Australia's 'Come and Say G'day' campaign, will also be released. Albanese said Australia's relationship with China went beyond beef, barley, red wine and lobster, all of which were blocked from China after the ruling Chinese Communist Party punished the Morrison government for its blunt criticisms of China's actions particularly during the pandemic. 'Expanding our tourism relationship with China will mean more jobs for Australians and a boost to Australian businesses,' Albanese said in a statement marking the start of his six-day visit to China.


The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Protests, criticisms of anti-Semitism report continue
Pro-Palestine protesters have marched in small numbers in the wake of a contentious plan to combat anti-Semitism including the assertion funds should be stripped from non-compliant arts bodies. The recommendation to axe support for publicly funded institutions and festivals that promote or fail to effectively deal with hate speech features in a report by Australia's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal. The federal government is considering the advice in a bid to combat growing discrimination against Jewish Australians. Criticism of the report has also focused on Ms Segal's recommendation Australia adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, some arguing that it conflates the notion with criticism of Israel and Zionism. While "unequivocally" condemning anti-Semitism, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says it is deeply concerned by the report. "This plan, drafted by a politically appointed, unelected official, risks undermining free expression, marginalising already vulnerable communities and conflating legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism," it said on Saturday. "Combating anti-Semitism is a shared responsibility but it cannot come at the cost of justice, free speech and the equal treatment of all communities," council president Rateb Jneid added. Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the swift establishment of resources, recommendations and government attention for combating anti-Semitism stood in stark contrast to responses to other forms of racism. The "selective urgency" exposed a "hierarchy of racism that continues to operate within our democratic institutions". "The government's response pattern reveals a concerning truth: some forms of racism receive red-carpet treatment while others are relegated to performative gestures and token appointments," director Noura Mansour said. About 50 diehard protesters gathered in central Sydney on Saturday afternoon in opposition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and what they argue is Australia's wrongful participation in it. The mostly silent action, outside the offices of defence contractor BAE Systems, continued months of similar demonstrations which have been staged in capital cities at weekends. A larger protest has been scheduled for Sunday in the city's Hyde Park and another will go ahead in Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday steps were already being taken to silence the behaviour Ms Segal had identified, pointing to a decision to block controversial US rapper Kanye West from entering the country after he released a song titled Heil Hitler. "We screen people ... when they apply for visas it's something that we make sure that we represent Australia's national interests," he told reporters. Ms Segal said criticisms of her findings misunderstood the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. "(It) clearly says if Israel is criticised, that's absolutely fine - and indeed, so many Israelis are criticising the policies of their own government," she told ABC Radio. Several other Jewish groups called for her recommendations to be adopted in full. They include embedding Holocaust education into school curriculums and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, in addition to terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Australia's government-appointed envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, says he will soon provide "comprehensive" recommendations to the prime minister. Pro-Palestine protesters have marched in small numbers in the wake of a contentious plan to combat anti-Semitism including the assertion funds should be stripped from non-compliant arts bodies. The recommendation to axe support for publicly funded institutions and festivals that promote or fail to effectively deal with hate speech features in a report by Australia's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal. The federal government is considering the advice in a bid to combat growing discrimination against Jewish Australians. Criticism of the report has also focused on Ms Segal's recommendation Australia adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, some arguing that it conflates the notion with criticism of Israel and Zionism. While "unequivocally" condemning anti-Semitism, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says it is deeply concerned by the report. "This plan, drafted by a politically appointed, unelected official, risks undermining free expression, marginalising already vulnerable communities and conflating legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism," it said on Saturday. "Combating anti-Semitism is a shared responsibility but it cannot come at the cost of justice, free speech and the equal treatment of all communities," council president Rateb Jneid added. Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the swift establishment of resources, recommendations and government attention for combating anti-Semitism stood in stark contrast to responses to other forms of racism. The "selective urgency" exposed a "hierarchy of racism that continues to operate within our democratic institutions". "The government's response pattern reveals a concerning truth: some forms of racism receive red-carpet treatment while others are relegated to performative gestures and token appointments," director Noura Mansour said. About 50 diehard protesters gathered in central Sydney on Saturday afternoon in opposition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and what they argue is Australia's wrongful participation in it. The mostly silent action, outside the offices of defence contractor BAE Systems, continued months of similar demonstrations which have been staged in capital cities at weekends. A larger protest has been scheduled for Sunday in the city's Hyde Park and another will go ahead in Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday steps were already being taken to silence the behaviour Ms Segal had identified, pointing to a decision to block controversial US rapper Kanye West from entering the country after he released a song titled Heil Hitler. "We screen people ... when they apply for visas it's something that we make sure that we represent Australia's national interests," he told reporters. Ms Segal said criticisms of her findings misunderstood the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. "(It) clearly says if Israel is criticised, that's absolutely fine - and indeed, so many Israelis are criticising the policies of their own government," she told ABC Radio. Several other Jewish groups called for her recommendations to be adopted in full. They include embedding Holocaust education into school curriculums and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, in addition to terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Australia's government-appointed envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, says he will soon provide "comprehensive" recommendations to the prime minister. Pro-Palestine protesters have marched in small numbers in the wake of a contentious plan to combat anti-Semitism including the assertion funds should be stripped from non-compliant arts bodies. The recommendation to axe support for publicly funded institutions and festivals that promote or fail to effectively deal with hate speech features in a report by Australia's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal. The federal government is considering the advice in a bid to combat growing discrimination against Jewish Australians. Criticism of the report has also focused on Ms Segal's recommendation Australia adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, some arguing that it conflates the notion with criticism of Israel and Zionism. While "unequivocally" condemning anti-Semitism, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says it is deeply concerned by the report. "This plan, drafted by a politically appointed, unelected official, risks undermining free expression, marginalising already vulnerable communities and conflating legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism," it said on Saturday. "Combating anti-Semitism is a shared responsibility but it cannot come at the cost of justice, free speech and the equal treatment of all communities," council president Rateb Jneid added. Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the swift establishment of resources, recommendations and government attention for combating anti-Semitism stood in stark contrast to responses to other forms of racism. The "selective urgency" exposed a "hierarchy of racism that continues to operate within our democratic institutions". "The government's response pattern reveals a concerning truth: some forms of racism receive red-carpet treatment while others are relegated to performative gestures and token appointments," director Noura Mansour said. About 50 diehard protesters gathered in central Sydney on Saturday afternoon in opposition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and what they argue is Australia's wrongful participation in it. The mostly silent action, outside the offices of defence contractor BAE Systems, continued months of similar demonstrations which have been staged in capital cities at weekends. A larger protest has been scheduled for Sunday in the city's Hyde Park and another will go ahead in Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday steps were already being taken to silence the behaviour Ms Segal had identified, pointing to a decision to block controversial US rapper Kanye West from entering the country after he released a song titled Heil Hitler. "We screen people ... when they apply for visas it's something that we make sure that we represent Australia's national interests," he told reporters. Ms Segal said criticisms of her findings misunderstood the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. "(It) clearly says if Israel is criticised, that's absolutely fine - and indeed, so many Israelis are criticising the policies of their own government," she told ABC Radio. Several other Jewish groups called for her recommendations to be adopted in full. They include embedding Holocaust education into school curriculums and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, in addition to terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Australia's government-appointed envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, says he will soon provide "comprehensive" recommendations to the prime minister. Pro-Palestine protesters have marched in small numbers in the wake of a contentious plan to combat anti-Semitism including the assertion funds should be stripped from non-compliant arts bodies. The recommendation to axe support for publicly funded institutions and festivals that promote or fail to effectively deal with hate speech features in a report by Australia's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal. The federal government is considering the advice in a bid to combat growing discrimination against Jewish Australians. Criticism of the report has also focused on Ms Segal's recommendation Australia adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, some arguing that it conflates the notion with criticism of Israel and Zionism. While "unequivocally" condemning anti-Semitism, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says it is deeply concerned by the report. "This plan, drafted by a politically appointed, unelected official, risks undermining free expression, marginalising already vulnerable communities and conflating legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism," it said on Saturday. "Combating anti-Semitism is a shared responsibility but it cannot come at the cost of justice, free speech and the equal treatment of all communities," council president Rateb Jneid added. Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the swift establishment of resources, recommendations and government attention for combating anti-Semitism stood in stark contrast to responses to other forms of racism. The "selective urgency" exposed a "hierarchy of racism that continues to operate within our democratic institutions". "The government's response pattern reveals a concerning truth: some forms of racism receive red-carpet treatment while others are relegated to performative gestures and token appointments," director Noura Mansour said. About 50 diehard protesters gathered in central Sydney on Saturday afternoon in opposition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and what they argue is Australia's wrongful participation in it. The mostly silent action, outside the offices of defence contractor BAE Systems, continued months of similar demonstrations which have been staged in capital cities at weekends. A larger protest has been scheduled for Sunday in the city's Hyde Park and another will go ahead in Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday steps were already being taken to silence the behaviour Ms Segal had identified, pointing to a decision to block controversial US rapper Kanye West from entering the country after he released a song titled Heil Hitler. "We screen people ... when they apply for visas it's something that we make sure that we represent Australia's national interests," he told reporters. Ms Segal said criticisms of her findings misunderstood the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. "(It) clearly says if Israel is criticised, that's absolutely fine - and indeed, so many Israelis are criticising the policies of their own government," she told ABC Radio. Several other Jewish groups called for her recommendations to be adopted in full. They include embedding Holocaust education into school curriculums and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, in addition to terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Australia's government-appointed envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, says he will soon provide "comprehensive" recommendations to the prime minister.