King's Birthday Honours
The fact that every Australian prime minister routinely gets one of these gongs is yet another reason to review our honours system.
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Fashion Network
27 minutes ago
- Fashion Network
The Woolmark Company's Damien Pommeret: 'It's up to industries to share their environmental impact data'
A few weeks before being announced as Jean Paul Gaultier 's new creative director, Duran Lantink was awarded the Woolmark Prize 2025. The whimsical and talented Dutch designer had applied his expertise and vision of disproportionately swollen volumes to a wool creation. Each year, this event organized by The Woolmark Company - the representative body of the Australian wool industry - rewards contemporary design, with an endowment of 300,000 Australian dollars (around 172,000 euros). It's also an opportunity to promote the properties of this natural fiber, at the heart of a broader commitment. In addition to its promotional activities in the premium and luxury fashion sectors, The Woolmark Company is also working to protect an entire industry, which provides a livelihood for many family farms across the continent. This involves applied research projects, such as the recent development of its "denim lab", as well as a major effort to organize the industry and raise its profile. In this respect, assessing the CSR impact of the material is a major challenge. Damien Pommeret, the organization's representative in Western Europe, reviews the initiatives undertaken by The Woolmark Company and its innovation center. In particular, he details its involvement in the 'Make the Label Count' initiative, launched in 2021 with other players in the textile sector. As Europe moves forward with the validation of new environmental assessment tools - in particular the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) and the French method - this approach is taking on strategic weight today. After years of consultation, Europe has just validated advances in methodologies for assessing the environmental cost of textiles. However, with certain approaches, the calculation could favor materials derived from the petrochemical industry to the detriment of natural materials. Was this an issue for you? Damien Pommeret: We started sounding the alarm over three years ago. We took part in the creation of 'Make the Label Count' to defend the advantages of using renewable and biodegradable fibers and to highlight the harmful effects of microplastic pollution. At first, we were pretty much alone, but the cotton and other natural materials sectors realized that there were aligned messages. Above all, there was a realization that we were small in comparison with other lobbies. FNW: And now? DP: Natural materials are starting to connect. Initially, brands and supply chains saw this as a pure risk, thinking that the issues were different. The collaborative aspect was complex. Especially as working on the technical details requires a lot of time and dedicated people. But now it's more concrete. The fact that we created "Make the LabelCount", which wasn't linked to a specific material, allows us to get involved. The cotton industry contributes funds. The 64-member coalition is gaining in weight with the authorities, particularly in Europe. FNW: In concrete terms, what does this mean for an industry like wool, represented by Woolmark? DP: It already carries weight with the Australian government and the wool industry. To change approaches, we have to share data with the French government. This data had not been consolidated for sharing and gives very detailed information on the Australian wool industry. We had to overcome legal and political fears about sharing it with Ecobalyse. But it's up to the industries to share their data. Because in reality, the French government will never be able to know the progress made on coffee, avocados or natural textiles when it comes to establishing its results. FNW: But how important is this sharing of data? DP: It's very important. In fact, petroleum-based materials have more data than natural materials, which adds value to the results in assessment systems. Strategic impact assessment tools were created to evaluate products produced by industries using calibrated resources. So it's not adapted to agriculture and livestock farming, even if we're trying to adapt it... The difficulty is that there are lots of different types of operation. We have to create the measurement tools and collect the data, which is much more complex. With Woolmark, we invest in these tools and follow technologies developed by start-ups to improve the situation. Because the biggest impact is on the farms. But that's also where all the potential lies in protecting water resources and biodiversity. FNW: In concrete terms, has this sharing of information improved the ratings of wool products via Ecobalyse? DP: Yes, clearly. As they didn't have any data, they worked with the information they did have: an impact study on sheep in the United States which served as the basis for calculating all wool products. But for textiles, 85% of Merino wool comes from Australia. In Australia, sheep farming is extensive, with 6 to 8 animals per hectare in semi-freedom. So the impact is not at all the same. With our data, this reduced the impact in the final results. The challenge now is to finance regular data collection and to go into more detail. Because this commits the sector to improvement and can be promoted to customers. FNW: Can this be applied to other natural materials? DP: Each sector can have its own elements. For example, American cotton has all these data. The key point is that it's not just a matter of collecting data. It has to commit the industry, breeders, farmers and polyester producers to doing better, and consumers to consuming better. Otherwise, it's pointless transparency. It's necessarily a political issue. The aim is not to point the finger at industries and see people lose their jobs. The aim is to have a tool that enables us to optimize, to be more intelligent in manufacturing and consumption. FNW: Except that, despite the improvement, wool is still not rated as highly as polyester... DP: Admittedly, even if the result is better, we're far from having won. For our part, we have to be transparent about the real impact of wool. But then, the criteria will have to include a projection onto a new way of consuming. The life and impact of a product after its manufacture are not the same for a natural product as for those made from petrochemicals. And this is not yet taken into account at European level. It's a battle that needs to be fought. The other aspect is that we're going to have to consume less to meet our environmental commitments. FNW: What do you mean by this? DP: Let's be clear: natural materials are not the ones that have the least impact, and are often intended for premium products. We're not going to sell a 50-euro cotton t-shirt to every Indian. Each fiber has its own purpose. The aim is to be able to use fibers and products for their performance at the right level of consumption. While we obviously need to keep fashion affordable, the problem is volume. There's a difference between accessible fashion and an industry that's unbridled on environmental and social issues. We're going to have to find a way of ensuring that Europe's affluent classes don't over-consume low-priced products. Which is the case today."
West Australian
37 minutes ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese says Labor will fight ‘frustration' in government and deliver on election promises, in National Press Club address
Anthony Albanese will use his first major speech since winning a second term to promise to fight against growing cynicism and 'frustration' in government. The Prime Minister will put forward his second-term agenda in an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday, vowing to 'make a real difference to people's lives'. That includes delivering on Labor's policies to boost bulk-billed GP appointments, decrease student debt and other cost-of-living measures. While he will acknowledge the 'significant global uncertainty' and 'economic instability' currently underpinning the world, he says Labor will be a 'practical and positive alternative' and delivers on its 'vision for a stronger, fairer Australia'. 'It is the more corrosive proposition that politics and government and democratic institutions, including a free media, are incapable of meeting the demands of this moment,' he is expected to say. 'Our responsibility is to disprove it. 'To recognise that some of this frustration is drawn from people's real experience with government – be it failures of service delivery, or falling through the cracks of a particular system. 'To counter this, we have to offer the practical and positive alternative.' Mr Albanese's comments on a volatile international environment comes as he is expected to have his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump when he travels to Canada for the G7 Leader's Summit over the weekend. Labor faces a heavy policy agenda when parliament finally sits on July 22 for the first time since the May 3 election, with Mr Albanese promising to legislate a 20 per cent discount of student debts as its first priority. Mr Albanese will also highlight Labor's election vow to ensure 90 per cent of GP visits are bulk-billed by 2030, progress on reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and its continued target to build 1.2 million new homes through the Housing Accords as other key areas for 'delivery' in Labor's second term. 'Our second term agenda has been shaped by the lives and priorities of the Australian people. And it is built on Australian values,' he will say. 'It is the mission and the measure of a Labor government to give those enduring ideals of fairness, aspiration and opportunity renewed and deeper meaning, for more Australians. 'To deliver reforms that hold no-one back – and drive progress that leaves no-one behind.' The government will also expand its First Home Guarantee scheme to all first home buyers, regardless of income caps, which allow them to purchase an eligible property with a 5 per cent deposit, while also avoiding lender's mortgage insurance. Labor has also committed to investing $10bn to build 100,000 new homes which will be earmarked for firsthome buyers. Since Labor's election landslide on May 3, it has faced attacks on its plan to bring in a 30 per cent tax on superannuation balances over $3m. While the Greens have already flagged it will work with Labor to most likely pass the tax in the Senate, the Coalition have criticised the policy as a 'grab for revenue'. However Jim Chalmers has rebuked changes to the tax, calling the changes 'modest' and 'methodical,' which will make a 'meaningful difference to the budget'.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
LA protests: 700 Marines to be deployed as protests rage; Newsom sues Trump over National Guard use
The showdown between California and the White House escalated late Monday as violent protests over immigration arrests gripped downtown Los Angeles. According to reports, the Trump administration is planning to deploy Marines to the riot-hit city. Around 700 Marines have been mobilized to reinforce National Guard troops already stationed there, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the deployment of the National Guard by declaring the mobilization a 'serious breach of state sovereignty.' He joined Attorney General Rob Bonta in announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Trump, meanwhile, justified the use of military forces as a necessary response to what he labelled 'violent, instigated riots.' The president has blamed 'professional agitators' and 'insurrectionists' for the unrest, promising that any disrespect shown to troops would be met with a severe crackdown. 'They will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before,' he said. LIVE: Anti-ICE protests, LAPD issues citywide tactical alert, President Trump deploys National Guard As downtown LA streets smouldered with debris and the remnants of torched self-driving cars, Newsom accused Trump of 'flaming the fires' and creating 'fear and terror.' The protests, now in their third day, were triggered by immigration raids that many residents described as unjust and heavy-handed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo Here's the latest on the LA protests : Marines mobilised as protests rage As per CNN, About 500 Marines from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center are en route to Los Angeles to join roughly 2,000 National Guard troops activated by Trump over the weekend. Only 300 Guard members had been deployed as of Sunday, with the Marines expected to relieve some of them, according to sources. Despite the visible military presence, it remains unclear what operational role the Marines will play. Like the National Guard, they cannot engage in law enforcement activities unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act — a step Trump has not yet taken. California takes legal action Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that California would sue the Trump administration, calling the federalisation of the state's National Guard 'unlawful.' Governor Newsom backed the lawsuit, saying, 'Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the governor of that state is illegal and immoral.' This marks the 24th lawsuit California has filed against Trump in just 19 weeks. Violence continues on LA streets Sunday saw the most intense clashes yet. Protesters hurled concrete and fireworks at police on the 101 freeway while LAPD officers responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash-bang grenades. Viral footage showed an Australian reporter hit by a rubber bullet on live television. Several self-driving Waymo vehicles were set ablaze, and graffiti covered downtown buildings. Still, local officials stressed that the majority of protests remained peaceful. 'This is isolated to a few streets,' Mayor Karen Bass said. 'This is not citywide civil unrest.' What triggered the backlash? The protests began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out dozens of arrests, claiming to target gang and cartel members. However, many locals say those detained were peaceful migrants attending court hearings and complying with legal proceedings. 'This is not about immigration. This is about domination of all of our communities,' said Congressman Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia in a solidarity rally in Chicago. Even Trump allies voiced concern. Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, founder of Latinas for Trump, posted, 'This is unacceptable and inhumane… This is not what we voted for.' National and global reactions Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on the U.S. to respect migrant rights and urged Mexicans in the U.S. to remain peaceful. The United Nations warned against further militarisation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of using the National Guard as a political distraction. 'Trump should immediately revoke his command... Americans do not need or deserve this unnecessary and provocative chaos,' he said.
