Albo hits back at ‘absurd' defence claim
An audit published on Friday found the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has failed to properly maintain Australia's biggest battleships – the HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.
It also revealed Mr Marles did not get 'preparedness reports' from Australian Defence Force (ADF) officials 'in 2023 and 2024 due to development of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review'.
Instead, Mr Marles was briefed 'through 'other means', including during conversations'.
The Prime Minister flatly rejected the finding when asked about it on Tuesday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) has rejected revelations his deputy and Defence Minister Richard Marles (left) did not get key readiness briefings for years. Credit: News Corp Australia, Martin Ollman / NewsWire
'Well, that's just absurd, that's just absurd,' Mr Albanese told Nine's Today.
Pressed further, he said Mr Marles was 'of course' briefed.
'That's just ridiculous, frankly,' Mr Albanese said.
'I haven't seen that report, but we sit in the National Security Committee with the Chief of the Defence Force.
'We meet regularly. I certainly have met with heads of all of the armed forces regularly, and that is just completely incorrect.'
He said the extra $57bn Labor had pumped into expanding capability 'has come directly after discussions and engagement, obviously with Defence'.
'And in the last budget in March, indeed, we brought forward a billion dollars of additional spending, bringing to over $10bn our additional commitments over the forward estimates as well,' Mr Albanese said.
Preparedness reports detail what can be deployed in the event of a war or natural disaster – key information against a backdrop of looming conflict in the Indo-Pacific and increasingly common extreme weather events.
Labor's handling of defence has come under a microscope since the US last month demanded Australia hike the ADF's budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
Mr Albanese has resisted, saying Australia's national security was a matter for Canberra, not Washington.
He has also said his government would first determine need and then allocate funds rather than set a flat GDP target.
But the government's position has put Australia at odds with its allies across the world, with all NATO members bar Spain agreeing to lift defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP last week.
Closer to home, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea have all recently committed to spending more amid warnings from the Trump administration the region faces graver threats than Europe.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took a thinly veiled shot at Australia last week, saying if European countries can agree to hike defence spending, then US allies in the Indo Pacific 'can do it as well'.
'I mean, look, if our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do it, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well,' she said, responding to an Australian journalist.
'But as for our specific relations and discussions, I will let the President speak on those.'
Though whether the Trump administration would actually seek to mirror a NATO target for allies in the Indo Pacific remains unclear.
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A Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1000km east of Moscow, killing three people and injuring 35, local officials said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region, said the plant's workers were moved away. The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU. At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. with DPA and AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a "substantial" phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin says in the first such exchange between the two leaders since September 2022. In Paris, Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict. A French diplomatic source said Macron had talked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before and after his call with Putin to brief him on the talks. Macron also talked to US President Donald Trump about the exchange. According to the Kremlin press service, Putin reiterated his position to Macron that the war in Ukraine was "a direct consequence of the West's policy," which he said had "ignored Russia's security interests" over the past few years. Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a "comprehensive and long-term character" and be based on "new territorial realities," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying. Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of swaths of its territory as part of any peace deal. In addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, Russia demands at least the four eastern Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia. Macron has said Ukraine alone should decide on whether or not to accept territorial concessions. During Tuesday's call, Macron's office said, "the president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was criticised by some European allies, with Macron also visiting Putin in Russia shortly before the invasion in February 2022. A Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1000km east of Moscow, killing three people and injuring 35, local officials said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region, said the plant's workers were moved away. The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU. At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. with DPA and AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a "substantial" phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin says in the first such exchange between the two leaders since September 2022. In Paris, Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict. A French diplomatic source said Macron had talked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before and after his call with Putin to brief him on the talks. Macron also talked to US President Donald Trump about the exchange. According to the Kremlin press service, Putin reiterated his position to Macron that the war in Ukraine was "a direct consequence of the West's policy," which he said had "ignored Russia's security interests" over the past few years. Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a "comprehensive and long-term character" and be based on "new territorial realities," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying. Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of swaths of its territory as part of any peace deal. In addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, Russia demands at least the four eastern Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia. Macron has said Ukraine alone should decide on whether or not to accept territorial concessions. During Tuesday's call, Macron's office said, "the president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was criticised by some European allies, with Macron also visiting Putin in Russia shortly before the invasion in February 2022. A Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1000km east of Moscow, killing three people and injuring 35, local officials said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region, said the plant's workers were moved away. The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU. At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. with DPA and AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a "substantial" phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin says in the first such exchange between the two leaders since September 2022. In Paris, Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict. A French diplomatic source said Macron had talked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before and after his call with Putin to brief him on the talks. Macron also talked to US President Donald Trump about the exchange. 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Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was criticised by some European allies, with Macron also visiting Putin in Russia shortly before the invasion in February 2022. A Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1000km east of Moscow, killing three people and injuring 35, local officials said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region, said the plant's workers were moved away. The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU. At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. with DPA and AP
Perth Now
an hour ago
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Putin, Macron hold call as Ukrainian drone hits Russia
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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
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For Tasmanians, the proposed Macquarie Point stadium is likely to play at least some role in who they vote for at the upcoming state election. According to ABC YourSay data, the stadium remains the hot-button issue. And of more than 1,000 respondents across the first two weeks of the campaign, the vast majority referenced the stadium as a key issue — or at least something they are thinking about ahead of polling day. So, what are Tasmanians telling the ABC when it comes to the stadium? And could the stadium act as a vote changer for Tasmanians? First-time state Greens candidate Vanessa Bleyer, who is running in the north-west seat of Braddon, believes so. "Nine out of ten people in Braddon are raising the stadium to me very quickly as a core issue to them in their state election," she said. "At least half of the people I've spoken to who are opposed to funding a billion-dollar stadium in Hobart are changing their vote to oppose that funding." Ms Bleyer's experience has been reflected in a number of YourSay responses. Leanne in Devonport said she could flip her vote. Beatrice in Shearwater voted Labor at the May federal election, but could also swing to the Greens because of the stadium. "I would like to vote Labor as I'm pleased with federal Labor, but I can't if they're going ahead with the stadium. So, it's the Greens for me this time," she said. Ms Bleyer said she'd spoken to both Labor and Liberal voters who planned on changing their vote to oppose the stadium. Independent candidate Craig Garland, who is seeking re-election in Braddon, said he was being delivered a clear message by his constituents. "The amount of people emailing and stopping me in the street and telling me 'if you support the stadium, you haven't got my vote', it's quite clear it's the number one issue for them," he said. Among those in attendance at north-west football grounds, opinions were split. "I don't think it should be a cut-throat deal, no stadium no team," Melissa Bishop said, referring to the AFL's stipulation that without the roofed stadium at Macquarie Point, Tasmania does not get to enter a team into the national competition. But she said it wouldn't influence her vote. "It's definitely not at the top of my priorities," she said. "It'd be better off in Launceston. It'd be fairer for the rest of the state," Doug Rowlings from Devonport told the ABC. "People in Smithton aren't going to travel all the way to Hobart for a game of football, then travel home," he said. While not eligible to vote, Circular Head junior footballer Harvey Vanderlaan, aged 13, said he would like to see the stadium. Liberal candidate for Bass Rob Fairs, whose electorate takes in the northern city of Launceston, said the Devils AFL team was coming up regularly while he was doorknocking. "While people are taking the opportunity to hear about the benefits a stadium will bring them in the north, they know what's at stake and they are telling me they'll vote to save the dream," he said. Hamish in West Launceston told YourSay it was "critical" that a Jeremy Rockliff-led Liberal government was re-elected so that the stadium could be built. While David in Whitemark on Flinders Island said his vote would change. "At the next election, I will be voting for the Liberal party for the first time ever," he told YourSay. Lesley in Newstead, also in Bass, said they would be voting informally because of the stadium. "I cannot place a valid vote. Independent candidate for the southern seat of Franklin, David O'Byrne, who is also the president of the Southern Football League, believed the stadium would be a vote changer, but mostly for people who supported the proposal. "The people who are against the stadium are predominantly staying where they are, in my view," he said. He also said he believed it would mobilise the southern football community, given the timing of the election. "The election is in the middle of football season, and the biggest issue for a lot of sporting communities is the Devils and the stadium and what that brings. It's clear that without the stadium, you can't deliver a team and football clubs know that," he said. A number of Franklin voters said the stadium issue would force their vote to change. "I have voted Labor for almost 50 years but will not be voting for the Labor party this election," Chris in Howrah told YourSay. While Bernard, also of Howrah, could also swing towards the pro-stadium Liberals. "It's vitally important that the stadium goes ahead to the extent that I'm considering voting Liberal for the first time in my life," he said. A swing away from the Labor party, based on their pro-stadium stance, was a theme amongst YourSay respondents. Labor candidate for Clark Luke Martin, who has been doorknocking Hobart's northern suburbs, said the stadium was not a prominent issue among his potential constituents. "While a few people have raised the stadium, with a range of views, it's clear that most are focused on issues that affect their day-to-day lives, like health, housing, the cost of living and growing concerns about crime in Glenorchy." Older Tasmanians have so far been far more likely to respond to the survey, with about three-quarters of respondents between the ages of 60 and 69 years old. The stadium was a strong theme amongst this cohort, with 66 per cent of them specifically referencing the stadium as a key election issue. Of the 22 respondents who gave their age as being between 15 and 29, the stadium rated as only a lukewarm topic. Lachlan of Moonah wanted less focus on the stadium and more focus on "the Liberal government's lack of financial responsibility". James of New Norfolk said the state election wasn't a "stadium referendum" and health and housing should be the main focus for voters. Art student Dan did not want to see the stadium built, while other young people were more concerned about the closure of Ashley detention centre, public transport and a greater focus on LGBTIQ+ issues.
