Pressure on Putin, Syria clashes & what Albanese told Xi
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ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Albanese embraced by NZ Prime Minister Chris Luxon as two countries flag increased defence cooperation
China's presence in the Pacific and a push for peace in the Middle East were at the centre of talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon on Saturday. Both prime ministers were keen to present a united front on global uncertainty as they stood side by side in chilly Queenstown for annual talks. After both countries signed a joint statement condemning Israel's plan to further expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip by taking over Gaza City, the leaders expressed their concern during their joint press conference. Mr Albanese reiterated Australia's desire to see a ceasefire, as well as more aid flowing into the besieged Palestinian territory and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.. Despite the United Kingdom, France and Canada all proposing to recognise a Palestinian state in September at a major United Nations meeting, Australia and New Zealand have not put a timeline on when they will look to do so. Before formal discussions began, Mr Albanese was welcomed to New Zealand with a traditional Māori pōwhiri ceremony, and was embraced by Mr Luxon. It's the seventh time the two leaders have met as prime ministers, but they've known each other since long before that, when Mr Luxon was the head of Air New Zealand and Mr Albanese was Australia's transport minister. The official sit-down went for about an hour, after which the pair took a strictly limited six questions from the Australian and New Zealand press pack. The leaders confirmed they had discussed China and security in the Indo-Pacific, while also noting they had both recently visited China — a significant trading partner to both nations. They also made sure to emphasise their commitment to the Pacific family and its security. On the home front, both leaders signalled a desire to deepen defence ties between the two countries, with Mr Luxon saying he wanted Australia and New Zealand's militaries to operate as one ANZAC force. Despite a consistent push from the Trump administration for countries to boost their defence spending, both Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon stood by their current commitments to lift their spending to about 2 per cent of GDP. However, Mr Luxon did signal that he hoped to raise that figure, if possible. Mr Albanese's trip to New Zealand is only brief, lasting about 24 hours. While it's his third visit since becoming prime minister in 2022, he has not travelled to Queenstown since he was a young backpacker. He'll get a very different experience of the sites this time around — Mr Luxon and his wife are expected to spend Sunday morning showing Mr Albanese and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, the city's stunning surrounds. Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon are both keen to promote tourism between their two countries, given Australia and New Zealand are each other's biggest tourism markets.
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
Tasmania government to end funding for greyhound racing
The Tasmanian government will end its funding for greyhound racing in the state by 2029, the ABC understands, effectively winding up the industry. The timing coincides with the end of the current funding deal for the code, which concludes in 2029. The ABC understands the gradual approach has been taken to allow time for trainers and industry participants to transition. It will also allow for the re-homing of dogs. The Liberal government's move comes amid its attempt to secure the support of crossbenchers, after failing to win a majority at the recent snap election. Tasracing, which manages the state's three racing codes, is backed by a 20-year funding deed it signed with the government in 2009. At the time it was worth $27 million per year, but it's indexed for inflation. In the 2023-24 financial year, Tasracing received $36 million under that deed. The governing body has previously said the "vast majority" of funding provided for the greyhound code came through commercial revenues it directly generated. In March this year, a report commissioned by 12 animal welfare advocacy organisations found the sport had received a total of $74.6 million from Tasracing over the past 15 years, rising from $3.5 million in 2010-11 to a projected $7.5 million in 2024-25. The report, written by independent economist Saul Eslake, found funding for the greyhound industry was rising faster than for education. The death of a champion Tasmanian greyhound last week also brought the sector back into the spotlight, with calls for it to be abolished. Raider's Guide, which had claimed a Tasmanian record of $664,975 in prize money from 79 starts, was put down after suffering a fall during Race 6 at Launceston last Monday. Greyhound racing was banned in the ACT in 2018. Last year, it was also banned in New Zealand. Tasracing and the state government have been contacted for comment.
The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
‘Cowards and goons': Premier condemns neo-Nazi march through Melbourne CBD
A group of neo-Nazi protesters who marched through the Melbourne CBD have been condemned by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan as 'cowards' and 'goons', as she vowed to introduce stronger powers for police. About 100 people dressed in black face coverings from the National Socialist Network - a far-right neo-Nazi group - marched through the Bourke Street mall at 12.40am on Saturday. As the group made its way along Bourke Street several police cars drove alongside the protesters. In videos posted to social media, members of the protest group, led by white supremacist leader Thomas Sewell, can be seen waving the Australian and National Socialist Network flags and holding banners stating: 'White man fight back'. A 26-year-old man who confronted the group was allegedly assaulted and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to police, the group walked to Flagstaff Gardens where they dispersed at about 1.25am. A police spokesman said no arrests were made throughout the protest, and added that 'police had a strong presence to maintain community safety and to prevent any breach of the peace'. 'Victoria Police respects the right to protest, however, there is absolutely no place for such anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the march in a statement, saying: 'Nazis don't belong in this country and they know it. That's why they hide behind masks in the dark.' She also thanked officers for maintaining 'public order', and said police needed 'more powers, and we're giving it to them'. 'Our criminal Anti-Vilification laws come into effect next month,' the premier said in a statement. 'We will introduce powers for police to unmask cowards at protests after that. We're not afraid of these goons – but we won't tolerate them either.' In a post on social media, Opposition Leader Brad Battin described the march as 'appalling'. 'This behaviour is unacceptable and does not align with the values of an inclusive, tolerant and multicultural state,' he said. Mr Battin accused the government of being 'afraid to take a stand' against anti-Semitic and racist protests and had 'lost control of our streets'. 'Protesters are now travelling from interstate to join these hateful rallies. Under the Allan Labor government, Victoria has become the hate capital - a place where this behaviour is allowed to thrive.' David Southwick, opposition spokesman for police and corrections, said that both the far-right and far-left were 'taking advantage of a weak and ineffective government'. He accused the Victorian government of failing 'to confront rising violence and extremism' across the state. Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, described the march as a 'war parade'. 'Yesterday, Melbourne witnessed a scene that should freeze the blood of every Australian: an army of neo-Nazis marching in formation through our streets,' he said. Dr Abramovich, who led the national campaign that resulted in the banning of the Nazi swastika, salute and sale of Third Reich memorabilia, called on politicians to act. 'I call on the Prime Minister and parliament to outlaw every neo-Nazi and white-supremacist organisation operating in this country,' he said. 'These are not activists … (and) the law must recognise them for what they are – organised extremists.' Nation As Anthony Albanese meets Christopher Luxon at the weekend, Wellington's determination to tighten its ties to Australia will be front and centre. Nation Isabella Cepa was forced to flee Brazil after facing 25 years jail for 'misgendering' a powerful MP. In a world-first, she's been granted asylum in Europe to escape persecution over her stand.
