Australia news LIVE: Morrison tells US Congress Australia ‘going to sleep' on China threat; top court makes key climate ruling
Latest posts
6.47am
Labor going backwards on transparency, new analysis finds
Labor is hiding information from the public more often than the Morrison government despite campaigning on a platform of integrity, frustrating a critical accountability mechanism intended to maintain faith in bureaucrats and keep politicians honest.
Analysis by the Centre for Public Integrity shows Canberra's culture of secrecy has sunk to its worst point in more than a decade, with the proportion of freedom of information requests released in full plunging from almost half in 2021-22 to just 25 per cent under Labor in 2023-24.
The government is increasingly releasing documents to the public filled with black ink covering up key sections of text and Labor is more often ignoring Senate votes requesting details on policies and ministers' decision-making.
Independent senator David Pocock said the data under Anthony Albanese's watch was shameful compared to the prime minister's predecessor, Scott Morrison.
6.37am
Australians 'going to sleep' on China threat, Morrison tells US Congress
By Michael Koziol
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has told the United States Congress that Australians are at risk of 'going to sleep' on the security threat posed by China, and warned the US and its allies they must be prepared to wear economic pain to stand up to Beijing.
Appearing before a congressional hearing on the Chinese Communist Party, Morrison cited polling by the Lowy Institute that showed, in 2025, 50 per cent of Australians said China was 'more of an economic partner to Australia', whereas 47 per cent said it was 'more of a security threat'.
That had changed significantly from 2021-22, a time of strained relations between Canberra and Beijing, when 63 per cent said China was more of a security threat and 33 per cent said it was more of an economic partner.
'That is an objective of the CCP – that Western democracies will go to sleep on the threat,' Morrison told the hearing.
6.35am
What's making news today
By Daniel Lo Surdo
Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning.
Here's what is making news today:
The Albanese government will march forward with its legislative agenda after introducing two key draft laws on Wednesday. Labor is hoping the passage of its legislative agenda will be expedited behind support from the Coalition, which also appears receptive to its student debt reduction bill. It comes after the first question time of the 48th parliament on Wednesday, with the government and opposition exchanging blows spanning topics including housing affordability, climate change policy and superannuation tax reform.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has warned the United States Congress that Australians are at risk of 'going to sleep' on the security threat posed by China, and warned the US and its allies they must be prepared to wear economic pain to stand up to Beijing.
He later told reporters that Australians' level of awareness of the security threat posed by China had clearly diminished significantly over the past three years.
Countries besieged by the effects of climate change can legally pursue their neighbours for reparations if they fail to uphold their obligations to curb emissions, a top court has found. The historic advisory ruling was handed down by the International Court of Justice, and paves the way for massive compensation claims in a case brought by a group of law students from Vanuatu.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canberra Times
12 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
Delayed gratification for borrowers as RBA cuts again
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Be the first to know when news breaks. As it happens Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. As it happens Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Get the latest property and development news here. We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. As it happens Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. More from National "Trade policy developments are nevertheless still expected to have an adverse effect on global economic activity, and there remains a risk that households and firms delay expenditure pending still greater clarity on the outlook." But markets had settled down in recent months with a little bit more clarity to the scale of Donald Trump's tariffs and a relative low amount of retaliation from other countries. The RBA board in its statement noted uncertainty in the global economy was still high. "The three interest rate cuts we've seen this year would not have been possible without our collective efforts to get inflation down," he said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the decision was "very welcome relief for millions of Australians". "With growth showing signs of recovery and the unemployment rate stabilising, the magnitude for additional rate cuts appears modest," he said. Vanguard senior economist Grant Feng predicted one more cut by the end of the year. Ahead of the decision, the market was pricing in another one-and-a-half cuts by Christmas. RBA Governor Michele Bullock is expected to give further details about the latest rate cut. (Steve Markham/AAP PHOTOS) Traders will be glued to governor Michele Bullock's post-meeting press conference for any signs of where the bank will move next. "With more money chasing too few homes, prices are set to rise again," said Domain chief economist Nicola Powell, who predicts house prices to climb six per cent and units to lift five per cent by mid-2026. According to Domain, the cut will lift borrowing power for households earning $50,000 a year by $4000 annually, while double-income households on $400,000 will be able to lift their loan limit by an extra $49,000. With money markets predicting more cuts coming down the pike, rising buyer confidence and borrowing capacity was set to support housing demand and price growth, REA senior economist Eleanor Creagh said. A benign consumer price index in late July and weaker jobs figures gave the bank the green light to deliver the cut that most saw as a matter of when, not if. The rate cut will lift borrowing power for households earning $50,000 a year by $4000 annually (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) In a shock 6-3 decision, the board kept rates on hold, citing a need to wait for more inflation data to ensure price growth was coming down sustainably to target. Most economists had expected the RBA to deliver further rate relief in its July meeting. But for many borrowers, the financial boost is behind schedule. The move brings the cash rate to its lowest level since May 2023, with the average variable mortgage rate expected to fall to 5.5 per cent. The RBA's decision to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.6 per cent will save borrowers with a $600,000 mortgage almost $90 a month in repayments and a cumulative $272 per month since cuts began in February. All nine board members voted in favour of a cut. "It noted that monetary policy is well placed to respond decisively to international developments if they were to have material implications for activity and inflation in Australia." "The board nevertheless remains cautious about the outlook, particularly given the heightened level of uncertainty about both aggregate demand and potential supply," it said. All nine members of the Reserve Bank Of Australia board voted in favour of the rate cut. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS) In its accompanying statement, the RBA board said a further easing in monetary policy, following cuts in February and May, was appropriate because underlying inflation and the labour market had continued to ease. The central bank opted not to shock markets for a second time in two months on Tuesday. All other regional websites in your area The digital version of Today's Paper All articles from our website & app Login or signup to continue reading Subscribe now for unlimited access. Borrowers have received welcome relief from the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has delivered a widely expected interest rate cut. The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected. Photo: Aap/AAP PHOTOS Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List
Sky News AU
12 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Huge boost for Aussies as RBA cuts rates
Ooops, an error has occurred! Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we'll help resolve the issue or try again later. The Streaming Subscription provides Australians access to top rating opinion shows, award-winning political coverage, live breaking news, sport and weather, expert business insights and groundbreaking documentaries across four dedicated news channels for $5 a month. This includes: Sky News – Australia's news channel featuring award-winning journalists, insights from the biggest names in opinion, ground-breaking special investigations, and live breaking news, sport and weather. Available live and on-demand. Sky News Extra – A dedicated 24/7 channel featuring live press conferences and Parliament broadcasts, with unfiltered access to Australian democracy in action. Available live. Sky News Weather – Australia's only 24/7 weather channel bringing you the latest weather forecasts from the country's largest team of meteorologists. Available live. FOX SPORTS News – Australia's only 24/7 sports news channel, first and live in breaking sports news. Available live. Stream Sky News channel shows in full live and on-demand on or the Sky News Australia app and cast to your compatible TV. For the best streaming experience, stream your favourite Sky News shows on your compatible Smart TV. For a step-by-step guide on how to sign in on your Smart TV or to find out if your Smart TV is compatible, visit our help page. There is no lock-in contract when you subscribe to a Streaming Subscription. Renewals occur automatically unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions . The Streaming Subscription is not available outside of Australia. If overseas (excluding New Zealand), you can access your favourite Sky News Australia programs by signing up to Australia Channel. Sky News Australia's international 24/7 news streaming service. Find out more here. You can continue to access digital-only content, video highlights, and listen to the latest podcasts without a subscription on our website and app. The Streaming Subscription gives subscribers live stream access to unrivalled news and opinion content across four dedicated news channels 24/7.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Abusive obsession': Latham targeted over sex act tweet
A controversial politician's "abusive obsession" with a fellow MP has exposed him to ongoing hatred and ridicule, a tribunal has been told. NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich continued his legal fight against controversial former federal Labor leader Mark Latham on Tuesday, having sued him for homosexual vilification and workplace harassment. The case relates to a sexually explicit tweet the Federal Court has previously ruled as defamatory and subsequent media appearances made by Mr Latham, who sits as an independent in the state parliament. In a passionate address, Mr Greenwich said the tweet had sought to define him as a "disgusting sexual act" and a threat to children. "(He has) an abusive obsession with me, it began with that tweet and it has not stopped," he told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. "I have never been so diminished, demeaned, dehumanised by someone ... this was the first time in my political career I'd been so fundamentally attacked for who I am and my sexuality." Mr Greenwich added his electorate office had been "inundated" with abuse after Mr Latham's tweet and subsequent interviews. "I have as an openly gay MP ... of course at times received homophobic abuse (but) I have never been defined by someone as a disgusting sex act," he said. Mr Latham repeatedly interjected from the public gallery, drawing a sharp warning from senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey. Mr Greenwich, who is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQI community, received $140,000 in damages in a Federal Court suit against Mr Latham in 2024. He sued the former NSW One Nation leader in the Federal Court over the tweet, which was sent days after the state election and described a sex act in explicit terms. It came in response to a post quoting Mr Greenwich describing him as a "disgusting human being". The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest, where Mr Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023. About 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church. Mr Greenwich's lawyer Prue Bindon said recent tweets from the former Labor leader had subjected her client to "further hatred and ridicule ... from members of the public". After his lawyer objected to the tweets being formally tendered as evidence, Mr Latham loudly complained about "another whinge-athon from the European prince", a reference to Mr Greenwich's links to Georgian nobility. Mr Latham has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But a recent attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him failed after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The independent MP spent the hearing live-tweeting proceedings, including defending his postings as true. "No court or tribunal should be used for restricting the legal, authentic freedom of speech of an elected member of parliament," he wrote. A controversial politician's "abusive obsession" with a fellow MP has exposed him to ongoing hatred and ridicule, a tribunal has been told. NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich continued his legal fight against controversial former federal Labor leader Mark Latham on Tuesday, having sued him for homosexual vilification and workplace harassment. The case relates to a sexually explicit tweet the Federal Court has previously ruled as defamatory and subsequent media appearances made by Mr Latham, who sits as an independent in the state parliament. In a passionate address, Mr Greenwich said the tweet had sought to define him as a "disgusting sexual act" and a threat to children. "(He has) an abusive obsession with me, it began with that tweet and it has not stopped," he told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. "I have never been so diminished, demeaned, dehumanised by someone ... this was the first time in my political career I'd been so fundamentally attacked for who I am and my sexuality." Mr Greenwich added his electorate office had been "inundated" with abuse after Mr Latham's tweet and subsequent interviews. "I have as an openly gay MP ... of course at times received homophobic abuse (but) I have never been defined by someone as a disgusting sex act," he said. Mr Latham repeatedly interjected from the public gallery, drawing a sharp warning from senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey. Mr Greenwich, who is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQI community, received $140,000 in damages in a Federal Court suit against Mr Latham in 2024. He sued the former NSW One Nation leader in the Federal Court over the tweet, which was sent days after the state election and described a sex act in explicit terms. It came in response to a post quoting Mr Greenwich describing him as a "disgusting human being". The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest, where Mr Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023. About 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church. Mr Greenwich's lawyer Prue Bindon said recent tweets from the former Labor leader had subjected her client to "further hatred and ridicule ... from members of the public". After his lawyer objected to the tweets being formally tendered as evidence, Mr Latham loudly complained about "another whinge-athon from the European prince", a reference to Mr Greenwich's links to Georgian nobility. Mr Latham has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But a recent attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him failed after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The independent MP spent the hearing live-tweeting proceedings, including defending his postings as true. "No court or tribunal should be used for restricting the legal, authentic freedom of speech of an elected member of parliament," he wrote. A controversial politician's "abusive obsession" with a fellow MP has exposed him to ongoing hatred and ridicule, a tribunal has been told. NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich continued his legal fight against controversial former federal Labor leader Mark Latham on Tuesday, having sued him for homosexual vilification and workplace harassment. The case relates to a sexually explicit tweet the Federal Court has previously ruled as defamatory and subsequent media appearances made by Mr Latham, who sits as an independent in the state parliament. In a passionate address, Mr Greenwich said the tweet had sought to define him as a "disgusting sexual act" and a threat to children. "(He has) an abusive obsession with me, it began with that tweet and it has not stopped," he told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. "I have never been so diminished, demeaned, dehumanised by someone ... this was the first time in my political career I'd been so fundamentally attacked for who I am and my sexuality." Mr Greenwich added his electorate office had been "inundated" with abuse after Mr Latham's tweet and subsequent interviews. "I have as an openly gay MP ... of course at times received homophobic abuse (but) I have never been defined by someone as a disgusting sex act," he said. Mr Latham repeatedly interjected from the public gallery, drawing a sharp warning from senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey. Mr Greenwich, who is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQI community, received $140,000 in damages in a Federal Court suit against Mr Latham in 2024. He sued the former NSW One Nation leader in the Federal Court over the tweet, which was sent days after the state election and described a sex act in explicit terms. It came in response to a post quoting Mr Greenwich describing him as a "disgusting human being". The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest, where Mr Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023. About 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church. Mr Greenwich's lawyer Prue Bindon said recent tweets from the former Labor leader had subjected her client to "further hatred and ridicule ... from members of the public". After his lawyer objected to the tweets being formally tendered as evidence, Mr Latham loudly complained about "another whinge-athon from the European prince", a reference to Mr Greenwich's links to Georgian nobility. Mr Latham has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But a recent attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him failed after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The independent MP spent the hearing live-tweeting proceedings, including defending his postings as true. "No court or tribunal should be used for restricting the legal, authentic freedom of speech of an elected member of parliament," he wrote. A controversial politician's "abusive obsession" with a fellow MP has exposed him to ongoing hatred and ridicule, a tribunal has been told. NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich continued his legal fight against controversial former federal Labor leader Mark Latham on Tuesday, having sued him for homosexual vilification and workplace harassment. The case relates to a sexually explicit tweet the Federal Court has previously ruled as defamatory and subsequent media appearances made by Mr Latham, who sits as an independent in the state parliament. In a passionate address, Mr Greenwich said the tweet had sought to define him as a "disgusting sexual act" and a threat to children. "(He has) an abusive obsession with me, it began with that tweet and it has not stopped," he told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. "I have never been so diminished, demeaned, dehumanised by someone ... this was the first time in my political career I'd been so fundamentally attacked for who I am and my sexuality." Mr Greenwich added his electorate office had been "inundated" with abuse after Mr Latham's tweet and subsequent interviews. "I have as an openly gay MP ... of course at times received homophobic abuse (but) I have never been defined by someone as a disgusting sex act," he said. Mr Latham repeatedly interjected from the public gallery, drawing a sharp warning from senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey. Mr Greenwich, who is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQI community, received $140,000 in damages in a Federal Court suit against Mr Latham in 2024. He sued the former NSW One Nation leader in the Federal Court over the tweet, which was sent days after the state election and described a sex act in explicit terms. It came in response to a post quoting Mr Greenwich describing him as a "disgusting human being". The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest, where Mr Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023. About 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church. Mr Greenwich's lawyer Prue Bindon said recent tweets from the former Labor leader had subjected her client to "further hatred and ridicule ... from members of the public". After his lawyer objected to the tweets being formally tendered as evidence, Mr Latham loudly complained about "another whinge-athon from the European prince", a reference to Mr Greenwich's links to Georgian nobility. Mr Latham has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But a recent attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him failed after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The independent MP spent the hearing live-tweeting proceedings, including defending his postings as true. "No court or tribunal should be used for restricting the legal, authentic freedom of speech of an elected member of parliament," he wrote.
