Albanese lost in translation as he heads to Beijing
But the willingness of this US president to trample on the diplomatic sensitivities of close allies doesn't give an Australian prime minister the same leeway. Not when the power, economic and security balance is so unequal.
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
'Clear pathway for reform' after fatal police shooting
The nation's longest-running coronial inquest has exposed "deeply disturbing" racism within an Australian police force, the human rights commission says. Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest at a home in Yuendumu, 300km northwest of Alice Springs, in November 2019. Handing down her findings into the 19-year-old's death, Coroner Elisabeth Armitage found Mr Rolfe was racist, and could not rule out that these attitudes contributed to Mr Walker's death. Mr Walker's family briefly addressed the media after the 600-page findings were handed down but said they would take some time before commenting further on Tuesday. "We're all feeling really exhausted and quite overwhelmed and there is so much that we need to go through," Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. In delivering her findings on Monday, Judge Armitage said Mr Walker's death was avoidable. But Mr Rolfe was not just "a bad apple", she said, he worked in an organisation with "the hallmarks of institutionalised racism". Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said her heart was breaking for the family of Kumanjayi Walker and the community of Yuendumu. "Racism is running rife in our institutions, and it lies at the heart of these shocking injustices," Ms Kiss said. "These findings, delivered on the lands of Yuendumu people - Kumanjayi Walker's people – not only outline who, and what, is to blame, but offer a clear pathway for reform." Ms Kiss said she hoped the coroner's findings would help prevent further tragedies. "Without an evidence and human rights based approach to justice and corrections, the unacceptable over representation of our peoples in custody, and dying in custody, will remain a national shame," she said. "(Judge Armitage's) findings must be the final alarm. This must end." The NT Police force said it would "carefully consider" the coroner's 32 recommendations, which included consulting with Yuendumu community leadership about when it may be appropriate for police not to carry firearms. A draft anti-racism strategy developed with the assistance of NT Aboriginal organisations will soon be released for broader consultation. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Call to axe 'nuisance' levies as US tariffs wreak havoc
Australia has been urged to push for free markets, avoid a trade war and reduce its own "nuisance" levies as the world braces for the resumption of US tariffs. While President Donald Trump's tariffs are unlikely to have a significant direct impact on Australia when he lifts a pause on reciprocal levies on August 1, the uncertainty they create could wreak havoc on living standards across the globe. Were it not for that, modelling from the Productivity Commission has found Australia could receive some benefits from US tariffs. But the federal government's independent research and advisory body has recommended Australia mitigate impacts by committing to free trade agreements, reducing some of its own tariffs and working towards open markets - offering much-needed certainty for exporters. Any retaliatory tariffs could escalate into a broader trade war, potentially exacerbating uncertainty, which the commission warned would bring "serious consequences". In 2025, economic uncertainty in Australia and across the world reached its highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic. The speed, frequency and varying scope of Mr Trump's tariffs created an environment where world trade could be transformed at any time and without warning, creating uncertainty that could slow economic activity, household consumption and investment. Of the scenarios modelled by the commission, Australia would do better under a "Liberation Day" situation where - much like the real event - Australia's exports face only the baseline tariff of 10 per cent while other countries' goods are hit with higher rates. Since Australian items are impacted by a lower rate, they would be comparatively cheaper, meaning American consumers would shift demand to Australia. Lower US demand for other countries' imports would decrease their price, reducing the cost of import inputs used in Australian production. The US tariffs would also likely lead capital to flow out of America and high-tariffed countries, benefiting other economies like Australia. This means Liberation Day tariffs, alongside Mr Trump's levies on steel and aluminium, could lead to a 0.37 per cent increase in Australia's real gross domestic product and a 30.9 per cent increase in US demand for Australian exports. While it is unclear whether Australia could negotiate a tariff exemption, the government could take things into its own hands by removing more of its own "nuisance" levies. It has already abolished almost 500 of these tariffs, which impose high costs on businesses and generate little revenue, but the commission identified another 315 that could be urgently removed. "Australia is best served by continuing to advocate for free and fair trade - and that's exactly what we've done," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in response to the report.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Bright spots in agriculture amid market volatility
With droughts on one side of the country, floods on the other, and political volatility overseas, Australia's agriculture industry has been right in the thick of it. But there is reason for "cautious optimism" in the $90.7 billion sector as uncertain conditions create both threats and opportunities for the nation's producers, according to Bendigo Bank's mid-year agriculture outlook. Cropping, horticulture and cattle were forecast to be on the up in the second half of 2025, while prices for sheep and wool would remain stable, the report released on Tuesday showed. Aussie beef will continue to be on the menu in the US, where herd numbers are in decline due to drought and increased costs of agricultural inputs "Demand for beef is set to remain firm as the US reduction in supply continues to favour Australian producers," Bendigo Bank executive Neil Burgess said. Weather conditions have both helped and hindered production, as rainfall in NSW and Queensland improved soil moisture, boosted summer crop yields and gave winter sowing a strong start. However, heavy rainfall and flooding in both states has damaged farm infrastructure and reduced livestock numbers in some regions. At the same time, severe drought in parts of South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria has stifled production, upped the cost of feed and created a poor cropping outlook. With varying long-term rainfall forecasts across the nation, weather will be key to performance in the final half of the year, the report said. "The season so far underscores the growing unpredictability of Australia's agricultural climate, demanding resilience and adaptability across the sector from producers and the broader supply chain." The environmental challenges have been exacerbated by uncertainty in global conditions, with tariff announcements from the US and China creating volatility in trade. But those moves could improve the chances of a deal with the EU, which would be positive news for beef and lamb exports. "Overall, the outlook for Australian agriculture is cautiously optimistic amidst the potential for improved seasonal conditions combined with rising consumer demand and lower interest rates," the report said. "While the heightened uncertainty within the global trade environment remains a headwind for producers, processors and exporters alike, favourable trade terms and strong demand is expected to provide ongoing support."
