PM heads to NZ to discuss trade, security
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ABC News
6 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
7 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.
SBS Australia
8 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Evening News Bulletin 9 August 2025
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . TRANSCRIPT The Gaza conflict on the agenda as Anthony Albanese meets his New Zealand counterpart for annual talks UN officials call Israel's Gaza City plan a dangerous escalation The Matildas to face Wales in an upcoming friendly in October Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been welcomed in New Zealand where he is visiting Christopher Luxon for bilateral talks. Defence and trade are on the agenda, as well as international issues like the conflict in Gaza. The foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK and Italy have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plans to control more of Gaza, warning it puts the lives of people in further danger; and risks breaching international law. In Queenstown, Mr Albanese says he looks forward to the discussions that will take place today and tomorrow. "We are neighbours. We're friends and we're members of the Pacific family. And as you say, we do live very much in uncertain times. There is much that we have to discuss. Increasingly, we have strong defence ties as well. We'll discuss the seamless economic activity that we have. " German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Germany will suspend all exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza. This move marks a drastic change of course for Germany, with the country's one of Israel's staunchest international allies. UN spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci says Israel's plan to take over the entire Gaza Strip is a dangerous escalation of the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave. "Any decision to expand Israel's military operations in Gaza is deeply alarming. And obviously, it is clear that this would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. It has to be really clear. We really stand firmly against any escalation of the conflict." Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned a neo-Nazi march that took place in Melbourne's CBD. Victoria Police say around 100 people dressed in black and wearing face masks marched through the city centre at around 12:40am on Saturday. They held banners stating "White man fight back". Some protesters held the the Australian flag; while others the flag for the racist violent extremist group, calling themselves the National Socialist Network. Police say there were no arrests made, with officers maintaining a presence to ensure community safety. In a statement, Premier Jacinta Allan thanked police for maintaining public order - and she says the government will soon introduce powers for police to unmask protesters. She added that criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month - and are aimed at stopping racist and hate-based behaviour. Soldiers in Ukraine say they have little hope for a diplomatic solution to the war, after US President Donald Trump announced he will be meeting with the Russian President in Alaska soon. Mr Trump says he will meet Vladimir Putin for talks in Alaska on August 15, after the Russian leader failed to meet Trump's Friday deadline on a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia has once again ignored an opportunity for peace. "We are keeping up our talks with partners to find a common position for a solid peace for Ukraine. A real peace. And if everyone can see the opportunities and threats the same way, then we'll be able to get to a lasting peace. There is already a lot of support, and this support is (based) in the new circumstances, when a deadline has been set for Russia for a ceasefire. We see that the Russians are ignoring this, at least for now. Today there were more killings, today there were more Russian strikes. More than a hundred combat drones were launched against us, against Ukraine, during the night." In football, the Matildas will play against Wales in a friendly scheduled for October 25 in Cardiff. The match against Wales - currently ranked 32nd in the world - is the first between the two nations in women's football. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the game will provide a perfect opportunity to finetune the squad's preparations ahead of their Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines in Perth on March 1.
