Top court rules on obligation to fight climate change
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7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stares down internal push for Palestine recognition
The prime minister is staring down internal pressure to recognise a Palestinian state as Labor figures decry the 'unspeakable cruelty' being thrust on civilians in Gaza. Anthony Albanese has been urged to follow in the footsteps of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, but on Sunday said he would not 'imminently' recognise Palestinian statehood. Both major parties in Australia support a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, however Albanese said any resolution would need to guarantee Hamas, the de-facto ruling authority in Gaza, played no part in the future nation. There would also need to be agreements on the rebuilding of Gaza and the West Bank, and a resolution of issues over the expansion of Israeli settlements. But former Labor frontbencher Ed Husic pointed out that recognition of a Palestinian state had been part of Labor's national platform since at least 2018. 'We've already green-lighted it through our party, we've taken it to elections — the circumstances demand it,' the MP told reporters in Canberra on Monday. 'The announcement by the (Israeli) government to partition or reshape the way in which borders exist in Gaza means that we need to send a strong signal that we are opposed to that.' Former Labor Foreign Minister Bob Carr echoed the call. There were ways to address the various obstacles to the new nation being established, he said, adding those considerations were outweighed by a 'bigger fact and bigger truth'. 'Deaths are coming fast, unspeakable cruelty is being visited against babies and children in the enforcement of something not seen in the modern world — that is, an advanced state using mass starvation as a weapon of war and giving effect to a genocide,' he said. 'We will insist that the Palestinian state that comes into being will be one that opts to be a non-militarised state ... that is a serious security guarantee that can be delivered in negotiations, and which the Palestinians have already offered.' More than 140 out of the 193 members of the United Nations already recognise the state of Palestine, including EU members Spain and Ireland. The international push to recognise Palestine has been fuelled by the escalating crisis in Gaza, where more than two million people are facing starvation. Israel cut off aid to Gaza in March before re-opening channels under tight restrictions in May, measures it says are necessary to stop the supplies being diverted to fund Hamas operations. Its officials say enough food has been let into Gaza during the war and Hamas is responsible for the suffering of civilians. Israel's military offensive has already killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. The campaign began after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation in Australia, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan said Hamas was responsible for continuing to 'politicise and weaponise the use of aid in Gaza'. Multiple aid organisations, including Amnesty and Medecins Sans Frontieres, have condemned the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for the trickle of aid being supplied in recent months.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
PM stares down internal push for Palestine recognition
The prime minister is staring down internal pressure to recognise a Palestinian state as Labor figures decry the "unspeakable cruelty" being thrust on civilians in Gaza. Anthony Albanese has been urged to follow in the footsteps of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, but on Sunday said he would not "imminently" recognise Palestinian statehood. Both major parties in Australia support a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, however Mr Albanese said any resolution would need to guarantee Hamas, the de-facto ruling authority in Gaza, played no part in the future nation. There would also need to be agreements on the rebuilding of Gaza and the West Bank, and a resolution of issues over the expansion of Israeli settlements. But former Labor frontbencher Ed Husic pointed out that recognition of a Palestinian state had been part of Labor's national platform since at least 2018. "We've already green-lighted it through our party, we've taken it to elections - the circumstances demand it," the MP told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "The announcement by the (Israeli) government to partition or reshape the way in which borders exist in Gaza means that we need to send a strong signal that we are opposed to that." Former Labor Foreign Minister Bob Carr echoed the call. There were ways to address the various obstacles to the new nation being established, he said, adding those considerations were outweighed by a "bigger fact and bigger truth". "Deaths are coming fast, unspeakable cruelty is being visited against babies and children in the enforcement of something not seen in the modern world - that is, an advanced state using mass starvation as a weapon of war and giving effect to a genocide," he said. "We will insist that the Palestinian state that comes into being will be one that opts to be a non-militarised state ... that is a serious security guarantee that can be delivered in negotiations, and which the Palestinians have already offered." More than 140 out of the 193 members of the United Nations already recognise the state of Palestine, including EU members Spain and Ireland. The international push to recognise Palestine has been fuelled by the escalating crisis in Gaza, where more than two million people are facing starvation. Israel cut off aid to Gaza in March before re-opening channels under tight restrictions in May, measures it says are necessary to stop the supplies being diverted to fund Hamas operations. Its officials say enough food has been let into Gaza during the war and Hamas is responsible for the suffering of civilians. Israel's military offensive has already killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. The campaign began after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation in Australia, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan said Hamas was responsible for continuing to "politicise and weaponise the use of aid in Gaza". Multiple aid organisations, including Amnesty and Medecins Sans Frontieres, have condemned the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for the trickle of aid being supplied in recent months.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
UN urges Australia to lead global renewable energy race
The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. Allowing climate change to continue could "cripple Australia's food production", he said, as well as contributing to a loss in gross domestic product and lower living standards. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world – if you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy.
