logo
Federal Election 2025: Leadership Matters Q and A with Anthony Albanese

Federal Election 2025: Leadership Matters Q and A with Anthony Albanese

West Australian24-04-2025

Anthony Albanese has provided some revealing answers during a picture-led question and answer session.
Peppered with a series of images at The West Australian's Leadership Matters breakfast on Thursday, the Prime Minister was asked what word first came to mind.
When a picture of Kevin Rudd popped up, Mr Albanese said 'ambassador'.
Pressed by host Ben Harvey 'for how long?', the Prime Minister said the work Mr Rudd had done as US ambassador in relation to critical minerals was 'extraordinary'.
'You know, we need to value people who've made a contribution in public life if they want to continue to do so.'
Asked about an image of popular WA Premier Roger Cook, Mr Albanese said: 'Friend'.
'We actually realised the other day we've known each other since 1984 which is more than 40 years. We must have known each other since kindergarten,' he says.
On TV personality and newly elected WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas, he said: 'Tall is one thing.'
'I'm trying to be polite here,' he laughed.
But on the topic of the potential of Mr Zempilas being premier, he was firmer.
'That's unlikely, he struggled to get his seat,' Mr Albanese said.
His view on Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor was also probed when asked if he had to be stuck on a desert island with one of them who would he pick.
'Oh gee. I think I'd probably pick Peter...because, uh, you know I can have, I've had personal one-on-one conversations with him.
'We can chat about things from time to time in confidence. That's important. I don't really have a relationship with Angus. I don't really know him.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Appalling': Defence expert calls out Albanese government for allowing ‘loophole' that saw billions of dollars spent of Russian crude
‘Appalling': Defence expert calls out Albanese government for allowing ‘loophole' that saw billions of dollars spent of Russian crude

Sky News AU

timean hour ago

  • Sky News AU

‘Appalling': Defence expert calls out Albanese government for allowing ‘loophole' that saw billions of dollars spent of Russian crude

A leading defence expert has called out the Albanese government for seemingly allowing more to be spent on Russian crude than what Australia sends to assist Ukraine in the wake of damming new research. Amid an ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is estimated that over AU$3.7 billion worth of oil products derived from Russian crude has been imported by Australia, according to data released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), while Australia has pledged $1.5 billion in aid to support Ukraine. Australian Strategic Policy Institue (ASPI) senior analyst Malcom Davis has told Sky News that the Albanese government allowing any amount money to be funnelled to the Kremlin is "appalling". "The bottom line is we should not be giving money to Russia, a single cent of money to Russia," Mr Davis told Sky News host Sharri Markson on Wednesday. "It's appalling that this has somehow allowed to happen in the sense that Russia gains funds from Australia which it then uses to essentially buy weapons and military technology to attack Ukraine. "So at some point the government has to say 'this has to stop' and clamp down and make sure that not a single cent goes to Russia." Mr Davis also said he thought it was case of oversight on the Albanese government's behalf for not having already taken action on the importation of Russian crude. "I think it is probably a loophole that they were completely oblivious to, but that's no excuse when you have a situation as dire as the situation in Ukraine," Mr Davis said "So I think that yes it may be a loophole, they may be able to make excuses, but the very first thing they should be doing is shutting down this loophole as fast as possible." The oil Australia has been importing is refined overseas—including at the Jamnagar Refinery in India, which has not sanctioned Russian crude—before being legally imported into the Australian market. This would have handed Russian President Vladimir Putin about AU$1.8 billion in tax revenue, according CREA. CREA's EU Russia Analyst Vaibhav Raghunandan called it 'a significant failing of Western sanctions', exposing a glaring loophole that lets Russia bypass restrictions. 'Refineries in non-sanctioning countries buying Russian oil are… taking comfort in the knowledge that they will face no action from Western countries,' he said. Mr Raghunandan said countries like Australia 'look away and continue to import refined products', indirectly funding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store