Stephen Jones: Former Labor assistant treasurer named Australia's ambassador to the OECD
Just two months after retiring from Federal politics, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the appointment on Sunday.
Mr Jones will take up the post in September, replacing ex-Liberal PM Scott Morrison's trade and investment adviser Brendan Pearson, who was appointed in 2021.
Senator Wong and Dr Chalmers said their former colleague would bring a 'wealth of experience' to advancing Australia's interests after he served in Federal Parliament from 2010 until this year.
During his stint, Mr Jones spent almost six years in the Treasury portfolio and nearly half that time as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services.
'In Government, Mr Jones delivered reforms to strengthen Australia's superannuation and financial systems, modernise markets, and improve the integrity of our tax system,' the joint statement said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed several former Labor Federal parliament members to prominent international diplomatic positions.
Notably, former Labor PM Kevin Rudd as Australia's Ambassador to the United States and former Defence Minister Stephen Smith as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Nationals MP Keith Pitt was also recently appointed as Australia's ambassador to the Holy See.
Mr Jones had been a prominent and longtime supporter of Mr Albanese, and thanked him for his 'friendship and support over many decades' when announcing his retirement.
Dr Chalmers had acknowledged him as a 'terrific colleague' who will leave behind a 'proud legacy.'
Former WA senator Mathias Cormann, who is the current Secretary-General of the OECD, is originally from Belgium but served as a long-time Coalition finance minister before the role.
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West Australian
6 hours ago
- West Australian
Stephen Jones: Former Labor assistant treasurer named Australia's ambassador to the OECD
Former Labor assistant treasurer Stephen Jones has been appointed Australia's next ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris. Just two months after retiring from Federal politics, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the appointment on Sunday. Mr Jones will take up the post in September, replacing ex-Liberal PM Scott Morrison's trade and investment adviser Brendan Pearson, who was appointed in 2021. Senator Wong and Dr Chalmers said their former colleague would bring a 'wealth of experience' to advancing Australia's interests after he served in Federal Parliament from 2010 until this year. During his stint, Mr Jones spent almost six years in the Treasury portfolio and nearly half that time as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. 'In Government, Mr Jones delivered reforms to strengthen Australia's superannuation and financial systems, modernise markets, and improve the integrity of our tax system,' the joint statement said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed several former Labor Federal parliament members to prominent international diplomatic positions. Notably, former Labor PM Kevin Rudd as Australia's Ambassador to the United States and former Defence Minister Stephen Smith as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Nationals MP Keith Pitt was also recently appointed as Australia's ambassador to the Holy See. Mr Jones had been a prominent and longtime supporter of Mr Albanese, and thanked him for his 'friendship and support over many decades' when announcing his retirement. Dr Chalmers had acknowledged him as a 'terrific colleague' who will leave behind a 'proud legacy.' Former WA senator Mathias Cormann, who is the current Secretary-General of the OECD, is originally from Belgium but served as a long-time Coalition finance minister before the role.
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
US tariffs 'second fiddle' to overseas student caps
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International student education was worth $51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties have vowed to slash numbers, with Labor already revealing a 270,000 cap from 2025 after more than 445,000 commenced study the year before. Dr Hartigan said international students were important for soft power. "They get to see Australian culture, they get to learn about Australia and they go back and speak favourably about Australia, so it's a very positive thing," he said. But most Australian political commentary has taken on the tariff issue, especially as Mr Trump is set to lift his tariff pause on July 9. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government will continue negotiating for exemptions while keeping the national interest in mind, and dismissed Trump-style isolationist policies. However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan has said the government has "waved the white flag" and called out Mr Albanese for failing to meet Mr Trump face-to-face. "There are countries dealing and talking to the new US president, but not ours ... it is embarrassing," Mr Hogan said. Australia could feel some indirect effects when the pause lifts, Dr Hartigan said. Tariffs on China could cause issues for Australia and uncertainty around the levies could play out in the stock market. Australia's limits on international students could be a bigger issue than US tariffs, an expert has warned. President Donald Trump's tariffs have become arguably the biggest economic story of the year, with most Australian goods being hit with a 10 per cent levy while 50 per cent tariffs are imposed on steel and aluminium sent to the US. But the direct impact of the measures on Australia is relatively small as most exports tend to go to China, Japan and Korea, according to University of Sydney economics lecturer Luke Hartigan. The bigger issue may be one Australia has already inflicted on itself. "It's important to look at the larger scheme of things," Dr Hartigan told AAP. "The tariff exemption is important, but if we wanted to shoot ourselves in the foot, we would reduce the number of international students." "What's happening with our tariffs with the US is second fiddle." International student education was worth $51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties have vowed to slash numbers, with Labor already revealing a 270,000 cap from 2025 after more than 445,000 commenced study the year before. Dr Hartigan said international students were important for soft power. "They get to see Australian culture, they get to learn about Australia and they go back and speak favourably about Australia, so it's a very positive thing," he said. But most Australian political commentary has taken on the tariff issue, especially as Mr Trump is set to lift his tariff pause on July 9. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government will continue negotiating for exemptions while keeping the national interest in mind, and dismissed Trump-style isolationist policies. However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan has said the government has "waved the white flag" and called out Mr Albanese for failing to meet Mr Trump face-to-face. "There are countries dealing and talking to the new US president, but not ours ... it is embarrassing," Mr Hogan said. Australia could feel some indirect effects when the pause lifts, Dr Hartigan said. Tariffs on China could cause issues for Australia and uncertainty around the levies could play out in the stock market. Australia's limits on international students could be a bigger issue than US tariffs, an expert has warned. President Donald Trump's tariffs have become arguably the biggest economic story of the year, with most Australian goods being hit with a 10 per cent levy while 50 per cent tariffs are imposed on steel and aluminium sent to the US. But the direct impact of the measures on Australia is relatively small as most exports tend to go to China, Japan and Korea, according to University of Sydney economics lecturer Luke Hartigan. The bigger issue may be one Australia has already inflicted on itself. "It's important to look at the larger scheme of things," Dr Hartigan told AAP. "The tariff exemption is important, but if we wanted to shoot ourselves in the foot, we would reduce the number of international students." "What's happening with our tariffs with the US is second fiddle." International student education was worth $51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties have vowed to slash numbers, with Labor already revealing a 270,000 cap from 2025 after more than 445,000 commenced study the year before. Dr Hartigan said international students were important for soft power. "They get to see Australian culture, they get to learn about Australia and they go back and speak favourably about Australia, so it's a very positive thing," he said. But most Australian political commentary has taken on the tariff issue, especially as Mr Trump is set to lift his tariff pause on July 9. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government will continue negotiating for exemptions while keeping the national interest in mind, and dismissed Trump-style isolationist policies. However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan has said the government has "waved the white flag" and called out Mr Albanese for failing to meet Mr Trump face-to-face. "There are countries dealing and talking to the new US president, but not ours ... it is embarrassing," Mr Hogan said. Australia could feel some indirect effects when the pause lifts, Dr Hartigan said. Tariffs on China could cause issues for Australia and uncertainty around the levies could play out in the stock market. Australia's limits on international students could be a bigger issue than US tariffs, an expert has warned. President Donald Trump's tariffs have become arguably the biggest economic story of the year, with most Australian goods being hit with a 10 per cent levy while 50 per cent tariffs are imposed on steel and aluminium sent to the US. But the direct impact of the measures on Australia is relatively small as most exports tend to go to China, Japan and Korea, according to University of Sydney economics lecturer Luke Hartigan. The bigger issue may be one Australia has already inflicted on itself. "It's important to look at the larger scheme of things," Dr Hartigan told AAP. "The tariff exemption is important, but if we wanted to shoot ourselves in the foot, we would reduce the number of international students." "What's happening with our tariffs with the US is second fiddle." International student education was worth $51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties have vowed to slash numbers, with Labor already revealing a 270,000 cap from 2025 after more than 445,000 commenced study the year before. Dr Hartigan said international students were important for soft power. "They get to see Australian culture, they get to learn about Australia and they go back and speak favourably about Australia, so it's a very positive thing," he said. But most Australian political commentary has taken on the tariff issue, especially as Mr Trump is set to lift his tariff pause on July 9. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government will continue negotiating for exemptions while keeping the national interest in mind, and dismissed Trump-style isolationist policies. However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan has said the government has "waved the white flag" and called out Mr Albanese for failing to meet Mr Trump face-to-face. "There are countries dealing and talking to the new US president, but not ours ... it is embarrassing," Mr Hogan said. Australia could feel some indirect effects when the pause lifts, Dr Hartigan said. Tariffs on China could cause issues for Australia and uncertainty around the levies could play out in the stock market.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Logical': Big call on social media ban
The opposition is calling on Labor to include YouTube in its world-leading social media ban for under 16s. The videostreaming giant was initially set to be exempt, with the Albanese government arguing it could be educational. But the online watchdog has since advised YouTube should be included. Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh said on Sunday she agreed. 'Once again, we're going back to government policies and failures when it comes to protecting Australian children,' she told the ABC's Insiders program. 'The government decided to put forward legislation after a lot of pushing from the Coalition and advocacy groups. 'But there is an exemption for YouTube – why? Why is it?' The Albanese government is facing calls to include YouTube in its social media ban for under 16s. Aaron Francis / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, last month warned kids were using YouTube more than any other social media platform. She said it was also causing the most harm to kids online. 'It's almost ubiquitous that kids are on social media,' she said at the time, also speaking to the ABC. 'By far the most prevalent social media site they're on is YouTube. 'And when we asked where they were experiencing harm and the kinds of harms they were experiencing, the most prevalent place where young Australians experienced harm was on YouTube – almost 37 per cent. 'This ranges from misogynistic content to hateful material, to violent fighting videos, online challenges, disordered eating, suicidal ideation.' Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh says it is 'logical' to include YouTube in Labor's social media ban. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia In her remarks on Sunday, Ms McIntosh called on the Albanese government to heed Ms Inman Grant's advice and include YouTube in the ban. 'It's a logical thing to do,' she said. 'What makes it complex is when there's some platforms that are out and then there's some that are in. 'If that's going to be the case, it needs to be clear to Australian families why that's the case. 'Because once again, it's our Australian kids that we need to be protecting first and foremost.' The social media ban is set to come into force in December. While other countries have mulled similar actions, Australia is the first to make the leap, receiving both praise and criticism. Last month, the brains tasked with finding a way to enforce the ban said it was possible but that there was no 'silver bullet'. The project's chief suggested successive validation, or a series of tests designed to firm up a user's age, could be the best bet.
