Federal politics live: Ley slams 'choreographed' roundtable after Treasury advice leak
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West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese deflects criticism over Palestinian recognition move, says media and Ley fed Hamas propaganda
Anthony Albanese has deflected criticism he has emboldened terrorists by advancing Australia's recognition of Palestinian statehood, and blamed others for the political storm it evoked. The Prime Minister instead pointed the finger at the Australian media and the Opposition for feeding into 'Hamas propaganda' after the terrorist group issued contradictory statements about his decision. Despite the confusion, Opposition leader Sussan Ley intensified her criticism of the PM saying he was 'making a real mess of this' and called for him to 'get back to domestic matters'. 'The Prime Minister has said he's not a cheerleader for Hamas. The problem is, that Hamas is a cheerleader for him,' she told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday. 'They're calling our Prime Minister a man of courage on a day when a terrorist organisation calls our Prime Minister a hero, surely he has to think about reversing the decision that led to that. 'It is time for the Prime Minister to get back to important domestic matters.' Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef had lauded Australia on the move in a statement to Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, saying the PM displayed 'political courage'. The comments unleashed a wave of criticism borne out of the idea that Australia's foreign policy was being praised by terrorists. Hamas disowned the statement by Thursday morning, posting on its Telegram channel the group 'denies the issuance of any statement'. But in a twist, the terrorist group had reverted their stance by the afternoon. Jumping on the confusion in a defensive morning press conference, Mr Albanese hit out at the media for what he claimed was 'publishing propaganda'. 'They say that the alleged statement from the person yesterday was someone who's been in prison in Israel … since October 2023 and has no means of communication,' Mr Albanese said. The SMH later clarified that quotes from the senior Hamas official were supplied by 'Yousef's political office in Beituina, a town near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, which issues statements on his behalf'. Reporter Matthew Knott also confirmed again on Thursday Yousef's office had released the statement and that he would soon be released from jail. The paper's stablemate the Australian Financial Review published the statement from Hamas denying the comments, saying Yousef had been in jail since October 2023 with 'no means of communication with any local or international press outlets'. However, late on Thursday Hamas issued another statement to the ABC, this time from media director Ismail Al-Thawabta lauding Labor's call. 'Such a move reflects a growing global awareness of the necessity to end the injustice suffered by our people for decades,' the terror group's spokesman told the public broadcaster on Wednesday. 'We call on the Australian government to translate this recognition into concrete actions – by exerting diplomatic pressure to end the Israeli occupation.' Earlier in the day, Mr Albanese cautioned the media against disseminating propaganda before moving on to attack the Opposition for being critical of his call to recognise statehood at UN leaders meeting next month. He even came prepared to his defensive press conference with a list of pro-Palestione quotes his political rival Ms Ley made in 2011. The Coalition have long supported the two-state solution with Israel and Palestine but has criticised the PM for declaring he would recognise Palestinian statehood in September when listed terrorist organisation Hamas is still in control of the region. 'We do support a two-state solution, but we don't support it outside of a proper peace process and a proper two-state process,' Ms Ley said. Ms Ley's criticisms were not just for the pathway for lasting peace in the Middle East but also putting Australia's relationship with our closest ally, the US, in jeopardy. She called the PM a 'bystander' in the alliance. 'It's vital that the Prime Minister addresses this issue because right now the relationship between Australia and the US feels as if it is drifting,' she said. The Coalition also called on Mr Albanese to 'urgently explain' why he refused a US request to sign a joint-nation statement condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of the terror attack on October 7, 2023.
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Queensland chief health officer appointment scrapped for second time
The Queensland government says it wasn't "confident" a doctor was suitable to be the state's chief health officer, despite him being offered the position a second time. Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was appointed to the job in 2021 but resigned shortly after, citing "personal reasons". Sources have confirmed to the ABC that he was recently offered the role again following a lengthy recruitment process. It's understood that a corporate head shot was arranged and a media release regarding the appointment was drafted by Queensland Health. The offer was then rescinded. A spokesperson for Queensland Health said a campaign to recruit for the role was undertaken, "however, no appointment was made". "A renewed campaign to recruit a permanent Chief Health Officer was launched on Friday 8 August." The international recruitment campaign advertises the role as earning up to $431,000 per annum. In a statement, a government spokesperson said the job "is a very forward-facing leadership role". "The government is not confident that the stability and longevity Queenslanders expect in this role has yet been met and the recruitment process is ongoing." Dr Hajkowicz declined to comment on questions from the ABC. Queensland has been without a permanent CHO since December, after Dr John Gerrard stepped down after three years. Dr Hajkowicz's wife, Dr Sarah Martin, made a submission to parliament over the Victoria Park Stadium and planning legislation, before his job offer. It related to laws that exempt 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure from major planning rules, to ensure projects aren't held up by potential legal challenges. In her submission, Dr Martin strongly opposed the legislation. "The Crisafulli government's plan to override the rights of the individual Queenslanders to make life easier for politicians and developers is right out of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen playbook. "Exempting this development from public scrutiny and removing the right of Queenslanders to protest via the courts is a very concerning proposition and makes the risk of corruption very likely." She went on to allege that the Bill proposed to remove "the right to protest this development in the courts" and was "out of the fascist playbook". The government said it was not aware of the submission during the recruitment process. Deputy opposition leader Cameron Dick said the government had "questions to answer" over the recruitment.. "I think this whole process stinks," he said. "This is so opaque, lacking in clarity, lacking in transparency, that every Queenslander should be deeply concerned about what the process was. "What has happened, and why has an eminently qualified medical specialist who ticked all the boxes been rubbed out by the LNP for a very important job, particularly as we go through one of the worst flu seasons in recent history?" Mr Dick said the opposition was considering further steps it could take regarding independent investigations into the matter.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Standard practice': summiteers play down Treasury leak
Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
