WA treasurer to shake up big-spending agenda
West Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti says this week's budget will signal a major transition in spending priorities, with Labor's mega-transport projects making way for billions of dollars to be spent on new economic infrastructure to support industry.
Saffioti acknowledged that poles, wires and pipes are not as electorally compelling as the Metronet rail projects that have dominated the government's first two terms, but said the state's energy transition and future industrial ambitions relied on immense economic infrastructure investment.
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Albo to talk Trump, war with Canadian PM
Anthony Albanese is set to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's increasingly aggressive trade war and conflict in the Middle East in his first bilateral meeting with newly-installed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Following a brief visit to Seattle on the United States' west coast - where it was confirmed Australia had secured a meeting with Mr Trump - the Prime Minister will depart for Calgary on Sunday afternoon local time (Monday morning AEST). He will then head to Kananaskis, Alberta to attend the G7 Leaders Summit. Mr Albanese is also expected to conduct bilateral meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. He has also confirmed an all-important face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, where Mr Albanese is set to make his case for a tariff exemption and spruik AUKUS. Mr Albanese's bilateral with Mr Carney - their formal talk after meeting at Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in Rome - will instead canvas how the two leaders can deepen existing co-operation, plus topics such as defence industry, climate change, and critical minerals. In the wake of the Trump administration's tariff onslaught, the OECD's June Economic Outlook said attempts to 'harmonise regulations' between peer countries such as Canada and Australia 'could support stronger trade and productivity growth'. The G7 Summit will occur in the tinderbox backdrop of brutal tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran. On Sunday, missile strikes near Israel's capital of Tel Aviv killed at least three people, including a 10-year-old boy, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of further attacks and appealing to the US for support. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine will be another focus area, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending the talks. The global ramifications of America's increasingly isolationist trade policies will also dominate talks at the summit, with the event's key themes to focus on global economic stability and threats to international peace and security among other transnational issues. Speaking about his highly-anticipated meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Albanese said tariffs and the value of AUKUS would be key discussion points. While he would not 'make declarations' on negotiations, Mr Albanese said he would 'put forward Australia's interests respectfully'. 'It is also in the interests of the United States for Australia to be treated appropriately. Tariffs across the board, of course, impose an increased cost on the purchases of those goods and services,' Mr Albanese said. 'I will enter into those discussions constructively – the discussions that I've previously had with President Trump were constructive, but those 10 per cent tariff supports have been the minimum … that have been applied across the board.' Sussan Ley has welcomed the meeting wished the Labor leader 'success' in representing Australia's interest. 'It's in the interest of every Australian this meeting is a success and we want the Prime Minister to do well,' the Opposition Leader posted on social media. 'It's important the PM gains a reassurance on AUKUS and protects Australia from tariffs.'
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese to hold first bilateral with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ahead of G7
Anthony Albanese is set to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's increasingly aggressive trade war and conflict in the Middle East in his first bilateral meeting with newly-installed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Following a brief visit to Seattle on the United States' west coast - where it was confirmed Australia had secured a meeting with Mr Trump - the Prime Minister will depart for Calgary on Sunday afternoon local time (Monday morning AEST). He will then head to Kananaskis, Alberta to attend the G7 Leaders Summit. Mr Albanese is also expected to conduct bilateral meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. He has also confirmed an all-important face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, where Mr Albanese is set to make his case for a tariff exemption and spruik AUKUS. Mr Albanese's bilateral with Mr Carney - their formal talk after meeting at Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in Rome - will instead canvas how the two leaders can deepen existing co-operation, plus topics such as defence industry, climate change, and critical minerals. In the wake of the Trump administration's tariff onslaught, the OECD's June Economic Outlook said attempts to 'harmonise regulations' between peer countries such as Canada and Australia 'could support stronger trade and productivity growth'. The G7 Summit will occur in the tinderbox backdrop of brutal tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran. On Sunday, missile strikes near Israel's capital of Tel Aviv killed at least three people, including a 10-year-old boy, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of further attacks and appealing to the US for support. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine will be another focus area, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending the talks. The global ramifications of America's increasingly isolationist trade policies will also dominate talks at the summit, with the event's key themes to focus on global economic stability and threats to international peace and security among other transnational issues. Speaking about his highly-anticipated meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Albanese said tariffs and the value of AUKUS would be key discussion points. While he would not 'make declarations' on negotiations, Mr Albanese said he would 'put forward Australia's interests respectfully'. 'It is also in the interests of the United States for Australia to be treated appropriately. Tariffs across the board, of course, impose an increased cost on the purchases of those goods and services,' Mr Albanese said. 'I will enter into those discussions constructively – the discussions that I've previously had with President Trump were constructive, but those 10 per cent tariff supports have been the minimum … that have been applied across the board.' Sussan Ley has welcomed the meeting wished the Labor leader 'success' in representing Australia's interest. 'It's in the interest of every Australian this meeting is a success and we want the Prime Minister to do well,' the Opposition Leader posted on social media. 'It's important the PM gains a reassurance on AUKUS and protects Australia from tariffs.'
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Familiar face returns for election as stadium divides
A slew of familiar faces have popped up as candidates in a surprise state election that continues to be dominated by a controversial stadium plan. Among those putting their hands up ahead of the Tasmanian election are former Liberal state attorney-general Elise Archer, who will run as an independent at the July 19 poll. The snap election, which will be the state's second in 16 months, was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to resign following a successful no-confidence vote in his leadership. Ms Archer is contesting the Hobart-based seat of Clark after she was dumped from her frontbench role and quit parliament following bullying allegations. She denies any wrongdoing. She said she decided to run after being frustrated about the state's financial situation and poor governance under the Liberal-led minority administration. Minority government seemed "inevitable" and sensible but experienced independents were needed, Ms Archer said. Mr Rockliff declined to comment on his former colleague's tilt as an independent while unveiling the Liberals' seven candidates for the seat of Lyons on Sunday, but he reiterated only a majority government could provide stability. "A vote for an independent is a vote for politics and instability," he said. The premier was in Launceston on Sunday, announcing a pledge to expand women's healthcare service The Bubble and reduce the need for women and girls in the north to travel for care. The Greens, which could have a role in deciding who forms government in the 35-seat lower house, have called on both parties to clarify their position on the controversial Macquarie Point stadium. The stadium in Hobart is a condition of the AFL granting the island state a team licence and has been backed by the Liberals and Labor, but the Greens and some independents oppose the project due to its potential $1 billion price tag. The Greens insist York Park in Launceston, which hosted 15,000 people for a Friday clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide, should be the home of football. Mr Rockliff said his party supported the stadium as it would keep the state economy strong. "We keep investing in people, in infrastructure that grows our economy, so we can fund those essential services that all Tasmanians care about," the premier said. Labor Leader Dean Winter said his party was consulting with stakeholders over legislation allowing the stadium to bypass planning and development approvals, but he reiterated support for the project. "We understand that that's the link between the AFL team that Tasmania has desperately wanted," he said in Old Beach, north of Hobart, to announce a plan to slash development rules in half to get housing built faster. Ms Archer said she couldn't support the stadium due to the cost, noting "no other AFL team has had such strict requirements placed on it like Tasmania". A slew of familiar faces have popped up as candidates in a surprise state election that continues to be dominated by a controversial stadium plan. Among those putting their hands up ahead of the Tasmanian election are former Liberal state attorney-general Elise Archer, who will run as an independent at the July 19 poll. The snap election, which will be the state's second in 16 months, was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to resign following a successful no-confidence vote in his leadership. Ms Archer is contesting the Hobart-based seat of Clark after she was dumped from her frontbench role and quit parliament following bullying allegations. She denies any wrongdoing. She said she decided to run after being frustrated about the state's financial situation and poor governance under the Liberal-led minority administration. Minority government seemed "inevitable" and sensible but experienced independents were needed, Ms Archer said. Mr Rockliff declined to comment on his former colleague's tilt as an independent while unveiling the Liberals' seven candidates for the seat of Lyons on Sunday, but he reiterated only a majority government could provide stability. "A vote for an independent is a vote for politics and instability," he said. The premier was in Launceston on Sunday, announcing a pledge to expand women's healthcare service The Bubble and reduce the need for women and girls in the north to travel for care. The Greens, which could have a role in deciding who forms government in the 35-seat lower house, have called on both parties to clarify their position on the controversial Macquarie Point stadium. The stadium in Hobart is a condition of the AFL granting the island state a team licence and has been backed by the Liberals and Labor, but the Greens and some independents oppose the project due to its potential $1 billion price tag. The Greens insist York Park in Launceston, which hosted 15,000 people for a Friday clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide, should be the home of football. Mr Rockliff said his party supported the stadium as it would keep the state economy strong. "We keep investing in people, in infrastructure that grows our economy, so we can fund those essential services that all Tasmanians care about," the premier said. Labor Leader Dean Winter said his party was consulting with stakeholders over legislation allowing the stadium to bypass planning and development approvals, but he reiterated support for the project. "We understand that that's the link between the AFL team that Tasmania has desperately wanted," he said in Old Beach, north of Hobart, to announce a plan to slash development rules in half to get housing built faster. Ms Archer said she couldn't support the stadium due to the cost, noting "no other AFL team has had such strict requirements placed on it like Tasmania". A slew of familiar faces have popped up as candidates in a surprise state election that continues to be dominated by a controversial stadium plan. Among those putting their hands up ahead of the Tasmanian election are former Liberal state attorney-general Elise Archer, who will run as an independent at the July 19 poll. The snap election, which will be the state's second in 16 months, was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to resign following a successful no-confidence vote in his leadership. Ms Archer is contesting the Hobart-based seat of Clark after she was dumped from her frontbench role and quit parliament following bullying allegations. She denies any wrongdoing. She said she decided to run after being frustrated about the state's financial situation and poor governance under the Liberal-led minority administration. Minority government seemed "inevitable" and sensible but experienced independents were needed, Ms Archer said. Mr Rockliff declined to comment on his former colleague's tilt as an independent while unveiling the Liberals' seven candidates for the seat of Lyons on Sunday, but he reiterated only a majority government could provide stability. "A vote for an independent is a vote for politics and instability," he said. The premier was in Launceston on Sunday, announcing a pledge to expand women's healthcare service The Bubble and reduce the need for women and girls in the north to travel for care. The Greens, which could have a role in deciding who forms government in the 35-seat lower house, have called on both parties to clarify their position on the controversial Macquarie Point stadium. The stadium in Hobart is a condition of the AFL granting the island state a team licence and has been backed by the Liberals and Labor, but the Greens and some independents oppose the project due to its potential $1 billion price tag. The Greens insist York Park in Launceston, which hosted 15,000 people for a Friday clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide, should be the home of football. Mr Rockliff said his party supported the stadium as it would keep the state economy strong. "We keep investing in people, in infrastructure that grows our economy, so we can fund those essential services that all Tasmanians care about," the premier said. Labor Leader Dean Winter said his party was consulting with stakeholders over legislation allowing the stadium to bypass planning and development approvals, but he reiterated support for the project. "We understand that that's the link between the AFL team that Tasmania has desperately wanted," he said in Old Beach, north of Hobart, to announce a plan to slash development rules in half to get housing built faster. Ms Archer said she couldn't support the stadium due to the cost, noting "no other AFL team has had such strict requirements placed on it like Tasmania". A slew of familiar faces have popped up as candidates in a surprise state election that continues to be dominated by a controversial stadium plan. Among those putting their hands up ahead of the Tasmanian election are former Liberal state attorney-general Elise Archer, who will run as an independent at the July 19 poll. The snap election, which will be the state's second in 16 months, was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to resign following a successful no-confidence vote in his leadership. Ms Archer is contesting the Hobart-based seat of Clark after she was dumped from her frontbench role and quit parliament following bullying allegations. She denies any wrongdoing. She said she decided to run after being frustrated about the state's financial situation and poor governance under the Liberal-led minority administration. Minority government seemed "inevitable" and sensible but experienced independents were needed, Ms Archer said. Mr Rockliff declined to comment on his former colleague's tilt as an independent while unveiling the Liberals' seven candidates for the seat of Lyons on Sunday, but he reiterated only a majority government could provide stability. "A vote for an independent is a vote for politics and instability," he said. The premier was in Launceston on Sunday, announcing a pledge to expand women's healthcare service The Bubble and reduce the need for women and girls in the north to travel for care. The Greens, which could have a role in deciding who forms government in the 35-seat lower house, have called on both parties to clarify their position on the controversial Macquarie Point stadium. The stadium in Hobart is a condition of the AFL granting the island state a team licence and has been backed by the Liberals and Labor, but the Greens and some independents oppose the project due to its potential $1 billion price tag. The Greens insist York Park in Launceston, which hosted 15,000 people for a Friday clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide, should be the home of football. Mr Rockliff said his party supported the stadium as it would keep the state economy strong. "We keep investing in people, in infrastructure that grows our economy, so we can fund those essential services that all Tasmanians care about," the premier said. Labor Leader Dean Winter said his party was consulting with stakeholders over legislation allowing the stadium to bypass planning and development approvals, but he reiterated support for the project. "We understand that that's the link between the AFL team that Tasmania has desperately wanted," he said in Old Beach, north of Hobart, to announce a plan to slash development rules in half to get housing built faster. Ms Archer said she couldn't support the stadium due to the cost, noting "no other AFL team has had such strict requirements placed on it like Tasmania".
