
Anthony Albanese's soft diplomacy with China questioned by Coalition
Published 17 July 2025, 9:32 am
The Prime Minister has wrapped up a six-day visit to China. Among the final stops featured a touch of panda diplomacy. Parts of the tour have been branded 'indulgent' by the Coalition, who wanted guarantees extracted from Beijing. Our Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has the details from the city of Chengdu.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


West Australian
a minute ago
- West Australian
Kevin Hogan says Anthony Albanese's lack of action to meet with Trump a ‘real shame' amid PM's trip to China
It is a 'real shame' Anthony Albanese does not have the 'same exuberance' about meeting with Donald Trump as he does Xi Jinping, the shadow Trade Minister says, describing the Prime Minister's mission to China as a 'working holiday'. Kevin Hogan made the comments as Mr Albanese prepared to arrive back on home soil after a six-day charm offensive in China where he focused on stabilising Australia's relationship with its key trading partner. During the tour Mr Albanese met with Mr Xi, his fourth meeting with the Chinese President, as well as Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress chairman Zhao Leji, in a bid to strengthen the country's economic ties. Mr Hogan said it was important Mr Albanese made the visit, but added: 'I think it's a shame he doesn't have the same exuberance, if you like, to meet with the US President and go to the US, but that's something we need to work on'. He acknowledged Mr Albanese was working to secure a meeting with Mr Trump and said it was 'important we continue to reach out'. 'I think it's good the Prime Minister went to China, I think it's good that he did the panda thing and re-enacted Gough Whitlam's Great Wall of China visit. I don't have a criticism of that,' he said on Friday. 'They are an important trading partner, I'm glad the Prime Minister has visited there and been there for that reason. I'm just adding it's a real shame he doesn't have the same exuberance about doing that with the US President.' Opposition Finance Minister James Paterson on Thursday slammed the trip, saying though the Coalition had provided bipartisan support for the Government's trade mission, the visit had started to look 'a little bit indulgent'. Senator Paterson argued the appropriate time to do a 'nostalgic history tour of Labor Party mythology' was in retirement, not after failing to meet the US President since his election. Mr Albanese has come under intense pressure to lock in a meeting with Mr Trump after the Pentagon called a snap review into the future of the AUKUS pact. Mr Trump's trade tariffs have also been a sore point. 'We have profoundly serious issues at stake in that bilateral relationship as well, including potentially tariffs on one of our largest export industries to the United States, pharmaceuticals,' Senator Paterson said. Asked if Mr Albanese got the 'tone and balance right' with his trip, shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor said he was 'still trying to work out what he's coming home with'. 'He went down memory lane, listened to some Midnight Oil and went in the footsteps of Gough Whitlam, but we need more than that,' he said. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek on Friday said stabilising Australia's relationship with China 'has been important particularly for our farmers, our grain growers, our wine makers, our lobster fishermen'. 'The fact that the Prime Minister is in China at the moment shows the Australian Government's commitment to making sure that it continues to be a strong economic relationship,' she told the ABC. 'The Prime Minister's had a roundtable about our iron ore exports to China. 'The iron ore that Australia exports is the largest source of foreign iron ore in China. We know how important steelmaking is for the modern economy. 'The Prime Minister's visited a tourism business. Chinese tourism to Australia is the largest source of tourism by value, it's worth more than $9 billion a year already. 'And so, people should see the potential benefits of increasing China's tourism to Australia. The hundreds of millions or billions of dollars of extra spending it will feed into the Australian economy as we see Chinese tourism increase.'

ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Malaysians protest Trump's pick of Sydney-born influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador
Dozens of demonstrators have gathered outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur to protest against the Trump administration's pick for the new Malaysian ambassador. The White House has proposed MAGA influencer and former Sydney councillor Nick Adams to the Senate as its nominee. The move last week triggered concerns in the Muslim-majority nation over Mr Adams's views on Islam and support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, among other sensitive topics. The Malaysian government has been facing mounting calls to reject the outspoken political commentator and author. About 60 protesters chanting "reject" and holding signs saying "Protest Nick Adams" stood outside the embassy on Friday afternoon. The embassy protest followed a similar demonstration in one of Kuala Lumpur's busiest streets the night before. Protest organiser Iskandar Fareez told the ABC that Malaysians were concerned about Mr Adams's behaviour and social media posts that showed "Islamophobia tendencies and misogyny". "This is worrying, especially for a Muslim-majority country like Malaysia, where we have our own culture and sensitivities," said Mr Fareez, the vice-chief of the youth wing of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP). "He's not a diplomat and the way he carries himself is quite concerning." Another protest organiser said, "an ambassador is supposed to be a bridge between both nations". In posts on social media platform X, Mr Adams has railed against alleged efforts to "teach Islam in schools" and described those expressing solidarity with Palestinians as supporters of terrorism. The posts have sparked outrage in Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities of other faiths. Malaysia has also long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejecting what he described as Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas. Mr Adams has to be confirmed by the Senate before he can be appointed as the US ambassador to Malaysia. He did not respond to the ABC's requests for a response. Mr Fareez said the DAP youth wing had collaborated with youth branches of other political parties in Malaysia to organise the protest. He said the protesters were hoping they would send a message to the US government that they should reconsider the decision to send Mr Adams to Malaysia. "It's a reminder to those involved in the confirmation process that, look at Malaysia, we are not happy with this choice," said Mr Fareez. The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the US embassy asking the administration to nominate a different candidate for the position. Mr Fareez said the protest organisers were told by police they were not allowed to march and could only give speeches. Mr Adams was a Liberal councillor in Ashfield in 2004 at the age of 19, and became deputy mayor the following year. The Liberal Party suspended him in 2009 after he was filmed verbally abusing a Channel Ten reporter covering his repeated absences from council meetings. He reportedly later said he quit before he was suspended. He moved to the US and set up the Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness, a non-profit dedicated to instilling conservative values in children. Now 40, Mr Adams is an American citizen and MAGA commentator who has self-branded as a Hooters-loving "alpha male" and "cultural thought leader". Malaysians in Australia told the ABC they shared their compatriots' concerns about Mr Adams. Malaysian Australian Maureen Macafee, who lives in Canberra, said Nick Adams being nominated was "weird". She said she was unsure if someone chosen by Mr Trump would have the diplomatic skills to handle a multicultural society like Malaysia. Malaysian Australian Haneen Martin echoed the sentiment. "The country doesn't need someone to come in and further drive division, or not take the time to appreciate what Malaysia has to offer," she said. Earlier in the day, Mr Ibrahim said it was too early to make a decision on Mr Adams's appointment. He said he would "consider the matter accordingly while safeguarding good relations between Malaysia and the US". The protest organisers said they were willing to protest every week if Mr Adams were appointed. Mohamed Sukri Omar, a member of Islamic opposition party PAS, said in a statement the appointment would be "an open insult towards the sensitivities of the Malaysian people". Shahriman Lockman, of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said protests from Muslim groups and ruling bloc allies could be too politically costly for Mr Ibrahim's government to ignore, although Mr Adams might be a useful conduit during trade talks due to his perceived closeness to Mr Trump. Refusing Mr Adams could also provoke retaliation from Mr Trump at a time when Malaysia faces pressure to make trade concessions in exchange for lowering a potentially hefty 25 per cent US tariff, he said. "There's no elegant solution here. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't," Mr Shahriman said. The US and Malaysia currently have strained relations, in part due to Mr Trump's tariffs but also America's support for Israel's war on Gaza and Malaysia's tightening ties with China. Former diplomats say Malaysia is unlikely to reject Mr Adams's appointment outright, but could make its objections known through informal channels or by delaying its approval. "That would send a subtle but clear diplomatic signal: we value the bilateral relationship, but we also expect a standard of decorum, cultural sensitivity, and respect appropriate to such a posting," said Ilango Karuppannan, a retired former Malaysian ambassador who was once deputy chief of mission in Washington. While concerns over Mr Adams's appointment were unlikely to have a direct impact on trade negotiations, "the broader tone of the bilateral relationship always matters", he said. Former Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a member of the largely ethnic Malay opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, said Malaysia should stand firm in upholding its values despite Mr Adams's relationship with Mr Trump. "Yes, it would be good to have a US ambassador who is very close to Trump … but you cannot compromise on certain principles," he said. Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said Mr Adams's success as envoy would be highly dependent on his ability to win the trust of Malaysia's political and policy leadership. "If the comments he has previously made on social media are accurate depictions of his position on sociopolitical matters, he might find it challenging to do so, especially if he intends to make these positions publicly and explicitly known," she said.


The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Chaos: Trump's health diagnosis, Barnaby's private business, Albo's China
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker.