Tassie stadium plan is a lot of bread for a circus
Allan, who lived in Los Angeles for six years in the 1980s, writes: "We've visited the USA numerous times since, but never again. Our initial concerns as we've grown older were with their health system, where serious illness could literally cost millions. Now the political situation is what worries us. I wouldn't rule out something akin to civil war the way things are escalating. But no, I don't think Albanese should raise the Tomasi shooting with Trump personally, it would achieve nothing and detract from other more important discussions."
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West Australian
15 minutes ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Albanese travelling to G7 summit without Trump meeting confirmation
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. Before Anthony Albanese took off, the Australian Prime Minister shared his thoughts for 'everyone affected' by the deadly Air India plane crash. 'The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating,' he wrote on X. 'In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected. 'Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is travelling to Canada and the United States, where he will meet with world leaders; however, a meeting with US President Donald Trump remains in limbo. Mr Albanese will first travel to Fiji, where he will meet Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, before continuing to Canada. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Mr Albanese is expected to meet new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as well as others. However, it is a meeting with Mr Trump that Mr Albanese may be hoping for most. On Thursday, the Pentagon launched a review of AUKUS to ensure it aligned with Mr Trump's 'America First' agenda. The Republican president has never publicly voiced his support for AUKUS.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet Donald Trump and deliver major defence funding announcements amid AUKUS scare
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to fly to the US for a critical meeting with President Donald Trump and deliver major defence funding announcements as a Pentagon-led snap review threatens the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal. On Thursday, the US announced a formal review of the more than $350 billion AUKUS arrangement after the Albanese government resisted demands to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. According to The Australian, Mr Albanese will fly out of Canberra on Friday for a critical week-long trip which will take him to Fiji, Canada and the US. The trip marks the first time Mr Albanese will come face-to-face with President Trump. Mr Albanese will on Friday meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and is expected to shake hands on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others. The Pentagon's announcement to hold a 30-day snap review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal came as G7 leaders prepare to meet over the weekend. It will be led by Defence Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, a vocal sceptic of the arrangement among Trump's senior policy officials. With increasing tensions between the US and Iran, it is understood President Trump is yet to confirm any bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, which includes Mr Albanese. However, The Australian reported government officials in Washington said a meeting between the pair was likely to proceed after Mr Albanese resisted calls to up defence spending. The outlet revealed there were concerns held by the Trump administration over giving nuclear submarines to a country which appeared unwilling to assist in any conflict which may involve Taiwan. Additionally, AUKUS has been viewed as 'Australia's idea' which is at odds with Trump's 'America First' outlook, with the onus on Canberra to now justify its existence. Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended the Albanese government's commitment to AUKUS after the Trump administration launched a review into the $368 billion deal. 'We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review,' Mr Marles said in a statement response to the US review. 'It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery. 'Our engagement with the Trump administration and across the full political spectrum of the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS.' has contacted the Prime Minister for comment.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Retired US General Jack Keane says lack of American submarines ‘real basis' for Trump administration's AUKUS review
Retired US General Jack Keane has said he believes American concerns over having enough submarines for their own fleet is underpinning the AUKUS defence pact review instigated by the Trump administration. A primary pillar of AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership agreed to in 2021, is to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as well as other advanced weapons. The newly announced review into the pact is being headed by Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, who has previously been critical of the submarine deal. Speaking to Sky News Host Andrew Bolt on Thursday, Mr Keane said he believed concerns over the US holding on to enough submarines is the 'real basis' for AUKUS coming under the microscope. 'I mean, we know for a fact, we don't have anywhere near all the submarines that we would like to have and it's the submarines where we have the advantage, the United States and our allies, over China itself,' the former general said. '(China) have decisive advantages in surface ships, in offence and defensive missiles, and also the number of aeroplanes that they have every day in the region. Submarines is something we want more of.' However, Mr Keane said he thought having Australian-operated American submarines in Indo-Pacific waters would be a 'real strategic plus'. The former general was asked whether the American popular opinion could swing away from thinking US submarines being operated under an Australian flag is good idea, but Mr Keane said he did not hold such concerns. 'I think the primary issue is the number of submarines. The United States knows we don't have enough. It takes us too long to build them, and we've got to get it right,' he said. The former general's remarks come as questions continue to be asked about whether the Albanese government has pledged enough of the nation's GDP towards defence, with pressure mounting from Washington for Canberra to boost its military spending. Sky New News Host Sharri Markson revealed on Thursday the Trump administration will use the AUKUS review as way to try and push Australia towards increasing its defence budget. Meanwhile, former prime minister Scott Morrison, who oversaw the formation of AUKUS, has declared he is not concerned about what the US-led review may mean for the future of the security partnership. 'It's totally within their remit… Incoming governments do reviews. Keir Starmer did a review and that resulted in the UK government being even more committed to AUKUS,' Mr Morrison told Sky News. His sentiments were echoed by Defence Minister Richard Marles, who downplayed anxieties while also confirming Australia knew about the review in advance. Former Australian Minister Alexander Downer has likewise said he does not think Australia should be concerned, asserting his belief the US will not scrap the agreement under President Trump's reign. 'I think there is going to be a debate within the American system about selling to Australia Virginia-class submarines,' Mr Downer told Sky News Host Chris Kenny on Thursday. 'Not because of the technology of the submarines, but because the American administration will argue that they haven't got enough submarines and they can't build them fast enough.' Mr Downer also said he thinks the US are concerned about Australia's defence spending in light of the review. "I think they would be concerned about our low level of defence expenditure and the way the Australian defence forces have become increasingly depleted," he said. "But I don't think in the end the Americans are going to cancel the AUKUS programme. You have to remember this is a trilateral programme, not a bilateral programme, and Britain is the, if you like, second player in it, certainly the second most important player in it."
