Politics and ‘free media' can meet demands of moment, Albanese to say, after journalist shot with rubber bullet in US

The Guardian

2 days ago

Anthony Albanese says government and democratic institutions 'including a free media' can meet the demands of global uncertainty, despite both facing growing attacks around the world.
A day after an Australian journalist was shot with a rubber bullet while covering street protests in Los Angeles, the prime minister will use an address to the National Press Club to argue distrust can be countered through economic stability and keeping election promises.
'It is the more corrosive proposition that politics and government and democratic institutions, including a free media, are incapable of meeting the demands of this moment.
'Some simply dismiss such sentiment. Others cynically seek to harvest it. Our responsibility is to disprove it.'
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Days ahead of a visit to the US and Canada for the G7 summit and possible face-to-face talks with Trump, Albanese will say Labor's success in improving Medicare, increasing educational attainment and managing the economy matters for trust in democracy.
Emboldened by a stronger-than-expected win in the 3 May election, Albanese has spent the subsequent four weeks reshuffling his frontbench and touring disaster areas.
As planning for his second term continues, he is expected to outline immediate priorities for the return of parliament on 22 July and speak about his approach to Trump's growing tariff regime.
Albanese will say the government plans to offer a stronger and fairer country, with strength in manufacturing, renewable energy and 'urgent necessities', and reduce frustration through better provision of government services.
'To recognise that some of this frustration is drawn from people's real experience with government - be it failures of service delivery, or falling through the cracks of a particular system,' the preview of his speech reads.
Albanese is expected to use Australia's critical minerals and rare earths as a bargaining chip with the US, offering preferred access in a bid to secure exemptions from steel and aluminium tariffs from Trump.
The UK government has secured an exemption from 50% tariffs introduced by Trump, through a deal signed with the US last month.
Albanese's speech highlights Australia has a 'comparative advantage' from space to to co-locate refining and processing, as well as specialist manufacturing and data centres.
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Negotiations about a meeting between Albanese and the US president on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta are continuing this week. So far, the pair have only spoken over the phone.
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, will address the Press Club on 25 June to outline a new style of Liberal party leadership that is more consultative, inclusive and collaborative.
Peter Dutton shunned the traditional forum to speak to journalists in Canberra during his three-year tenure as opposition leader.
Ley's speech is expected to reveal how the Coalition will rebuild from its election drubbing, with a focus on the values and priorities that will guide her leadership.
'Aspiration is the thread that connects every single part of Australian society and by focusing on that, the Liberal party can once again earn the trust of communities across the country,' Ley said in a statement.