Aussies urged to charge ahead with household batteries
Australia could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a report forecasts.
The Climate Council issued the prediction on Tuesday, finding the savings were possible if half of all homes with solar panels installed added batteries by 2030.
But progress could also get a bigger boost from allowing more electric vehicles to charge up the national grid, if solar battery prices continued to fall, and if all new households were designed for rooftop solar and battery systems, it found.
The report comes amid heightened demand for home batteries after the announcement of a $2.3 billion federal government scheme to subsidise their purchase by 30 per cent from July.
The Climate Council report, called Battery Boom, found about 300,000 (eight per cent) of the four million Australian households with solar panels used batteries to store energy.
If that figure was lifted to reach two million homes by 2030 - half of those with rooftop solar panels currently installed - household energy bill savings could hit $4 billion a year.
Electricity bill savings could rise from $1500 with solar panels to $2300 a year after installing a battery, Climate Council spokesman Greg Bourne said, although further support would be needed to help some families deal with the up-front cost.
"Batteries haven't penetrated far enough into those four million (solar) households, but it makes a huge difference when you start picking up the sunshine from midday and time-shifting it to when high cost of electricity comes in," he told AAP.
"It will start as word-of-mouth in the neighbourhood and talk of 'my bill's half of what it was' or 'my bills are a quarter of what they were because we put a battery in' and that's part of the education process."
A typical household battery is expected to cover its cost within 8.3 years without the upcoming subsidy, the report found, down from 10 years in 2022.
The Climate Council report also found big battery storage projects planned for Australia had doubled over the past year to reach 20 gigawatts, and the price of large energy storage had fallen by 20 per cent.
On a state-by-state basis, Western Australia led the nation for the most big battery projects with eight installed, Victoria boasted the most community solar batteries, and the Northern Territory had the most homes with solar batteries installed at 15.9 per cent.
Battery storage could also get a significant boost from compatible electric vehicles, Mr Bourne said, as more vehicle-to-grid chargers were standardised and sold in Australia.
Other recommendations in the report to boost battery storage included adding rooftop solar and storage capacity to the National Construction Code, expanding support for community batteries, and strengthening on-shore battery recycling schemes.
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an hour ago
- The Advertiser
The key to ending racism? It's right here in these PMs' speeches
Time is the marker of everything. In a civic context, we use time to understand what policies, actions, and even words have changed our lives - for the better or worse, or not at all. This helps us find ways to make our futures safer, healthier, and more just. I want to find a way to a future free of racism. And, at this point in time, I can't help but think of the words of two prime ministers - in speeches delivered half a century apart. First, let's go back to this week in June 1975, when Australia enacted the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). With the White Australia Policy only recently abolished, this was a landmark moment in our history. It was the first Commonwealth law that focused on human rights and discrimination, setting a new vision for Australian society that sought to shake off the racial segregation that had defined it. In a speech at the RDA's proclamation, then prime minister Gough Whitlam said our nation must "spell out in enduring form ... the principle that all Australians, whatever their colour, race or creed, are equal before the law and have the same basic rights and opportunities." But has Whitlam's aspiration to "entrench new attitudes ... in people's hearts and minds" been realised? The answer is yes and no. A legislative framework around racial equality has helped shine a spotlight on employers in workplace discrimination cases, provided remedy pathways for people who've experienced racial hatred, even invalidate laws that discriminated against First Nations peoples, such as the famous case of Mabo v Queensland. It also set a precedent for similar anti-discrimination laws around age, sex, and disability that were passed in the years that followed. Over the past 50 years, we have seen monumental progress in our society, and its shape has changed significantly. These are achievements to remember, to celebrate. But, sadly, racism remains entrenched in many parts of our society. Systems and institutions designed to serve us all are still infected by racist attitudes and practices in place well before the RDA's inception. Racism continues to affect everyday life. People are confronted with it through verbal attacks or left isolated by policies or practices that disadvantage them. This includes people with "foreign sounding" names being less likely to be selected for a job interview or having their work more scrutinised than colleagues; over-policing in some communities; and cultural biases within the medical system that can prevent people of colour receiving the same standards of care as everyone else. First Nations people still suffer the fundamental racism of a denial of self-determination. This has consistently been confirmed by consultation, research, and work led by advocacy groups. The work of the Australian Human Rights Commission confirms it too. There is no doubt that urgent reform is needed. And, half a century since Whitlam's address, a speech by another Prime Minister - our current one - touched on what I believe will help drive the solution. In his election victory speech last month, Anthony Albanese spoke of what he believed were the Australian values the majority of people had voted for. "For the strength," he said, "to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need". Courage and kindness. For me, this has always been at the heart of who are - or who we should aspire to be. Reform takes courage. It takes kindness. Changing systems and institutions to eliminate racism requires our leaders to take courage. In November last year, I released the National Anti-Racism Framework, a roadmap for widespread government-led reform to defeat racism in 10 years. Its 63 recommendations take a whole-of-society approach to eliminating racism, across our legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as for businesses. Courage and kindness could manifest in action by the government supporting these recommendations. This would see the principles of the RDA truly realised. But after 50 years, the RDA also needs an update. One of the framework's proposed changes is introducing a legal responsibility on employers to proactively prevent racism in the workplace. Similar to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, it means taking reasonable steps to eliminate racism, rather than only reacting once a complaint is made. Kindness is recognising privilege and the advantages bestowed by race. It means having difficult but respectful conversations, listening to uncomfortable truths without defensiveness, and finding ways to move forward together. Kindness is one of the greatest examples of strength one could show. In 50 years' time, when people look back at this moment, I hope it's seen as another landmark moment when we made an active commitment to implementing the framework to eliminate racism. The moment our leaders and community had the courage to choose dignity, respect and fairness - to ensure we are all truly equal with the same rights and opportunities. Time is the marker of everything. In a civic context, we use time to understand what policies, actions, and even words have changed our lives - for the better or worse, or not at all. This helps us find ways to make our futures safer, healthier, and more just. I want to find a way to a future free of racism. And, at this point in time, I can't help but think of the words of two prime ministers - in speeches delivered half a century apart. First, let's go back to this week in June 1975, when Australia enacted the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). With the White Australia Policy only recently abolished, this was a landmark moment in our history. It was the first Commonwealth law that focused on human rights and discrimination, setting a new vision for Australian society that sought to shake off the racial segregation that had defined it. In a speech at the RDA's proclamation, then prime minister Gough Whitlam said our nation must "spell out in enduring form ... the principle that all Australians, whatever their colour, race or creed, are equal before the law and have the same basic rights and opportunities." But has Whitlam's aspiration to "entrench new attitudes ... in people's hearts and minds" been realised? The answer is yes and no. A legislative framework around racial equality has helped shine a spotlight on employers in workplace discrimination cases, provided remedy pathways for people who've experienced racial hatred, even invalidate laws that discriminated against First Nations peoples, such as the famous case of Mabo v Queensland. It also set a precedent for similar anti-discrimination laws around age, sex, and disability that were passed in the years that followed. Over the past 50 years, we have seen monumental progress in our society, and its shape has changed significantly. These are achievements to remember, to celebrate. But, sadly, racism remains entrenched in many parts of our society. Systems and institutions designed to serve us all are still infected by racist attitudes and practices in place well before the RDA's inception. Racism continues to affect everyday life. People are confronted with it through verbal attacks or left isolated by policies or practices that disadvantage them. This includes people with "foreign sounding" names being less likely to be selected for a job interview or having their work more scrutinised than colleagues; over-policing in some communities; and cultural biases within the medical system that can prevent people of colour receiving the same standards of care as everyone else. First Nations people still suffer the fundamental racism of a denial of self-determination. This has consistently been confirmed by consultation, research, and work led by advocacy groups. The work of the Australian Human Rights Commission confirms it too. There is no doubt that urgent reform is needed. And, half a century since Whitlam's address, a speech by another Prime Minister - our current one - touched on what I believe will help drive the solution. In his election victory speech last month, Anthony Albanese spoke of what he believed were the Australian values the majority of people had voted for. "For the strength," he said, "to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need". Courage and kindness. For me, this has always been at the heart of who are - or who we should aspire to be. Reform takes courage. It takes kindness. Changing systems and institutions to eliminate racism requires our leaders to take courage. In November last year, I released the National Anti-Racism Framework, a roadmap for widespread government-led reform to defeat racism in 10 years. Its 63 recommendations take a whole-of-society approach to eliminating racism, across our legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as for businesses. Courage and kindness could manifest in action by the government supporting these recommendations. This would see the principles of the RDA truly realised. But after 50 years, the RDA also needs an update. One of the framework's proposed changes is introducing a legal responsibility on employers to proactively prevent racism in the workplace. Similar to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, it means taking reasonable steps to eliminate racism, rather than only reacting once a complaint is made. Kindness is recognising privilege and the advantages bestowed by race. It means having difficult but respectful conversations, listening to uncomfortable truths without defensiveness, and finding ways to move forward together. Kindness is one of the greatest examples of strength one could show. In 50 years' time, when people look back at this moment, I hope it's seen as another landmark moment when we made an active commitment to implementing the framework to eliminate racism. The moment our leaders and community had the courage to choose dignity, respect and fairness - to ensure we are all truly equal with the same rights and opportunities. Time is the marker of everything. In a civic context, we use time to understand what policies, actions, and even words have changed our lives - for the better or worse, or not at all. This helps us find ways to make our futures safer, healthier, and more just. I want to find a way to a future free of racism. And, at this point in time, I can't help but think of the words of two prime ministers - in speeches delivered half a century apart. First, let's go back to this week in June 1975, when Australia enacted the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). With the White Australia Policy only recently abolished, this was a landmark moment in our history. It was the first Commonwealth law that focused on human rights and discrimination, setting a new vision for Australian society that sought to shake off the racial segregation that had defined it. In a speech at the RDA's proclamation, then prime minister Gough Whitlam said our nation must "spell out in enduring form ... the principle that all Australians, whatever their colour, race or creed, are equal before the law and have the same basic rights and opportunities." But has Whitlam's aspiration to "entrench new attitudes ... in people's hearts and minds" been realised? The answer is yes and no. A legislative framework around racial equality has helped shine a spotlight on employers in workplace discrimination cases, provided remedy pathways for people who've experienced racial hatred, even invalidate laws that discriminated against First Nations peoples, such as the famous case of Mabo v Queensland. It also set a precedent for similar anti-discrimination laws around age, sex, and disability that were passed in the years that followed. Over the past 50 years, we have seen monumental progress in our society, and its shape has changed significantly. These are achievements to remember, to celebrate. But, sadly, racism remains entrenched in many parts of our society. Systems and institutions designed to serve us all are still infected by racist attitudes and practices in place well before the RDA's inception. Racism continues to affect everyday life. People are confronted with it through verbal attacks or left isolated by policies or practices that disadvantage them. This includes people with "foreign sounding" names being less likely to be selected for a job interview or having their work more scrutinised than colleagues; over-policing in some communities; and cultural biases within the medical system that can prevent people of colour receiving the same standards of care as everyone else. First Nations people still suffer the fundamental racism of a denial of self-determination. This has consistently been confirmed by consultation, research, and work led by advocacy groups. The work of the Australian Human Rights Commission confirms it too. There is no doubt that urgent reform is needed. And, half a century since Whitlam's address, a speech by another Prime Minister - our current one - touched on what I believe will help drive the solution. In his election victory speech last month, Anthony Albanese spoke of what he believed were the Australian values the majority of people had voted for. "For the strength," he said, "to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need". Courage and kindness. For me, this has always been at the heart of who are - or who we should aspire to be. Reform takes courage. It takes kindness. Changing systems and institutions to eliminate racism requires our leaders to take courage. In November last year, I released the National Anti-Racism Framework, a roadmap for widespread government-led reform to defeat racism in 10 years. Its 63 recommendations take a whole-of-society approach to eliminating racism, across our legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as for businesses. Courage and kindness could manifest in action by the government supporting these recommendations. This would see the principles of the RDA truly realised. But after 50 years, the RDA also needs an update. One of the framework's proposed changes is introducing a legal responsibility on employers to proactively prevent racism in the workplace. Similar to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, it means taking reasonable steps to eliminate racism, rather than only reacting once a complaint is made. Kindness is recognising privilege and the advantages bestowed by race. It means having difficult but respectful conversations, listening to uncomfortable truths without defensiveness, and finding ways to move forward together. Kindness is one of the greatest examples of strength one could show. In 50 years' time, when people look back at this moment, I hope it's seen as another landmark moment when we made an active commitment to implementing the framework to eliminate racism. The moment our leaders and community had the courage to choose dignity, respect and fairness - to ensure we are all truly equal with the same rights and opportunities. Time is the marker of everything. In a civic context, we use time to understand what policies, actions, and even words have changed our lives - for the better or worse, or not at all. This helps us find ways to make our futures safer, healthier, and more just. I want to find a way to a future free of racism. And, at this point in time, I can't help but think of the words of two prime ministers - in speeches delivered half a century apart. First, let's go back to this week in June 1975, when Australia enacted the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). With the White Australia Policy only recently abolished, this was a landmark moment in our history. It was the first Commonwealth law that focused on human rights and discrimination, setting a new vision for Australian society that sought to shake off the racial segregation that had defined it. In a speech at the RDA's proclamation, then prime minister Gough Whitlam said our nation must "spell out in enduring form ... the principle that all Australians, whatever their colour, race or creed, are equal before the law and have the same basic rights and opportunities." But has Whitlam's aspiration to "entrench new attitudes ... in people's hearts and minds" been realised? The answer is yes and no. A legislative framework around racial equality has helped shine a spotlight on employers in workplace discrimination cases, provided remedy pathways for people who've experienced racial hatred, even invalidate laws that discriminated against First Nations peoples, such as the famous case of Mabo v Queensland. It also set a precedent for similar anti-discrimination laws around age, sex, and disability that were passed in the years that followed. Over the past 50 years, we have seen monumental progress in our society, and its shape has changed significantly. These are achievements to remember, to celebrate. But, sadly, racism remains entrenched in many parts of our society. Systems and institutions designed to serve us all are still infected by racist attitudes and practices in place well before the RDA's inception. Racism continues to affect everyday life. People are confronted with it through verbal attacks or left isolated by policies or practices that disadvantage them. This includes people with "foreign sounding" names being less likely to be selected for a job interview or having their work more scrutinised than colleagues; over-policing in some communities; and cultural biases within the medical system that can prevent people of colour receiving the same standards of care as everyone else. First Nations people still suffer the fundamental racism of a denial of self-determination. This has consistently been confirmed by consultation, research, and work led by advocacy groups. The work of the Australian Human Rights Commission confirms it too. There is no doubt that urgent reform is needed. And, half a century since Whitlam's address, a speech by another Prime Minister - our current one - touched on what I believe will help drive the solution. In his election victory speech last month, Anthony Albanese spoke of what he believed were the Australian values the majority of people had voted for. "For the strength," he said, "to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need". Courage and kindness. For me, this has always been at the heart of who are - or who we should aspire to be. Reform takes courage. It takes kindness. Changing systems and institutions to eliminate racism requires our leaders to take courage. In November last year, I released the National Anti-Racism Framework, a roadmap for widespread government-led reform to defeat racism in 10 years. Its 63 recommendations take a whole-of-society approach to eliminating racism, across our legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as for businesses. Courage and kindness could manifest in action by the government supporting these recommendations. This would see the principles of the RDA truly realised. But after 50 years, the RDA also needs an update. One of the framework's proposed changes is introducing a legal responsibility on employers to proactively prevent racism in the workplace. Similar to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, it means taking reasonable steps to eliminate racism, rather than only reacting once a complaint is made. Kindness is recognising privilege and the advantages bestowed by race. It means having difficult but respectful conversations, listening to uncomfortable truths without defensiveness, and finding ways to move forward together. Kindness is one of the greatest examples of strength one could show. In 50 years' time, when people look back at this moment, I hope it's seen as another landmark moment when we made an active commitment to implementing the framework to eliminate racism. The moment our leaders and community had the courage to choose dignity, respect and fairness - to ensure we are all truly equal with the same rights and opportunities.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on how he will handle meeting Donald Trump
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
First look inside new Sydney airport
Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. The $5.3bn project is on time and on budget. WSIA Credit: Supplied The terminal ceiling is reminiscent of a traditional Australian veranda. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. The airport has sandstone feature walls. WSIA Credit: Supplied The project has created 12,000 jobs and benefited 360 Western Sydney businesses. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied The nearest suburb is 10km from the end of the runway. WSIA Credit: Supplied The airport is projected to serve 23,000 passengers and 800t of cargo a day by 2030. WSIA Credit: Supplied Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.
