Laura Tingle on the PM, Trump and Xi
Laura Tingle joined the Party Room from a panda research base in Chengdu for some analysis (and panda chat).
And back home, the Albanese Government is signalling legislation to strip funding from childcare centres will be a top priority when parliament returns. So, how different will the parliament look when it returns next week?
Brett Worthington and Jade Macmillan are joined by Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor on The Party Room
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
22 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Penny Wong avoids labelling Trump administration ‘chaotic'
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has carefully declined to confirm whether she views the US Trump administration as 'chaotic', amid shifting dynamics in the diplomatic relationship. It comes after the US announced it would review the AUKUS defence pact, and called on Australia to confirm what it would do in the event of a China-Taiwan conflict. When asked by Sky News if she would describe the Trump administration as chaotic — a characterisation made by government insiders — Ms Wong did not confirm. 'I'm not going to get engaged in that sort of commentary,' she said on Tuesday. Ms Wong has instead pointed pointing to the evolving nature of the US-Australia relationship and her confidence in managing it. ' I understand that this is a time of change, and I was pretty upfront about that … before and after the election. 'President Trump envisages a different role for America and the world, and that does involve a change.' However, Ms Wong said that Australians should have 'confidence' in the Albanese government's capacity to navigate global diplomacy. There have been tensions in the US-Australia alliance, exacerbated by past public criticisms of Donald Trump from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms Wong when in opposition. In 2021, Mr Albanese labelled Trump's conduct 'anti-democratic' and accused him of inciting violence. Ms Wong herself said Trump 'undermined American democracy' and was willing to 'trash alliances and partnerships for personal political interest'. Such rhetoric has been flagged by experts as potentially damaging to bilateral ties at a time when regional security challenges require close cooperation. Relations have also been complicated by the cancellation of a planned meeting between Mr Albanese and Mr Trump at the G7 summit. Mr Albanese recently downplayed concerns over the strength of the US-Australia alliance, saying he was 'not worried' about relations with President Donald Trump. Speaking at Sky News' Australia's Economic Outlook forum recently, he insisted that a meeting with President Trump would take place before the end of the year. 'Well of course we will have meetings, there will be a range of meetings between now and the end of the year with President Trump,' he said.
ABC News
22 minutes ago
- ABC News
Liberals present draft 'stability agreement' to Tasmanian crossbenchers as Labor wins 10th seat in Franklin
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has presented a draft "stability agreement" to newly elected independent crossbenchers as he seeks support for a minority Liberal government following Saturday's election. As counting continues, the Liberals have locked in at least 14 seats in the new parliament, the most of any party — but still short of the 18 needed for a majority. Labor has won at least 10 seats, after gaining the final spot in the electorate of Franklin, according to ABC chief elections and data analyst Casey Briggs. At least four independents have also been elected — previous MPs David O'Byrne, Kristie Johnston, and Craig Garland, as well as newcomer Peter George. Carlo Di Falco from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party also has a chance to gain a seat in Lyons. Mr Rockliff said he is seeking feedback from each on a draft stability agreement. "And I look forward to meeting with key independents over the course of the next number of days to ensure that I can get their feedback on how what I have presented as a draft can be further improved upon as well." Saturday's snap poll took place after Labor last month moved a successful no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff, including in his ability to improve the state's soaring debt level. Mr Rockliff said his draft stability agreement would allow the co-development of parliamentary protocols and would feature a "multi-partisan budget panel". "So we can have good discussions prior to the budget and have everyone's input on that," he said. The agreement would also feature "ministerial consultation protocols" and a "crossbench liaison office". The ABC has contacted the elected crossbenchers for their response to Mr Rockliff's approach. Mr Garland, who has been re-elected in the seat of Braddon, said he was pleased to receive the draft agreement and was actively considering it. Earlier on Wednesday, he told ABC Radio Hobart the major parties needed to be open to collaboration if they wanted his support. "Well, there's a lot of talk, and then in the same breath, I hear [them say] 'We're not moving on salmon. We're not moving on native forest logging'. He said he wanted to be included in "budget repair" and the "development of policy". "Those two things, I think, are absolutely crucial with the talk of compromise and working together. "We have to be at the table to have input into that, I think." Other crossbenchers have not yet responded to the ABC. But on Monday, Mr George, who will represent Franklin, posted a video on Facebook in which he suggested the major parties needed to be more flexible in their approach with crossbenchers. "One area of concern is that Labor and Liberal seem to have drawn lines in the sand, saying we won't talk about this, we are going to insist on that," Mr George said. "Well, that's not how minority government works, that' certainly not how collaboration works. "So, a slight warning there, but we will deal with this down the track." A spokesperson said Labor was "working on a similar document but won't be releasing anything publicly before consulting with the cross bench and receiving their feedback". On election night, the party's leader, Dean Winter, indicated he would try to form a minority government if Mr Rockliff was unable to garner enough support from the crossbench.
News.com.au
30 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Jury to deliberate after Kiama MP's eight-week trial
A jury deciding the fate of a former NSW minister accused of assault are expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday morning. Gareth Ward, the NSW independent MP for Kiama, was charged in March 2022 with three counts of assault with act of indecency, an alternative charge of common assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. In the Darlinghurst District Court on Tuesday, Judge Kara Shead SC finished her summing up of the case, and reminded the jury the onus of burden to prove each of the counts remains on the prosecution. After eight weeks of evidence, the jury are expected to begin their deliberations on Wednesday morning. In her closing address, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles told the jury it is 'not a coincidence' that two men came forward with similar allegations. However, defence barrister David Campbell SC told the jury the crown had not discharged the burden it has in either of the two complainant's cases. The barrister urged the jury to find the MP not guilty on all counts. Mr Ward is alleged of assaulting a man, who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault at Mr Ward's South Coast home in February 2013. It is also alleged the MP sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015. The 43-year-old was charged by police in March 2022. Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward was a councillor on the Shoalhaven Council before becoming the Liberal member for Kiama in 2011, a seat he has held since. He also held the role of NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services for just over two years.
