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ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Trump's tariffs given reprieve
Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM. I'm Samantha Donovan coming to you from the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. Tonight, Donald Trump's tariffs remain in place after another court ruling. But the uncertainty about his trade agenda continues. Also, health experts warning a new strain of COVID is spreading across the country. And Inala Springs calls for an independent investigation into the death of a disabled Indigenous man in police custody. Thalia Anthony: There are concerns in the community about police investigating police. And I think the only way to change this record is to do something different. Samantha Donovan: Donald Trump's tariff regime has been given a reprieve after a US federal court ruled the import taxes will remain in place while it considers an appeal by the White House. A US trade court had blocked the tariffs by deciding the President had exceeded his authority in imposing them. Mr Trump has continued to rail against that decision, declaring it was a threat to the country and would quote, completely destroy presidential power. Luke Radford reports. Luke Radford: A lot can happen in a day, including yet another twist in the battle over Donald Trump's tariffs. A Manhattan court struck them down yesterday, arguing the power to levy tariffs in this case belongs to Congress, not the President. But after the Trump administration launched an appeal, the federal court has temporarily reinstated them. Something White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quick to celebrate. Karoline Leavitt: The courts should have no role here. There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision-making process. America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges. Luke Radford: It's important to note that the administration hasn't actually won its appeal. The courts just decided the tariffs can stay while that's being figured out. And despite what the White House says, experts say the court does have a role here. Nick Ackerman is a former assistant US attorney and was a member of the Watergate prosecution team. Nick Ackerman: I think ultimately, if you read the opinion, it's pretty well written, it's well reasoned. I think it's going to be affirmed by the Federal Circuit Court and most likely to be confirmed by the Supreme Court. I mean, I've been saying for a long time that this act just doesn't give him the power to impose the kinds of tariffs that he was imposing and doing it the way he did. Luke Radford: In the meantime, the US is continuing its negotiations with other countries. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent told Fox News while discussions with China have stalled, yesterday's decision has had no notable impact. Scott Bessent: They are coming to us in good faith and trying to complete the deals before the 90-day pause ends. So we've seen no change in their attitude in the past 48 hours. As a matter of fact, I have a very large Japanese delegation coming to my office first thing tomorrow morning. Luke Radford: It's a small victory in what has been a tough week for the president. On Wednesday local time, he reacted angrily after he was asked about a new acronym coined on Wall Street. TACO. Short for Trump Always Chickens Out. Donald Trump: And in many ways, I think we really helped China tremendously because, you know, they were having great difficulty because we were basically going cold turkey with China. We were doing no business because of the tariff, because it was so high. But don't ever say what you said. That's a nasty question. Luke Radford: While this case is going to appeal, it's unlikely to be the end of the legal challenges. Another case lodged by 13 US states is still underway. Dan Rayfield is attorney general of Oregon. Dan Rayfield: When you have a president who thinks that you're above the law and above following the laws and is trying to corral power in this way, that is one of the most undemocratic things you can do. The Constitution of the United States gives the power to set tariffs solely to our Congress. Congress then delegates some of that power to the president. So it's not even his role. If we are going to have a healthy democracy long term, you have to have a president that is willing to follow your constitution. He takes an oath. You got to follow it. You got to take it seriously. Luke Radford: The White House says it has other ways of levying tariffs, even if this case goes against them. Samantha Donovan: Luke Radford reporting. Well up until the last couple of weeks, the financial markets have swung wildly after Donald Trump's every utterance on tariffs. Recent reaction to the President's trade policy shifts has been more muted though. Australian Justin Wolfers is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He told our business correspondent David Taylor, tariffs are now a sideshow to a much greater concern for the international community. Justin Wolfers: The Constitution gives the power over tariffs to Congress, not the White House. Now over the years, Congress has given some of that power, handed it off to the White House, but only in a very limited and constrained way. So a simple reading of the rules would say the President can't do this. So in order to have across the board tariffs or what he calls reciprocal tariffs on every country in the world, he's had to call it a national emergency and invoke the Emergency Powers Act, which is interesting, first of all, because that act says nothing about tariffs. And secondly, there's no emergency. The so-called emergencies, the US has trade deficits with many countries. Bilateral trade deficits are not themselves a problem. So it's been in the works that this was going to get knocked down and it finally hit court last night. The court said this is quite clearly unconstitutional. It was a three judge panel, an Obama judge, a Reagan judge, and a Trump judge. So it seems like a pretty clear decision. So that all seemed pretty clear until the US federal government, the Trump administration, filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals unsurprisingly agreed to hear the case. And while it's waiting to get its work done, so while they're reading the documents and so on, it decided to stay, that is to say reinstate the Trump tariffs. All of this is going to be on a pretty expedited schedule. So within a couple of weeks, they're going to come back with their decision. If, as I expect, they find this to be unconstitutional, then the tariffs will be back off again. Then we'll be off to the Supreme Court. We'll see the same drama play out one more time. And then what happens after that is what's really interesting. Because this is saying you can't have across the board tariffs, but recall Congress delegates certain tariff powers to the White House. And it turns out there's a lot of other statutory authorities that they could use. They're a little narrower. And so for instance, that's why the tariffs on steel and aluminium and cars are going to persist because they did not come through this overreach. And it would be easy to get further tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals and so on. So my guess is the White House lawyers are just going to find other ways of creating international trade havoc. David Taylor: That kind of goes to my next question though, Justin Wolfers, based on your understanding of recent history and Donald Trump, what is, and I know this is a very complicated and difficult question to answer, but where is Donald, where would you think that Donald Trump's mind is at? What do you think his next move is likely to be? Justin Wolfers: His lawyers will be telling him as of this afternoon, Mr. President, the statutory authority we were using will come under question. But if you want to push ahead with tariffs, I've got lots of other ways that you can do it. My guess based on past history is he'll say that's terrific. Let's keep going. David Taylor: Given that, and given how much you know that financial markets can't stand uncertainty, the market reaction, the financial markets reaction over the past 24 hours, I would describe as being quite muted compared to... Justin Wolfers: I agree. David Taylor: Yeah, why? Why? Justin Wolfers: Yeah, I've given this a lot of thought. So the S&P 500 rose one and a half percent when this was announced. That's quite muted given that the day that Trump... So, and this announced all of these tariffs are illegal and they're off. Compare that to seven days after Liberation Day when Trump announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs that led US stocks to rise by about 9%, like six times more for a pause as opposed to it's unconstitutional and you can't do it. So a few thoughts here. One is perhaps this is markets betting that this is going to be overturned at a later point. Another possibility is markets, even if markets don't think it's going to be overturned, and I don't think it's going to be overturned, I think the use of the Emergency Powers Act will be ruled unconstitutional. But even so, Trump has other ways of imposing tariffs. So I suspect that this is markets understanding someone's getting in the way of Trump creating tariffs the way he wants to, but he's probably just going to come back and do it a different way. If you're really interested in this, I'm going to give you one more interpretation. So the markets were incredibly volatile in early April when he announced Liberation Day tariffs, they tanked. When he paused, they soared. They acted like this was a huge thing. Now there's two interpretations of that. One, markets believe that tariffs are so fundamentally important to the profitability of American businesses they have no choice but to rise and fall dramatically every time something happens. If that were true, then you would have thought that the Supreme Court making it unconstitutional should have caused markets to absolutely soar today, and they merely rose a little. So the other possibility is that the original policy announcement was so incoherent, so poorly thought through, so dramatic, so unconstitutional on its face, so absurd, so much overreach in both the economic, political, and legal domains that it signalled an administration that's out of control, and that could do a lot of damage. And so maybe that's what markets were learning in early April. They reacted a little bit to tariffs and a huge amount to learning that this is an economically unhelpful administration. And if that's the case, then all that we learned today, when the courts say Trump wasn't allowed to do tariffs in a particular way, you're only going to see a small reaction because it's still true that the White House is full of lunatics, and that still weighs on people's minds. Samantha Donovan: Professor Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan. He was speaking with our business correspondent, David Taylor. Well back to Australia now and in the Northern Territory, police have ruled out an independent investigation of the death of an Indigenous man in their custody this week. 24-year-old Kumunjai White was disabled and in state care. He died after being arrested in an Alice Springs supermarket for suspected theft. His family held a vigil there today and they're adamant his death must be investigated by someone other than the NT police. Myles Houlbrook-Walk reports. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: In the same aisles of the supermarket where Kumunjai White died, his family today have held a vigil mourning the loss of the 24-year-old Waltbury man. Ned Hargraves: No more. No more! We are saying enough is enough! Hear our words. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: His grandfather, Ned Hargrave, spoke of sorrow for his family and the remote Aboriginal community of Yundamoo in Central Australia where Kumunjai White was from before moving to supported accommodation for his disabilities in Alice Springs. Earlier this week, several senior Waltbury leaders had called for an independent investigation. Ned Hargraves: We want justice for my jaja, my grandson. I'm sure there is another way, another better way of dealing with things, dealing with people. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Robin Japanagka Granites called for those in the supermarket when Kumunjai White died to come forward to assist the investigation. Robin Japanagka Granites: When we get everyone together, we need everyone to tell us what had happened. The truth will tell us and get us all back to normal. And in a normal way, we will talk to each other and tell us what can we do about it. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: There's been limited detail so far about the nature of the arrest. Northern Territory Police have said the young Waltbury man was placing items down the front of his clothes at the Cole's supermarket in Alice Springs when he was confronted by security guards. Two police officers in plain clothes were in the supermarket at the time and restrained the man. One person who says they were an eyewitness and asked to remain anonymous told the ABC they heard a lot of shouting and a lot of commotion. Opinion: What it was, I can't be sure, but yeah, it looked pretty violent. And then, yeah, they slammed into the ground. There's just like lots of shouting. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: As for calls for an independent investigation, they were today rejected by Police Commissioner Martin Dole, who in a statement confirmed he'd spoken to both officers. He extended sincere condolences to the family, friends and community of the man who died. He contacted both officers directly involved in the incident on Tuesday evening and understood the high level of public interest in the matter. However, said he would respectfully reject calls for the investigation to be handed to an external body. The statement went on to say. Martin Dole: This incident is being investigated by the major crime division which operates under strict protocols and with full transparency. The investigation will also be independently reviewed by the NT coroner who has broad powers to examine all aspects of the incident and make findings without interference. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Thalia Anthony is a professor of law at the University of Technology, Sydney. Thalia Anthony: There are concerns in the community about police investigating police. We know for Aboriginal people that has not given them a sense of justice or accountability. And I think the only way to change this record is to do something different. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: She says the nature of the man's arrest, given his disability, needs to be closely examined. Thalia Anthony: Given that he was already under state care, I think it's going to be asked by the coroner, why did he get to this situation where he was in a supermarket allegedly hiding food? And then that triggered not only the security officer to get involved, but also the police to get involved. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Thalia Anthony pointed to the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody and its findings regarding the importance of independent oversight of police. Thalia Anthony: The 1991 Royal Commission to Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was concerned with reinvestigating 99 Aboriginal deaths in custody because of the flawed nature of police investigating police. And so one of their most strident recommendations was that within 48 hours, an officer attached to the coroner should investigate the root cause of a death in custody. And the imminence of this investigation was essential. Samantha Donovan: Law Professor Thalia Anthony from the University of Technology, Sydney. Myles Houlbrook-Walk, the reporter. This is PM. I'm Samantha Donovan. You can hear all our programs live or later on the ABC Listen app. Ahead, Australians urge to get booster jabs as a new COVID variant sweeps the country. Dr Lara Herrero: It is now really being seen all over the world at various degrees. And there is a bit of a prediction that this might start taking over other strains. So this is why the WHO is saying, oh, we just need to keep an eye on this one. Samantha Donovan: Up to eight people have been detained by Border Protection Authorities after reaching a remote part of the Northern Territory coast by boat. They were found walking near the town of Maningrida, east of Darwin. The ABC understands they're Chinese nationals. Their arrival has set off another stoush between the government and opposition over border security. Andrew Green is the ABC's Defence Correspondent. Andrew, what can you tell us about these people who've arrived in Australia? Andrew Greene: These details have started emerging in perhaps the past 24 hours or so, but what we have established is that earlier this week on Tuesday, authorities in a remote part of the Northern Territory in Arnhem Land, around 500 kilometres east of Darwin, were alerted to the presence of a group of men believed to be from China who had made their way onto the Australian mainland in a very remote part of the northern coast of Australia. But they were detected and then apprehended by authorities. And then a day later, another two men, also believed to have come to Australia from China originally, were spotted by some local rangers and they too, we understand, are now in the custody of the Australian Border Force, but their precise location is not known. Samantha Donovan: Have the authorities had much to say about their arrival, Andrew? Andrew Greene: Following their usual course of action, they've said very little. In fact, in a statement, the Australian Border Force tells the ABC that it does not either confirm or deny operations or comment on them. But what we have established is that authorities are yet to locate a boat that may have taken these people to Australia. Now that points to a few things. It suggests that perhaps they were dropped off close to the mainland by perhaps even an Indonesian fishing vessel or by another party that's brought them to Australia. Apart from that though, very little known. We know that it's up to eight individuals who are, we believe most of them are from China, but that is of course not confirmed by the authorities. Samantha Donovan: And what's been the reaction from politicians? Andrew Greene: Well, the newly appointed Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Andrew Hastie, has said that this is another example of the underinvestment by the Albanese government in border protection. The fact that a boat carrying unauthorised arrivals had made it to the Australian mainland. And in response to that, the Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, took aim at his new opposition counterpart. And he said that two days into the job, Andrew Hastie had already helped the cause of people smugglers by making those comments. So while not officially commenting on whether the arrivals had happened at all, Tony Burke did take a swing at his opponent. Samantha Donovan: Andrew Greene is the ABC's Defence Correspondent. A new strain of COVID-19 is surging in Australia and accounting for a large portion of cases across the country. Called NB 1.8.1, the variant is now the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong. Medical experts say it's a timely reminder for people here to get their booster vaccines. Kimberly Price has more. Kimberley Price: While many Australians will have thought COVID-19 was a thing of the past, a new variant of the virus has been detected across Australia and abroad. Dr Lara Herrero is a virologist at Griffith University. Dr Lara Herrero: So our new variant is NB 1.8.1, that's a mouthful and aren't all these variants named ridiculously I have to say. Kimberley Price: The World Health Organisation has declared the strain a variant under monitoring after it was first detected in January. Dr Herrero says NB 1.8.1 is now the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong. Dr Lara Herrero: It is now really being seen all over the world at various degrees and there is a bit of a prediction that this might start taking over other strains but this is early days for that so we'll just have to wait and see how that goes. But the new variant has come from a long range of lines and it's a descendant of JN1 which is what our current vaccines are actually made of. Kimberley Price: And it's made an impact here in Australia. Currently, the new variant makes up more than 40% of total COVID cases tested in Victoria. It's about 25% in Western Australia and New South Wales, about 20% in Queensland and less than 10% in South Australia. More than five years on from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Herrero says there are still regular infections. Dr Lara Herrero: We've got particular mutations that are in the spike protein that seems to be making it easier for this virus to attach to our cells and it seems to be making this virus evade our antibodies a little bit better. So this is why the WHO are saying we just need to keep an eye on this one. Kimberley Price: The mutation of COVID-19 is not a new phenomenon. Professor Paul Griffin is the Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane. Prof Paul Griffin: This is what COVID has done many times and will keep doing. It's changed again and this new sub-variant has some properties that are a little bit concerning. We've seen cases go up potentially as a result. So it's really a timely reminder that we can't just forget about COVID. It's not over and we need to keep doing the good things we did for a little while to protect each other so we get this under control again. Kimberley Price: Early reports show NB1.8.1 has a high infection rate, but existing vaccines are effective against it and it can be detected through home and lab test kits. Prof Paul Griffin: This new sub-variant, whilst different in terms of protection from immunity, still is able to be detected by our current testing. So you can get a rapid antigen test at home that will find COVID as well as flu and RSV. Keep in mind though that at home tests aren't quite as good as a lab-based test. So if you have symptoms and your RAT is negative, still consider getting a laboratory-based test. Kimberley Price: However, in the past six months, less than 7% of adults have received a COVID vaccine according to federal data. Prof Paul Griffin: There was a new COVID booster that came out late last year and that looks to still provide excellent protection against this new sub-variant. So it's still going to keep working really well. The single biggest thing that determines what sort of symptoms you get or how sick you are is whether you're vaccinated or not. Kimberley Price: Health Minister Mark Butler is encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and get a booster shot. Mark Butler: I do encourage, particularly as we head into winter, for people to think about the last time they got a COVID vaccine. If it's more than six months since you had your last booster, if you're 65 to 74, if it's more than 12 months, and for everyone else, have a serious think. I've just got my booster over the last couple of weeks and I think that puts me in a good position. Kimberley Price: For Melbourne woman Maddy Ruskin, a new variant of COVID-19 is worrying. Maddy Ruskin: COVID can affect people regardless if they have pre-existing issues or not. So it makes me worried about the future of people's health because I wouldn't want anyone to end up like what I've been through. Kimberley Price: Maddy Ruskin has been chronically ill since she was 15 years old, but contracting COVID-19 in 2022 changed everything for her. Maddy Ruskin: I was experiencing symptoms that I'd never had before, developed allergies that I'd never had before, and my quality of life has really plummeted. It's been a really hard adjustment. I was used to being sick, but this is pretty severe. Kimberley Price: Now living with long COVID, Maddy Ruskin hopes more people think about their health by wearing a mask and getting booster vaccines. Maddy Ruskin: Don't risk your life. Don't risk the life that you enjoy living because just one infection, I only had one infection and just one infection can completely change your life. Kimberley Price: COVID-19 vaccines are free for all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card. Samantha Donovan: Kimberly Price. And that's PM for this week. Thanks to producers David Sparkes and Gavin Coote. Technical production by Joram Toth, Nick Dracoulis and David Sergent. I'm Samantha Donovan. I hope you have a happy and safe weekend. Good night.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Four dead in NSW floods
Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM. I'm Samantha Donovan, coming to you from the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. Tonight, as floodwaters make their way slowly downstream in New South Wales, authorities are working to resupply isolated communities. Also, the Liberal Party agrees in principle to the National's policy demands and a native Australian orchid wins gold at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Prof Kingsley Dixon: It's extraordinary to see these little blue Aussie orchids shining and people think they're the most amazing things. Samantha Donovan: We begin tonight with the flood disaster in New South Wales. Four deaths are confirmed so far. Thousands of homes are without power and many residents remain stranded in an area stretching from the state's central coast up to Grafton in the Northern Rivers region. The rain has eased in that area but an enormous logistical operation is underway. Getting supplies of food, water and other essentials into isolated communities is a major priority for authorities and on top of that the risk to lives remains. Alison Xiao filed this report. Alison Xiao: In Port Macquarie about 300 kilometres north of Sydney, locals like Dale Jordan are helping bring supplies to neighbours who've been stranded. Dale Jordan: We've got a lot of the locals on the north shore who need just basic supplies like water, eggs, milk, alcohol obviously. So we've got some local guys here, local oyster farmers and boaties who are actually willing to go over in the waters. Alison Xiao: Others in the town like Julie Norman are still cut off from their homes by floodwaters and running low on supplies. Julie Norman: We have no power now and we have no internet of course but I can still use a gas stove and we're having lots of Suimins. Yes, noodles. Probably till Sunday we've got milk in the cupboard, long life milk, Vegemite. So we all have Vegemite sandwich early. Alison Xiao: She dealt with similar floods four years ago and is waiting anxiously for waters to recede so she can check on her home. Julie Norman: If it starts receding now and it looks like it, my house might be saved. Last time I lost all my photographs, my family albums and everything so I've put them up high before I left the house. Then last time I lost everything so I know what to expect. Alison Xiao: Further south but inland from the coast, fifth generation dairy farmer James McRae is counting himself lucky he hasn't lost any livestock but many of his neighbours in Barrington haven't been as fortunate. Mr McRae says many farmers who can't get back to their properties are feeling anxious about their animals. James McRae: We've heard stories of farms losing all of their young stock, calves and heifers and stuff. There have been dairies and are currently dairies that are out of action and they haven't been able to milk the cows and those cows are in a real state at the moment which is really hard for the farmers, incredibly mentally difficult for the farmers. Alison Xiao: Although the intense rainfall has eased in some of the worst hit towns including Taree and Kempsey, authorities are urging people to take care with dozens of emergency warnings still in place. Many main roads are also still cut off by flood water or landslips. The Premier Chris Minns says it still might not be safe to venture out. Chris Minns: We're asking people to look at the app rather than the sky to make a determination about whether it's safe to go home or to use your local roads. Alison Xiao: There have been four confirmed deaths in these floods but the Premier says without the work of emergency services performing more than 600 flood rescues the death toll could have been far worse. Chris Minns: Without the SES, without the volunteers we would have had hundreds of deaths and we're in deep deep gratitude to those people who volunteered their time or work for emergency services. Alison Xiao: The SES Commissioner Mike Wassing says the focus of the response is starting to shift. Mike Wassing: Recognising the tempo that we're starting to see that is slowly decreasing the rescue operations that is allowing our resupply focus to turn to those people that have been very patient and I appreciate the community's patience where you have been isolated that we're actually able to focus more on our resupply. Alison Xiao: Cameron Anderson is an emergency management specialist from La Trobe University and was a volunteer firefighter in the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. He says there are many priorities that authorities are balancing. Cameron Anderson: People who are cut off from supplies are always a concern. Food and medication is another one that can run down quite quickly that can cause people who are otherwise vulnerable to become even more so after emergency and they can be a real challenge ensuring they get the support they need. The other challenges with floods can be the damage to infrastructure so we can have power and access to clean water can be cut off. Alison Xiao: He says both residents and volunteers are feeling weary. Cameron Anderson: We're seeing particularly with climate change we're seeing these disaster events happening more severely. We rely very heavily on volunteer emergency services in Australia and they're already seeing some challenges with getting enough members to undertake their workload. So it can put you know quite a burden on them and be quite a challenge when it comes to balancing those things. Alison Xiao: Cameron Anderson says there's still a long road ahead. Cameron Anderson: A lot of the challenge with floods comes from the fact that you know unlike fires and some of the other emergencies that Australia can experience flooding is quite a long-running and quite a dirty emergency. Floods have you know once they're long lasting after the flood waters recede then communities and responders are left with mud, mould you know along with the building damage and displacement. Then you've got social recovery and you know we need to rebuild people's confidence and their place in the community and adjust them to what that new normal looks like for them. And of course then there's the challenge of building back better. Samantha Donovan: Cameron Anderson is an emergency management specialist at La Trobe Uni. That report from Alison Xiao and Myles Houlbrook-Walk. There's been another development in the rift between the federal Liberal and National parties this afternoon. In an online meeting, the Liberals have agreed in principle to four key policy demands from the Nationals. That breakthrough could clear the way for a new coalition agreement between the two sides. ABC political reporter Evelyn Manfield is in Parliament House in Canberra. Evelyn, what can you tell us about what happened in this meeting? Evelyn Manfield: Sam, the Liberal Party has agreed in principle to the four key policy demands from the Nationals. This is of course part of an effort to bring the coalition back together after what's been a very dramatic week that's played out very publicly, not just here in Canberra, but right across television screens across the country. So the four key policy demands that they've agreed to in principle are this idea to lift the moratorium on nuclear power, divestiture powers to be able to break up the big supermarkets if they abuse their market power, a major regional fund to help with things like infrastructure, and then universal phone coverage and access right across the regions. So what's happened is Susan Lee has gone back to her party today. They've given that support. What triggered this of course was yesterday the Nationals leader David Littleproud insisting that the Nationals would provide solidarity in terms of the shadow cabinet, which is what Sussan Ley had been really wanting that sort of solid agreement on. Samantha Donovan: I haven't seen any formal announcements about the outcome of this meeting and it's been a national online hook-up. Do you know if any of the four policy issues are proving more difficult for the Liberals to back? Evelyn Manfield: Yeah, we certainly haven't seen anyone stand up and speak or anything like that, as you say. But look, what we are hearing from at least one source so far is that there are still negotiations to go. So they've reached this in principle agreement, but particularly around supermarket divestiture powers and the $20 billion regional future fund, there is still more to be discussed. The future fund is really interesting because we were actually hearing from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this morning on an ABC podcast. He was raising concerns about the expense of $20 billion. He's saying, you know, when we would end up back in government or in three years time, you just don't know what sort of position the budget's going to be in. Also worth mentioning, nuclear, as I mentioned before, we understand the commitment now is to lift the moratorium on nuclear power. So very different than what was promised during the election, which of course was to build seven publicly funded power plants. Samantha Donovan: So a bit of work still to be done. What happens now in terms of talks between the two sides to resume the coalition partnership? Evelyn Manfield: So Sussan Ley, the Liberal leader, will go back to her Nationals counterpart, David Littleproud. They will have further discussions. But this is certainly a step forward towards trying to get the coalition back together. And as you said, the demands from the Nationals in terms of those four key policies have now be met in principle and the Liberals are happy that they've got that agreement around shadow cabinet solidarity. Samantha Donovan: And has there been any reaction to the Liberal Party's decision yet to back those four policies, at least in principle? Evelyn Manfield: Pretty limited reaction so far. We have had Nationals Senator Matt Canavan post on social media calling it a back down from the Liberals and saying well done to his leader, David Littleproud. We have also heard from Michael McCormack, who's just spoken to the ABC, of course, a former Nationals leader as well, but still current MP. Michael McCormack: The opposition should be should be very much for those four policy areas. But we're also not in government. So you can't really enact the sorts of things that you'd like to from opposition. So what we need to do is we need to be united. We need to be strong. We need to have good policies out there to restore the faith of people that they obviously didn't have on May 3rd. Samantha Donovan: Michael McCormack is the former leader of the National Party, and I was speaking to ABC political reporter Evelyn Manfield in Parliament House in Canberra. For the first time since World War II, German troops are to be based in another country. About 5,000 soldiers make up a new unit that will be stationed in Lithuania. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the unit's purpose is to bolster the defence of Lithuania and the neighbouring Baltic republics Latvia and Estonia. Isabel Moussalli prepared this report. Isabel Moussalli: In Lithuania's capital Vilnius, soldiers march through the streets while dozens of military helicopters fly above. This is a momentous occasion, the inauguration of a new German brigade. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the crowds. Friedrich Merz: We must be able to defend ourselves against such attacks at all times. Freedom is not for free and we are aware of our own responsibility. Isabel Moussalli: Germany has had troops in Lithuania since 2017, but this new unit represents a significant change as Germany works to strengthen its military in the face of Russian aggression. Lithuania borders the Russian area of Kaliningrad, which is detached from the rest of Russia, and Belarus, which is an ally to Moscow. Friedrich Merz: More than ever before, we depend on solidarity and friendship among liberal democracies. Peace in Europe has been broken. Each and every day, Russia is violating the order that we collectively adopted as a lesson from the horrors of the Second World War. With a criminal war of aggression against Ukraine, but also with attacks and murders in numerous European cities, with acts of espionage and sabotage. Isabel Moussalli: On these Lithuanian streets, residents take a closer look at the tanks moving through their neighbourhood. This man welcomes their arrival. Opinion: It really gives us more safety, more precaution and we are just, as a country, we are more ready about it. So I'm very happy that Germans are here. I'm very happy that my country is collaborating with Germany. Isabel Moussalli: But another resident, Nicole Zinkova, has mixed feelings. Nicole Zinkova: You need to defend yourself, so this is important to have. But at the same moment, it makes me sad pretty much, because we need it. Isabel Moussalli: Maria Rost Rublee is a professor of international relations at the University of Melbourne. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: This is pretty historic. This is the first time since World War II that Germany is going to have a permanent foreign troop deployment. And it's historic because of course, World War II, you know, the German loss and concerns about German aggression. Germany had taken a very low profile in terms of defence and military spending. But now, with concerns about Russia's aggression, you know, Germany has taken on a new role. Isabel Moussalli: While it may be a significant move, Professor Rublee says it's not significant in terms of numbers. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: Essentially, this is a German brigade, which is about 5,000 troops and supporting civilians. And so it's not as though that this is going to turn the tide against any Russian invasion if Russia did decide to invade Lithuania. But what this says is that Germany is taking on a new role that sees that Lithuania's security is German security, that NATO security is German security, and that they're essentially going to, you know, stand up and move past the backseat role that it's been taking in defence and security for a long time. Isabel Moussalli: And this isn't the only change. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: Another historic first in terms of defence and security for Germany. They've just amended the country's basic law, essentially their constitution, allowing them to exempt defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules. And so Germany is taking on a much more, a much more leadership role in Europe in terms of defence spending, military positioning and thinking as well. Isabel Moussalli: The new unit is expected to reach its full strength by the end of 2027. Samantha Donovan: Isabel Moussalli reporting. Australian students are caught up in a battle between Harvard University and the American President Donald Trump. His administration has banned the university from enrolling international students because it claims the prestigious Ivy League school isn't doing enough to protect Jewish students on campus. It's also accusing Harvard of being sympathetic to the Chinese Communist Party. Harvard says the ban on international students is unlawful and an attack on academia. Luke Radford has more. Luke Radford: Graduating from university can be an emotional time with uncertainty about what comes next. But when you're also at risk of being deported, the anxiety is even higher. Sarah Davis: It's obviously an incredibly stressful time for many of us. Luke Radford: Sarah Davis is president of the Harvard Australia and New Zealand Student Society. Like many other students at the world famous university, she's just five days away from graduation. But that's the least of her concerns. Sarah Davis: We actually rely on Harvard sponsoring our working rights after we graduate from the university. So those of us who are about to graduate in five days are currently in limbo about whether or not we'd be able to accept our jobs that we've all got lined up for after graduation. Luke Radford: The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students, all six and a half thousand of them. The administration says this is a direct result of Harvard allowing anti-American pro-terrorist agitators to assault Jewish students on campus, as well as accusations the university hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group. But the Trump administration says it will reverse the decision if Harvard provides all records including audio or video footage of foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activities on campus. The university has called this action unlawful. The president's Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News other institutions should take note. Kristi Noem: There should be a warning to every other university to get your act together because we are coming to make sure that these programs, that you are facilitating an environment where students can learn, where they're safe and that they're not discriminated against based on their race or their religion. Luke Radford: There are those who support the ban, such as Jay Greene, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank who wrote the Project 2025 manifesto. Jay Greene: So I don't believe it's illegal. Again, foreign student visas are a privilege, not an entitlement. In particular, students cannot enter the United States if they provide support for designated terrorist organisations. Luke Radford: If the ban goes through, international students at Harvard will have two choices. Find another American university or leave the country. Former Harvard student Stephanie Pow says she was shocked to hear about the ban. Stephanie Pow: If you're already on campus, I think you'd be worried about what that means for you if you're thinking about applying. It might actually make you think twice about applying to Harvard, but also potentially other universities in the US if the rules can change like that so quickly. You might actually look elsewhere and to other prestigious universities in other countries. Luke Radford: Most students could look somewhere else, like Australia. Professor Peter Hurley is director of the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University. Prof Peter Hurley: International students usually have two types of points. They're often after they finish high school, so that would be, say, going to university. So there's always a new cohort coming up and then often in the kind of graduate area. So I think those cohorts, those groups, are going, OK, I won't do that. But I can imagine a lot of Australians are saying the same thing about travel to America at the moment because of that kind of uncertainty. Luke Radford: All this has alarmed members of the academic community, both in the US and abroad. Brian Schmidt is former vice-chancellor of Australian National University, a Nobel laureate and a Harvard alumnus. Brian Schmidt: It's more than sad. It's scary. I have lived my entire life in a period of time where within our Western democracies, our lives have gotten better and better. It's been largely secure and we are literally looking at going back into the dark ages here where we're going to go backwards, where we're going to have conflicts, where there is no way our children are going to have lives as good as we had. And I find that very scary. Luke Radford: The international student ban is likely to be challenged in the US Supreme Court. Samantha Donovan: That report from Luke Radford and Kimberley Price. Well, let's have some good news now. A display of a rare Australian orchid has been awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London. The Great Sun orchid only grows in parts of southern Australia and flowers between September and December. It was its first appearance at what is regarded by many as the world's top horticultural event. Kingsley Dixon is a professor of botany at the University of Western Australia and organised the Great Sun orchid display. Speaking from London, he told me the gold medal was unexpected. Prof Kingsley Dixon: It's extraordinary to see these little blue Aussie orchids shining brightly and people think they're the most amazing things and people keep saying, oh my god, you have blue orchids in Australia and I said, no, we have a lot more than that. So I think it's just our little Aussie native plant battlers that are actually winning the day. So it's been an extraordinary feeling and makes you very proud to be an Australian. Samantha Donovan: So they're blue. Tell us a little bit more about what a Great Sun orchid looks like. Prof Kingsley Dixon: These are sun orchids. We had to source them from a colleague in Germany who I've worked with for about 40 years because we, of course, our orchids don't flower for another five or six months in Australia. And he just happened to have some which we managed to get over. And they're sun orchids, which of course someone said to me at the display before we were setting up and he said, you brought sun orchids to London. That's very brave because they need warm sunny conditions to flower. But they've turned it on inside the massive marquee at the Chelsea exhibit and do look amazing against that beautiful backdrop of the Australian bush. Samantha Donovan: And what were some of the comments or observations of all those crowds at the Chelsea Flower Show? Prof Kingsley Dixon: Just disbelief. We had, of course, the message that we're giving through the display is the urgent need for global orchid conservation and particularly in Australia, as we know, climate change and land clearing and continued impacts like weeds taking out this extraordinary orchid flora. And that's right through temperate Australia and through the tropics. But the comments are just disbelief. They all want to come and see them now. So look out Australia. Our orchids are now centre stage in people's minds. Samantha Donovan: Orchid tourism might take off. Professor Dixon, you mentioned the importance of conservation. Apart from looking good, what is the importance of the orchid and similar Australian orchids to the environment? Prof Kingsley Dixon: So orchids are amazing. The best way to describe them is they're the canary in the mine. They really tell you, are you doing well or are you doing badly? Orchids are the first thing often to depart when your bushland, your ecosystem begins to collapse. I've worked on them all my life and have watched them dwindle to nothing, including in places, wonderful places like Kings Park in Perth, which has 300 hectares of bushland. So they really say well ahead, things are not good. And I always say to all of my research students and the communities, including indigenous communities, if we can get the orchids right, the rest of the ecosystem will follow. So they really are the profits of how well you're doing with managing bushland. And there are many areas where we're now succeeding with orchids, but the journey is a very long one and a very complicated one. And we're looking to Australian mums and dads and school kids to join us in the fight forward so that we have our own Chelseas in everyone's backyard across Australia. Samantha Donovan: Professor Dixon, I know someone else who's interested in orchid conservation is King Charles. Did he stop by your orchid display? Prof Kingsley Dixon: The Royals came on Monday. Queen Camilla in particular! I was not at the display because they restrict the numbers. So we had one of our anchor people at the display for security reasons and she was there for a very long time and very interested. And we are having discussions with them about what might happen next year. So it is, he loves his meadow orchids at his place at Highgrove, which are British orchids and wants to see more meadow orchids in Britain. And so I think we've really got the patron of orchid conservation there already. Samantha Donovan: Kingsley Dixon is a professor of botany at the University of Western Australia. And that's PM for this week. PM's producer is David Sparkes. Technical production by Joram Toth, David Sergent and Nick Dracoulis. I'm Samantha Donovan. I hope you have a great weekend. Good night.
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Europe invites Australia to join security pact
Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM. I'm Samantha Donovan, coming to you from the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. Tonight, Australia considering an invitation from the EU to be part of a new security pact. Also, the Liberal and National parties grappling with the direction of their energy policies and a West Australian police officer hunts down a freshly fallen meteorite. Marcus Scott: The dead giveaway was obviously the impact it made in the ground. But then the other giveaways is the dark sort of outer layer of the meteorite, obviously from its when it's heated up and burnt coming through the atmosphere. Samantha Donovan: First this evening, the Prime Minister says Australia is prepared to consider a proposal from the European Union to enter into a defence and security pact. The matter was raised with Mr Albanese by the European Commission's president during his visit to Rome for the Pope's inauguration mass. International politics experts say it's part of a push by world leaders to strengthen ties outside their regions as the United States becomes less reliable under President Trump. Kathleen O'Connor filed this report. Kathleen O'Connor: With world leaders in Rome for the Pope's inauguration mass, they took the opportunity to discuss politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealing a possible deal with one of our closest allies. Anthony Albanese: We're up for a deal with the European Union. We support free and fair trade, but not any deal at any price. We're up for a deal that's in Australia's national interest. Kathleen O'Connor: As the Prime Minister sat down with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen to discuss trade and defence, Australia was given an invitation to boost security ties with Europe. Ursula Von Der Leyen: Australia and Europe are reliable partners. We're predictable. We share the same values as you just said. So we can offer to each other stability. And we're very grateful for that. And this is the reason also that we do not only see you as a trading partner, but we see you as a strategic partner. And we would very much like to broaden this strategic partnership. Kathleen O'Connor: But what that strategic partnership might look like has experts guessing. Paul Dibb is Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University Strategic and Defence Study Centre and former Deputy Secretary of Defence. Professor Paul Dibb: I think for Europe it's good. They're waking up to the fact at long last that under President Trump and maybe whoever might be his successor, America cannot be lent on and guaranteed that it will come to the rescue of Europe going to war with Russia. And that is a dramatic change. Kathleen O'Connor: There's limited detail on what is being proposed in the defence pact, but Professor Paul Dipp says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese needs to think carefully. Professor Paul Dibb: I think we shouldn't con ourselves into thinking that all of a sudden Europe is treating Asia, our part of the world, as equally important as to us. It is true that we should do our bit for Ukraine in terms of training their troops, giving them some tanks and other equipment that we no longer have use for. But who actually believes that in a formal security treaty with Europe that if America goes to war with China over Taiwan and we're with the Americans for argument's sake, who believes any of the Europeans, the French, the Germans, the British are going to come to fight on our side against China. I think we would fool ourselves. Kathleen O'Connor: He says Australia needs to keep its options open. Professor Paul Dibb: I think we have to recognise, however privately and carefully we handle it, that the United States can no longer be lent on, as it has been for the last 70 or 80 years by us, as inevitably come into our assistance no matter what conflicts we get into. That is the past. This is the future. And I think we have to wake up to the fact that we need to be able to handle our own region of primary strategic concern. That is a dramatic change of view for Australia. It is revolutionary. Kathleen O'Connor: Expert on international politics and foreign policy at Deakin University, Emeritus Professor Damien Kingsbury agrees. Professor Damien Kingsbury: Australia's relationship with the United States as its main security guarantor has been put under a bit of a question mark in recent times. So it has been discussed that perhaps Australia does need to broaden its security relationships, certainly within the Asian region, but possibly also further abroad, including with Europe. Kathleen O'Connor: Anthony Albanese also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reassuring him that a fleet of second-hand Abrams tanks promised to Ukraine last year are now on their way. But one US defence official says America is frustrated by the donation. They told the ABC, We are starting to doubt if the Ukrainians actually want these vehicles. The tank roof is the weakest point of the Abrams, and this is a drone war. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is defending the condition of the tanks and dodging questions on the timing. Richard Marles: We are confident about the performance of these vehicles and their utility for Ukraine going forward. It's why we were really pleased to be able to make this contribution to Ukraine in their ongoing war with Russia. The first tranche has been on their way now for some time, but I'm not going to go into the specific details of that for obvious reasons. Samantha Donovan: The Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Kathleen O'Connor with that report. The future of the Liberal and National Party's nuclear energy policy remains unclear as they consider whether to enter into a new coalition agreement. The National's leader David Littleproud has reiterated his view today that nuclear must be part of the energy mix if the nation is to reach its net zero target. But after their dire election results, it seems many in the Liberal Party are unconvinced by his argument. Myles Houlbrook-Walk has more. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Once again, internal politics within the Nationals and Liberals is focused on energy policy. Nationals leader David Littleproud this morning telling Channel 7 any energy policy aiming to reach international climate targets would need to include nuclear power. David Littleproud: I think you can't get to net zero without nuclear energy now, whether it's specifically the policy that we took around government owned or whether it's simply removing the moratorium. I think you have to be pragmatic. You cannot do an all renewables approach and keep the economy going. And we're starting to feel that. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: The comments come just days after Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, now part of the Liberal Party room, made the same claim to the Australian newspaper. She also questioned whether the target of net zero is something Australia should still pursue. That's in stark contrast to what her senior Liberal colleague Jane Hume has told Sky News today. Jane Hume: The electorate has sent us a very clear message what it is that they want in their government. Abandoning net zero I don't necessarily think is consistent with that. That's a discussion for the party room. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Anne Ruston the deputy Liberal leader in the Senate, conceded in an interview with the ABC yesterday that views in the Liberal and the National parties were not unanimous and that any agreement for the two to remain in coalition should not include guarantees on energy policies. Anne Ruston: Emissions reduction is an important part of policy going forward because energy is the economy and we need to get energy policy right. But there's no secret there is a divergence of views in our party room about how we achieve that. But right now I absolutely think the thing we need to concentrate on is making sure that people can afford their power bills. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: So would net zero emissions by 2050 require nuclear power, as claimed by David Littleproud and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price? He is deputy program director of energy and climate change at the Grattan Institute, Alison Reeve. Alison Reeve: When I hear David Littleproud say that it's not possible without nuclear, I think that statement's not correct. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Alison Reeve says there's several ways to meet the targets that don't involve using nuclear power that are cheaper and quicker, including offsetting emissions. Alison Reeve: To get to net zero, we have to eliminate as much fossil fuel consumption from the economy as we possibly can. Most models of that show that you can get to sort of 85 to 95 percent renewable energy at a very low cost. It's just that very last bit that becomes very expensive and difficult to do. Most reputable estimates usually use gas for that last bit and they offset the emissions somewhere else, perhaps by planting trees or carbon capture and storage or something like that. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Ms Reeve says the process of transitioning Australia's energy grid to meet the Paris targets is urgent and a fixation on nuclear is an unhelpful distraction. Alison Reeve: I just think from the perspective of thinking about what's right for the energy system right now and what we need to get done, I don't think it's the best use of everyone's time to keep responding to and having commentary on should we or shouldn't we have nuclear. It's actually becoming a little bit self-indulgent, to be honest. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: One person who knows the delicate balance of the National and Liberal Alliance is former Liberal frontbencher Amanda Vanstone, who served in Cabinet from 1996 to 2007. Amanda Vanstone: Look you get four people in one family together, they won't order coffee the same way. Some will have a latte, some will have a cappuccino, la da da. So of course there are disagreements. But you have to find a way to work together to come to one resolution. That's just a fact of life, it's not just in politics. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: She says nuclear energy is not only something she supports, it should be prosecuted as a viable alternative to Labor's plan. Amanda Vanstone: I think we've got to focus on Australia's problems. They've got to stop looking at themselves and preening up who's going to be leader here. Who damn well cares? People are going to work, working hard. They're not interested in all that drivel. They just want the government and opposition to get damn well on with it. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Meanwhile, there's more news on the election count. In the seat of Bradfield and North Sydney, the Australian Electoral Commission has declared independent candidate Nicolette Boele the provisional winner. She's finished ahead of Liberal candidate Giselle Kapterian by the slim margin of just 40 votes at the conclusion of the count. But it doesn't end there. Because the margin is under 100 votes, there'll now be an official recount of preferences. Samantha Donovan: Myles Houlbrook-Walk, this is PM, I'm Samantha Donovan. You can hear all our programs live or later on the ABC Listen app. Ahead, Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis renews speculation about the state of his health while he was president. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the last few days, and it appears the death toll will soon rise. Israel has begun what it's calling extensive ground operations in the northern and southern parts of the enclave, and it's issued evacuation orders for several areas facing imminent attacks. Israel has also announced it will introduce, quote, a basic amount of food to Gaza, but humanitarian groups say it won't be enough. Alison Xiao filed this report. Alison Xiao: Day after day, Palestinians are mourning the dead. Gaza Resident: Every day, children are slaughtered, women die. What is their fault? What is the fault of these children? What is the fault of these women? Alison Xiao: Cookware, blankets and toys are left smouldering in the rubble in Khan Younis after an Israeli airstrike hit a camp sheltering displaced Gazans. Around 500 Palestinians have been killed in the past week, according to Gaza's health ministry. And Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced an expansion of ground operations in Gaza, sending more troops into northern and southern parts of the Strip. Benjamin Netanyahu: As we promised, we've launched a powerful campaign against Hamas, Gideon's chariots. IDF forces are simply entering with force into the Gaza Strip with a dual goal, defeating Hamas and freeing our hostages. Alison Xiao: Since the announcement, families like Abu Yassin's have fled Jabalia in the north, travelling on foot, in donkey carts or by car. Abu Yassin: For God's sake, have mercy on us. We are tired of being displaced. Alison Xiao: Israel flagged its operation a fortnight ago, but experts say the timing of this announcement is notable. Professor Yossi Mekelberg is an associate fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program in the UK. Professor Yossi Mekelberg: The timing of it has to do with President Trump leaving the region. We saw some intensification of the war while he was in the region. And part of the aim now is to push as many Palestinians as possible to a very small part of Gaza, which again will create a humanitarian disaster. Alison Xiao: Hours after the new offensive began, Israel said it would introduce, quote, a basic amount of food to the population of Gaza in what appears to be a lifting of the total blockade of aid that's lasted for 10 weeks. Omar Shakir is the Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch. Omar Shakir: It is a small but insufficient step. It's been 78 days in which the Israeli government has blocked the entry of food, of aid, of medical supplies, of water. The population is starving. Alison Xiao: Many experts agree that the aid Israel will allow in will be a drop in the ocean and comes after sustained insistence from the international community, including the US. Omar Shakir: I think the Israeli government probably has felt pressure from the international community and felt it needed to let some aid in in order to be able to continue with this otherwise horrendous military operation that portends real devastating impact on the civilian population. Alison Xiao: The expanded Israeli ground operation is unfolding as Arab states continue efforts to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas. Sharam Akbarzadeh is a professor of Middle East politics at Deakin University. He says at this point it's hard to see an agreement being reached. Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh: I think it's become very clear to all observers that Israel wishes to capture whole of Gaza strip and that that is the military operation that seems to be the objective to make life uninhabitable, unlivable for Palestinians. And Israel is expanding its military operation while engaging in peace talks. And it is really unclear what the Israeli delegation is prepared to offer. We know from the Hamas side that they are asking for permanent ceasefire and resolution of the conflict. But the Israeli side doesn't seem interested in the resolution of the conflict and it just wants to have piecemeal short term ceasefire agreements. Alison Xiao: But he says there is still hope if the international community responds. Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh: The US administration has started to see the disaster and acknowledge the disaster of Israeli policies and Israeli action. So I think the time is right for various international actors to engage with Israel and express this widely held view that its actions are completely unacceptable under international law. Alison Xiao: Negotiations are continuing in Doha with reports that Hamas is prepared to release some of the remaining 58 Israeli hostages in exchange for a 60-day truce. Samantha Donovan: Alison Xiao reporting. The news the former US President Joe Biden has cancer is prompting more speculation about the extent of his health problems in recent years. The 82-year-old has an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. The announcement of the diagnosis comes just before the release of a new book which alleges his AIDS covered up the extent of his decline while he was in the White House. Nadine Haynes reports. Former Nadine Haynes: President Joe Biden was seen by doctors last week after suffering urinary symptoms. A prostate nodule was found and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They also found that the cancer cells have spread to the bones. Professor Damian Bolton: Effectively we've got an instance here of high grade cancer that's no longer curable but there's plenty of good treatment options available in this instance. Nadine Haynes: Professor Damien Bolton is the President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. Professor Damian Bolton: You wouldn't regard it as terminal, no, but for men who've got prostate cancer that's detected when it's confined to the prostate gland, they can usually be cured purely by surgery alone. But in this instance where the cancer is known to have spread to the bones, he'll require likely radiation therapy to the secondary metastatic site as well as long-term hormone therapy. Nadine Haynes: Professor Bolton says with ongoing treatment there is a chance of survival. Professor Damian Bolton: Prostate cancer is very much amenable to treatment at all stages and with any luck this will respond well and it won't turn out to be a fatal condition for Mr Biden. But the vast majority of people who have this tumour identified at this level will require ongoing therapy lifelong. Nadine Haynes: The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians. The health of Biden, 82, was a dominant concern among voters during his time as President. After a calamitous debate performance in June when he was seeking re-election, Biden abandoned his bid for a second term in July. With just a few months to prepare, then-Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee and lost to Republican Donald Trump in the November election. Jared Mondscheine is the Director of Research at the U.S. Studies Centre. Jared Mondschein: I think Democrats are hoping that this is an opportunity for him to quietly bow out of the limelight. He is someone in the Democrats' past that they don't want the media to focus on. Instead, they want to focus on the future. Nadine Haynes: He says after their disastrous loss last year, the Democrats are looking to start afresh. Jared Mondschein: And they don't want to focus on what happened near the tail end of his administration, his wanting to run again, and the fact that they lost pretty decisively to Donald Trump, even though Joe Biden championed himself as someone who could help defeat him and keep him out of the limelight. So ultimately, this is an opportunity from many Democrats in Congress and in D.C. that they see as one for him to gracefully bow out of the limelight, citing health issues and not retake it as he had been in recent weeks. Nadine Haynes: Over the last few days, Joe Biden rejected concerns about his age, despite reporting in a new book, Original Sin, by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. The authors say his age had shielded the public from the extent of his decline while he was president. Jared Mondscheine thinks the former president's health issues were evident during his presidency, but this newly diagnosed cancer was unlikely to be one of them. Jared Mondschein: Given recent media that has come to light in the last few months in particular, that it was not any diagnosis like this that was being hidden, but instead his day-to-day condition that was less well known and more guarded by his team. Nadine Haynes: While president in 2022, Joe Biden launched an initiative called the Cancer Moonshot, with the goal of halving the cancer death rate over the next 25 years. The initiative was a continuation of his work as vice president to address a disease that had killed his oldest son, Beau. Samantha Donovan: Nadine Haynes reporting. Reports that a meteorite had landed somewhere in Western Australia a week ago has had scientists mapping out its likely path and searching the vast state for clues. But in the end, it wasn't an expert who found where it ended up, but a country police officer. And it wasn't the first time he'd tracked down a space rock. Andrew Chounding prepared this report. Marcus Scott: It's Mother's Day. We've got to start coming out here a bit later because it's six o'clock and it's dark. Andrew Chounding: In WA's Goldfields, a prospector is underwhelmed as he films the bushland around him. But that doesn't last long. Marcus Scott: I can't go prospecting yet because I get scared of snakes. Oh look, look, look, look, look, meteor. Wow. Andrew Chounding: The green flash through the sky amazed early risers all across WA's south and was even captured by surveillance cameras at the Perth Observatory. Over at Curtin University, a team dedicated to tracking meteors across Australia sprung into action. Dr Eleanor Sansom: So we caught this on a couple of our cameras last weekend and we did all of the triangulation and the biggest uncertainty for us is the wind. So that takes a little bit of time doing modelling actually on the Pawsy supercomputing facility just here. Andrew Chounding: Dr. Eleanor Samsom is with the Desert Fireball Network. Dr Eleanor Sansom: We worked out that it's fell in this area with quite a lot of salt lakes and salt lakes are perfect for recovering meteorites because of the contrast between that black outer shell of the meteorite when it's on the white salt lake. Andrew Chounding: The team shared this fall prediction on their website and soon journeyed a few hundred kilometres east of Perth, where they used a small plane to take a better look. Dr Eleanor Sansom: We were doing a grid search at the beginning just as we'd started and we saw someone actually walking out in the middle of one of these really big salt lakes. Oh my goodness, there's actually someone out searching. Oh, that's so exciting. Andrew Chounding: That someone was Ravensthorpe Police Officer Marcus Scott. Marcus Scott: Meteorite hunting is a hobby, one of the many hobbies. So, yeah, just enjoy being in the bush and enjoy walking and well, this sort of thing is a byproduct. Andrew Chounding: He's found dozens of meteorites on the Nullarbor before, but not one that's this fresh from space. It took him a tough two-hour drive to reach this spot. Marcus Scott: The only trouble is a lot of the salt lake out there has either got water in it or a lot of salt bush. That makes it a lot harder to spot, but this was in an open area and quite easy to spot. The kangaroo prints and the emu prints from a distance also look like a meteorite fall impact. So, yeah, you can find yourself wasting a lot of time chasing after them. Andrew Chounding: Sergeant Scott estimates it's 450 grams and the size of a tennis ball. Marcus Scott: The dead giveaway was obviously the impact it made in the ground, which pretty much is only going to be a meteorite. But then the other giveaways is the dark sort of outer layer of the meteorite, obviously, from when it's heated up and burnt coming through the atmosphere, creates a nice sort of what's called fusion crust around the rock itself. Then this one particular has sort of got quite a light-colored interior as well. And so if you've got that dark exterior and a light interior, you're probably not going to have an earth rock. Andrew Chounding: Would you describe it as a beautiful rock? Like what? How would you describe it? Marcus Scott: No, I'd describe it as a rock. So, yeah, there are some very nice meteorites that land on earth, but I wouldn't rank this as a thing of beauty. It's more of a thing of interest. Andrew Chounding: And it's definitely got scientists interested. Dr Samson says she's 99.9% sure this is a meteorite, but testing will get underway soon. The team also hopes to find other fragments in the same area. Dr Eleanor Sansom: So meteorites are incredibly valuable for learning about how our earth formed, how our solar system formed and evolved. Basically, where was all the chemical mixing in those really, really early, early days before our planet earth even formed? We can learn a little bit around where maybe the carbon came from, where our water came from, and possibly even how we have life on earth. Andrew Chounding: As for its new home, the rule of finders keepers doesn't apply in WA, where meteorites legally belong to the state. But Marcus Scott doesn't seem to mind. Marcus Scott: You know, life's full of experiences. And even though this is one of those ones where you don't get to keep it, yeah, it's just something you can add to the list of things you've found and things you've done. It's definitely something worth finding. Samantha Donovan: Policeman and amateur meteorite hunter Marcus Scott. Andrew Chounding reporting for us there. Thanks for joining me for PM. I'm Samantha Donovan. The podcast of the full program is available on the ABC Listen app. And we'll be back at the same time tomorrow. Good night.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Ben Roberts-Smith appeal dismissed
Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM, I'm Samantha Donovan, coming to you from the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. Tonight, war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith loses the appeal in his defamation battle with the Nine Group newspapers. Also, Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza and two dedicated crews set out to row boats all the way from WA to the coast of Africa. Matt Mason: So we're going to try and be the first and fastest classic style boat to row across the Indian Ocean. That's a different type of boat compared to a lot of the majority of ocean rowing boats. Slightly tougher rowing and takes us a lot longer. Samantha Donovan: War veteran Ben Roberts-Smith is vowing to take his defamation case all the way to the High Court after the Federal Court dismissed his appeal today. In 2023, the court found in favour of three newspapers upholding their truth defence and finding it was more likely than not that Mr Roberts-Smith had been involved in the murder of four Afghan prisoners while he was serving in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Mr Roberts-Smith has consistently denied those allegations and hasn't been charged with any criminal offences. Alison Xiao has this report on the latest in his multi-million dollar defamation case. Alison Xiao: It was all smiles as lawyers for Nine left the Federal Court this morning. Reporter: How is your client feeling about this decision? Any celebrations planned for later tonight? Alison Xiao: Decorated war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has been ordered to pay Nine newspapers legal costs after the full bench of the Federal Court shot down his appeal to overturn the decision in his defamation case against the media outlet. The former Special Forces Corporal had unsuccessfully sued three Nine-owned newspapers for defamation over a series of articles in 2018 which contained allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan as well as bullying and domestic violence. His appeal was heard in February last year and his legal team argued there were several legal errors. The judges hearing the appeal disagreed, explaining their unanimous decision in an executive summary. Judges' Statement: Having carefully considered all these matters, we are unanimously of the opinion that the evidence was sufficiently cogent to support the findings that the appellant murdered four Afghan men and to the extent that we have discerned error in the reasons of the primary judge, the errors were inconsequential. Alison Xiao: The Victoria Cross recipient has also lost a bid to reopen the appeal with the inclusion of new evidence. Nine's management and its journalist Nick McKenzie have described their win as emphatic and vindication for Australian soldiers who told the public the truth. Lara Khider from the Australian Centre for International Justice has welcomed the decision but called for Mr Roberts-Smith to be held criminally accountable. Lara Khider: It's very important for whistleblowers and for investigative journalists to be able to feel protected, to be able to do such important work that helps to expose war crimes and allegations of the sort that are very serious and the public must be aware of. We would be hoping for not just a positive civil outcome but an outcome in relation to criminal accountability. Alison Xiao: The defamation case is estimated to have cost more than $25 million and lasted more than 100 days. This morning at Federal Court in Sydney, Mr Roberts-Smith didn't appear and his lawyers stayed silent outside court. Reporter: Is this the end of the road for Ben Roberts-Smith? Alison Xiao: The saga looks set to continue. Ben Roberts-Smith says he will immediately seek a High Court challenge to today's decision. In a statement he says, I have only ever asked for a fair and just hearing. That has not occurred. Mr Roberts-Smith has always denied the allegations made against him and no criminal charges have been laid against the former Special Forces Corporal. Samantha Donovan: Alison Xiaoa with that report. The reasons for today's judgement by the Federal Court's full bench won't be released until next week. Dr Michael Douglas is a barrister specialising in defamation law at Francis Burt Chambers in Perth. He told me he's not particularly surprised Mr Roberts-Smith lost his appeal. Michael Douglas: It was always going to be a difficult task for Mr Roberts-Smith to overturn what was quite a rigorous first instance judgement. And part of the difficulty facing Mr Roberts-Smith is that he was essentially challenging factual findings. Ordinarily for a defamation case, it's the application of the Lord of the facts that's where usually you'll go to challenge a first instance judge on appeal. But here, he's not all made findings about the allegations of Ben Robert Smith committing essentially war crimes that they were justified and trying to overturn factual findings about what evidence meant. That's always going to be quite difficult within an appeal court. Samantha Donovan: Ben Roberts-Smith is now adamant that he'll challenge the judgement in the High Court. Do you think it's a case the High Court will take on? Michael Douglas: It's hard to say. The High Court doesn't take on many cases. You need what's called special leave to appeal to the High Court. And it's unclear whether this is the sort of case where special leave would be granted. It does raise an issue of public importance in the sense that whether or not Mr Roberts-Smith committed war crimes and did the things he was alleged to do, those are topics that go to really important issues about not just Mr Roberts-Smith, but the treatment of the military and various other things. So that part of the test is satisfied. But the reason why I'm quite sceptical is that there doesn't seem to be any issue of legal principle that really jumps out at me that anyone has got wrong. The first instance judgement was pretty orthodox, an orthodox approach to evidence. So it's going to be really difficult for Mr Roberts-Smith to get special leave. But that said, I wouldn't want to prejudge what the High Court does and they may take a different view. So we'll have to wait and see. Samantha Donovan: Dr Douglas, what sort of costs bill do you think Mr Roberts-Smith will be up for at the conclusion of this appeal to the Federal Court? Michael Douglas: I honestly don't know. I know, however, that it's going to be massive and it will dwarf nearly any other defamation case in the history of our country. Whatever it is, I'm sure Kerry Stokes will be able to afford it. But nonetheless, it's not a sum that any ordinary person could afford. Samantha Donovan: And in terms of defamation law, what is the significance of this case? Michael Douglas: I don't see it as being of huge legal significance. It's more of, I guess, cultural or political significance in that Mr Roberts-Smith is a public figure and he's taken up a large part of the Australian public consciousness. But in terms of setting a legal precedent, I'm not sure that it's going to change much. But I stand to be corrected if the reasons for decision deal with issues that I'm unfamiliar with, it may be more significant than I think. Samantha Donovan: Dr Michael Douglas is a defamation barrister in Perth and he was referring there to billionaire WA businessman Kerry Stokes, who's been financing Mr Roberts-Smith defamation case. Well, to another defamation case now, and the former leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, John Pesutto , is at risk of being bankrupted and booted from state parliament after an order he pay more than $2 million in legal costs. Last December, the federal court found he defamed his Conservative Party colleague, Moira Deeming , by falsely implying she had links to neo-Nazis. Mr Pesutto lost the Liberal leadership as a result of the case. The moderate MP who had been trying to stop the state Liberal Party moving further to the right says he's determined to stay in parliament. Kimberley Price has more. Kimberley Price: The public stoush between John Pesutto and his Conservative colleague, Moira Deeming, has resulted in the former Victorian opposition leader facing bankruptcy. It is understood Mr Pesutto cannot pay the $2.3 million ordered by the court after Ms Deeming successfully sued him for defamation. If he's declared bankrupt, Mr Pesutto will be unable to sit in parliament. A GoFundMe page has now been launched to help pay Mr Pesutto's fees. All of Victoria's living former Liberal premiers have financially supported Mr Pesutto, including Geoff Kennett. He's called on the party and the public to help. Jeff Kennett: I think and hope there'll be a whole range of people, fair-minded people out there in the public arena, who will help John Pesutto meet this extraordinary bill. What's occurred is very, very sad and I've never seen it occur in my political life before. Kimberley Price: But Liberal leader Brad Battin, who ousted Mr Pesutto in December, did not indicate whether or not the Liberal Party or the party's investment arm, the Cormac Foundation, should help Mr Pesutto. And he refused to answer questions about the future of Mr Pesutto's grip on the seat of Hawthorne. Brad Battin: It is a hypothetical at the moment. We haven't had any conversations about that. I have had a focus to work with John as I have in the past and I will in the future. I would like to see John there in November 2026. Kimberley Price: In December, a federal court found Mr Pesutto defamed Ms Deeming on multiple occasions by associating her with neo-Nazis after she attended a 2023 anti-trans rally that was gate-crashed by a group who performed the Nazi salute. Ms Deeming was later expelled from the parliamentary team. After losing the case brought against him, Mr Pesutto lost the party leadership and Ms Deeming has since been returned to the party room. In a statement today, Mr Pesutto says he's committed to his electorate. John Pesutto (Statement): Whilst I'm taking time to review today's court decision with family and advisors, I reiterate that I am determined to continue serving the people of my electorate of Hawthorne and the people of Victoria for as long as they will have me. Kimberley Price: While the courts and money are central to this story, it's also linked to a battle within the Liberal Party between moderates and more hard-lined conservatives. Emeritus Professor of Politics at Monash University, Paul Strangio, says John Pesutto tried to steer the Victorian Liberals to become more centrist as the state turns more progressive. Paul Strangio: That's reflected both in federal election results and at state election results. And really central to that was that the party was seen as being out of alignment with Victorians. It was too conservative-oriented. Kimberley Price: Do you think that is a problem plaguing the Liberal Party as a whole? Paul Strangio: Undoubtedly. I think it's worth remembering that once upon a time, Victoria was the heartland of liberalism. And what we've seen in Victoria, of course, is that the party has time and again lost the two-party preferred vote here. In fact, on 15 out of the 17 last federal elections, it has lost the two-party preferred vote in this state. Kimberley Price: Mr Pesutto has the option to appeal today's decision. Samantha Donovan: Kimberley Price reporting. This is PM, I'm Samantha Donovan. You can hear all our programs live or later on the ABC Listen app. Israeli military strikes in Gaza have left scores of people dead and raised further alarm in the international community. Palestinian health authorities say more than 100 people have been killed in the space of 24 hours. The latest deaths come as Israel's long-time ally, the US, raises concerns about the humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied territory. And a warning, there are some distressing details in this report from Myles Houlbrook-Walk. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: In the south of Gaza, in Khan Yunis, a mother mourns the loss of her children killed in strikes by the Israeli Defence Force. Alison Xiao: They are children, what did they do wrong? What did they do wrong? Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Eerily similar scenes in Gaza's north in Jabalia. A young boy cries for his father killed in airstrikes, screaming, for God's sakes, dad, why did you leave us? According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 100 people have been killed in attacks in the last 24 hours. The Israeli military says it struck Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters in southern Gaza. It's vowed to continue the strikes while Israeli hostages taken in the October 7 terrorist attacks remain in Gaza. Jennifer Tiernay is executive director in Australia for MSF, or Doctors Without Borders. She says Israel is being totally reckless with its approach, killing too many civilians, including children. Jennifer Tiernay: They have an obligation to protect medical facilities and to protect civilians and they are absolutely not doing that. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Israel has stopped medicine and food flowing into Gaza since March 2. For that, it's been condemned by Australia, some European nations and the United Nations. 500,000 people face starvation, according to the UN. Jennifer Tiernay says the situation is dire. Jennifer Tiernay: The blockade of aid has only exacerbated the fact that there has not been enough medical supply, enough food and safe enough shelter and hospitals that are open for people to be able to access. The situation has been the same for months on end. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Israel's strongest ally, the United States, did raise some concern today via Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Marco Rubio: We think that the elimination of Hamas is what achieves peace. We're troubled by the situation there. Both the Israelis with American backing and support have offered a plan to deliver aid that doesn't get diverted or stolen by Hamas. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: The US supports a plan to resume aid delivery that could come into effect later this month and would see Israel secure premises where aid can be distributed from. But Jennifer Tiernay says aid distribution needs to be carried out by neutral organisations, not Israel. Jennifer Tiernay: We have watched Israel ignore the needs of the Palestinian people for months on end. To put our trust in their now supposed care is really, I think, asking us to stretch ourselves to believe in a reality that we've not even seen a glimpse of. So I think it's absolutely essential we use the actors that are in place, the neutral humanitarian actors. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Dr Juliette McIntyre is a senior lecturer of law at the University of South Australia and says the legal standing around the provision of aid in conflicts is clear. Juliette McIntyre: Using aid as a bargaining chip is itself in breach of international law. So aid is required to flow to civilian populations, particularly occupied civilian populations as here, and there's really no sort of negotiation to be had around that. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: But as for enforceable consequences for potential breaches of international law that Israel has been accused of, it's yet to see many. Dr McIntyre says that's in part due to UN Security Council sanctions being vetoed by the US. Juliette McIntyre: So the UN Security Council could order other states to, for example, either stop economic support of Israel or stop sending weapons to Israel. But as I said, the US has a veto at the UN Security Council. And so that means anything is going to be blocked in relation to Israel. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: A tour of the Middle East by President Donald Trump now wrapping up has delivered no headway on a ceasefire or an immediate resumption of aid, nor a change to its voting intentions at the United Nations. Samantha Donovan: Myles Houlbrook-Walk reporting. Australian Fashion Week comes to an end in Sydney today, and while there's been plenty to celebrate, the industry is concerned so few clothes are being made here. In fact, 97% of the clothing and shoes bought in Australia are imported. Now two powerful fashion figures are trying to establish a national strategy to encourage domestic manufacturing. But high labour costs may be a sticking point. Nadine Haynes prepared this report. Nadine Haynes: It had all the runway glitz and glamour you'd expect of Australian Fashion Week. Local designers who'd spent months preparing for the event, hoping to catch the eye of Australian and international buyers. But mixed with that excitement is an air of uncertainty. How can we get more fashion manufacturing on Australian soil? Jaana Quaintance-James is the Australian Fashion Council's CEO. Jaana Quaintance-James: We need to build greater resilience for the Australian fashion industry, which is the $28 billion industry in terms of economic value added to the Australian economy annually employs 500,000 people. Today, 97% of what is sold in Australia is manufactured offshore. Nadine Haynes: Jaana Quaintance-James says, while we won't see 100% of our clothes being made here, we can definitely do much better than 3%. She points to RM Williams as the gold standard when it comes to manufacturing clothes in Australia. That brand's chief operating officer, Tara Moses, says doing it domestically allows greater quality control of the raw materials and the final product. Tara Moses: What we see at RM Williams, what that means for us as an industry is that we can have more capabilities here within Australia to manufacture from the very beginning of the process to the very end of the process. And we see with our brand that our customers really care about that and want to contribute to that and have that meaning, that deep meaning and that connection to the products that they wear every day. Nadine Haynes: Now, Jaana Quaintance-James and Tara Moses have announced a partnership. The goal is to establish a national fashion manufacturing strategy. Some of the issues they're tackling are skills gaps, high labour costs and investment in machinery. It also involves working out what we do well in Australia and building on that. Jaana Quaintance-James: We grow amazing cotton and amazing wool and we send every single tonne of that offshore to be processed and we don't add, we add very little value in that process and sometimes we're re-importing that material. Nadine Haynes: Both Jaana Quaintance-James and Tara Moses know the industry has been declining for years. Jaana Quaintance-James: So the plan is to conduct a national consultation across industry. So we have hundreds of stakeholders mapped out across Australian manufacturing. What we're going to be doing is working with them to understand what the priorities for the sector are in terms of things that we need to solve. And then we'll be using that strategy, which we'll release towards the back end of the year, to really engage with government, with consumers and with industry to drive forward those outcomes. Nadine Haynes: Tara Moses says that means being more innovative than global competitors. Uniting the scattered industry, she says, would make it easier to do things on a bigger scale. And with scale comes efficiency. Tara Moses: It is a dying industry in Australia and if we don't right now start to make it grow, we're going to lose a lot of the skill set that exists today. We're seeing a lot of makers and a lot of people with specialty skills, they are retiring out and they aren't able to pass on their knowledge. Nadine Haynes: Dr Carol Tan from RMIT University is an expert on the business of fashion. She says bringing manufacturing back to Australia will be a challenge. Carol Tan: Do we have any government support? It could include incentives for local manufacturing, investment in infrastructure and training and perhaps policies that support ethical and sustainable production. And it's not just a Lone Ranger thing that you can do. You need industry collaboration. So collaboration between designers, manufacturers, textile producers. Nadine Haynes: She says consumers also play a role. Carol Tan: So not all consumers prioritise Australian made or sustainability over price. So a large segment of the market will likely to continue to be drawn to affordability and the wide variety offered by platforms like Temu. Nadine Haynes: Dr Tan says it's all about educating consumers about quality, ethics and sustainability so that they're more willing to pay a premium price for a better product. Carol Tan: At the end of the day, we cannot compete on price, right? You know that our labour costs are so expensive. I know even with economies of scale, think about what we are paying the worker compared to all these countries that have been doing it for a very long time. And they also have the technology. So unless we start investing in technology, it's going to be actually quite difficult, but possible. So it's not all doom and gloom. Samantha Donovan: That's Dr Carol Tan from RMIT Uni. Nadine Haynes with that report. Well, can you imagine rowing a from Western Australia all the way to Africa? That's a feat two determined international crews are trying to achieve. By sheer coincidence, they're setting out within days of each other from the town of Carnarvon, 900 kilometres north of Perth. And they expect to be rowing for the best part of three months to reach the African coast. Lina El-Saadi filed this report. This is control centre. Matt Mason: So we've got a chart plotter, switchboards that powers everything. Lina El-Saadi: It's all aboard on No Great Shakes. This rowboat, complete with a crew of four from the UK, is in for an incredible journey from Carnarvon on the remote West Australian coast all the way to the African nation of Tanzania. Matt Mason: So we're going to try and be the first and fastest classic style boat to row across the Indian Ocean. Carnarvon is a great launching off point because of the currency straight out. You know, we've only got a few hundred miles north to go and then we're in the trade is. Lina El-Saadi: Crew member Matt Mason says the team is trying to row the full distance in under 90 days after careful preparations. No Great Shakes left from Carnarvon around midday yesterday. Part of what makes this cruise attempt unique is the type of boat they're rowing. It's what's called a classic style. Matt Mason: That's a different type of boat compared to a lot of the majority of ocean rowing boats because we don't have the wind assistance. So slightly tougher rowing and takes us a lot longer. Lina El-Saadi: In an amazing coincidence, another completely unrelated boat and crew are also making the voyage. The other vessel is called Untamed. It's leaving Carnarvon tomorrow with a crew made up of four men from the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Ukraine and China. They're hoping to make the journey of more than 9000 kilometers to Mombasa in Kenya in 75 days. Along the way, they'll be contributing to research at the University of Western Australia, which in turn is helping them plan their route. Here's one of the rowers, Evgeniy Sudyr. Evgeniy Sudyr: They want to do this for a couple of reasons. One of them is to check dynamics of ocean rowing boat in the Indian Ocean. And also they want to research how currents and winds are affecting performance. And all of this is a good thing to do research. Nobody did it before. Lina El-Saadi: One of the rowers on No Great Shakes, Jake Mattock, started running marathons to get ready. Jake Mattock: These guys are military, you know, Marines and commandos. I'm a civilian that worked in tech sales. I wanted to build up that kind of mental strength that I can sustain like endurance events and have, I can stay calm under pressure in nature. Lina El-Saadi: Both crews will have two people rowing at a time, two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours a day. That's 12 hours of rowing each, every day. The vast and dangerous Indian Ocean has always attracted adventurers. In 2023, Perth man Rob Barton became the first man to row solo from Australia to mainland Africa. It took him 86 days. Rob Barton: You do feel very insignificant out there, but you learn to have a lot of faith and confidence in your boat. It's all down to you. Your personal strength just grows as each day goes on. Made it yesterday. Why can't you make it tomorrow? Lina El-Saadi: And as these two crews set out, No Great Shakes rower, Matt Hemmings, thinks when it's all over, he'll look back on these few months with an odd affection. Matt Hemmings: It's pretty much type two fun. So it's not going to be fun at the time. You'll look back on it with a weird fondness. Samantha Donovan: I bet they will. That's Welsh rower, Matt Hemmings, speaking to our reporter, Lena El-Saadi in Carnarvon, WA. And that's PM for this week. PM's producer is David Sparkes. Technical production by Joram Toth, David Sergent and Nick Dracoulis. I'm Samantha Donovan. Have a great weekend. Good night.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Larissa Waters elected new Greens leader
Samantha Donovan: Hello, welcome to PM. I'm Samantha Donovan, coming to you from the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne. Tonight, the Greens elect Queensland Senator Larissa Waters to be their new leader. Also, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, meets with the Indonesian president in Jakarta and a giant of Australian rules football player and coach Robert Walls dies at 74. Paul Roos: I always knew that whatever he said to me, good or bad, was always designed for me to get better and us to get better as a footy club absolutely had a huge impact on my life. Samantha Donovan: First this evening, Queensland Senator Larissa Waters is the new leader of the Australian Greens. After a bruising federal election result, the party's 11 senators and sole surviving lower house member met in Melbourne today to make their choice. New South Wales Senator Mehreen Faruqi will remain the deputy leader. Rachel Mealey reports. Rachel Mealey: It's been almost two weeks since the election and now every party has selected its leadership team to head into the new parliament. For the Greens, Larissa Waters was elected in an uncontested ballot. Larissa Waters: It's been an absolutely humbling day and this is a big job, but I will give it my very best and I'm proud that we have such strong women leading this party. I'm proud that we have a Queenslander leading the Greens for the first time and I commit to you that as a former environmental lawyer, as a proud feminist, that I will always work for equality and I will always work for nature and for the community and to help people and I think that's what parliament needs to do. Rachel Mealey: The Greens suffered some heavy blows at the federal election, losing three lower house seats, including that of former leader Adam Bandt. The party's losses were attributed by some to a drift away from its core environmental message and toward activism on issues such as the war in the Middle East and support for the controversial union, the CFMEU. Larissa Waters is considered a consensus candidate, someone who can walk both sides of the environmental and social justice path. Larissa Waters: It's never been more important to have a strong Greens team in parliament. The issues that people are facing are getting harder and are getting worse. We need strong action on the climate, on nature, on the housing crisis, on the cost of living crisis and we need our parliament to work to actually meet the needs of the people that it's been elected to represent. Rachel Mealey: The Greens were criticised by both the Coalition and the Labor Party in the previous term for being obstructionist. Larissa Waters is now calling on the Labor Party to work with the Greens to get some results. Larissa Waters: What a task that we have now, considering the climate is in decline, nature is in decline, inequality is worse than it's ever been and we have an approach of tinkering and timidity. There's a chance now for real reform that helps people and that's what the Greens want to encourage and work with the Labor government to do. They can't blame anyone else now because we're saying here, we will give you the numbers in the Senate to pass good reforms that helps people and helps the planet. People elected us to get shit done and that's what we intend to do. Rachel Mealey: Larissa Waters was an environmental lawyer and she first entered the Senate in 2011. She had to resign in 2017 when she realised she was a dual citizen of Canada but was re-elected the following year. Larissa Waters says the party misses its former leader Adam Bandt and hopes he can return to the parliament one day soon. Larissa Waters: He was a wonderful leader for this party and all of our love goes to him and his family. We hope to welcome him back. I can't strong arm him just yet but I intend to and we intend as a party to continue to grow. Rachel Mealey: But while political parties are now straightening out their leadership teams and putting the election behind them, some seats still remain in doubt. In Bradfield in Sydney, the Liberal Party's candidate Giselle Kapterian is clinging on to a small lead over Independent Nicolette Boele. Late today, just 43 votes separated the two candidates. In Goldstein, Liberal candidate Tim Wilson's lead is shrinking but he remains ahead of the former so-called Teal Independent Zoe Daniel by 293 votes. Samantha Donovan: Rachel Mealey reporting. The jobs market continues to show remarkable strength with the creation of 90,000 positions in April, four times the number expected by economists. The Bureau of Statistics says the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 per cent because more people were looking for work. But the resilience of the jobs market could make the Reserve Bank think twice about cutting interest rates at its meeting next Tuesday. Here's our business correspondent David Taylor. David Taylor: Workers are still in hot demand, but it's not across the economy. Erin Devlin is the next-gen board director at the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association. Erin Devlin: It's an interesting jobs market at the moment. It's definitely too speed. We're seeing some areas are still seeing significant shortages of staff and other areas are really sluggish. David Taylor: Erin Devlin says administrative and executive roles are particularly hard to land right now, especially with foreign-owned companies based in Australia. On the other hand, there's significantly more demand for workers to fill public sector roles. Erin Devlin: Yeah, I think it depends where you're located in Australia. Some governments we're seeing are spending, some are pulling the purse strings back a lot. We're definitely hearing, for example, construction in some areas, you know, feel sluggish. So there's obviously not lots of spending going on in that area in some of the states. Whereas in the health sector, there's been a little bit of additional spending. It just really depends where you are. And sometimes what we're seeing is a little bit of an artificial inflation of jobs coming into the market because there is a significant investment from a government perspective, which is creating demand for those particular roles. David Taylor: Bureau of Statistics figures show 59,000 full-time jobs were created in April and 29,000 part-time roles. But the number of people looking for work also rose, which meant the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 per cent. ANZ Bank senior economist Adelaide Timbrell. Adelaide Timbrell: What it tells us is the domestic economy in Australia is stable, it's growing, and we're actually in a really good spot to handle any further challenges that come up in that uncertain global backdrop. David Taylor: The ABS made a point of saying many more women landed work in April. It was all music to the ears of the freshly minted employment minister, Amanda Rishworth. Amanda Rishworth: Today's monthly labour force figures are incredibly encouraging for the Australian economy and demonstrates the resilience of our labour market. David Taylor: But that resilience may ultimately hurt mortgage borrowers. Canberra University economist Leonore Rees says the Reserve Bank will need to take today's jobs figures into account before pulling the trigger on an interest rate cut next week. Leonora Risse: The wage price index, what's happening with wages will tell us whether or not the labour market is tight. So, at the moment, real wage growth of 1 per cent, we wouldn't necessarily interpret that as tight, we'd interpret that as healthy wage growth. So, for the Reserve Bank, I think they'll primarily be focused on inflation, what's the cash rate that will keep inflation within that 2 to 3 per cent band now that we're in there, without putting too much pressure on the economy. So, they want to make sure that cash rate is not too tight, that it's putting the brake on the economy in terms of growth. David Taylor: The financial markets have lowered their expectations that the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates on Tuesday. But the odds of a cut are still strong. Samantha Donovan: Our business correspondent, David Taylor. The Prime Minister has wrapped up meetings with the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta this afternoon. Both leaders are looking to expand the economic ties between the two nations. The ABC's Indonesia correspondent, Bill Birtles, is in Jakarta. Bill, what have the two leaders announced this afternoon? Bill Birtles: Sam, really nothing specific. A joint statement that has been released saying things like both leaders are committed to continuing to strengthen their economic cooperation. They acknowledge the progress that has been made on deepening defence ties, such as a defence cooperation agreement signed last year. They talked about ways of collaborating on issues like food security, maritime security, etc. But really, the joint statement wasn't making promises, it wasn't making big commitments. It really seemed to be affirming the progress that the two nations have made as neighbours. And when they did their joint press conference, Prabowo Subianto said he wants Australia and Indonesia to be good neighbours. He wants Australians to find ways to invest more in his country. This has long been an issue. A reluctance by Australia's business community to really invest deeply here. And Anthony Albanese, he said that he came to Jakarta as his first visit since being re-elected because, in his words, our region comes first. Samantha Donovan: And it sounds like, Bill, he got a very warm and big welcome. What sort of ceremonies have been held today? Bill Birtles: Yeah, he sure did. Anthony Albanese had this motorcade going through the centre of Jakarta. He had about 50 horse-mounted palace guards around his vehicle. There also appeared to be about a thousand schoolchildren waving Australian and Indonesian flags. There were cannons firing. It really was a very ceremonial and significant welcome. And on top of that, last night after arriving, Anthony Albanese met Prabowo Subianto at his hotel. So he said the Indonesian leader coming to his hotel for an in-depth, informal chat showed the importance that Jakarta also places on the relationship. Samantha Donovan: During our recent election campaign here in Australia, there was a report that Russia had approached Indonesia about stationing long-range aircraft at an airbase in Papua province, an Indonesian province. Do you know, Bill, if the Prime Minister has raised that with the Indonesian president? Bill Birtles: Anthony Albanese, Sam, was a little bit cagey about this when he spoke to media this morning. He didn't confirm that he raised it at all in the informal discussion that he had last night, nor did he specifically say that he would raise it in the formal discussions that have taken place today. When asked about it, he said Indonesia's position on this is clear. Indonesia has made its position public. But we already knew that going back about a month when a top Indonesian minister said that it was a non-starter, the idea of Russian military planes being based here in this country. What we haven't been ever able to confirm is whether or not Russia made the request. The Russian embassy in Jakarta always made it sound like they did. And interestingly enough, in the joint statement today, there was reaffirmation that both countries respect each other's sovereignty. Now, that might just be boilerplate language. Maybe it's a vague reference to this issue. But the answer is we're not quite sure whether or not Anthony Albanese actually raised it in person with Prabowo Subianto. Samantha Donovan: Bill Birtles is the ABC's Indonesia correspondent. He was speaking to me from Jakarta. This is PM, I'm Samantha Donovan. You can hear all our programs live or later on the ABC Listen app. The World Health Organization has announced there's an outbreak of polio in Papua New Guinea. The virus has been diagnosed in two otherwise healthy children. It had first been detected in wastewater samples a couple of months ago, prompting a surveillance campaign in Port Moresby and Ley. Dr Linda Selvey is with the University of Queensland School of Public Health and has worked on polio eradication projects in India and Nepal. Dr Selvey, how worried are you by this outbreak of polio in Papua New Guinea? Linda Selvey: I'm concerned about the outbreak from the perspective of people in Papua New Guinea in particular, because they generally have very low immunisation coverage. So while they haven't actually had a clinical case of polio, it would be quite possible. The other thing is because health services are not great in many parts of PNG, somebody, a child might get polio without it being detected. So then that means there's a chance of further spread. Samantha Donovan: How big a risk is it, do you think, that it will spread quite quickly? Linda Selvey: Well, polio is quite infectious. It passes through faecal-oral, we say, from our poo to our mouth. So it can spread very quickly, particularly in areas where there is poor opportunities for hygiene and sanitation, which is the case in many parts of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea, at least on the plus side, I guess, in many parts of PNG, it's not very densely populated. But there are areas within Papua New Guinea where people do live fairly close quarters, and that would be the particular areas they'd be most concerned about. Samantha Donovan: The World Health Organisation is saying that it believes at this stage that it's spread possibly from Indonesia, and it is warning that there is a risk to other nations in the region. Australia has been free of polio since 2000. Is there a risk to Australia, do you think? Linda Selvey: Well, we're only at risk if we have a population who's not immune. And generally, I think our immunisation coverage in Australia is still pretty good, even though it has fallen in the last few years. We also have very good sanitation and so on. We don't live in, generally live in particularly crowded areas. So I would think that the risk would be fairly low. I guess the greatest risk would be in the parts of Queensland, in particular the Torres Strait, where there's closer movement of people between Papua New Guinea and Australia, and also where generally the housing and so on is less optimal. I still think that's probably a relatively low risk, though, because I think there's pretty high immunisation coverage in that part of the world. It does bode, you know, many parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific whose vaccination coverage has dropped a lot in the last few years. So I think that I would, for our region, I think it is of great concern and I hope the Australian Government supports these countries to improve their vaccination coverage. Samantha Donovan: When do Australians get their polio jabs these days, Dr Selvey? Linda Selvey: As children, as babies. So it is a jab now rather than the oral polio in Australia, and the jab is part of the routine immunisation program, so two, four and six months. Samantha Donovan: The last outbreak of polio in Australia, I understand, was in the 1960s. A lot of older Australians will remember the devastating effect it had, particularly I think in the 30s and 40s. Can you remind us what Australia experienced with polio and what the disease actually does, particularly to a child's body? Linda Selvey: So polio can infect the spinal cord and so it can cause paralysis. It can be just partial, like one leg or two legs, but in some cases it can infect further up, so it can affect even the child's ability to breathe. And if you look at any medical history textbook, you'll see pictures of rows and rows of iron lungs where children are getting assisted breathing because they're unable to breathe for themselves because of polio. And people, when they recover from the acute, they might recover some strength, but often in their later years they then might well get repercussions that can then affect them again, like in terms of pain and disabilities. It's a really nasty disease. Samantha Donovan: Linda Selvey is an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Queensland School of Public Health. Police have released CCTV footage of people they suspect firebombed a Melbourne synagogue last year. The Adass Israel Synagogue was established by Holocaust survivors and its destruction devastated the Jewish community and was condemned by political leaders. Our reporter Myles Houlbrook-Walk has more on the investigation being conducted by a counter terrorism task force set up by federal and Victorian police. Myles, what's shown in this video that the police have released today? Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Well, Sam, it basically details three people exiting the car and making several trips to and from the car to the front steps of the Adass Israel Synagogue. In the very early hours of December 6th, we see jerry cans taken out as well as an axe used to actually smash in the front of the synagogue. And then those jerry cans are emptied out with all this accelerant before being lit. The trio then go back into the car in the early hours of the morning just after four o'clock and then flee the scene. Samantha Donovan: Myles, police are very keen for people to come forward with information about the car that's been used in this crime. What have they had to say about this vehicle? Myles Houlbrook-Walk: So we've heard from police talk about this sedan that they used to travel to the Adass Israel Synagogue being what they're describing as a communal crime car. They think and allege that it was actually used in several other incidents. They've described two incidents in particular of the night in question separate to this Adass Israel firebombing. One of them was the burning of the Lux nightclub in South Yarra. The other was a shooting in Bandura, a considerable distance either from South Yarra or the Adass Israel Synagogue as well. Here's Assistant Commissioner from Victoria Police, Tess Walsh. Tess Walsh: We've called it a communal crime car. Clearly over the period of time across when it was stolen early November through to when it was recovered in December, it's been used by a range of different groups and individuals in various different crimes. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Now it is worth noting Sam that police have actually made arrests in relation to one of those incidents they believe the car was used for earlier in the evening and that is in regards to the Lux nightclub. They've arrested a 22 year old man and a 23 year old man. Both of them are from Pakenham. However detectives have indicated that they don't believe they're in any way shape or form linked to this incident at the Adass Israel Synagogue, which they are treating as politically motivated, whereas the others they don't believe are. Samantha Donovan: And Myles, the Federal Police have been investigating anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney and believe they were possibly orchestrated by someone overseas, possibly a person wanting to provide information in exchange for personal gain. Was there any suggestion from the police today that the Sydney and Melbourne attacks on the Jewish community are linked? Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Look at this stage, Sam, there hasn't been a direct link at all made by the Australian Federal Police. They're not identifying any sort of overseas terror organisation being involved with this incident here at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. We heard from the Australian Federal Police earlier today. Stephen Nutt: We have no evidence of a state actor involvement or terrorist organisation being involved in this offence. National security perspective, the AFP's been on record around crime as a service. This is something that we're always mindful of. I wouldn't go as far as that in this investigation. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: So that's AFP Assistant Commissioner of Counterterrorism Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt speaking there. Worth noting too that no one's been arrested over this Adass Israel Synagogue incident. Police spoke about five jerry cans in fact being purchased from a Bunnings warehouse and they believe that that was a highly unusual transaction and they want anyone who may recall such a transaction taking place at a Bunnings to also come forward if they have any information, Sam. Samantha Donovan: Myles Houlbrook-Walk with that report for us. Champion Aussie rules player and Premiership winning coach Robert Walls has died at the age of 74. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and chose to end his life under Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws. Known for his tough coaching and playing style, Walls is being remembered as a legend of the Carlton, Fitzroy and Brisbane footy clubs. Kimberley Price filed this report. Kimberley Price: In the 1972 Grand Final between Carlton and Hawthorne, centre half forward Robert Walls kicked a famous goal in his team's victory. It would be one of three Premierships he'd win as a player at the start of his almost six decades in the AFL. Paul Ruse, the 2005 Premiership coach of the Sydney Swans was coached himself by Walls while playing for Fitzroy. He says his old mentor's influence was profound. Paul Roos: Absolutely had a huge impact on my life and not only as a football coach but as a father or a husband. Kimberley Price: Growing up as a supporter of Carlton, Roos remembers Walls' impact on the game. Paul Roos: I mean he was really athletic, he was really tough. Everyone had to be tough to play AFL football but yeah he was sort of ahead of his time as well. Kimberley Price: Robert Walls played 218 games for the Blues, booting 367 goals and captaining the club in 1977 and 78. He then played 41 games for Fitzroy. A chronic knee condition put an end to Walls' playing career and he took up the role of coach at Fitzroy. Then in 1986 he returned to Carlton to coach the club, leading it to another Premiership Cup in 1987. Kimberley Price: He later coached the Brisbane Bears and Richmond in the 90s. David Parkin is a former coach of Carlton, Fitzroy and Hawthorne and an old friend of Robert Walls. David Parkin: Rob was a very you know sensitive and quite assured person but a great friend to have on your side. Kimberley Price: Walls' time as coach across four clubs left a powerful imprint on those he worked with. He's been described as a tough coach and David Parkin says he pioneered modern day tactics of the game. David Parkin: We had to work out ways and means of beating that so he forced us into set plays to defeat his set play so he started a total new era, the modern era in football in terms of the tactical ploys that were used in the game. Kimberley Price: After his coaching career Walls was a successful commentator across different networks. Robert Walls was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was accompanied to the event by his wife Erin who died from lung cancer a few months later. In 2023 Walls was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. His son David said his father's decision to end his life with Victoria's assisted dying laws was partly influenced by his time caring for his wife during her cancer battle. Current Carlton coach Michael Voss today described Walls as a legend of the club. Michael Voss: Really taught about professionalism and work ethic and didn't accept another standard except the best and he'll be dearly missed. Kimberley Price: Robert Walls was 74 years old. He is survived by his partner Julie, three children and seven grandchildren. Samantha Donovan: Kimberley Price reporting. Thanks for joining me for PM. I'm Samantha Donovan. We'll be back at the same time tomorrow. Good night.
