Latest news with #Sino-Australian
The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
Qantas faces fleaquent flyer accusations after couple's journey ends with bite-covered ankles
Qantas told us that it had looked into the concerns and was not able to find any evidence of fleas on its aircraft. Nor had other customers complained. 'The 5000 frequent flyer points was provided to the customer as a gesture of goodwill, not compensation,' Qantas said. 'On average, aircraft are sprayed with pest control treatments every 45 days.' The last word then goes to Gibson, who's now done quite a bit of research on these fleas and has serious doubts the airline's actions would have addressed the issue. 'The fact is, Kathy got onto the plane without bites and got off with them,' he said. I dreamed a PMO dream On Tuesday, CBD brought word about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, taking a somewhat dim view of political staffers posting about their jobs on social media. Gartrell's friendly reminder in an all-hands meeting last week came after a flurry of posts from departing PMO staffers toasting their heroic work in the Labor government, which he clearly must not have enjoyed. But those leaving Albanese's employ aren't guided by any directive from above. In fact, hours after our item ran, former strategic communications director Katie Connolly produced her own LinkedIn farewell dump, including a picture of her hugging the PM. A coincidence, we are sure. 'Some kids dream of being famous or going to space. I dreamed of working for a Labor Prime Minister. And I'll be forever grateful that dream came true,' was the glowing caption. As for just how many staff have departed the prime minister's office right after securing a landslide victory and immense second-term mandate, CBD hears the number is close to 20, although the exact figure is in dispute. And while most of those leaving are women, a PMO source reminded us that most of Albanese's staff are female, so it tracks. The same probably can't be said about the other side of politics, who tend to do everything in their power to discourage women from getting involved. Wine and dine Before Anthony Albanese's all-important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the prime minister attended a business lunch in Shanghai on Monday. The PM was accompanied by a smattering of Australian corporate titans during the Shanghai leg of the trip, including billionaire mining magnate turned clean-energy evangelist Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest, Rio Tinto's Kellie Parker, Macquarie Bank's Shemara Wikramanayake and BHP's Geraldine Slattery. Before the meetings, Chinese state media praised Albo for taking a more co-operative approach to Sino-Australian relations than the Morrison government, which presided over a diplomatic deep freeze with Beijing. The biggest sign of the thaw was on the lunch table. Last year, China removed a series of tariffs it placed on Australian produce in 2020 in retaliation towards then-prime minister Scott Morrison's call for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. China's wine tariffs (Penfolds was hit with a 175 per cent tariff) crippled the $1.2 billion export industry for Aussie wineries. On Monday, it was Australian beef and seafood for lunch in Shanghai. There was also wine by Penfolds (a brand with an oversized footprint in the Australian political landscape), including a $150 a bottle of cabernet sauvignon from grapes grown in the Shangri-La region of China's Yunnan province. Talk about teaming with the theme. It was a situation unthinkable five years ago, when Canberra's National Press Club served up Australian beef and barley to a top Chinese diplomat in an act of culinary trolling. Rupert and the Don Where there is sport, money and politics can't help but stick their noses in. A few months after from his infamous sofa-sitting appearance in the Oval Office, billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch joined US President Donald Trump in his box at MetLife stadium in New Jersey to continue what we term their 'frenemy bromance' and watch the pride of London, Chelsea FC, stun Paris Saint-Germain in the final of FIFA's inaugural Club World Cup, its latest fake tournament to further bloat the international football calendar. For Trump, it marked one year since an assassin's bullet grazed his ear and changed the course of American politics. He spent the occasion hanging out with Murdoch, former NFL star Tom Brady and FIFA's ghoulish president-cum-Dr Evil lookalike Gianni Infantino. Expect a repeat experience next year when the United States co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with trade war enemies Canada and Mexico. Murdoch, meanwhile, knows better than anyone how to use sport to expand power and influence. News Corp built its fortune in Britain thanks to the UK government handing it exclusivity on the Premier League, which turned it into an irrepressible, multibillion-dollar global juggernaut.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Flea in the ointment as Qantas passenger alleges flight bites, airline offers points
Before Anthony Albanese's all-important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, the prime minister attended a business lunch in Shanghai on Monday. The PM was accompanied by a smattering of Australian corporate titans during the Shanghai leg of the trip, including billionaire mining magnate turned clean energy evangelist Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest, Rio Tinto's Kellie Parker, Macquarie Bank's Shemara Wikramanayake and BHP's Geraldine Slattery. Before the meetings, Chinese state media praised Albo for taking a more co-operative approach to Sino-Australian relations than the Morrison government, which presided over a diplomatic deep freeze with Beijing. The biggest sign of the thaw was on the lunch table. Last year, China removed a series of tariffs it placed on Australian produce in 2020 in retaliation toward then prime minister Scott Morrison's calls for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. China's wine tariffs (Penfolds was hit with a 175 per cent tariff) crippled the $1.2 billion export industry for Aussie wineries. On Monday, it was Australian beef and seafood for lunch in Shanghai. There was also wine by Penfolds (a brand with an oversized footprint in the Australian political landscape), including a $150 cabernet sauvignon from grapes grown in the Shangri-La region of China's Yunnan province. Talk about team with the theme. It was a situation unthinkable five years ago, when Canberra's National Press Club served up Australian beef and barley to a top Chinese diplomat in an act of culinary trolling. Departure lounge CBD brought word on Tuesday about Anthony Albanese's chief of staff Tim Gartrell taking a somewhat dim view of political staffers posting about their jobs on social media. Gartrell's friendly reminder in an all-hands meeting last week came after a flurry of posts from departing PMO staffers toasting their heroic work in the Labor government, which he clearly must not have enjoyed. But those leaving Albanese's employ aren't guided by any directive from above. Coincidentally, hours after our item ran, former strategic communications director Katie Connolly produced her own LinkedIn farewell dump, including a picture hugging the PM. 'I dreamed of working for a Labor prime minister. And I'll be forever grateful that dream came true,' was the glowing caption. As for just how many staff have departed the prime minister's office right after securing a landslide victory and immense second-term mandate, CBD hears the number is close to 20, out of a 60-ish person team, although the exact figure is in dispute. While most of those leaving are women, a PMO source reminded us Albanese's staff are majority female, so it tracks. The same probably can't be said about the other side of politics, who tend to do everything in their power to discourage women from getting involved. Best of frenemies Where there is sport, politicians and business leaders can't help but stick their noses in. A few months after his infamous sofa-sitting appearance in the Oval Office, billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch joined US president Donald Trump in his box at MetLife stadium in New Jersey to continue what we term their 'frenemy bromance' and watch Chelsea FC stun Paris Saint-Germain in the final of FIFA's inaugural Club World Cup, the latest fake tournament to further bloat the international football calendar. For Trump, it marked one year since an assassin's bullet grazed his ear and changed the course of American politics. He spent the occasion hanging out with Murdoch, former NFL star Tom Brady and FIFA's ghoulish president-cum-Dr Evil lookalike Gianni Infantino. Expect a repeat experience next year when the United States co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with trade war enemies Canada and Mexico.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Xi says better Australia ties key to mutual benefit
Xi says better Australia ties key to mutual benefit Xi Jinping hosts Anthony Albanese in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters President Xi Jinping said an improvement in relations between China and Australia has benefited people in both countries. His comment came in talks with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said that dialogue is the key to better ties. The meeting on Tuesday between Xi and Albanese in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing came amid threats of US tariffs and rising geopolitical tensions. Xi told the Australian prime minister that Beijing is ready to work with Canberra to deepen bilateral ties, which have recovered from a potentially full-blown trade war. 'With joint efforts from both sides, the Sino-Australian relationship has risen from setbacks and turned around, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries," he said. "The most important thing we could learn from this, is that a commitment to equal treatment and seeking common ground while sharing differences and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and our peoples." Albanese, in welcoming the improvement in relations, said dialogue has to be at the centre of bilateral ties. 'Australia values our relationship with China, and we'll continue to approach it in a calm and consistent manner guided by our national interest, by which we regard very much as the relationship being positive is just that," he said. "It is in our national interest, and indeed, in the interest of the region as well. "It's important that we have these direct discussions on issues that matter to us, and to the stability and prosperity of our region." China is Australia's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly one-third of its total trade. Albanese is accompanied on his visit by a delegation of key business leaders. (Xinhua and agencies)
AU Financial Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Sorry Xi, not all problems can be resolved over a Chinese meal
Anthony Albanese's lunch with Xi Jinping is perhaps the most succulent Chinese meal that has been laid on for an Australian leader. In the great game of geopolitics between the US and China, Xi and Chinese propaganda outlets are keen to laud how Sino-Australian ties have improved since Albanese and the Labor Party came to power.
Asia News Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
Australian PM Albanese's visit reflects close China-Australia economic links
July 15, 2025 SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's weeklong official visit to China reflects the close economic relationship between the two countries and offers opportunities for greater cooperation in growing sectors amid global challenges, according to Australian analysts. Other than high-level meetings in Beijing, the itinerary includes trips to Shanghai, where Albanese arrived on Saturday, and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. The visit covers business, investment, tourism and other major sectors to build on Australia's strong economic and trade links with China, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said a leader's visit 'positively impacts the bilateral relationship because it shows confidence and commitment at the highest political level'. 'Businesses engaged in the Australia-China economic corridor report that they have benefited from the stabilization in Australia-China relations since 2022,' he said, adding that amid rising geopolitical tensions globally, Sino-Australian ties hold greater significance. 'Both Australia and China have enormous, shared interests around trade,' Laurenceson said. 'Climate change and clean energy transition … will expectedly get a lot of coverage given the two countries' shared interests.' David Olsson, president and chairman of the Australia China Business Council, said the visit by Albanese 'matters because it signals intent'. 'When political leaders are prepared to meet and listen, it creates space for business to step forward. This is especially important in a climate where geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty weigh on investment decisions,' he said. Olsson said that trade 'has always been a foundation of the Australia-China relationship, and both sides understand its strategic importance'. 'The global economic environment is shifting toward decarbonization, digitalization and regional integration, and these trends are reshaping trade patterns. Australia and China each have strengths to contribute in this transition,' he said. But it is not just about goods and services, Olsson stressed. 'Sustained trade relationships are underpinned by people. We're seeing renewed energy in areas like education, tourism, sports and the arts, all of which help rebuild trust and understanding. That broader engagement adds depth to the economic relationship and supports a more resilient partnership,' he said. 'We'll be paying close attention to areas that signal long-term cooperation, particularly in green energy, food and agribusiness, education and professional services, and sustainable infrastructure. These align with where our members see opportunity, and where Australian expertise matches China's evolving needs,' Olsson added. Hans Hendrischke, a professor of Chinese business and management at the University of Sydney Business School, said that Albanese's weeklong itinerary is 'twice as long as a regular state visit for good reasons'. 'For both sides, direct personal contact between their political and business leaders is essential to maintain stable economic relations,' he said. Hendrischke, who also chairs the business and economics cluster of the university's China Studies Centre, said the cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu represent Albanese's trade, government and investment agendas. 'In trade, Australian iron ore and resources exports to China provide the ballast to the bilateral economic relationship, but potentially face the risk of becoming bargaining chips in international geostrategic competition. In this situation, both sides need to reassure each other at the highest level of their commitment to unimpeded trade and investment,' he said. Hendrischke said that Chengdu is the likely place where Albanese will be shown 'the latest results of State-planned industrial policy that could be proactively applied to support cooperation between Australian and Chinese companies, similar to the way international investment has contributed to the growth of new greenfield industries' around the provincial capital. Referring to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, Hendrischke said that China's calls for integrating artificial intelligence and foreign direct investment in a revised agreement would also 'open the way for Australia to direct Chinese investment into areas of national benefit such as renewable energy, agribusiness and high-tech services'. Laurenceson, from the Australia-China Relations Institute, said there will be plenty of areas where both sides can explore greater cooperation under the framework of the free trade agreement, such as the mutual recognition of skill qualifications and product and service standards. Olsson, from the Australia China Business Council, said that Albanese's visit, which includes a CEO roundtable for Australian and Chinese business leaders to strengthen trade and investment, is 'another opportunity to demonstrate that commitment can reinforce the value of practical, respectful engagement between our two countries'.
