Latest news with #SouthCoastLabourCouncil
The Advertiser
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Call for local steel mandate in face of Trump's tariffs
Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nation's workers and industry from Donald Trump's tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks. "If we don't mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel," he told AAP. "If you don't defend your own markets, others will take them." Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Mr Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. "We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials," he told ABC radio. Mr Buchanan said the US president's decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of "economic self-harm" and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Mr Trump's deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Mr Trump committed to imposing them "without exceptions or exemptions" in a bid to help shield domestic industries. The Albanese government has ruled out retaliatory tariffs against the US as it tries to secure an exemption for Australian goods. But Australia could take the US to the World Trade Organisation, as it did with China over punitive trade sanctions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic as diplomatic relations hit a low. Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the government would continue to "coolly and calmly" argue its case for the removal of the tariffs. Canada has taken the US to the umpire, which determines global trade rules. Senator Farrell is travelling to France, leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia will host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system. In Mr Trump's first term, the US president gave Australia exemptions on the argument the US has a trade surplus with its ally.
AU Financial Review
01-05-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Why Labor won't stop talking about nuclear power
On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's campaign bus pulled up at a football field on the NSW south coast in the marginal seat of Gilmore. But it was not there for long. After three protesters in hazmat suits hijacked a planned press conference and began measuring the site for radiation levels, the bus was quickly back on the road. The gatecrashers – all of whom were members of the South Coast Labour Council – anointed Dutton the 'Member for Fukushima', a reference to the Japanese city that experienced a nuclear disaster in 2011 after it was hit by an earthquake and a tsunami.
SBS Australia
29-04-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Protesters interrupt Dutton's NSW south coast campaign stop
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with . TRANSCRIPT: Protesters interrupt Peter Dutton's campaign stop on the New South Wales South Coast; Mark Carney to remain Canada's Prime Minister - thanks to Donald Trump; Australia's Alex de Minaur caught up in Spain's mass blackout. The opposition leader has cancelled a press conference this afternoon after unionists disrupted the event by pretending to check for radiation. Peter Dutton was going to appear alongside the Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, who is making his second attempt to win the electorate won by Labor's Fiona Phillips with just 373 votes in 2022. It's understood a group of three men from the South Coast Labour Council came to the event at Sanctuary Point, dressed in hazmat suits in a demonstration against the leader's policy on nuclear energy. They told onlookers they were searching for "the member for Fukushima". "Under a Dutton government, he's saying 'Nuclear is it.' Get used to the face masks, get used to the radiation suits because this is energy in Australia under a Dutton government." A teenager has been charged after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's office was vandalised for what is the third time during this year's election campaign. It's understood his Brisbane office was splattered in red paint and covered with posters criticising his stance on a number of issues, including his opposition to public housing initiatives, his stance on the war in Gaza, and links to mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. Police say the 18 year old woman was arrested after being tracked by the dog squad, and has been charged with causing wilful damage. Mr Dutton has described the vandalism as outrageous. "We can have disagreements, that's fine, but we need to do it better than we have at the moment... I don't want to see a situation where we've got people who are being intimidated." The Australian Electoral Commission has referred a video to its integrity taskforce amid concerns of foreign interference in this Saturday's federal election. In the video, two people wearing Monique Ryan T-shirts say that a community organisation which has historical links to the Chinese Communist party's foreign interference operation told them to vote for the teal MP. A spokesperson for the A-E-C has said the agency became aware of the footage when it was published on Monday [[28 April]], and that a review has been launched. Canada's Liberal Party has retained power in the federal election. The Liberals have been projected to win more of Parliament's 343 seats than the Conservative Party, though it remains unclear if they would win enough to have an outright majority government. The party had been heading for a crushing defeat until U-S President Donald Trump started attacking Canada's economy and suggested it should become the 51st state, stoking a surge in nationalism in infuriated Canadians. Toronto resident Reid Warren says Trump's actions and the response of Canada's conservative party were a large part of the reason for his vote. "I don't think there is a better choice right now. I know people believe in Poilievre but it's the same, like, soundbites that you get from anybody else. It sounds like mini-Trump to me." Four children have been killed after a car crashed an after school program in the US. Chatham Police Department Deputy Chief Scott Tarter says a car hit three people outside a school in the Illinois [[illa-noy]] town of Chatham before hitting another person as it rammed through the building and exited out the other side. Illinois State Police say those killed were between the ages of four and 18. The Deputy Chief says the circumstances of the crash remain unknown, and investigators are yet to determine if the accident was intentional. "We have an officer at the hospital with this, I'm gonna call him a suspect at this time, because that's clearly what they are. An arrest and any charges at this time, I can't confirm that." The police officer who first responded to last year's Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbing rampage has testified on day two of the inquest about how she pursued the killer and stopped him in his tracks. Inspector Amy Scott has told the inquest she chased the 40-year-old attacker without waiting for backup, because she wanted to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible. Two civilians commonly referred to as the "bollard men" have also told the Bondi stabbing inquest about their actions on that fateful day. But Silas Desperaux and Damien Guerot have told reporters outside the inquest in Sydney they do not consider themselves to be heroes - just men who did what needed to be done. DAMIEN: "I was like (we have) two choices, we escape or we go. Silas was like going, we go, we find the bollard. And we just follow him. And that time I would say my mind switched and we got full adrenaline." Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has found himself among the millions of people impacted by a mass power outage across Spain and Portugal. The Australian No.1 was preparing to play his third round match in the Madrid Open when the lights went out across the Iberian peninsula. All play has been since cancelled after a delay of more than four hours.
Sky News AU
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Federal Election 2025: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addresses media in Labor-held seat of Whitlam in NSW
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is speaking to reporters in the safe Labor-held seat of Whitlam with four days to go until the federal election. Mr Dutton was forced to cancel an earlier press conference in Gilmore after trade unionists protested the event. Three members of the South Coast Labour Council turned up at the press conference wearing hazmat suits and protesting nuclear.
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Protesters nuke Dutton appearance with former minister
A trio of unionists clad in hazmat suits and wielding mock Geiger counters have gatecrashed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's press conference in a marginal seat. Mr Dutton was at Sanctuary Point on the NSW South Coast to make a modest funding announcement for a local junior rugby league team when the pantomiming protesters, led by South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris, walked onto the field and shouted mock warnings about radiation. "Stay back everybody," they warned, pretending to measure out a site for a nuclear power plant. "We're just checking for radiation." Mr Dutton was about to hold a press conference alongside the Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, who is making his second attempt to win the electorate won by Labor's Fiona Phillips with just 373 votes in 2022. It is also the former Liberal NSW state minister's fifth attempt to enter federal parliament, including two failed senate pushes and another for the lower house seat of Eden-Monaro. A few more days of campaigning remain before the federal election on Saturday. The chaos at Sanctuary Point intensified when a group of local kids showed up. Shoalhaven councillor Selena Clancy encouraged the youngsters to shout over the nuclear farce. "You're scaring the children!" Cr Clancy yelled, while a club official called Mr Rorris an "absolute muppet". Mr Dutton had been chatting with locals when the disruption occurred. One supportive attendee, Michael King, said Mr Constance had his vote while hinting at his disappointment with Labor's climate policy. "We cannot make any difference in our global environment, so why would you shoot yourself in the foot?" he told reporters. Climate change is a contentious issue in the electorate, with Climate 200-backed independent Kate Dezarnaulds taking aim at Mr Constance for a perceived retreat from his support for climate action following the 2019/20 bushfires. But some elements of the electorate are vocally against Labor's renewable energy push, specifically offshore wind farm developments off the picturesque coast. Liberal Party media advisers were unable to clear off the protesters, and the local police in attendance were powerless to move them on from a public space, so the press conference was cancelled and the media pack bundled back onto Mr Dutton's campaign bus. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Dutton visited a green grocer in Nowra, a 30-minute drive from Sanctuary Point, where he talked with a business owner about the rising cost of living and high energy costs. It comes after Mr Dutton's electorate office in Brisbane was vandalised with red paint and posters criticising his stance on the war in Gaza and closeness to US President Donald Trump. An 18-year-old woman has been charged with one count of wilful damage and is due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 20.
