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Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
China serenades Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with warmth, respect and Australian rock during state visit to Beijing
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been serenaded with warmth, reverence and classic Australian rock music in Beijing, but critics have warned the tune is off key. Since arriving in China, Mr Albanese has been treated to a choreographed show of hospitality by the Chinese Communist Party, and loudly applauded by state media. His six-day, three-city visit marks an important global moment as China seeks to position itself as a credible alternative partner to the United States under Donald Trump. Mr Albanese has toed the CCP party line for the most part, avoiding discussing controversial topics including the Russia-Ukraine War and the Port of Darwin lease. In response, he has received the 'full kit and caboodle' from President Xi Jinping, including musical performances and loud public applause. Speaking at the Great Wall of China on day four of his visit, Mr Albanese detailed the 'warmth' and 'respect' with which the Chinese delegation has treated him. He described his private dinner with President Xi as a 'splendid occasion' and 'very warm'. 'The band there in the Great Hall played a different version of Paul Kelly's To Her Door, of Midnight Oil's Power and the Passion, of a range of songs as well," he said. "That obviously took them a long period of time, and those gestures matter. Respect matters between countries. 'They did it very well, I must say, as well. Powderfinger as well — they did the full kit and caboodle. So, it was a splendid occasion.' The feeling appears to be mutual as the state media continues to heap praise on Mr Albanese. Beijing's leading English state media outlet, China Daily, applauded the significance of the bilateral and trade relations between Mr Albanese and President Xi on Tuesday. 'Albanese's visit shows that the Australian side has a clearer… understanding of China than it had under the previous Scott Morrison government,' China Daily said. Another state-run publication, Global Times, commended Mr Albanese for adopting a 'pragmatic and rational approach to China policy'. However there has been some tension beneath the surface, but it has remained largely unaddressed by either leader. "The opportunity to sit down and have a meal and talk about personal issues, talk about things that aren't necessarily heavily political, is really important," Mr Albanese said. 'One of the things that my government does is engage in diplomacy. We don't shout with megaphones, we engage in diplomacy. That is in Australia's interest.' The Chinese read-out of Mr Albanese's meeting with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday claimed that he had opposed 'Taiwanese independence'. Asked whether that was an accurate representation of the closed-door meeting, Mr Albanese distanced himself from the claim, saying he hadn't seen the report. 'I agreed that Australia has had a long-standing bipartisan position that has supported the One China policy. That is our position,' Mr Albanese said. When asked if he discussed the controversial topic of the Chinese firm Landbridge's 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin, Mr Albanese said it never came up with President Xi. 'No, it wasn't raised. I can't be clearer than that… I don't need to (raise it),' Mr Albanese told reporters in Beijing. But while the renewed civility between the Albanese government and the Xi regime appears to hold, critics have warned it masks deeper strategic failures.
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
How one wellness habit redeemed a life of addiction
At 23, John Ogilvie hit rock bottom. After years of substance abuse, he made the painful decision to end his life because he felt like a burden to everyone around him. Thankfully he survived and that moment became a turning point. Mr Ogilvie slowly rebuilt his life. After exploring spirituality, he eventually took a leap of faith into a new path and says he's never looked he's in a much better place and lives and breathes yoga. But it was not always this way. The now 68-year-old was only 12 when he first turned to alcohol. As a teen, he felt like he didn't fit in. Drinking made him feel different, it was his way of finding connection and a sense of belonging. It was about five years later when Mr Ogilvie went from taking speed, acid and other hallucinogens to dabbling with heroin. This sparked the beginning of a relentless cycle that had him in its grip for a decade. "From 17 to 27, I was swinging between using narcotics obsessively to trying to get off narcotics, particularly heroin," he says. "It became a merry-go-round ... a very unhappy life." Hitting a wall of darkness, Mr Ogilvie began to think there was "no purpose to live". "I was lost and in a deep depression," he says. "I had buried myself in debt. I was at a physical low and not capable of working. I couldn't see anywhere else to turn to other than to just end my life." Despite his intentions, Mr Ogilvie woke days after falling into a coma. Some time later, he found himself in a detox centre and speaking with a priest who told him he'd survived for a reason. "Maybe there was a purpose in my life," he remembers thinking. It was at Victoria's Pleasant View Centre that he was first introduced to yoga. He recalls one night in the facility, a staff member photocopying sheets of yoga poses. He he went on to practice them daily. Although subsequently relapsing, Mr Ogilvie eventually entered another residential rehab facility that changed everything for him. The Buttery, in NSW's Northern Rivers region, supports people dealing with alcohol and drug addiction as well as mental health challenges, helping them recover and rebuild their lives. During his five-month stay in 1986, everything finally began falling into place. He credits a combination of the spiritual guidelines of the centre's program and the practices and philosophies of yoga for his transformation. It was during this time he began to truly heal and discover his purpose. "The Buttery really taught (me) life skills I hadn't developed in adulthood like how to clean the house, cook meals and socialise in a sober way with other people," Mr Ogilvie says. "The 12-step program gives people tools to continue with their recovery after they leave there." The year before his stay, the centre was referenced in Paul Kelly's hit To Her Door, which would eventually go seven times platinum and ranks among the top Australian songs of all time. Chief executive Leone Crayden says The Buttery has helped thousands in residential rehabilitation and 20,000 in its community outreach programs over its 50-year history. "Many people stay within the area and this assists in nurturing a special community of people who believe in sober living and giving back to the community," she tells AAP. "Our graduates are entrepreneurs, lawyers, clinical psychologists, Aboriginal artists and mentors to many people seeking recovery." Ms Crayden says the centre is also home to a community and lived experience program. "The counsellors, case managers, co-ordinators and managers of the rehabilitation program have been through The Buttery themselves and gone on to obtain qualifications in social work, nursing and counselling, and are valued for their lived experience." After completing his time there, Mr Ogilvie moved to Sydney and obsessively attended classes to become a yoga instructor. Soon after, he found himself back up north where he opened his own studio, the Byron Yoga Centre. It specialises in Purna yoga, a holistic practice combining physical posture with philosophy, meditation, breathwork and ethical living. The centre also offers eco-friendly accommodation and a mindful vegetarian diet. Mr Ogilvie remains connected to The Buttery, supporting others on their journey. "Yoga has so much depth and interest to it and that's where my passion is," he says. "People can come and I can give them skills that can really help turn their life around. It's jus not for recovering addicts but also big-time CEOs who are stressed and feeling unhealthy in their life. "Yoga is really for everybody." It sounds simple but Mr Ogilvie remains hopeful for the future and vision he's built. As living proof yoga is truly life-changing, he wants to continue teaching and promoting it for everyone. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
