PM pushes back on US calls to boost defence spending

SBS Australia

2 days ago

In this bulletin;
Albanese rules out increase to defence spending as Penny Wong heads to the US;
Wildfires break out in France and Turkiye as Europe swelters through a heatwave;
And in Golf, Aldrich Potgieter outlasts Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title.
— Anthony Albanese says Australia will not increase defence spending next April as part of the national defence strategy, after calls from the US to bolster the defence budget. This comes as Foreign Minister Penny Wong heads to the United States for high level discussions with counterpart Marco Rubio ahead of a meeting of Quad leaders. The US has been calling for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. The Trump administration also announced this month that it would take a 30-day review of the AUKUS agreement, which will see Australia purchase US nuclear submarines. Mr Albanese says the government is engaging with the US on the matter. "Every opportunity, Australia, raises our points that we have and AUKUS benefits three countries; Australia, the UK and the US. But it does something more than that, as well, it benefits the world, because it makes our region and the world, more secure." Penny Wong is also expected to discuss tariffs during her visit to the US. From July 1 Australians will have greater access to paid parental leave, the minimum wage will go up and millions will see an increase in their Centrelink payments. Australia's lowest-paid workers will receive a pay boost, with the national minimum wage increasing by 3.5 per cent. Millions will also see a boost to Centrelink payments, with a 2.4 per cent increase to help ease the rising cost of living. Australian families will benefit from a more generous paid parental leave scheme, with the amount of government-funded leave increasing from 20 to 22 weeks. Speaking on Nine's Today Show, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the expected changes will ease pressure on Australians. "We're not pretending that people aren't still continuing to do it pretty tough, which is why there's a whole range of support that comes in on the first of July. So it is about increasing the minimum wage and increase in super but there's also increases in payments that come from the government. There's increase in PPL, and we're paying super on PPL. There's a whole range of areas where we're providing additional assistance, there's the energy bill rebates come in." Greens candidate Hannah Thomas could potentially be left without vision after suffering serious facial injuries during a police arrest at a pro-Palestinian protest. The 35-year-old has been charged with resisting arrest and was among five arrested while protesting against the actions of Israel in Gaza. The protest took place outside of an Australia firm allegedly linked to the manufacturing of fighter jet components used by the Israeli military. Ms Thomas has slammed what she calls draconian anti-protest laws that allow police to violently crackdown on peaceful protest. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says he's concerned about Ms Thomas' wellbeing but denies that it was recent anti-protest laws to blame. "I'm not prejudging the circumstances, relating to the injury, but I'm certainly not going to condemn police on the absence of information. All of the body worn camera footages, have been kept. We've got strong enforcement and oversight as well as investigation powers when it comes to police in the state and if anyone wants to make a statement. I know police will collect it straight away." Authorities across multiple European countries are urging people to take shelter as wildfires and a punishing heatwave hit the region. Fires broke out in France and Turkiye over the weekend, with this summer's first major heatwave in Europe leaving others on high alert. Ambulances are standing by tourist hotspots as experts warn that such heatwaves, intensified by climate change, will only get worse. Attending the UN Development Summit in Spain, Nabeeha Kazi says it's very clear that climate action is needed. 'The heat is incredible, no doubt about it. We are navigating it. We´ve been in a lot of indoor places. You know it is unfortunate that climate change is what it is. I don´t think they anticipated it will be this hot this year but we are here for an important mission which is about how we ensure that we are supporting countries that are also affected by climate change.' Aldrich Potgieter has ended the protracted Rocket Classic, making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to outlast Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title. He celebrated on Sunday by embracing his caddie and shaking hands with Greyserman and his caddie before giving his father, Heinrich, a hug. The 20-year-old Potgieter is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter, averaging 326-plus yards off the tee. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season.
Potgieter was born in South Africa, moved to Australia when he was eight and returned to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete.