Four lines from the Pope's funeral service will make history
And amid all the languages used to remember the late pontiff, there will be one never before heard at a papal funeral: Chinese.
The order of service, which has been released by the Vatican, is 87 pages long, which indicates the Mass could last two hours or more.
Four lines from the Prayer of the Faithful will make history. 'For us gathered here, that having celebrated the sacred mysteries, we may one day be called by Christ to enter his glorious kingdom.'
These words, which will be read aloud in Mandarin just after the homily, reflect the late Pope's ambitions regarding China, which were contentious among Catholics.
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While US President Donald Trump, who will attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, continues his battle with China over tariffs, the Vatican is smoothing its relationship with Beijing.
As a member of the Jesuit Order, Francis seemed driven to follow in the footsteps of its missionaries to pre-Communist China, and wanted to improve relations with Beijing.
But he drew sharp criticism from those who argued his overtures did nothing to help Catholics and other Christians practise their faith in the communist state.
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PNG NRL director stands down over corruption claims
The man who led PNG's successful NRL bid has stood down from the expansion team's board over corruption allegations. PNG Prime Minister James Marape on Friday said Wapu Sonk had agreed to step down effective immediately as a franchise board director but added it was "not a presumption of guilt". The allegations made by the Sydney Morning Herald relate to Mr Sonk's business dealings as managing director of Kumul Petroleum. The report claimed documents and corporate records linked Kumul Petroleum to suspect dealings with a huge Chinese government firm and a "plot to funnel contracts" to a company Mr Sonk owned in Australia. Mr Sonk was chair of the NRL PNG team bid, helping secure a $600 million backing from the Australian government. He was named on the new franchise's inaugural board in June. Mr Marape said while the matters were unrelated to the NRL franchise, they were claims that "cannot be ignored". "I have spoken to Mr Sonk and while he is currently overseas I have requested that he step down from his role ... he has agreed to do so," he said in a statement. "Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name. "Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners." Mr Marape said his government was committed to "full transparency" and co-operation with relevant investigations. "The integrity of this national franchise is paramount. We will not allow it to be undermined by external controversy ... this moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence," he said. "Our national sporting future - and our international reputation - depend on it." Comment has been sought from Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy. The PNG expansion team was officially announced in December 2024, with the team set to join the competition in 2028. At the time Mr Sonk said "the whole country will be involved" in picking a moniker and designing the jersey for the team in PNG where rugby league is the national sport. Former Canterbury Bulldogs boss Ray Dib was named PNG club chairman in June, with the Australian Rugby League Commission announcing a seven-member board. The Australian government will kick in $600 million over 10 years in an agreement that expires at the end of 2034. The man who led PNG's successful NRL bid has stood down from the expansion team's board over corruption allegations. PNG Prime Minister James Marape on Friday said Wapu Sonk had agreed to step down effective immediately as a franchise board director but added it was "not a presumption of guilt". The allegations made by the Sydney Morning Herald relate to Mr Sonk's business dealings as managing director of Kumul Petroleum. The report claimed documents and corporate records linked Kumul Petroleum to suspect dealings with a huge Chinese government firm and a "plot to funnel contracts" to a company Mr Sonk owned in Australia. Mr Sonk was chair of the NRL PNG team bid, helping secure a $600 million backing from the Australian government. He was named on the new franchise's inaugural board in June. Mr Marape said while the matters were unrelated to the NRL franchise, they were claims that "cannot be ignored". "I have spoken to Mr Sonk and while he is currently overseas I have requested that he step down from his role ... he has agreed to do so," he said in a statement. "Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name. "Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners." Mr Marape said his government was committed to "full transparency" and co-operation with relevant investigations. "The integrity of this national franchise is paramount. We will not allow it to be undermined by external controversy ... this moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence," he said. "Our national sporting future - and our international reputation - depend on it." Comment has been sought from Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy. The PNG expansion team was officially announced in December 2024, with the team set to join the competition in 2028. At the time Mr Sonk said "the whole country will be involved" in picking a moniker and designing the jersey for the team in PNG where rugby league is the national sport. Former Canterbury Bulldogs boss Ray Dib was named PNG club chairman in June, with the Australian Rugby League Commission announcing a seven-member board. The Australian government will kick in $600 million over 10 years in an agreement that expires at the end of 2034. The man who led PNG's successful NRL bid has stood down from the expansion team's board over corruption allegations. PNG Prime Minister James Marape on Friday said Wapu Sonk had agreed to step down effective immediately as a franchise board director but added it was "not a presumption of guilt". The allegations made by the Sydney Morning Herald relate to Mr Sonk's business dealings as managing director of Kumul Petroleum. The report claimed documents and corporate records linked Kumul Petroleum to suspect dealings with a huge Chinese government firm and a "plot to funnel contracts" to a company Mr Sonk owned in Australia. Mr Sonk was chair of the NRL PNG team bid, helping secure a $600 million backing from the Australian government. He was named on the new franchise's inaugural board in June. Mr Marape said while the matters were unrelated to the NRL franchise, they were claims that "cannot be ignored". "I have spoken to Mr Sonk and while he is currently overseas I have requested that he step down from his role ... he has agreed to do so," he said in a statement. "Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name. "Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners." Mr Marape said his government was committed to "full transparency" and co-operation with relevant investigations. "The integrity of this national franchise is paramount. We will not allow it to be undermined by external controversy ... this moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence," he said. "Our national sporting future - and our international reputation - depend on it." Comment has been sought from Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy. The PNG expansion team was officially announced in December 2024, with the team set to join the competition in 2028. At the time Mr Sonk said "the whole country will be involved" in picking a moniker and designing the jersey for the team in PNG where rugby league is the national sport. Former Canterbury Bulldogs boss Ray Dib was named PNG club chairman in June, with the Australian Rugby League Commission announcing a seven-member board. The Australian government will kick in $600 million over 10 years in an agreement that expires at the end of 2034.
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an hour ago
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Chaos: Trump's health diagnosis, Barnaby's private business, Albo's China
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia on Friday following a six-day trip to China that he believes went very well and hit back at Coalition claims that the mission was "indulgent". Mr Albanese said the ongoing dialogue was important and that the jaunt would reap more rewards than the Morrison government's poor relationship with Beijing, the nadir of which saw China slap $20 billion worth of trade barriers on Australian exports. While the ambition is high, it is fair to say the bar is low. Beyond the domestic jousting, Mr Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping waxed lyrical this week about trade ties being reset and the latter wanting the two nations to "unswervingly" commit to the newfound cooperation in eyeing an extension of trade to include things artificial intelligence, the digital economy and clean energy and a relaxation of foreign investment rules. There were also more robust conversations had and, some agreeing to disagree, around those rules, the Chinese navy's pop-up live-fire exercises in waters surrounding Australia, Labor's plan to force ownership of the Port of Darwin from Chinese hands and Beijing's concerns over the government's east coast gas reservation policy. Albanese then walked the same section of the Great Wall of China trekked by former Labor PM Gough Whitlam in 1971. His next order of official business will be the first sitting day of the 48th Parliament next Tuesday. The government has already flagged that the first legislation tabled will be its bill to reduce student debt. The biggest talking point in the lead-up is around the optics of the government benches in the lower house heaving to the point of MP spillage to the crossbench and dwarfing the Sussan Ley-led Coalition coterie sitting opposite. The question that will continue to be asked until it happens is when Mr Albanese will meet with US President Donald Trump? Former deputy prime minister and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has pledged to proceed with a Private Members Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to emissions reduction targets, claiming the laws are a risk to the nation's sovereignty. The move would kill two birds with one stone in ruffling feathers internally, with the Coalition yet to finalise its emissions reduction and net-zero policies, and creating an unwanted distraction for the government. "There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend. Net Zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a Bill to do that," Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Australia is in the region and the time of a great threat to sustaining our democracy unfettered. "History repeats itself because just as people still look the same as 10,000 years ago, they still have the same innate flaws as 10,000 years ago and one of these is greed." The backbencher added that if his so-called "Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025" was brought forward for debate, the "billions being made by a select few out of the destruction of our economy and the security of our nation will not tolerate any threat to their business plan". "I am certain that their lobbying, privately and publicly, will become frenetic if this Bill has the prospect of debate," he wrote. A predictable show of support came with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan congratulating Mr Joyce on his "good work" and sharing the post to his 90,000-odd Facebook followers with the message that "the end of net zero can't come soon enough". Far be it from anyone to throw out free advice, but Mr Joyce could look at a decision made overnight by the US Interior Department for his next play. In a statement, the department said that all decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities must now undergo elevated personal review by the Office of the Secretary, Doug Burgum. Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said that: "Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars". Critics immediately jumped on the move as a wily way for the administration to slow down the approval processes of large-scale renewable projects on public land or water by creating huge bottlenecks while it simultaneously ramps up dirty mining and eases climate controls. The changes will increase scrutiny at "each and every waypoint", according to the department's acting deputy secretary in the Biden administration, Laura Daniel-Davis, who said most energy project approvals currently do not go through the high-level office. In contrast, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club last month that the headline of his second-term agenda was kick-starting Australia's flailing productivity through a range of measures, including faster approval of renewable projects, and addressing a significant structural budget deficit. Victoria's Allan Labor government last month tabled the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 it designed to provide transmission companies new powers to enter private property without consent, landholders who obstruct this access will then face a fine of $1221 or penalty of $12,210 if the matter goes to court. VIcGrid, the government-owned transmission corporation, would be granted the same powers. Landholders are currently able to block entry to their properties without legal penalties hanging over their heads and force transmission companies into often lengthy court proceedings to get beyond their gates. The potential lowering of the bar by Labor coincidentally came as the Australian Energy Market Operator announced a two-year delay in the completion of the $3.2b VNI West transmission project that will link large-scale renewable infrastructure between Victoria and NSW into the grid. The delay from 2028 to 2030 is designed to buy time amid its failure to gain landholder approvals and a social license from locals, it has also placed a microscope on the pace of federal Labor's renewable energy transition. Quite fairly, Victorian Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland took to social media to underline the issues around the situation. "It is a disgraceful and brazen overreach from this government," she said. "And, once again, it is regional Victorians that are left to deal with the consequences." While the power of social media to amplify a message is now almost without peer, the former ACM editor's Instagram post is also a reminder that, while the results are often hilarious for the rest of us, to never, ever work with children or animals. Or, if you do, judging by the small child in the back seat of her car digging for nose candy, an addendum to the quote could be to ensure they are well fed beforehand. Farmers, landholders and community groups are planning to protest the bill in Melbourne on July 30. During his visit to the People's Republic of China, the prime minister and Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremonial signing of biosecurity protocols and two new trade deals between Canberra and Beijing. The agreements will open market access for Australian-grown apples to be sold in China, while Chinese jujubes, otherwise known as Chinese dates, will be retailed in Australia. The deal is quite big news in certain circles, given that the fruit is one of the nation's largest domestic horticultural concerns and valued in 2023-24 at more than $680 million. In a quirk, the core of the agreement is building on the existing trade with Tasmanian growers having had access to China since 2010. It is expected that apple growers from mainland Australia will begin exporting their produce to China as new fruit comes online in the 2026 season. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products. It is unknown whether those little stickers will be slapped on the fruit before it is shipped out, and what exactly Chinese consumers will make of the pesky little decals. In news that would be huge if true for Australia's sugar industry, Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will flip the script by soon dumping its corn syrup sweetener for real cane sugar in its pop sold stateside. The president's health honcho Robert F Kennedy Jr has long voiced concerns about the potential health impacts of things like corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes. President Trump, a Diet Coke enthusiast, posted on social media that he has been speaking with the company about using real cane sugar and "they have agreed to do so". The soft drink giant issued a statement to say that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and that "more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon". That's not a no and will prompt sugar traders around the globe to no doubt watch the space. American farmers with Corn Refiners Association President and chief executive John Bode immediately pushed into the conversation by saying that replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would "cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." For the record, Diet Coke is sweetened artificially with aspartame, the rumour goes that a button was recently installed in the Oval Office's desk for the president to quickly order a fresh round. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition in reading a letter from his personal physician on Friday morning (Australian time). Ms Leavitt told a press briefing that an ultrasound on the president's legs "revealed chronic venous insufficiency ... a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70", but that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness," Leavitt read. The testing was ordered after President Trump reported "mild swelling" in his legs and bruising on his hands. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart and, while it tends to worsen over time, it can be managed successfully with early intervention. Leavitt also said that Trump had experienced bruising on the back of his hand that she described as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". A reference group attached to New Zealand's Environment Ministry has recommended in its draft climate adaption framework that the government should stop buying out property owners following climate-related disasters beyond 2045, as well as those in the line of fire for future events. NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on board with the potential shift in policy settings in saying "the government won't be able to keep bailing out people". The issues triggering the push revolve around people living in, or moving into, so-called high-risk areas for flooding and the future financial exposure and insurance cover issues around natural disasters. Those most impacted, according to a fictitious scenario offered up by the University of Waikato, are those in 20 years' time living in areas identified as "high risk" under national climate risk maps. The rub is they don't remain in these areas because they ignore the risks, but because they had no viable alternative, "when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?" We are told that money talks, and to follow the money and the emerging chatter in the Shakey Isles is just something else for the millions of Australians who will be impacted by flooding and drought in coming years to worry about. Flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales so far this year has reinforced that damage caused by extreme weather destroys homes, infrastructure and businesses and, in a domino effect, triggers widespread environmental and economic destruction and displacement of families, job losses and fractured communities across vast regions. Australia could be on the cusp of ending its long-term absence from the Chinese canola market with the industry abuzz on Thursday with reports of a deal brokered between Australian and Chinese officials for a trial of five shipments of canola totalling around 150,000 tonnes. Labor has finally confirmed how the $139.7 million transition assistance funding envelope, allocated following its controversial axing of the live sheep by sea export trade, will be carved up. The take-home pay for some of Australia's highest-paid agribusiness chief executives is reaching skywards of 50 times the weekly earnings of an average worker.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Government, business reject criticism of PM's China ‘working holiday'
The opposition's dismissal of Anthony Albanese's trip to China as a 'working holiday' has been rejected by the government and business, while alarming some Liberals who fear the party has failed to learn from the past two elections, when it was roundly rejected by Chinese-Australian voters. As the prime minister flew home on Friday following a six-day visit which covered three cities, the opposition stepped up its criticism of him for spending so long in China, especially his visit to the Great Wall and a panda sanctuary.
