Albanese walks the Great Wall amid high-stakes China-US balancing act
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Man who won $600m from Albanese government for PNG rugby league embroiled in corruption scandal
The chairman of the successful bid for Papua New Guinea's new rugby league franchise faces corruption concerns involving a Chinese company – after the Albanese government poured $600 million of taxpayers money into the scheme to ward off Beijing's influence in the Pacific. The claims involve a company owned by powerful PNG businessman Wapu Sonk, who led the Pacific Island nation's bid to join the National Rugby League and in June was appointed a director of the country's new franchise. But evidence unearthed by this masthead raises serious questions about whether Sonk sought to benefit personally from his power as the chief of PNG's national oil company. The evidence, which relates to his business dealings not the NRL bid, includes confidential documents and corporate records and links Sonk's company to suspect dealings with a massive Chinese government firm and a plot to funnel contracts to a company Sonk owns in Australia. Sonk, who has refused to answer questions about the issue, is also facing scrutiny over his use of a multimillion-dollar Brisbane property owned by an Australian businessman whose firm has been awarded lucrative contracts by the top oil company which Sonk heads. Sonk has been heralded as a central player in the NRL expansion deal announced in December by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside his PNG counterpart, James Marape, that will see the team join the competition in 2028. Labor has committed $600 million in taxpayer funding to finance the deal, with the funds to be spent mostly in PNG with the guidance of Sonk and his fellow directors and oversight from the Australian Rugby League Commission. The Albanese government has backed the deal as a means of countering China's strategic, security and economic influence in PNG – a fact which raises further questions about Sonk's company's dealings with a Beijing-backed firm. Sonk's power and influence – and the reason he became a key player in the NRL deal – flow from his position as the head of PNG's biggest company, the state-owned national oil company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited. If Sonk sought to use Kumul Petroleum to cut deals with a Chinese government entity in order to personally profit, it would involve precisely the type of dealmaking the Albanese government was seeking to counter when it inked the deal it negotiated with Sonk to expand the NRL into Port Moresby. The multibillion-dollar company is responsible for boosting PNG's economic and social welfare via its mandated stake in key energy projects. Sonk has helmed Kumul Petroleum as managing director for 10 years, giving him huge political and business sway as well as influence over overseas companies chasing contracts in PNG. Kumul Petroleum's long-standing funding of rugby league in PNG has made Sonk into a kingmaker in the local sport landscape. The corruption concerns involve Kumul Petroleum's $30 million project to build new oil tank facilities at a key PNG international port, the Motukea Main Wharf. In 2024, the Sonk-led Kumul Petroleum awarded the contract to a Chinese Communist Party-controlled firm involved in mega projects around the world, the China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation. In December, Sonk told the PNG press that Kumul Petroleum was spending 'significant' funds on the project to 'put in place critical infrastructure ... which is so important for our economy and development as a country'. But a leaked Kumul Petroleum letter suggests Sonk may have also been seeking to benefit himself. The letter, obtained by this masthead, details a demand from Kumul Petroleum – on its official letterhead – to the China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation. The March 12 letter tells the Chinese-government firm that Kumul expected it to hire two 'designated' Australian companies in order to carry out the port project and that this is in keeping with a 'prior agreement' extracted by Kumul Petroleum during its negotiations with the Beijing company. 'We would like to formally confirm that, as previously discussed and agreed upon, the renovation and upgrade work at Motukea Main Wharf of PNG Motukea Fuel Facility Project shall be carried out by the designated companies,' the Kumul Petroleum letter states. The request from Kumul Petroleum to the Chinese government contractor contains a veiled commercial threat that if it did not hire the 'designated' Australian companies, it might jeopardise its relationship with PNG's national oil company. 'We kindly request your cooperation in ensuring that the execution of these works aligns with our prior agreements. Any deviation from the agreed-upon plan could potentially impact the project's overall success and our collaborative efforts,' the letter states. Missing from the letter is a key detail: one of the two 'designated' companies put forward in Kumul Petroleum's letter of demand, PNG Developments Pty Ltd, is privately owned in Australia by Wapu Sonk. 'Specifically, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) work shall be executed by PNG Developments PTY LTD,' the Kumul Petroleum letter states without disclosing that the Australian firm's sole shareholder is Sonk. The second designated firm is FSB Consulting, which this masthead has confirmed is owned by one of Sonk's senior employees at Kumul Petroleum, Australian-born Jason Pollock. 'The Project Management Consultancy (PMC) work shall be handled by FSB Consulting Pty Ltd,' states the March 2025 letter, which is signed by Pollock is his capacity as 'Projects Director: Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited'. As is the case with Sonk's private firm, there is no mention in the Kumul Petroleum letter that Pollock owns FSB. Called this week, Pollock denied knowing his boss, Sonk, was the owner of PNG Developments Pty Ltd. 'I would find it hard to believe that Sonk owns that company,' Pollock said. 'That would surprise me … I'm quite taken back (sic) by that suggestion.' When later sent a shareholding document by this masthead that proved Sonk's ownership of the firm, Pollock responded with an emoji of an angry red face swearing. When Pollock was pressed as to why he wrote to the Chinese in March instructing them to use PNG Developments Pty Ltd if he did not know who owned it, he said: 'I can't remember.' He also said he could 'not remember' who directed him to nominate PNG Developments Pty Ltd as one of the two firms the Chinese government company was expected to use, but suggested it may have been a senior engineer working for the Chinese Communist Party-controlled corporation. Pressed about the seeming promotion of his privately owned firm, Pollock said it 'looks stinky' and was a 'conflict of interest'. Pollock claimed he had 'retracted' the Kumul Petroleum letter of demand after: 'I saw the error of my ways.' Pollock also claimed he had personally discussed the letter with Sonk and that Sonk had warned him about conflicts of interest, albeit while never revealing his ownership of PNG Developments Pty Ltd. Pollock insisted he was not a friend of Sonk, who Pollock called 'the big fella'. But he said he had travelled to a Chinese energy conference in Beijing with Sonk in May as part of a delegation including senior PNG politicians. Pollock had also travelled to Shanghai with Sonk on a separate trip, he said. Pollock said during an interview that he was 'happy' for any allegations of wrongdoing linked to the port deal 'to be investigated'. Sonk was sent detailed questions on Tuesday, including whether he had any knowledge of, or involvement in, sending the letter, but declined to answer them. 'These are serious questions and I prefer a lawyer to speak to you on my behalf,' Sonk said in a message on Tuesday. He did not respond further, although his lawyers on Wednesday wrote to this masthead saying: 'Our client denies any and all allegations of improper or unlawful conduct that you assert.' There is no suggestion by this masthead that Sonk directed Pollock to send the letter to the Chinese firm, only that the circumstances of the letter warrant further scrutiny because of Sonk's ownership of PNG Developments. There is no evidence that the two firms privately owned by Sonk or Pollock ever actually received any funds or contracts from the Chinese company. An Australian government spokesman said it had zero tolerance for corruption and any allegations of corrupt behaviour should be referred to appropriate authorities. The spokesman, in a statement, said the agreements between the government, the ARL Commission and PNG's NRL franchise had 'strong anti-fraud and corruption protections'. ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said he had not previously heard any adverse allegations about Sonk and that the league would be guided by 'any court case which tests these allegations'. Sonk also declined to answer questions about his use of a multimillion-dollar Brisbane home owned by an Australian businessman whose company has won contracts from Kumul Petroleum. Corporate records reveal that Hamid Ronagh is the part owner – via a company – of the Indooroopilly property used by Sonk and one of his close associates, a PNG woman, to register companies and also to live in. Ronagh's Australian firm, Neobuild, has won contracts in PNG awarded by Kumul Petroleum. Pollock told this masthead that Neobuild had won a large contract on the Motukea wharf project. Ronagh confirmed to this masthead that Sonk was renting his Brisbane property. But Ronagh did not respond to a request to provide evidence that Sonk had paid to use the property and did not respond to questions about whether the arrangement was appropriate given Neobuild's commercial dealings with Kumul Petroleum. Sonk also did not respond to questions about why he was using the Brisbane property and the extent, if any, of his private dealings with Ronagh. This masthead is not suggesting that Ronagh has provided inducements to Sonk, or that Sonk has sought them. Rather, the apparent private commercial relationship between the pair raises questions about conflicts of interest that remain unanswered given the pair's failure to answer questions. While Sonk's involvement in suspect dealings in his capacity as national oil company chief do not extend to his role leading PNG's rugby league bid, they do raise questions about his ongoing role as director of PNG's new NRL franchise. Sonk was a VIP guest of the NRL in Australia when the new team was announced and gave interviews to Australian reporters claiming the new franchise would sign up one million members, or more than the rest of the competition teams combined. One league reporter wrote that the PNG NRL deal had transformed Sonk into 'one of the game's most powerful figures'. Sonk is one of seven directors variously nominated by the ARL commission and PNG government to the board that will oversee the addition of a new team to the NRL competition in 2028. V'landys said Sonk was among the selections of the PNG government, while the commission's nominations included chairman and Canterbury Bulldogs powerbroker Ray Dib. He said the commission conducted background checks on nominated directors. The NRL agreed to the historic expansion into PNG at the behest of Albanese, who was eager to deliver it as a boost to Marape to shore up security ties with Australia's closest neighbour and ward off China's efforts to further its influence in the Pacific. Of the $600 million committed by the Albanese government over 10 years, $290 million will go towards the establishment and operation of the PNG team, with $250 million channelled into the development of rugby league in the Pacific and $60 million to be divided between existing NRL clubs as a licence fee. As an added layer of oversight, the commission will be responsible overseeing the distribution of the $600 million of taxpayer funds. However, there have been concerns that the PNG deal would inevitably be exposed to governance risks given that corruption is endemic in the Pacific. 'It's in this type of corrupted environment that you're going to be exposed to these kind of situations,' one observer said. A second source with deep connections into the federal government and the NRL said the NRL-PNG deal was always a bad idea given the potential for it to fuel corruption. A third source, a senior official in PNG, said the Australian government funds were 'better spent on health and education'. Sonk's lawyers said their client's role as a director of the new PNG-NRL franchise was appropriate. 'Our client is one member of a board of directors of the proposed franchisee. That board comprises a group of highly experienced and well-regarded individuals (including retired professional NRL players) that collectively bring significant expertise to their oversight responsibilities, and decisions are made through proper and robust governance processes,' they said. The Australian government's bankrolling of rugby league in the Pacific has alarmed rugby union chiefs in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, who have formed new links with China amid concerns that their national game could be cannibalised by a foreign taxpayer-backed rival code.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
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.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
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.
