Ley issues mea culpa to Chinese Aussies
At the May 3 federal election, the Liberals failed to retake the notionally Liberal seat of Bennelong, with Labor's incumbent Jerome Laxale boosting his margin from a super slim 1 per cent to 9.3 per cent.
In Melbourne, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan lost the blue-ribbon seat of Menzies to Labor's Gabriel Ng, and Labor's Carina Garland also maintained Chisholm.
The Coalition also suffered backlash from the community after former frontbencher Jane Hume claimed Chinese spies were volunteering for Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil.
Following a meeting with Chinese community leaders in Epping in Sydney's northwest on Monday, Ms Ley said conversations were 'frank' and it was clear the party needed to 'course correct'. Sussan Ley said she was aware the party needed to 'course correct' after the diasters of the May 3 election. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
When asked directly about Senator Hume's comments, she reiterated that the party had made mistakes in the lead up to May 3.
'We didn't get it right. We didn't get the tone right. We didn't always get the messaging right, and I want to freely acknowledge that we've turned the page,' she said.
'I'm a new leader with a different tone, different priorities and a different team.'
While she would not disclose 'private discussions' with community leaders, she said the Liberals would continue the dialogue with community members.
'I think that message was well received, but I also know that the Chinese Australian community expects ongoing dialogue from this point forward,' Ms Ley said.
'So to them, they're focused on the future, and they're focused on what happens next, and they're focused on their families and their communities and their economic circumstances, just as all Australians are.'
Ahead of Anthony Albanese's trip to China later this week, Ms Ley wished the Prime Minister 'well' but urged caution against expanding the free trade agreement to include to artificial intelligence.
'The people-to-people links that we talked about today underpin that, and they're part of the incredible Chinese diaspora and character that is part of the Australian community today,' Ms Ley said, adding that the Australia-China relationship would be built on 'mutual respect'.
'With respect to artificial intelligence and new free trade agreements, we have to proceed with caution, understanding the implications that always come with issues that concern our national interest.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
‘We need leadership': Opposition leader to tour firebombed synagogue as Federal silence slammed after attacks
Public concern about antisemitism is highest in WA, where residents are more likely to be aware of negative perceptions toward Jewish people, according to a new Combat Antisemitism survey. It comes as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley prepares to visit a firebombed Melbourne synagogue on Tuesday following a spate of anti-Jewish attacks over the weekend. The Liberal leader, joined by shadow legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser, will meet with affected community members, as questions mount over the Prime Minister's response. After issuing a brief statement on Saturday, Anthony Albanese left it to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and colleague Mark Dreyfus to front cameras while he attended a rugby match in Newcastle on Sunday. On Monday, he did not visit the site but travelled to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. It came as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan unveiled a new government-led Anti-Hate Taskforce to review police powers. Combat Antisemitism Movement chief executive Sacha Roytnam said that without strong federal leadership, responsibility was falling to state and local governments to respond. It comes as mayors from across Australia prepare to attend Combat Antisemitism's dedicated summit in September to help councils combat anti-Jewish discrimination. 'The scenes in Melbourne over the weekend were shocking — a synagogue firebombed, Jewish diners assaulted, cars torched — all within isn't isolated,' Mr Roytnam said. 'It's part of a deeply troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hate that's escalating across Australia. 'Frankly, the federal response has not matched the seriousness of the threat. 'We need leadership, not just words — stronger laws, clear consequences, and a zero-tolerance approach to hate, no matter who it targets.' Combat Antisemitism's June–July survey of 1000 Australians found one in ten witnessed or heard of local antisemitic incidents in the past year. Several Opposition members have urged the government to hold a dedicated National Cabinet meeting to tackle the issue. Former Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson on Monday urged the Albanese government to take stronger action, warning that ongoing attacks and protests require clear enforcement of the law. 'It's really time for the Prime Minister and the government to show leadership here,' he told ABC. 'This issue will continue to fester and get worse if it's not addressed and directly tackled head-on, and I want to see the government approach this with renewed vigour in this term.' He said perpetrators must face consequences to send a message that such behaviour won't be tolerated. University of Sydney Law School professor Tyrone Kirchengast said such a meeting could help address legal gaps across jurisdictions. 'What we're seeing is this traditional piecemeal approach between the Commonwealth and the States,' he said. 'I think what it's saying to the community is that there is a confused approach. 'The Commonwealth might have offenses but it's usually left to the States to police them, which means you're going to get inconsistent and uneven policing between the States. 'Then, of course, you've got inconsistent and uneven powers regarding protests. 'There's a way of perhaps bringing it before a National Cabinet. 'The other ways to potentially do it is with an agreement as to enforcing federal criminal law with regard to hate speech more consistently and evenly across the States.' While he welcomed Victoria's taskforce, Prof. Kirchengast said it diverts state resources and suggested federal funding for a similar dedicated group as an alternative. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged with setting fire to the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors on Friday night, forcing about 20 people inside to flee. The group was having Shabbat dinner, marking the beginning of the Jewish day of rest, when the attack took place at 8 pm. The latest flashpoint included an attack on Israeli restaurant Miznon, where a group reportedly chanted 'Death to the IDF,' mirroring a controversial performance by UK rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival. Asked on Monday whether Victoria would consider protest permit rules similar to those in NSW, Ms Allan said her government was implementing a broader suite of measures. La Trobe University Institute for Human Security Emeritus Professor Dennis Altman said he didn't expect the government's response to go beyond its current approach. 'I don't think we can expect more. I mean, the problem is people keep calling for our politicians to do more without being very clear what it is they are able to do,' he said. 'I'm not quite sure what a government is able to do except prosecute people, which they certainly are going to do under already existing laws.' Instead, he called for a 'thought through careful strategy' involving education programs in schools and universities, arguing the current style of protesting was often 'counterproductive.'
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Warning for Aus amid Trump's tariff war
Australia stands to receive small but positive benefits from Donald Trump's tariff war, however, a broader trade war would have 'serious consequences', a new report has found. The latest Productivity Commission Trade and Assistance Review, released on Tuesday, said global uncertainty had been at its highest levels in 2025 since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the volatility created by new and increasing tariffs a 'central feature' in policy changes. The report said initially Australia's GDP would benefit from a boost of 0.37 per cent as a result of US imports from Australia being 'relatively cheaper' due to the lower tariffs placed on Australian goods. Lowered US demand also 'decreases the global price of imports from other countries' which would make goods cheaper to import globally. Although Australia's exports to the US currently face levies of 50 per cent for steel, 25 per cent for aluminium and 10 per cent on all other goods, they are not expected to increase following Mr Trump's July 9 negotiation deadline. Despite this, Anthony Albanese has said he wants to see the tariffs removed, amid increasing pressure on Labor to secure a face-to-face meeting with the US President. Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson said the ensuing global uncertainty could 'affect living standards in Australia and around the world'. 'Uncertainty is a handbrake on investment – when businesses are uncertain about the future, they are less likely to invest,' Dr Robson said. 'Further retaliatory escalation could spiral into a broader trade war, which would bring serious consequences for Australia and the world.' The report also backed Labor's policy to not implement reciprocal tariffs, with the Productivity Commission saying Australia 'should not retaliate with its own tariffs to tariffs imposed by other trading partners,' which holds the 'risk of further escalation and ultimately worse outcomes for Australia'. 'While we cannot predict or control the trade policies of other countries, we can calibrate our own response to maximise the benefits to Australia given the policies of other countries,' it said. 'Moreover, by advocating for free trade with like-minded international partners, we can reduce the risk that retaliation spirals into a broader trade war that leads to worse outcomes for Australia.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the report confirmed that Australia was 'well placed and well prepared for all the uncertainty in the global economy'. 'The key message from the PC Review is that Australia is best served by continuing to advocate for free and fair trade, and that's exactly what we've done,' he said. The Treasurer also indicated support for the report's call to abolish a further 315 'urgent priority' nuisance tariffs, levies which increase compliance costs for businesses with little revenue benefit. This follows the government's first-term action on removing 457 tariffs on low-value goods like toothbrushes, clothing, sanitary products and dishwashers also boost productivity. Jim Chalmers flagged support for the further removal of nuisance tariffs. Dan Peled/ NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia While the PC said removing all 2640 import tariffs could grow Australia's economy between $3bn to $7bn, while reducing consumer costs by 0.13 per cent to 0.25 per cent, it acknowledged this may be prevented due to 'political constraints'. However Mr Chalmers flagged further reform was 'part of our substantial productivity agenda'. The report comes as Labor is set to hold a productivity roundtable in August, which will gather business leaders, unions and government to debate and discuss further reform. Mr Chalmers said the conversations would further boost productivity and strengthen Australia's resilience to ensure the nation benefits from 'all the churn and change in the world'. Speaking on Friday, the Prime Minister said he didn't want to pre-empt outcomes from the roundtable, saying it would 'shut down the debate before you've actually got people in the room'. 'The worst that can happen is that people develop relationships because they've spent a couple of days together,' he said.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Productivity Commission says Australia can weather tariffs, but warns a global trade war would have 'serious consequences'
Australia stands to receive small but positive benefits from Donald Trump's tariff war, however, a broader trade war would have 'serious consequences', a new report has found. The latest Productivity Commission Trade and Assistance Review, released on Tuesday, said global uncertainty had been at its highest levels in 2025 since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the volatility created by new and increasing tariffs a 'central feature' in policy changes. The report said initially Australia's GDP would benefit from a boost of 0.37 per cent as a result of US imports from Australia being 'relatively cheaper' due to the lower tariffs placed on Australian goods. Lowered US demand also 'decreases the global price of imports from other countries' which would make goods cheaper to import globally. Although Australia's exports to the US currently face levies of 50 per cent for steel, 25 per cent for aluminium and 10 per cent on all other goods, they are not expected to increase following Mr Trump's July 9 negotiation deadline. Despite this, Anthony Albanese has said he wants to see the tariffs removed, amid increasing pressure on Labor to secure a face-to-face meeting with the US President. Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson said the ensuing global uncertainty could 'affect living standards in Australia and around the world'. 'Uncertainty is a handbrake on investment – when businesses are uncertain about the future, they are less likely to invest,' Dr Robson said. 'Further retaliatory escalation could spiral into a broader trade war, which would bring serious consequences for Australia and the world.' The report also backed Labor's policy to not implement reciprocal tariffs, with the Productivity Commission saying Australia 'should not retaliate with its own tariffs to tariffs imposed by other trading partners,' which holds the 'risk of further escalation and ultimately worse outcomes for Australia'. 'While we cannot predict or control the trade policies of other countries, we can calibrate our own response to maximise the benefits to Australia given the policies of other countries,' it said. 'Moreover, by advocating for free trade with like-minded international partners, we can reduce the risk that retaliation spirals into a broader trade war that leads to worse outcomes for Australia.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the report confirmed that Australia was 'well placed and well prepared for all the uncertainty in the global economy'. 'The key message from the PC Review is that Australia is best served by continuing to advocate for free and fair trade, and that's exactly what we've done,' he said. The Treasurer also indicated support for the report's call to abolish a further 315 'urgent priority' nuisance tariffs, levies which increase compliance costs for businesses with little revenue benefit. This follows the government's first-term action on removing 457 tariffs on low-value goods like toothbrushes, clothing, sanitary products and dishwashers also boost productivity. While the PC said removing all 2640 import tariffs could grow Australia's economy between $3bn to $7bn, while reducing consumer costs by 0.13 per cent to 0.25 per cent, it acknowledged this may be prevented due to 'political constraints'. However Mr Chalmers flagged further reform was 'part of our substantial productivity agenda'. The report comes as Labor is set to hold a productivity roundtable in August, which will gather business leaders, unions and government to debate and discuss further reform. Mr Chalmers said the conversations would further boost productivity and strengthen Australia's resilience to ensure the nation benefits from 'all the churn and change in the world'. Speaking on Friday, the Prime Minister said he didn't want to pre-empt outcomes from the roundtable, saying it would 'shut down the debate before you've actually got people in the room'. 'The worst that can happen is that people develop relationships because they've spent a couple of days together,' he said.
