PM defends decision on defence spending goal
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The Prime Minister defends decision on defence spending goal
Terrorgram formally listed as terrorist organisation by the Australian government
the Matildas prepare for their second game against Slovenia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the government's position on defence spending, dismissing calls from the Trump administration to lift spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Leaders at the NATO summit this week agreed to raise their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, although Spain secured an exemption allowing it to limit the increase to 2.1 per cent. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the US expects its allies in the Asia-Pacific, including Australia, to match the target of 5 per cent. Mr Albanese says Australia will stick to its current plan to lift defence spending from 2 per cent to 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2034. "We have increased our defence investment. We have increased it by $57 billion over the medium-term; and by more than $10 billion in the short-term as well. My job is to look after Australia's national interest - that includes our defence and security interests. And that is precisely what we're doing." Australia has increased its funding commitment to the global vaccine group Gavi, as the US says it is withdrawing all of its funding over vaccine safety concerns. US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, did not provide any evidence to support his claim that Gavi, had "ignored the science" in immunising children around the world. The Chair of the Board of Gavi, Jose Manuel Barroso, says the organisation has multiple safeguards and processes in place to prioritise the health and safety of children. "Gavi is indeed a unique organisation in global health - with a public-private model that has brought together national governments, donors, vaccine manufacturers, scientific institutes to vaccinate more than 1 billion children in low income and middle income countries. And I have to say that Gavi has done it always following the best scientific advice, the best science in the world - putting as a high priority vaccine safety." At a summit in Brussels , a record number of donors have pledged funds to Gavi, with more than A$13.75 billion secured until 2030. Australia has announced it will provide $26 million more than what was requested, for a total contribution of A$386 million over five years. A violent far-right online extremist group called Terrorgram has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the Australian government. Terrorgram uses encrypted platforms, mainly Telegram, to distribute racist and nationalist propaganda designed to provoke terrorist attacks, and has successfully inspired terrorist attacks in the United States, Europe and Asia. The listing means anyone found to be a member or associated with the group could face up to 25 years in jail. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says such extremist hatred has no place in Australia. State and territory education ministers are meeting in Adelaide to discuss reforms to the childcare and early education sector. It comes after New South Wales announced new laws to improve child safety, after a report by Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler found a lack of transparency in the childcare sector compared to some other states. The changes include the installation of security cameras inside centres, and a requirement for providers to notify families if they are investigated for serious breaches. Operators found to be in breach of safety rules will also face bigger fines. New South Wales Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, Courtney Houssos says she will be sharing insights on the new measures with her state and territory counterparts at today's meeting. "We believe parents have the right to make sure when they make sure that when they drop off their kids each day, they are going to be safe and in a quality environment. And that is at the forefront of our minds, so giving parents information, giving the community information is really important." In football, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the team's win against Slovenia in Perth was the perfect game. Holly McNamara achieved her first international goal, and Hayley Raso added to the score in the 87th minute when she unleashed a strike from outside the box. The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the game, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance. It is Montemurro's first match in charge. He says it is a process, and the team will have the chance to showcase further improvements when facing Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday.
"We have to put ourselves in positions, especially against the team that played player on player to be comfortable receiving the ball under pressure. We made three or four big errors in that. But I'm not concerned because it is the process going forward. For me, it was the perfect game. A team that obviously pressured all over the pitch. We have to be comfortable under the pressure. We have to learn to be that."
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