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Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia
Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia

SBS Australia

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • SBS Australia

Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia

TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia Australia signs a joint statement with a number of nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza Nick Kyrgios defeated in ATP doubles match comeback. The Prime Minister paid homage to the Welcome to Country, which opened the first sitting day of the 48th parliament of Australia. Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan gave the Welcome to Country in the Great Hall. Mr Albanese says it's a ceremony which didn't take place until 2007, and was controversial then, adding that it's no longer controversial today. He says the ceremony is an opportunity for MPs to embrace and show a profound love of home and country. "And the welcome to Country lets us touch the very beginning of the story, our story, the Australian story in the 48th Parliament. We write the next chapter. Let us do it with the same sense of grace and courage that First Nations people show us with their leadership." 40 new senators and MPs are being sworn into Parliament today as Labor holds an increased majority, with 94 of 150 lower house seats. The Minister for Home Affairs has defended the timing of Australia's joint statement calling for an immediate end to Israel's war on Gaza. Tony Burke says parts of the statement reference recent events relating to how aid has been distributed and managed, adding the governmrnt was calling for a ceasefire when the conflict started in October 2023. He told ABC News Breakfast that the government hopes a joint statement with other countries will push Israel to end their war on Gaza. A joint statement signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and more than 20 of her global counterparts - barring the US - calls for an immediate end to Israel's offensive in the strip and condemns the denial of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. Israel's foreign ministry has rejected the joint statement, saying it was 'disconnected from reality', and failed to 'focus the pressure on Hamas' and their 'responsibility for the situation'. The Prime Minister's Assistant Minister says the government is ready to work for the Australian people on Parliament's first sitting day today. Patrick Gorman flagged the government's legislation on cutting student debt, as well as their new legislation to ensure award workers preserve vital penalty rates. Mr Gorman said he wants this parliament to work and for legislation to pass through more easily, while the Greens and Liberals have firmly stated they won't simply approve the government's policies before a thorough review. "I respect the parliament, i respect the role of each individual member of parliament, to do the job that their community, state or territory, sent them here to do, and we will continue to show them that respect. But equally, some of these things we are talking about, are not new propositions. It was last year that the PM was very clear that we want to cut student debt. If the Coalition are still unclear on where they stand on that, they should probably explain that to the Australian people." A United Nations political forum in New York has heard that the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are pushing global Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a slowing of the global economy, tensions over trade and aid budget cuts, were also impacting Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 and this meeting is reviewing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a sense of urgency is essential if the global community wants to meet the UN targets. 'The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan. A plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations. People win when we channel our energy into development. But we must face a tough reality - only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress." Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, completing an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's Washington DC Open. Kyrgios had a tough opening draw alongside French veteran Gael Monfils, as they played against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys. While Kyrgios held his first service match both players were then broken to lose the first set 6-2. But being on court was as much of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been grappling with injuries since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022.

Albanese prepares to walk into 94-seat majority after Labor's landslide win as Parliament resumes
Albanese prepares to walk into 94-seat majority after Labor's landslide win as Parliament resumes

West Australian

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • West Australian

Albanese prepares to walk into 94-seat majority after Labor's landslide win as Parliament resumes

Anthony Albanese has called for discipline from his team as Parliament returns, promising to deliver on election commitments that will 'make a real, practical difference to people's lives.' The Prime Minister urged his expanded party room to stay focused for the next three-year term so it can go on to repeat the 94-seat majority they gained in Labor's thumping victory at the May election. He and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley sought to enliven their colleagues and strike a fresh tone in meetings in Canberra on Monday ahead of the first sitting of the 48th Parliament. While Mr Albanese was focused on his majority, Ms Ley's party room pep talk needed extra energy following opinion polls that showed the Coalition fell further than their diabolical election primary under her predecessor Peter Dutton. Privately, Liberals were downbeat about the 29 per cent primary in the polls, although Ms Ley's backers said her 'likeability' rating, higher than the PM's in the Resolve survey, gave her something to work with in winning over voters. In a morale booster to a disenfranchised party room, the new Opposition Leader declared the Coalition wouldn't be walked over or deterred in the face of Labor's super-sized majority against their historical low of 43 seats. Ms Ley vowed in her first address she would support 'constructive policies' but warned Labor her team would fight 'every step of the way' against them if they weren't in the national interest. 'We won't be judged by the headlines of the day, what we will be judged by is what we offer the Australian people at the next election, and Australians deserve the strongest possible opposition,' she said. 'Mr Albanese is giving interviews and he's suggesting that we should just get out of the way. Well, we won't be getting out of the way. 'It's going to be a big week, it's going to be a big fortnight, and we're taking the fight up to the government every single day, right across this country, every minute.' Despite the Canberra winter chill, Mr Albanese had a spring in his step as he walked to work yesterday from the nearby Lodge, accompanied by his son Nathan. The show of humility will contrast with his dominance of parliament that will become starkly clear when a wave of red takes over more than half the House of Representative seats on Tuesday. He lauded the hard work of each individual to get there but cautioned that everyone needed to continue to pull together. 'If we maintain that sense of discipline, sense of purpose, clear idea about why we are here — to represent people in our electorate, but also represent the national interest in promoting the Labor values of fairness, of aspiration and opportunity for all — there is no reason why every single one of you can't just be returned to the next Parliament but can't be added to as well,' he said. Mr Albanese said his government was determined to implement a 'positive agenda'. 'Part of that is standing up for Australia's national interests, progressive patriotism,' he said. Although Ms Ley has a less unwieldy party room in terms of size, she has a tougher job than the Prime Minister to keep the Coalition from fracturing. Nationals veteran Barnaby Joyce told breakfast television the Opposition should be looking for 'binary issues' to pick fights over — including the net-zero emissions commitment. 'If you try and work on nuances and ameliorations and sort of views of a different issue, that's not good,' he told Sunrise. 'And that's why such issues such as net zero, I say, look, find a point of division.' Labor's agenda will be bigger than publicly flagged when official business kicks off on Wednesday after formalities on Tuesday, with ministers putting forward 14 bills for approval in caucus. Top of the agenda will be a 20 per cent cut to student debt, tougher action against childcare providers, and laws to protect penalty rates. Mr Albanese promised the cut to university and vocational debts in his first pre-election headland speech in November and the policy was popular among younger voters. The Coalition is yet to decide its position but several shadow ministers believe given the clear mandate — and conscious of the need to win back younger people — it should wave the bill through. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said there was a 'sense of urgency' to passing the childcare reforms after shocking allegations of abuse across centres in Melbourne, but admitted with a short parliamentary timeline it would be a challenge. 'The Prime Minister has made clear he would like legislation through this fortnight, and that will be one of my jobs to try to do that,' she told ABC. 'We only have two (full) sitting days — not many. On Wednesday and Thursday, and not much of that is Government business time.' There's also a raft of first speeches, with the planned timetable pushing through 19 of the 32 new lower house members this week and the rest next week, taking up at least 16 hours of debating time. The Senate has 10 first speeches to get through, mostly scheduled for next week. Other legislation on the agenda includes rule changes for Defence Housing to allow the agency to help house American submariners based in WA during the roll out of AUKUS, a bid to make ASIO's compulsory questioning powers permanent instead of sunsetting in early September, changes to the new aged care system before its delayed start in November, and the easing of tariffs on UAE products to implement the free trade deal struck earlier this year.

Chaos: Trump's health diagnosis, Barnaby's private business, Albo's China
Chaos: Trump's health diagnosis, Barnaby's private business, Albo's China

The Advertiser

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • 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.

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