Latest news with #TedOBrien
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Uproar over Liberal Party figure's explosive tweets about mass immigration to Australia - as he suddenly DELETES them: 'Infinity'
An economist appointed to a key Liberal Party role has come under fire over old tweets saying the best level of mass immigration to Australia is 'infinity'. Author and academic Steven Hamilton was appointed as the new chief of staff and economic adviser to deputy Liberal leader and shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien this week. Insiders hoped Mr Hamilton - an assistant professor at George Washington University - would help the party rebuild its economic agenda following its historic defeat in May. But his suitability for the role has been called into question after a series of old tweets resurfaced in which he called for a radical boost to Australia's migrant intake. 'The optimal level of immigration is infinity', he wrote in 2023, in a tweet that has this week caught the ire of conservative activists. Migration Watch founder Jordan Knight said Mr Hamilton's appointment was a 'concerning choice'. 'Why would somebody want infinity immigration when Australians are suffering with record-high rent and house prices, clogged roads, and a standard of living in free-fall?' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Is the Liberal Party switching back into a mass immigration party?' In a separate resurfaced tweet, Hamilton described immigration as a 'genius' concept, adding it could allow Australia to 'get fully functional people without that annoying child phase'. Another read: 'Fertility is a distraction. The key to a better Australia is a bigger Australia, and the key to that is migration. 'And because we disproportionately take working-age people, that's a convenient solution to population ageing, too. 'I'd love to see our government champion that.' Hamilton has also penned articles defending Australia's comparatively high migration rates as the answer to its shrinking population. 'Suffice it to say that migration-fuelled population growth raises GDP per capita, and with it our standard of living,' he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald in 2023. 'Is it without cost? Of course not. 'But rather than pointing to these costs to justify yanking the handbrake, perhaps we should instead advocate for better policies to mitigate the negatives.' Hamilton, who has written columns for the Australian Financial Review, has been outspoken in his criticism of Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers. In recent columns, Hamilton criticised Labor for what he sees as inflationary spending and a misguided disdain for the GST. He advocated strongly for income and company tax cuts, cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and putting an end to bracket creep. But Hamilton also slammed Coalition policy, including the nuclear policy his new boss spearheaded ahead of the last election. Mr Knight, who serves as a political adviser to Independent NSW MP Rod Roberts, said Mr Hamilton's beliefs contradicted those of mainstay Liberal party voters. 'The Liberal Party needs to make a choice: Are they on the side of Australians, the majority of whom want far less immigration, or will they listen to its advisers who want continued mass immigration?' The appointment comes as O'Brien said the Coalition would look to recruit policy talent as opposed to Labor's focus on political operatives. 'In contrast, the Coalition is focused on attracting the best policy brains and we'll be actively engaging with the business sector, which has been ignored by Labor over recent years,' he told the Financial Review. 'The agenda we take to the next election will be values-led, future-focused and economically driven. 'We'll be working hard every day to hold the government to account while formulating policies to build a future Australia that is prosperous, strong and fiercely independent.' Mr Hamilton said he was looking forward to returning home from the US for the role. 'I look forward to serving the Australian people by supporting an effective opposition,' he said.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Opposition homes in on productivity after shock RBA rates hold
The opposition is homing in on productivity after the Reserve Bank of Australia chief cited it as a concern in her post-rates hold remarks. In a move that shocked financial traders and economists, the bank decided to hold the official cash rate at 3.85 per cent on Tuesday. The decision was not unanimous, with three monetary board members voting against a hold. Speaking afterward, RBA Governor Michele Bullock said she was not ready to say inflation had been 'nailed', noting underlying inflation had only been within the bank's target range for a quarter. She said one of the board's concerns was wages growth outstripping productivity – how efficiently labour can produce goods and services. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said on Wednesday the Albanese government needed to 'put productivity as a priority so you see more growth in the private sector' rather than fuel the public sector growth. 'I think the priority of government has not been productivity,' Mr O'Brien told the ABC. 'And therefore, I welcome the fact that the government is now starting to look at it, and I've taken the treasurer at his word that he's actually going to take action.' Jim Chalmers has invited his opposition counterpart to take part in a productivity roundtable. Mr O'Brien said he was looking for options to 'drive three things'. 'One, incentives – incentives for the private sector, for businesses, for entrepreneurship, to basically have more investment, both domestically and internationally, coming into Australia,' he said. 'Secondly, capabilities – we need to ensure that we've got measures that grow, not just human capital, but also technology and broader investments so that we can build our sovereign capability in Australia. 'And, thirdly, flexibility – we've got to make sure that we are a nimble, agile economy.' Mr O'Brien said the 'only idea that is being brought forward' was the Labor's plan to rollback concessions on ultra-high super balances. But the Treasurer has taken a different view, insisting the Albanese government has been focused on productivity. 'Productivity is one of the big structural challenges in our economy,' Mr Chalmers said, also speaking to the ABC. 'It hasn't just shown up in the last couple of years – it's been a feature of our economy, unfortunately, for the last couple of decades. 'And so we did spend a big chunk of the first term working to make our economy more productive.' Pointing to competition policy and investments in upskilling, he said the government had 'had a big productivity agenda' but noted it was 'not one of those areas where you see quick wins'. 'We have got a big agenda, and the productivity roundtable is all about working out the next steps in that regard,' Mr Chalmers said. He added that 'it should be a source of considerable pride to Australians' that the country has managed to reel in inflation' and get it into the lower end of the RBA's target range. 'That's a good thing, as the Reserve Bank Governor acknowledged yesterday as well,' he said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Dangerous': Aus response to strikes slammed
Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O'Brien has slammed Anthony Albanese's response to US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming it sends a 'dangerous message to the world'. Iran overnight fired missiles at the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities at the weekend. The Trump administration has suggested it was informed of the attack beforehand and Qatar was able to shoot down the Iranian missiles without any casualties. Donald Trump announced on Tuesday morning - hours after the strike - that Israel and Iran had agreed to 'a complete and total ceasefire'. The Prime Minister has been widely criticised by the Coalition and other political figures for his response to the US strikes, not fronting media until after a National Security Committee meeting on Monday. Mr Albanese did officially back Mr Trump's actions, though refused to directly answer whether Australia was briefed prior to the decision to strike being made. Mr O'Brien claimed Mr Albanese showed a 'lack of leadership' on the day of the strikes. 'The Prime Minister was silent – he put out no statement, he did not speak to the Australian people, he did not call a meeting of the National Security Committee,' he said on Today. 'He did not come out and decisively back the United States, our key ally. Unfortunately, that only weakens our relationship with the United States. 'And it sends a very dangerous message to the world that Australia, under this government, is passive. It's a failure of a leadership test.' Appearing alongside Mr O'Brien, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth hit back at claims Mr Albanese was 'defensive, dismissive, and really on edge' in Monday's press conference. 'What we saw was the Prime Minister come out and clearly explain Australia's position – clearly explain that we don't have a central role in this conflict and clearly explain what we're doing for Australians,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We are a methodical government … you might be used to the chaos of previous Coalition governments coming up with different positions, but we're a methodical government.' Ms Rishworth did not answer directly when pressed by host Karl Stefanovic on whether the government would support further US strikes. 'I think these strikes were very targeted by the reports from the US,' she said. 'They have been effective in disrupting the nuclear facilities, and that was what their focus was, of course. 'The world for a long time has recognised that it is inconceivable that Iran gets access to nuclear weapons, and we – you know, for the peace and stability, stability of the world – that's been important.' 'The US has been pretty clear that it thinks it was a successful targeting of those facilities, but we want to see some return to diplomacy to actually de-escalate this, because a wider conflict in the Middle East is an incredibly difficult circumstance that no one wants to see.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other senior Labor ministers on Tuesday morning condemned Iran's retaliatory strike on the US base. Coalition's renewed calls to 'stand with US' Sussan Ley has reaffirmed the Coalition's support for the US in the wake of Iran's strike, and called on Mr Albanese to attend this week's NATO Summit to seek a meeting with Mr Trump. In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Opposition Leader reiterated their support for actions taken by the US to 'prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons'. 'The Coalition condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the Iranian regime's direct missile attack on a United States base in Qatar,' Ms Ley said. 'We note President Trump has said the United States was provided with prior notice to prevent loss of life and injury. That said, this provocative act is a violation of Qatari sovereignty. 'Australia must stand firmly with our allies and partners, including the United States, in the face of such aggression. 'Noting reports that President Trump may be seeking meetings with IP4 nations - including Australia - at NATO, we continue to urge (Mr Albanese) to attend. 'Now is a time for Australia to stand with the United States and Anthony Albanese should be taking every opportunity to do so.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has already travelled to Europe to represent Australia at the NATO Summit. More to come
News.com.au
24-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Liberal deputy Ted O'Brien slams Anthony Albanese's response to US, Iran strikes
Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O'Brien has slammed Anthony Albanese's response to US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming it sends a 'dangerous message to the world'. Iran overnight fired missiles at the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities at the weekend. The Trump administration has suggested it was informed of the attack beforehand and Qatar was able to shoot down the Iranian missiles without any casualties. Donald Trump announced on Tuesday morning - hours after the strike - that Israel and Iran had agreed to 'a complete and total ceasefire'. The Prime Minister has been widely criticised by the Coalition and other political figures for his response to the US strikes, not fronting media until after a National Security Committee meeting on Monday. Mr Albanese did officially back Mr Trump's actions, though refused to directly answer whether Australia was briefed prior to the decision to strike being made. Mr O'Brien claimed Mr Albanese showed a 'lack of leadership' on the day of the strikes. 'The Prime Minister was silent – he put out no statement, he did not speak to the Australian people, he did not call a meeting of the National Security Committee,' he said on Today. 'He did not come out and decisively back the United States, our key ally. Unfortunately, that only weakens our relationship with the United States. 'And it sends a very dangerous message to the world that Australia, under this government, is passive. It's a failure of a leadership test.' Appearing alongside Mr O'Brien, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth hit back at claims Mr Albanese was 'defensive, dismissive, and really on edge' in Monday's press conference. 'What we saw was the Prime Minister come out and clearly explain Australia's position – clearly explain that we don't have a central role in this conflict and clearly explain what we're doing for Australians,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We are a methodical government … you might be used to the chaos of previous Coalition governments coming up with different positions, but we're a methodical government.' Ms Rishworth did not answer directly when pressed by host Karl Stefanovic on whether the government would support further US strikes. 'I think these strikes were very targeted by the reports from the US,' she said. 'They have been effective in disrupting the nuclear facilities, and that was what their focus was, of course. 'The world for a long time has recognised that it is inconceivable that Iran gets access to nuclear weapons, and we – you know, for the peace and stability, stability of the world – that's been important.' 'The US has been pretty clear that it thinks it was a successful targeting of those facilities, but we want to see some return to diplomacy to actually de-escalate this, because a wider conflict in the Middle East is an incredibly difficult circumstance that no one wants to see.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other senior Labor ministers on Tuesday morning condemned Iran's retaliatory strike on the US base. Coalition's renewed calls to 'stand with US' Sussan Ley has reaffirmed the Coalition's support for the US in the wake of Iran's strike, and called on Mr Albanese to attend this week's NATO Summit to seek a meeting with Mr Trump. In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Opposition Leader reiterated their support for actions taken by the US to 'prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons'. 'The Coalition condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the Iranian regime's direct missile attack on a United States base in Qatar,' Ms Ley said. 'We note President Trump has said the United States was provided with prior notice to prevent loss of life and injury. That said, this provocative act is a violation of Qatari sovereignty. 'Australia must stand firmly with our allies and partners, including the United States, in the face of such aggression. 'Noting reports that President Trump may be seeking meetings with IP4 nations - including Australia - at NATO, we continue to urge (Mr Albanese) to attend. 'Now is a time for Australia to stand with the United States and Anthony Albanese should be taking every opportunity to do so.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has already travelled to Europe to represent Australia at the NATO Summit.
News.com.au
08-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Australian public were not ‘buying' what the Coalition was ‘offering'
Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien says the Coalition will learn 'a hell of a lot of lessons' from their failed federal election campaign. The national accounts this week revealed quarterly economic growth of just 0.2 per cent, with GDP per capita and productivity continuing to go backwards. 'When you look at what a dreadful job the Albanese government has been doing, we should have landed harder blows,' Mr O'Brien said. 'What we were offering, the Australian people, they weren't buying – we have got to be candid and upfront about that.'
