Latest news with #USStudiesCentre
Sky News AU
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Trump is ‘maximising his options' by not getting directly involved in Israel-Iran war
US Studies Centre Research Director Jared Mondschein says the world should not 'predict' what US President Donald Trump will do about the 'thorny military problem' between Iran and Israel. 'He's trying to maximise as many options for himself as possible,' Mr Mondschein told Sky News Australia. 'He likes winners, and right now, he views Israel as winning this battle. 'Iran is clearly a divisive topic within his own MAGA movement, but at the same time, he's seeing the momentum that the Israelis have made against Iran. 'He does not want to have boots on the ground there.'
Sky News AU
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Middle East unrest raises concerns about global geopolitical powers and economies
The serious unrest in the Middle East with the two most armed nations, Israel and Iran trading missiles and drone attacks raises the question about global geopolitics. It underscores the questions over how non-Western nations including China and Russia may react. US Studies Centre Senior Economics Adviser Dr John Kunkel joined Sky News Australia to analyse the ripple effects of the escalating war in the Middle East.
Sky News AU
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Donald Trump snubbing Anthony Albanese wake up call to 'get our house in order', US Studies Centre's John Kunkel declares
United States President Donald Trump abruptly leaving the G7 Summit and ditching a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel was a wake up call for Australia to 'get our house in order'. That is the assessment of the US Studies Centre's senior economics adviser John Kunkel after President Trump and Mr Albanese's highly anticipated meeting was abruptly cancelled. Mr Albanese's bilateral meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday local time, but the US President instead left the summit on Monday night. The two leaders were poised to discuss the AUKUS agreement alongside President Trump's sweeping tariff regime and the possibility of Australia securing an exemption from levies on steel, aluminium and beef. Mr Kunkel joined Sky News' Business Editor Ross Greenwood and pointed out dealing with the escalating conflict in the Middle East was far more important than meeting the Australian Prime Minister. 'Prime Minister Albanese is a realist. He'll take that on at face value,' he told Business Now. 'I think really what it underscores is we've got a lot of work to do back in our own country in getting our house in order.' Mr Kunkel highlighted low levels of productivity, poor fiscal growth and Australia's defence spending, which US officials have urged to rise to five per cent of GDP to counter the threat of China. 'There's an awful lot for us to be getting on with,' Mr Kunkel said. 'The Prime Minister had a big election win. There's a productivity round table coming up. 'I suggest we take this opportunity to come back and actually look at the context in which we are now operating internationally. 'We do need to be more competitive.' Australia's economy is heading back towards per capita recession territory - consecutive quarters where population growth outpaces economic growth - with growth slumping to just 0.2 per cent in the March quarter while the population increased by 0.4 per cent. The nation was in a per capita recession for 21 months before the economy picked up in the December 2024 quarter. Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith said the GDP figures showed the need for a boost of business investment to charge Australia's growth. "While household spending and housing construction growth both noticeably improved in the March quarter, soft business investment growth indicates an ongoing lack of spark in private sector activity," he said in a statement. "Business investment is crucial to lifting productivity and sustainably growing the economy. "That is why it is important to ensure policy settings are optimised for economic growth."
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Elon Musk leaves DOGE after criticising Trump's 'big beautiful' tax bill
Jared Mondschein from the US Studies Centre examines the impact Elon Musk had during his time within the Trump administration leading DOGE.
ABC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull labels Trump a 'bully' at final Your Say panel
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has called US President Donald Trump a "bully" and criticised Australia's major parties for not standing up to him. Speaking at the ABC's final Your Say panel — hosted by ABC Radio Sydney Mornings presenter Hamish Macdonald at the broadcaster's Parramatta studios — Mr Turnbull said he had counselled Australian leaders to take a harder stance in negotiations with the president. Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on "The Australian prime minister should go to Washington [D.C.] and stand up for Australia. I mean, it makes me want to vomit," Mr Turnbull told the program. "There has been a conga line of sycophants and lobbyists and grifters and advisors saying, 'Oh, you've got to flatter Trump, suck up to him,' and all they end up getting is more bullying." The Your Say panel also included former home affairs secretary Mike Pezzulo, the US Studies Centre's Hayley Channer and Macquarie Univeristy's Lavina Lee. ( ABC News: Marcus Stimson ) He said newly elected Canadian President Mark Carney had taken a more effective approach. "Is Mark Carney on his knees? Are the Canadians on their knees? You know what their motto is, 'Elbows up', which basically means a bit of biffo in ice hockey." Hayley Channer from the US Studies Centre, argued the softer approach taken by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was more likely to get a favourable outcome. Mr Turnbull pointed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's approach to Mr Trump as the example Australian leaders should follow. "If you think about the way that the current prime minister, Anthony Albanese tried to evade the tariffs, it was all about packaging up a deal," Ms Channer said. " If we use something like critical minerals, for instance, and we do something that looks attractive to him, we can use our soft power and our natural resources to actually get something out of the next four years. " AUKUS, risk of Asia-Pacific conflict discussed The panel also discussed the AUKUS deal, with Mr Turnbull arguing Australia was unlikely to receive any nuclear submarines from the agreement. "The problem we've got at the moment is that both sides of politics are in denial, it is bipartisan gaslighting," he said. Photo shows The blue-and-white Vote compass logo: The words, with a tick through the "o" of "Vote". The ABC's Vote Compass can help you understand your place in the political landscape. "They don't have to sell us any [submarines], unless they conclude that their navy doesn't need them, and their navy is currently about 20 subs short of what they say they need, and they're producing about half as many as they need to replace the ones that are retiring." Former home affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo agreed that the US has a capability gap with its own submarines. He said the government should stay the course with the deal but also look at contingencies. "I think there is a timing imperative to start putting in place some lateral, I don't mean substitute, but lateral policies in place which can go forward simultaneously," Mr Pezzullo said. The AUKUS deal was also discussed, with Mike Pezzullo advising for contingency plans to be considered. ( US Navy ) The panel also discussed the risk of conflict in the Asia-Pacific, with Lavina Lee from Macquarie University arguing that issue hasn't been given enough air time in the election. "There are not enough frank conversations about the actual seriousness of the strategic competition that's going on around us and the risk of conflict in the region, and it's sooner rather than later," Dr Lee said. "If we look forward in five to 10, years' time, people will be looking back at this election and judging our political leaders and both sides politics for not making this more of an issue." Having trouble seeing this form? Try
