Australian news and politics recap May 19: Independent Nicolette Boele provisional winner in Bradfield
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Key events
19 May 2025 - 04:01 PM
‘My thoughts are with him’: Albo responds to Biden’s cancer news
19 May 2025 - 03:02 PM
Teal candidate the provisional winner in tight Bradfield race
19 May 2025 - 01:40 PM
Teal candidate takes 19-vote lead in close Bradfield race
19 May 2025 - 11:32 AM
Trade Minister Don Farrell says Australia’s EU trade discussions ‘sounding good’
19 May 2025 - 11:15 AM
Farrell reveals prayer said for Albo and Labor while touching late Pope’s coffin
19 May 2025 - 11:06 AM
Defence minister coy on why Ukraine-bound tanks took so long
19 May 2025 - 10:56 AM
Marles won’t speculate on RBA rate cut
19 May 2025 - 10:51 AM
Marles says super tax plan subject to ‘smear campaign’
19 May 2025 - 10:49 AM
‘Sham’ Marles condemns Russia over Oscar Jenkins sentence
19 May 2025 - 10:13 AM
Victoria to record surplus but government walking tightrope ahead of budget
19 May 2025 - 09:28 AM
New environment minister Murray Watt describes Roger Cook as ‘no shrinking violet’
19 May 2025 - 08:48 AM
Albanese calls out Putin for Turkey no-show
19 May 2025 - 08:35 AM
Coalition battle for net-zero decision heating up
19 May 2025 - 08:06 AM
Albo doing the rounds in Rome and all smiles with Canadian PM
19 May 2025 - 07:35 AM
Littleproud says net zero can’t happen without nuclear
19 May 2025 - 06:20 AM
Albanese’s emotional account of conversation with Pope
Albanese quick to address EU leaders’ security proposal
European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a defence and security agreement that would potentially enable Australian access to Europe’s massive remarmament build-up.
President von der Leyen made the offer during her one-on-one meeting with Anthony Albanese in Rome.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese instantly downplayed the idea as an “assertion” and “suggestion” and expressed stronger support for a standard trade deal between Australia and the EU which previously collapsed over a fight on beef quotas.
President von der Leyen told Mr Albanese that she wanted a “new era” in ties and urged the two jurisdictions to contemplate a broader partnership than just selling goods to one another.
The pair met on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV’s inaugurationation in Rome on Sunday.
“We meet here in Rome to celebrate the new era in the Vatican,” President von der Leyen said.
“So perhaps you could say we also are looking forward to a new era between Europe and Australia.
PM meets Zelensky and reaffirms Australia's support
The Prime Minister has met Ukraine’s President Volodmyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome.
“During our campaign I made it clear that the Australian government position that I lead is very supportive of your struggle,” Mr Albanese told President Zelensky.
“The Russian illegal aggression needs to be resisted and we stand with UKraine very clearly and unequivocally.
“Ukraine has to be able to determine your future enough to have something imposed on you.”
He said Australian tanks were on their way to Ukraine and repeated that he was willing to join the Coalition of the Willing being formed by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Welcome to The Nightly live
Anthony Albanese is in Rome and has been meeting with world leaders after the Pope’s inauguration.
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