Australian news and politics live: Albanese lands in South Africa, Ley questions ‘part-time’ Bowen
Scroll down for the latest news and updates.
Max Corstorphan is reporting live.
‘Ready to work’: New NSW Liberal Leader’s message
NSW Liberal Leader Kellie Sloane, who was elected unopposed on Friday morning, has thanked her colleagues for the privilege of leading the party after Mark Speakman was forced to resign.
Ms Sloane said being appointed leader was: “an incredible honour, huge responsibility, one I don’t take lightly”.
“I’m ready to work for New South Wales.
“I thank my colleagues for the faith and the trust that they placed in me today.”
Ms Sloane said she would have “more to say” at a press conference later on Friday.
Kellie Sloane becomes NSW Liberal Leader
First-term Liberal Kellie Sloane has become the new NSW Liberal Leader after former NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman resigned on Friday.
Ms Sloane, Member for Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, entered the NSW parliament in 2023.
Since winning her electorate, Ms Sloane has played a prominent role in the party.
The new Liberal Leader for NSW is expected to speak shortly.
Albanese lands in South Africa for G20
Anthony Albanese has landed in South Africa, the first Australian Prime Minister to travel to the country since 2014.
Mr Albanese is expected to hold high-level talks with other world leaders and attend a Wreath Laying and Memorialisation of Australians on the Wall of Names.
Nuclear energy ‘vital’ to national security: Ley
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is looking at the era under Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies as she eyes nuclear energy like her predecessor Peter Dutton.
“Our world is being reshaped by war, technology, trade turmoil, and profound social change. The challenges are clear and so are many of the responses,” Ms Ley said at an event on Thursday.
“I believe Menzies’ Government was able to deploy the levers of Australian power to stand up for peace and to stand up for Australians. In a disrupted world, we must do the same.”
Ms Ley said nuclear power needed to play a bigger role in Australia, both for energy prices, and AUKUS.
“Enabling the development of our nuclear energy and nuclear science industries is a vital requirement if we are to build up the nuclear industrial base that is required for Australia to build and operate nuclear-propelled submarines,” she said.
“Not only could nuclear energy contribute to a more affordable, more resilient energy supply from which to build submarines, but a nuclear energy sector could help grow the pipeline of nuclear professionals that the nation now demands.”
‘Part-time’ Bowen more excited by ‘globetrotting’: Ley
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has hit out at the Labor Albanese Government over Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s new role as COP president for negotiations.
“Australians don’t need a part-time energy minister, a minister for global UN summit, someone who’s clearly excited about the prospect of globetrotting to a variety of countries,” Ms Ley told Sky News on Friday.
“His real job is here at home, focusing on the one thing that we are focused on, and that is how you bring electricity prices down.
“Australians do deserve better. And I’m not sure where the prime minister is coming from when he backs in this appointment.”
Ms Ley criticised the Albanese Government for its failed election promise of cheaper energy bills.
