Australian news and politics live: Anthony Albanese hands Victoria’s Labor Government $8.2 billion
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says US-Australia discussions on trade and tariffs have continued but not concluded after a visit to Washington DC.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has hit out at Labor over a ‘smear campaign’ against Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
The ADF and Airservices Australia say Virgin Australia warned of Chinese live-fire off our coastline, however, Anthony Albanese has persisted the Government knew around the same time.
Scroll down for the latest news and updates.
Key Events
Virgin Australia knew about China live fire before ADF
The Australian military only learned about the Chinese navy’s plans to conduct live fire exercises in the Tasman Sea after a Virgin Australia crew raised the alarm.
Defence officials have cleared up the timeline in estimates, after Airservices Australia revealed earlier this week they had learned about the exercise last Friday after a Virgin Australia pilot heard a mid-air alert.
That was at 9.58am (Canberra time). The Chinese flotilla planned to conduct live fire exercises between 9.30am and 3pm.
New Zealand was shadowing the task group at the time, and the message did not filter through to Australian defence officials until 11.01am.
The timeline, confirmed by CDF David Johnston, contradicts assertions from the Government that the ADF had not been the last to know.
Defence chief David Johnston confirmed the Australia military had not received any direct warning of the exercises ahead of time, and only found out about the drills after Airservices Australia notified them.
No live firing was witnessed, and Beijing has not breached international law - but the Australian Government has criticised China for not giving at least 24-48 hours notice.
“The absence of any advance notice to Australian authorities was a concern, notably that the limited notice provided by the PLAN could have unnecessarily increased their risk to aircraft and vessels in the area in order to best minimise disruption to aircraft and vessels,” Admiral Johnston said.
“An early promulgation of high seas firing prior to the activities would have mitigated these risks, and is a best practice approach adopted by the ADF.”
Chinese flotilla 250km now southwest of Hobart
Defence officials are up before Senate estimates this morning, where the activities of a Chinese naval task group are the hot topic.
Defence chief David Johnston has confirmed the flotilla, made up of three ships, is currently 250km southwest of Hobart - within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
He’s also agreed there is a chance the vessels are being accompanied by a nuclear submarine, but says he can’t say for sure.
“I don’t know whether there is a submarine with them. It is possible. Task groups occasionally do deploy with submarines, but not always,” he said.
‘Grubbiest people’ Hume slams Labor over Dutton ‘smear campaign’
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has hit out at Labor over a “smear campaign” against Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
A discussion unfolded between Senator Hume and Employment Minister Murray Watt around Labor’s questions over Mr Dutton’s share trading and property portfolio.
After hitting a disagreement Senator Hume told the Labor minister: “You are a grub.”
“All Labor know how to do... they are the grubbiest people. Murray, you are the king grub,” Senator Hume said.
“I can assure you that Peter Dutton has done nothing improper here,” Senator Hume said.
“You’re disgusting,” she later added.
Coalition urged to reveal ‘secret plan’ on workers
As public servants worry about their futures, Labor has thrown down the gauntlet and urged the opposition to shed light on whose jobs and rights could be on the chopping block.
Though the coalition has threatened to slash the public service if it forms government, the exact details of its plan is unclear, prompting Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt to challenge his opposition counterpart Michaelia Cash to a National Press Club debate.
“No more weasel words, no more delay, front up and tell the Australian people what you intend to do to their jobs and wages after the election,” he said.
“I challenge Michaelia Cash to come out of hiding, reveal her secret plan to cut wages and debate me.”
Chalmers makes ‘case for Australia’ during US visit
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says trade and tariff talks with the US have not concluded after his visit to Washington DC.
“We were able to continue, but not conclude, the important discussions that President Trump and Prime Minister Albanese had around two weeks ago or so,” Dr Chalmers said at a press conference in Washington DC.
“The discussion was wide-ranging, encapsulated critical minerals, the flow of capital, but also, of course, trade and tariffs. I was able to make the case for Australia.
“When it comes to the exemption that we seek from tariffs on steel and aluminium, Australia has a different case to make than other countries who have been the focus of the administration.
“The Americans run a very substantial trade surplus with Australia. They have done since the Truman administration in the 1950s. That trade surplus is 2 to 1.
“Our products are often an input into domestic production here. Bluescope and Rio and others make big investments in the US as well.
“We’ve got a different story to tell than other countries here in Washington DC when it comes to our case, to be exempted from these tariffs on steel and on aluminium as well.”
