Australian news and politics: PM announces Jay Weatherill as Australia’s new High Commissioner to the UK

Anthony Albanese won’t commit to extending Labor’s energy bill rebate scheme — reminding Australia’s of his previous admission that the “rebates won’t be a permanent feature”.

The Prime Minister played coy on the future of the $150 power bill subsidies and even told a reporter “don’t read more into it” when asked a series of questions at a press conference in Canberra on Monday.

“The rebates that are in place are the ones that are in place,” the PM told a press conference.

“We’ll continue to focus, though — each and every day — on things that Australians are concerned about.

“I’ve said the rebates won’t be a permanent feature. We will always look, though, at cost of living as our number one priority.

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ANZ Bank’s board has cancelled $33.4 million worth of bonuses for current or former senior leadership team members after their failures in overseeing a horror run of regulatory fines and operating blunders.

On Monday, the bank posted a 14 per cent fall in cash profit to $5.79 billion for financial year 2025 as it absorbs a $1.1 billion financial hit from years of regulatory problems.

The bank’s new executive Nuno Matos said staff must “absolutely respect” the board’s decision to cancel management’s financial windfalls to focus on a future that delivers for customers and shareholders.

“The board has delivered its outcome in terms of compensation and we have to respect absolutely the board’s decision,” Mr Matos said. “(The bonus cancellation decision) is very much aligned with the shortcomings of the company and the shortcomings on non-financial risk management.”

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Energy giant AGL has offloaded almost its entire stake in wind and solar business Tilt Renewables for $750 million.

The listed Australian gas and electricity provider confirmed reports of the sale to fellow investors Queensland Investment Corporation and Australia’s sovereign wealth pool, Future Fund, on Monday.

The deal is subject to approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Foreign Investment Review Board, with proceeds expected to go towards more “dispatchable capacity” — such as gas and battery storage — as well as bolstering AGL’s balance sheet.

AGL had owned 20 per cent of the business after acquiring Tilt alongside Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and Future Fund as part of the Powering Australian Renewables Fund in 2021.

The deal will see AGL reduce its exposure to developing capital intensive renewables projects, with the company agreeing instead to buy more energy generated from Tilt’s Palmer and Waddi wind farm under 15-year agreements.

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Tributes are flowing after Queensland’s Cross Border Commissioner and former police union boss Ian Leavers died suddenly.

A former long-time president of the state’s police union, Mr Leavers has been remembered as a high profile and influential figure.

Premier David Crisafulli described the 58-year-old as a “dedicated, principled and driven” who earned the respect of Queenslanders for always standing up for the police service he loved.

“Queenslanders will remember his leadership during some our State’s most tragic and defining events,” he told The Australian.

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Anthony Albanese won’t commit to extending energy rebates, playing coy with reporters in Canberra on Monday.

“The rebates that are in place are the ones that are in place,” the PM told a press conference.

“We’ll continue to focus, though, each and every day, on things that Australians are concerned about.

“I’ve said the rebates won’t be a permanent feature. We will always look, though, at the cost of living as our number one priority.

“We have a range of cost-of-living measures out there as well, some of which began just in the last week and a bit.

“We are also working on making sure the budget is in place. It’s getting the balance right.”

It comes ahead of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) which could be an opportunity to extend the subsidies.

Anthony Albanese says international partners are urging Turkiye to drop their COP bid to allow for Australian and Pacific partners to joint-host the climate conference.

It comes as Australia’s negotiations with Turkiye are down to the wire to host COP next year with hope the diplomatic stalemate will be resolved at the UN climate conference beginning in Brazil.

The Prime Minister expressed hope on Monday the issue would be put to bed soon.

“They are doing that,” the PM said when asked if other nations were making the case to Turkiye.

“I believe that a majority of countries clearly support Australia’s bid and countries are making their position very clear, including countries in the Pacific and western Europe.

“That is not the system. If the system were a vote, I would be far more confident about putting forward what the support is. I certainly have received confident, positive statements from not just obviously the countries in the Pacific, but other countries, for example, in western Europe.”

The delay in finalising the host has not stopped Adelaide from making extensive security and accommodation preparations for the 2026 event.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a swipe at this rivals, labelling the Coalition “self-obsessed”.

“We’re focused on the big picture of servicing the needs and aspirations of the Australian people. The Coalition are focused on themselves,” Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

“They will have three meetings in the next week about themselves.

“We’re not having meetings about our internal affairs but on the needs of the Australian people and we will continue to.”

It comes as Opposition leader Sussan Ley will hold a series of high-stakes meetings this week to settle the Coalition’s position on net zero emissions.

Anthony Albanese has personally urged Australia’s to prepare for the upcoming high-risk weather season.

The Prime Minister said his Cabinet had received a briefing from Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain and the head of NEMA on Monday morning.

He said while Government planning was important to prepare for severe summer weather, he urged Australians to take personal responsibility.

“I just thought it was worthwhile to get that message across… to say to the Australian public - the Government is preparing, you need to prepare, too,” he said.

“If you are in an area that is vulnerable to fire or flooding or other natural and extreme weather events, clear your getters, do the things that you know need to be done. Don’t wait.

“Don’t wait until there is an extreme weather warning heading your way.

“Make sure you use this period, while things are relatively calm, to make sure you are fully prepared.”

Anthony Albanese says his “number one focus” is the cost of living crisis in Australia.

Speaking in Canberra on Monday, the Prime Minister was asked a range of questions about his first six months in office, including improving the budget line or delivering cost-of-living relief.

“We want an economy that works for people, not people working for the economy,” he said.

“There’s a difference between the approach that my government has had. We’ve had considerable cost-of-living relief across the board.

“We will continue to focus, though, each and every day, on things that Australians are concerned about. Our number one focus is always on cost of living and on the economy and making a difference to people’s pockets.”

Anthony Albanes has announced Australian former politician Jay Weatherill’s appointment as Australia’s new High Commissioner to the UK.

Speaking in Canberra on Monday, the Prime Minister denied the appointment was a “jobs for mates” situation.

“He is an entirely appropriate appointment,” the PM said.

“He served as South Australia’s 45th Premier for over six years.

“I do thank the outgoing High Commissioner, for his service. Stephen Smith has done a remarkable job, across security and defence matters in particular. He’s taken a leading role in Australia’s work with the Coalition of the Willing, convened by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron.”