Australian news and politics live: Anthony Albanese releases statement attacking Israel over Gaza
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Key Events
Doctors can’t help as children starve to death in Gaza
Children wasting away from hunger are overwhelming a Gazan emergency centre with doctors unable to help, as basic treatments for malnourishment have run out under Israel’s blockade.
The deaths of five young children over four days are the first seen by the Patient’s Friends hospital in children who had no pre-existing medical conditions.
Symptoms are getting worse, with children too weak to cry or move, said Dr Rana Soboh, a nutritionist.
“There are no words in the face of the disaster we are in. Kids are dying before the world ... There is no uglier and more horrible phase than this,” said Dr Soboh, who works with the US-based aid organisation Medglobal, which supports the hospital.
Greens slams Australia for signing on to a new 50-year UK bilateral treaty
Greens Senator David Shoebridge has slammed the Albanese government for signing on to a new 50-year bilateral AUKUS treaty with the UK during ministerial talks in Sydney.
Penny Wong and Richard Marles have met counterparts Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey at the annual Australia-UK “Aukmin” bilateral.
“This would have been a bad move in 1925. It’s unbelievable in 2025,” Mr Shoebridge posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“Australia needs to look to our region, not tie our future to a dying empire a world away.
“All this will do is line the pockets of foreign arms companies and alienate our neighbours.”
‘Fire him’: Trump, Powell clash at Fed building site
Donald Trump has confronted Jerome Powell in a tense exchange in front of the media, further fuelling his ongoing dispute with the Federal Reserve chairman.
The awkward clash happened as Mr Trump took a tour of the under-construction Federal Reserve building.
The two men have been at loggerheads for months, with the US President repeatedly taking issue with Mr Powell for not lowering interest rates for Americans.
Wong: Australia is ‘deeply concerned’ by escalating tensions across the Thai-Cambodian border
Penny Wong
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire in a sharp escalation of their conflict over a disputed border area on Thursday, leaving 12 dead, and sparking a fresh alert from Smartraveller.
A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, destroying a military target and both countries accused each other of starting the clash.
Thailand has now closed its border with Cambodia.
US trade officials hail Australia’s decision to open market to American beef
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary Brooke Rollins both issued strong statements following Australia’s move to allow US fresh and frozen beef into the Australian market.
“For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef, effectively barring US market access,” said Ambassador Greer.
He described the Australian announcement as “a major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for U. farmers and ranchers.”
Mr Greer credited decisive US leadership for confronting unfair trading practices and stated that engagement with trading partners would continue “to break down unfair trading practices and ensure that Americans are not fenced out of key markets.”
Secretary Rollins emphasised the high quality and safety of American beef: “American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, healthiest beef in the world. It’s absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years.”
“Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines... This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way.”
Jim Chalmers: ‘We accept range of views on productivity challenge’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is fronting the media in Brisbane on Australia’s productivity challenge.
“Everyone has an interest in strengthening our economy and strengthening our budget,” he said.
“Not everyone will have a unanimous view, but this is our best effort to seek common ground.”
He has also been asked about the lifting of the ban on imported US beef that has caused fiery scenes in parliament, saying it was a long-standing scientific process.
“I know that our political opponents want to play their usual low-rent politics over it but this is a long standing scientific process coming to its conclusion,” he said.
Trump claims US beef victory as Australia lifts ban
Australia’s decision to remove its longstanding ban on US beef imports has sparked celebration from US President Donald Trump, who called it “undeniable and irrefutable proof that US beef is the safest and best in the entire world”.
Mr Trump posted on Truth Social: “All of our Nation’s Ranchers, who are some of the hardest working and most wonderful people, are smiling today, which means I am smiling too. Let’s keep the Hot Streak going. IT’S THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!”
‘Hand it back’: Labor tells FMG to repay hydrogen grant
The Albanese Government is sticking out its hand to take back taxpayer funds poured into Fortescue’s fading clean energy ambitions.
The Andrew Forrest-controlled miner on Thursday revealed it would dump green hydrogen projects in Australia and the US as it struggles to find a commercial pathway to full-scale production of the clean fuel, which is produced by the electrolysis of water via renewable energy sources.
In its quarterly update, Fortescue said its Arizona hydrogen project in the US and the PEM50 project in Queensland’s Gladstone had been canned and an assessment was under way to re-purpose the assets and the land.
Butler calls Gaza ceasefire breakdown ‘deeply distressing’
Health Minister Mark Butler has described the collapse of ceasefire talks in the Middle East as deeply distressing and urged all parties to return to negotiations to bring an end to the conflict.
Following the withdrawal of both US mediators and Israeli negotiators from talks in Qatar, US special envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for the breakdown and indicated his team would now explore alternative ways to restore stability.
“This is, again, distressing, disappointing, the position in Gaza, the fact that hostages remain in place there, the terrible humanitarian position for the people of Gaza itself is just unsustainable,” Mr Butler told ABC News Breakfast on Friday morning.
“The suffering has to end. The hostages have to be returned. Innocent civilians in Gaza have to stop being subject to the conditions that they’re subject to right now.”
When asked if Australia should increase its efforts to support peace in the region, Mr Butler described the matter as “delicate” but reiterated the government’s hope for a swift resolution.
US ends Gaza ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas
The US is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar, after the latest response from Hamas “shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,” US President Donald Trump’s envoy says.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff flagged that the US will now consider alternative options to bring Israeli hostages home.
“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Mr Witkoff said.
He said it was “a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way” and that the US is “resolute” in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza.
Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff’s remarks.
