News and politics recap: Albanese says Liberals, Nationals, One Nation a coalition after escalator trip

More than 2000 Labor supporters, delegates, parliamentarians, unions and observers have begun arriving at the Adelaide Convention Centre this morning for the party’s 50th National Conference.

Members have been met with a large police and security presence, including officers on horseback, airport-level bag scans, and barricades amid concerns of protesters.

Several Labor groups have used the opportunity to try to lobby parliamentarians as they walk in the venue to act on their causes, including Labor Environment Action Network (Lean) over the diesel fuel rebate.

The Social Democratic group have even created a bingo card titled the National Left Edition with things like “Factional deal exposed mid-speech” and “lone shout for ‘shame!”.

A gas export tax, protections for workers impacted by artificial intelligence, and reducing gambling harms are shaping up to be key policy fights.

There will also be a string of side events today, including one against the AUKUS pact and pro-gas export levy.

China has accused Australia of “exaggerating tensions and inciting confrontation” in the South China Sea after Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticised Beijing over its handling of a confrontation with the Philippines.

Asked whether the exchange signalled a deterioration in relations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted Australia would continue to raise its concerns directly with China.

“We were concerned with the test that was done in the Pacific. We made that very clear, as did other Pacific family members,” Mr Albanese says.

“We’ll cooperate wherever we can, but we have a relationship which means that it is appropriate that we make clear where we have concerns.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Labor is taking the rise of One Nation seriously, insisting the government won’t dismiss the concerns of voters as support for the minor party continues to grow in national opinion polls.

Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Dr Chalmers said Labor recognised that growing economic and social pressures were driving some Australians to consider political alternatives.

“It is the case that we’ve got a strong majority in the House of Representatives, but politics is volatile,” Dr Chalmers says.

“At a time when we do have these intensifying pressures, at a time when there is accelerating change in our community, in our economy and in and around the world, we understand that that creates some legitimate anxiety about what the future holds for people.”

The Prime Minister will promise Labor’s national conference can lead to meaningful change, while announcing an expansion of paid practical placements for students.

Anthony Albanese will kick off the three-day conference on Thursday, with thousands of the party faithful converging on Adelaide to determine Labor’s policies and position on key issues.

In an address to party members, Mr Albanese will announce payments of $338.60 a week to students doing practical placements will include 10 more areas of study in health professions.

From July 2027, the payments will be extended for physiotherapy, clinical psychology, speech pathology, paramedics, audiology, pharmacy and podiatry.

Previously, the payments were only available to those studying to be nurses and midwives, teachers and social workers.

“We are investing right across our world-class health system, and we are backing the extraordinary people who work in it,” the prime minister will tell the conference.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has dismissed calls for a new tax on Australia’s gas exports as activists prepare to push the policy at the Labor Party conference, which begins on Thursday.

The party’s draft platform includes a pledge for Australians to receive a “fairer return from their natural resources”, but Dr Chalmers said the government had already addressed gas taxation through changes to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.

“Not just in the Labor Party, but in the Australian community more broadly, people do have strong views and varied views about this issue. I understand that. I acknowledge that,” he said.

“When it comes to the appropriate taxation arrangements, this is really behind the important changes I made to the PRRT a couple of years ago to make sure that we are getting a fairer return sooner from the offshore gas industry that helps fund Medicare and tax cuts and all of the rest of it.”

Dr Chalmers said the government also had to balance its tax settings with Australia’s commitment to remain a reliable international energy supplier.