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Australia’s assistant trade minister chats with China’s vice-minister of commerce at World Economic Forum
Daniel Hurst
After years of trade tensions, a meeting between the Australian trade minister and his Chinese counterpart is a step closer after talks in Davos overnight.
Australia’s assistant trade minister, Tim Ayres, met with China’s vice-minister of commerce, Wang Shouwen, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
A source familiar with the meeting described the atmosphere as constructive and positive, and said the pair had agreed that it would be beneficial to arrange a meeting soon between the senior ministers: Australian trade minister Don Farrell and the Chinese commerce minister, Wang Wentao.
That next step would most likely be a virtual meeting, but it would be the first conversation between an Australian trade minister and a Chinese commerce minister in more than three years. It is unclear yet whether progress has been made in Australia’s push to remove Beijing’s trade actions against a range of Australian exports including wine and barley.
A spokesperson for Ayres told Guardian Australia this morning:
Overnight Assistant Trade Minister Ayres met China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting.
Assistant Minister Ayres raised the importance of cooperation to deliver the outcomes of the World Trade Organization 12th Ministerial Conference, and the removal of current trade impediments affecting Australian exports to China in both countries’ interests.
It is understood the Australian government sees the latest meeting as another step towards stabilising the bilateral relationship.
The Australian government argues it is open to resolving outstanding trade issues bilaterally and to regular dialogue that enables the two countries to navigate their differences “wisely”.
Canberra continues to push for the removal of trade impediments affecting Australian exports, making the case that it would be “mutually beneficial”. Beijing has also given indications it is open to exploring a resolution through direct talks, rather than through the World Trade Organization. But it has made secret of its own concerns about Australian trade actions, including the treatment of Chinese foreign investment proposals.
For more on the backstory, see our earlier report.
Key events
Filters BETA
A woman has been charged with criminal damage of one of Australia’s most famous paintings as a protest against a gas company’s alleged destruction of rock art in Western Australia’s north.
Video released by activist group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Thursday showed a woman spray-painting a Woodside Energy logo onto Fredrick McCubbin’s work Down On His Luck at the Art Gallery of WA.
She then appears to glue her hand to the wall beside the colonial masterpiece as a man lays an Aboriginal flag on the floor of the gallery.
The gallery said the McCubbin was protected by a clear plastic sheet and not damaged by the yellow paint.
Police said on Friday a 37-year-old Northbridge woman had been charged with one count of criminal damage and was due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on February 16.
In a recent similar action in Melbourne, where two Extinction Rebellion activists glued themselves to a prized Pablo Picasso, no charges were reportedly laid.
Disrupt Burrup Hub has called for industrial development on the rock art-rich Burrup Peninsula, about 30km west of Karratha in the Pilbara region, to be stopped, including Woodside Energy’s expansion of the Pluto gas plant.
The group is now raising money to cover its legal fees.
– With AAP
Tory Shepherd
Former SA senator forms ‘trouble-making project’ aiming to share government information
The former South Australian senator Rex Patrick has a new project – helping independents get hold of government information.
Patrick, along with the former journalist and political adviser Philip Dorling, has started Project Argus, “a public interest trouble-making project intended to stir the political pot to achieve better public policy outcomes”.
When he was in parliament, Patrick’s freedom of information (FOI) requests and dogged grilling of people in estimates was a thorn in the side of the government. He’s offering the teals and other independents the benefit of his experience. According to the website:
Project Argus will seek to integrate FOI, across all jurisdictions – national, state and territories – into the independents’ government oversight role. The project will be integrated with other tools used to extract information and force debate – questions without notice, written questions, orders for the production of documents and inquiries.
Project Argus will also provide assistance to assist the independents in propagating information obtained under FOI to the media.
Elias Visontay
Domestic Qantas flight turned around mid-flight
A Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney turned back to Tullamarine airport on Friday morning due to an indication of a “minor engine issue”.
Pilots received the indication shortly after flight QF470 took off, and the Boeing 737 returned to Melbourne as a precaution, Qantas told Guardian Australia.
“The aircraft landed normally – this was not an emergency or priority landing. Both engines remained operational throughout the flight,” Qantas said. Customers will be reaccommodated on the next available flights over the next few hours.
Friday’s incident is the third in as many days for Qantas, after a flight from Auckland to Sydney issued a mayday call due to an engine failure and landed with just one engine on Wednesday, and a flight from Sydney to Fiji turned back to Sydney as a precaution due to a potential mechanical issue.
Greens respond to education report
For those who have recently joined us – the Productivity Commission has issued a scathing assessment of national education strategies this morning, saying student outcomes have not improved over the past five years.
Now the Greens have responded, saying the findings in today’s report are evidence that a lack of funding for public schools has created an inequality crisis in education.
Greens spokesperson on schools, senator Penny Allman-Payne:
Australian public school teachers must be reading the news today and thinking, ‘Tell us something we don’t know.’
Eleven years ago David Gonski said that there was growing inequality in the school system, that the root cause was funding inequality, and here’s the model to fix that.
But instead of embracing the Gonski recommendations, cowardly governments balked at taking funding from elite private schools. So now, more than a decade later, with public schools still underfunded across the country, no one should be remotely shocked by the Productivity Commission’s findings.
It’s great that the report identifies inequality and student wellbeing as central issues, but there’s nothing in the report’s recommendations that doesn’t cost money.
We don’t need more analysis, more accountability mechanisms, more working groups, more inquiries or more reports. Our public schools need more money, and they need it yesterday.
No plans to alter punishing Australian Open schedule
From AAP:
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley is adamant the tournament schedule won’t be altered to avoid late finishes despite five-time finalist Andy Murray labelling his marathon against Thanasi Kokkinakis a “farce”.
Murray and Kokkinakis didn’t hit Margaret Court Arena until 10.22pm on Thursday and after the Scottish veteran mounted an incredible five-set comeback victory, they didn’t finish until 4.05am Friday.
“I don’t know who it’s beneficial for,” Murray said of the late finish.
“Rather than the discussion being about an epic Murray-Kokkinakis match it ends in a bit of a farce.”
Murray was also denied a bathroom break at 3am and aired his frustrations with the chair umpire when he levelled proceedings at two-sets all.
But Tiley ruled out any adjustments mid-tournament, either via a curfew or by shuffling matches around.
“At this point, there’s no need to alter the schedule,” he told the Nine Network.
“We will always look at it when we do the [post-tournament] debrief, like we do every year.
“But at this point … we’ve got to fit those matches in the 14 days so you don’t have many options.
“Over the last three days, we’ve had extreme heat, over five breaks of rain, we’ve had cold … we’ve had three late nights with scheduling to try and catch up with matches.”
South Australian government pledges state-based voice to parliament
Tory Shepherd
South Australia is set to have a voice to parliament by the end of the year.
The Labor government has pledged a state-based Uluru statement from the heart would go ahead, regardless of what happens with the federal government’s referendum.
The Aboriginal affairs minister, Kyam Maher, plans to introduce the legislation when parliament sits in February and hopes to have the voice in place by the end of the year.
The SA Greens revealed yesterday that, as well as supporting a “yes” vote in the referendum, they will support enshrining a voice to the SA parliament. That will give the government the numbers they need to pass the legislation.
Maher told the Advertiser the advisory body would comprise elected Aboriginal people. He said:
What SA is proposing is an Australian first – a fully elected Aboriginal body that will not only be a voice to our parliament but a voice within our parliament.
The federal Indigenous Australians minister, Linda Burney, said the SA model was “worthy of consideration at the national level”.
Greens MLC Tammy Franks told ABC it would allow “grassroots Aboriginal voices to be heard”.
Australia’s assistant trade minister chats with China’s vice-minister of commerce at World Economic Forum
Daniel Hurst
After years of trade tensions, a meeting between the Australian trade minister and his Chinese counterpart is a step closer after talks in Davos overnight.
Australia’s assistant trade minister, Tim Ayres, met with China’s vice-minister of commerce, Wang Shouwen, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
A source familiar with the meeting described the atmosphere as constructive and positive, and said the pair had agreed that it would be beneficial to arrange a meeting soon between the senior ministers: Australian trade minister Don Farrell and the Chinese commerce minister, Wang Wentao.
That next step would most likely be a virtual meeting, but it would be the first conversation between an Australian trade minister and a Chinese commerce minister in more than three years. It is unclear yet whether progress has been made in Australia’s push to remove Beijing’s trade actions against a range of Australian exports including wine and barley.
A spokesperson for Ayres told Guardian Australia this morning:
Overnight Assistant Trade Minister Ayres met China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting.
Assistant Minister Ayres raised the importance of cooperation to deliver the outcomes of the World Trade Organization 12th Ministerial Conference, and the removal of current trade impediments affecting Australian exports to China in both countries’ interests.
It is understood the Australian government sees the latest meeting as another step towards stabilising the bilateral relationship.
The Australian government argues it is open to resolving outstanding trade issues bilaterally and to regular dialogue that enables the two countries to navigate their differences “wisely”.
Canberra continues to push for the removal of trade impediments affecting Australian exports, making the case that it would be “mutually beneficial”. Beijing has also given indications it is open to exploring a resolution through direct talks, rather than through the World Trade Organization. But it has made secret of its own concerns about Australian trade actions, including the treatment of Chinese foreign investment proposals.
For more on the backstory, see our earlier report.
Pilbara Minerals posts ‘absolute cracker’
Driven by EV takeup and decarbonisation, Australia’s biggest lithium miner has had an “absolute cracker” December quarter on strong production and growing global demand.
“It’s all coming together at the perfect time,” Pilbara Minerals CEO, Dale Henderson, said on an investor call on Friday.
“What an amazing quarter we’ve had.”
The chief financial officer, Brian Lynn, said the December quarter was an “absolute cracker” with a strong operating margin supporting an $815m increase in the cash balance to $2.2bn.
He said operating costs continued to be elevated and are still being impacted by labour shortages and supply chain shortages.
“There is this general inflationary pressure being experienced,” he added.
The company has not yet started paying tax.
The first payment, of $90bn, will be made to the tax office in February.
– With AAP
Eden Gillespie
Queensland environment department denies it is investigating new footage of alleged crocodile on North Stradbroke
Queensland’s environment department has denied media reports that they are investigating new footage of a crocodile on North Stradbroke Island.
7News reported on Friday that the department was looking into a video that had recently emerged of a crocodile on a beach on the island.
The network claimed wildlife officers were set to travel to the beach and that the beach’s name had not been made public to avoid scaring away the croc.
The department denied this was the case and stressed that Wednesday’s sighting, while initially deemed “credible”, was still unconfirmed.
The investigation continues into a crocodile sighting report at Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island). Vessel-based surveys have not revealed any evidence of the presence of a crocodile near the island. Croc sightings can be reported via the QWildlife app. https://t.co/bOXyNaC4ww pic.twitter.com/I5Mv3x1SHt
— Queensland Environment (@QldEnvironment) January 19, 2023
Sugar tax is the talk of the town today.
The Australian Medical Association is warning we could become “odd one out” internationally if we don’t adopt a tax on sugary drinks ASAP.
It might seem a bit of an ask considering the cost of living crisis, but they say it’s worth it – to keep us healthier and fund preventive health measures.
My colleague Josh Butler has the exclusive:
NZ Labour party looks to replace Ardern after resignation announcement
As New Zealanders reel from Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation as prime minister, her Labour party is moving to replace her.
All roads appear to lead to the education minister, Chris Hipkins, a close ally of Ardern, but no candidates have declared for the role.
Ardern’s shock exit was followed by another, with her deputy Grant Robertson ruling himself out of the race.
Leaving Napier on Friday after their party’s year-starting retreat, Labour MPs backed an internal process at a closed-doors caucus meeting on Sunday.
“The team are taking it incredibly seriously,” Hipkins said.
“We need to select a new leader and then we need to really unite behind the new leader and continue to deliver stable leadership for New Zealand.
“It’s likely that we will land on a consensus position and there might not even be a contest.”
Police in Sydney continue search for Swedish student missing off North Head
Police are resuming for the third day their search for a Swedish student believed to have been swept into the water off Sydney, AAP has reported.
Reports suggest 20-year-old Noa Sage fell from a height of about seven metres on to rocks at Blue Fish Point at Manly’s North Head about 5.30pm on Wednesday before ending up in the water.
Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command, along with the Marine Area Command and surf lifesavers, searched the area.
The search was initially suspended late on Wednesday night before resuming on Thursday and Friday with aerial help from PolAir.
Inquiry into Maribyrnong floods needed, Victorian Greens say
The Victorian Greens are calling for a parliamentary inquiry to be established into the devastating Maribyrnong River floods, amid resident concerns that the current review’s scope is too narrow.
Melbourne Water this week opened submissions for its inquiry into the October floods. But the Age reported that residents and former staff have raised issues about the scope failing to consider crucial factors like government policy and urban planning. Deputy leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said a broad-ranging inquiry was urgent:
I’m worried the Labor government is using this limited inquiry to deflect blame, and avoid any discussion of what governments have done wrong or should do better.
With disasters like floods becoming more common with climate change, the community deserves a proper inquiry into how we can protect lives, livelihoods and homes during climate disasters, rather than just protecting vested interests.
During the floods, residents were angered by the Fleming Racecourse’s flood wall which protected the site from rising waters while neighbouring properties were inundated with water.
Khal Asfour pulls out of NSW state election candidacy
Tamsin Rose
The Canterbury Bankstown mayor, Khal Asfour, has withdrawn as a candidate from the New South Wales state election.
Just before 9am on Friday, he released a statement claiming a “vicious smear campaign” had left him with no choice but to pull out.
A spokesperson for Asfour said the latest round of headlines, believed to be those in today’s Daily Telegraph about expenses charged to ratepayers during an overseas trip, had been the “last straw”.
The mayor is vehemently denying any wrong doing and has at all times adhered to the policy set by council, a policy scrutinised by the Office of Local Government.
The attack on the mayor has been a political hatchet job and those pursuing him must be condemned.
The spokesperson said Asfour wanted to give opposition leader, Chris Minns, enough time to find a replacement.
Daniel Hurst
Tim Ayres’ meeting with Chinese vice-minister of commerce a precursor to trade ministers’ upcoming meeting
Australia’s assistant trade minister, Tim Ayres, met with China’s vice-minister of commerce, Wang Shouwen, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos overnight.
It will help pave the way for a subsequent meeting between the trade minister, Don Farrell, and China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao. Reuters points out that the Chinese state media outlet Xinhua is now reporting that the pair will meet via video link “in the near future”.
We’re chasing more details on the meeting, but it comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to remove the trade “blockages” in the relationship.
For more on the prospect of talks between Farrell and Wang, starting with a virtual meeting before an in-person meeting, see our earlier story here:
Covid deaths rise in NSW and Victoria
Covid numbers are in for NSW and Vic, cases are down but deaths are up, which you can see illustrated in the graph below:
In Victoria, 156 deaths have been reported in the past week and 4,912 new cases.
In comparison, the state recorded 7,908 cases and 149 deaths last week.
This week we reported 4,912 new cases with a daily average hospital occupancy of 341 and 16 patients in ICU.
156 deaths were reported in the past 7 days.
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/Pf1kfHXNcN
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) January 19, 2023
In NSW, 131 lives have been lost and 9,062 new cases have been recorded.
In comparison, the state recorded 14,053 cases last week and 112 deaths.
COVID-19 weekly update – Friday 20 January 2023
In the 7 days to 4pm Thursday 19 January:
-9,062 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded: 4,493 rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 4,569 PCR tests
-131 lives lost pic.twitter.com/5nZ1t9XCxL— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) January 19, 2023
BHP seeks clarification of NSW’s coal market intervention
Peter Hannam
Yesterday we had the news that the NSW government was in talks with the thermal coal industry about reserving as much as 10% of output for domestic use.
The move took the sector by surprise and raised questions about why we don’t have an east coast gas reservation too.
Western Australia has required 15% of gas output in that state be kept for local users, with the result that energy prices there have been shielded from the spikes seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in many parts of the world.
(The gas sector warned an investment drought would follow its inception 15 years ago … but the WA government reckons $100bn has been invested since.)
Anyway, BHP, the world’s biggest miner, has weighed in about the NSW actions. They operate the Mt Arthur coalmine that they couldn’t find a buyer for, and are now running it towards closure.
The company says it’s waiting for more details on how a requirement to hold back output for domestic use will affect operations.
It sees the move as a risk for the business, and raisies the question of how it would physically transfer coal to AGL’s Bayswater and Liddell power stations in the Hunter Valley since a conveyor belt to the two plants was dismantled several years ago. (Liddell will close for good in April, so no coal will be needed there).
The quality of the coal doesn’t match the needs of the coal plants either, so some kind of blending would be required too, if Mt Arthur’s output was to be burnt in the plants.
“We’ve had an initial briefing from the department and we’re awaiting further detail to understand how extended directions could potentially apply to Mt Arthur Coal, which we have previously announced is being managed to closure,” a company spokesperson said.
“Clearly there are a number of commercial and practical implications that would have to be managed under an extended direction, along with the potential long-term impacts on market dynamics and investment in more energy supply.”
Paul Karp
PM speaks on radio about Jacinda Ardern and their shared DJ pasts
Anthony Albanese has spoken to KIIS 106.5 about the legacy of outgoing New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.
Albanese said:
Jacinda did an outstanding job as prime minister of New Zealand. She has gone out on her own terms – there’s an old saying in this job, not many get to go out, they get carried out with attacks from behind or in front …
She showed you can be kind but be strong at the same time … I used the word kindness in my victory speech on 21st of May. So many people have mentioned ‘it’s nice you said you wanted to be kind’ … People really noticed it. With Jacinda, she showed you could have empathy at the same time you had intellect and decisiveness, she certainly showed that as prime minister.
On a lighter note, Albanese noted that he and Ardern “are also probably the only two people who’ve been elected to high office that have also been DJs”.
There was a bit of back and forth about whether Albanese would DJ at host Kyle Sandilands’ wedding on 29 April. The PM noted parliament is not sitting that day and he’ll wait for an invite.
Albanese revealed he has no demerit points on his licence, joking that it “helps that [I’m] not allowed to drive”, adding that he misses “being able to duck up to the shops” on a Saturday morning.
Albanese confirmed that federal departments can choose to allow employees to take a day other than Australia Day off. “I think that’s fine to have some flexibility in the system,” he said. “I myself will have a very busy Australia Day.”
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