Australian climate commitments will help achieve EU free trade deal, delegation chair says

Australian climate commitments will help achieve EU free trade deal, delegation chair says

Bernd Lange, the chair of the EU parliament’s Committee on International Trade (Inta), has taken to social media this morning to say yesterday’s meeting with Australian officials has resulted in a “very positive first day of exchanges”.

A future trade agreement present both sides with a crucial opportunity for diversification.

The strong commitment of the current Australian government to combat climate change will certainly help to find a balanced deal.

Negotiations under the previous government had stalled over the Coalition’s climate change stance as well as tensions with Paris over the submarine deal.

There are now hopes the proposed long-lasting free trade deal between Australia and the European Union will be ratified by 2024.

We agreed with Senator the Hon Don Farrell, the 🇦🇺 trade minister, that we need to use the coming months to find an agreement. Not just any agreement, but one that is sustainable and fair. @EP_Trade pic.twitter.com/rD4dVatVen

— Bernd Lange (@berndlange) September 19, 2022

Key events

“I wanted to make this about the boys”: Buddy Franklin

Buddy Franklin was speaking in Sydney this morning following his announcement that he will be playing “one more” season with the Swans, after agreeing to a 1-year contract extension with his Sydney AFL club.

Franklin’s announcement made with the two words “one more” had echoes of Michael Jordan’s succinct announcement of his his return to the NBA in 1995: I’m back.”

This is what he had to say this morning:

I just thought the time was right to come out. We’ve got the grand final this week. There’ll be a lot of speculation – is he going to go on? I wanted to make this about the boys. This is a huge game for us. Me and my family came to the decision that we wanted to stay in Sydney.

It was obviously a long process to come to that decision. I wasn’t sure whether he was going to go on but I’ve come to the decision that I’ve still got the passion, love the game. I’ve enjoyed every minute of this year. I’ve got such an exciting group here and to go on another year is just a no-brainer for me.

Greens and Indigenous advocates push to stop Melbourne hospital being renamed after Queen

Benita Kolovos

Benita Kolovos

The Victorian Greens are set to introduce a motion to parliament today, calling on the government to immediately reverse a “disheartening” decision to rename Maroondah hospital after Queen Elizabeth II.

In a pre-election pledge on Sunday, Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, promised to rebuild the Maroondah hospital, in East Ringwood, at a cost of $1bn and rename it to pay tribute to the late Queen.

The Victorian Greens leader, Samantha Ratnam, told reporters outside parliament the decision was made without consultation with First Nations communities and should be reversed:

There has been very little consultation and most alarmingly, since the decision and the announcement, a real resistance to dialogue with First Nations communities about how to move forward.

If it’s a mistake, the government should admit that it’s a mistake and correct its mistake. What’s really concerning is that they’re not moving, despite First Nations communities being aghast, calling this utterly disrespectful, particularly at a time when we’re embarking upon a treaty process – the first of its kind anywhere in Australia, which should be the exemplar for how to do dialogue and listen to First Nations communities.

It is so disappointing and disheartening and that’s why we’re urging the government to reverse its decision immediately.

‘It is so disappointing and disheartening’: Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam.
‘It is so disappointing and disheartening’: Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Marcus Stewart, co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which is the body elected to develop the state’s Indigenous treaty framework, criticised the decision on Monday, saying it had turned Maroondah hospital “into a culturally unsafe place for our people”.

Police shut down Melbourne CBD streets as man arrested

Parts of William Street in the Melbourne city centre have been closed off after a man allegedly entered an office building with hazardous materials, AAP reports.

A police critical incident response team was sent to the scene this morning as officers locked down the area and negotiated with the man.

The man was arrested and taken to hospital for observation under police guard. Police said the scene had since been declared safe.

Emergency service personnel earlier responded to reports the man was behaving erratically at the building while in possession of petrol cans and other hazardous substances.

Witnesses Sam Di Palma and Daniel Safstrom said they saw a man in the building with a full trolley and officers were trying to talk to him.

The building houses offices for CGU Insurance, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Court Services Victoria and legal firms including Gordon Legal and Baker McKenzie.

UN regional conference on disaster risk being held in Brisbane

It’s the second day of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane, co-hosted by Australia and the United Nations and running until 22 September.

The conference is being held for the first time since the pandemic.

As their website states, it’s the main regional platform in Asia-Pacific for promoting coordination and cooperation on disaster risk Reduction, bringing together UN Member States, intergovernmental organisations, international and national organisations and stakeholder groups.

Great to catch up with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill today on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction being held in Brisbane. This is a crucial gathering being co-hosted by Australia and the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/kPsYqNwmSB

— Senator Tony Sheldon (@senator_sheldon) September 19, 2022

NSW to introduce ‘no body, no parole’ law for convicted killers

“No body, no parole” laws will be strengthened in New South Wales to motivate convicted killers to reveal the whereabouts of their victim’s body, AAP reports.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says legislation will be introduced into parliament this week, meaning convicted murderers will be denied any chance of parole unless they disclose the location of their victim’s remains.

The new laws would affect about six prisoners in NSW jails.

He said in a statement today:

We will make it impossible for offenders who wilfully and deliberately refuse to disclose information about their victims’ remains to be granted parole.

The bill has been dubbed “Lyn’s law” after former Sydney teacher Chris Dawson was convicted last month of murdering his 33-year-old wife Lynette, who disappeared from their northern beaches home more than 40 years ago.

See also  Cardinal Pell, whose convictions were overturned, dies at 81

The body of the mother of two has never been found and a petition has been launched lobbying for the reform.

The premier said he hoped the legislation would comfort grieving families.

Being unable to locate a loved one’s body is extremely distressing and traumatic for the families and friends of victims and it denies a victim the dignity of being laid to rest appropriately.

These laws are to stop inmates convicted of murder or homicide offences from getting parole unless they co-operate with police to end the torment of families and return to them the remains of their loved ones.

The reform will mean the State Parole Authority (SPA) cannot grant parole unless it concludes the offender has co-operated satisfactorily in identifying the victim’s location.

The SPA will rely on written advice from the police commissioner and other relevant information to determine whether the offender has co-operated satisfactorily to identify a victim’s location.

The corrections minister Geoff Lee said the reforms were modelled on laws in other jurisdictions and would apply to all current and future inmates in NSW to capture convicted offenders who have not yet been considered for parole.

The legislation will bring NSW into line with laws in Queensland, WA, SA, Victoria and the Northern Territory, where offenders can be refused parole if they refuse to disclose the whereabouts of victims’ remains.

Adeshola Ore

Adeshola Ore

Victorian government commits $1bn to emergency departments in Melbourne’s north

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has vowed to expand two of the state’s busiest emergency departments in Melbourne’s north, in a pre-election $1bn health pledge.

The expansion will include an investment of up to $300m at the Austin Hospital and up to $885m at the Northern Hospital. The funding will help add more emergency department spaces to treat patients faster.

Andrews said it the expansion was a “big boost” for Victoria’s northern suburbs.

We know there is pressure in the system.

This means more emergency department space, more emergency department patients being treated and a stronger and better health system for millions more.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has made another health pledge in the lead-up to the state election.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has made another health pledge in the lead-up to the state election. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Gunnedah and north-east NSW on alert with more rain expected

The clean up is under way in northern NSW where recent rain brought flooding to the town of Gunnedah and surrounds, but the area could still see 50-60mm more rain in the coming days.

The big concern is that it won’t take much rainfall for the rivers to flood because they are already at very elevated heights.

The Namoi River peaked early on Sunday morning at 8.16 metres, inundating at least four homes in Gunnedah, and a higher peak later this week could potentially see more homes affected.

Guardian Australia’s rural network freelancer Tom Plevey is in Gunnedah.

Australian climate commitments will help achieve EU free trade deal, delegation chair says

Australian climate commitments will help achieve EU free trade deal, delegation chair says

Bernd Lange, the chair of the EU parliament’s Committee on International Trade (Inta), has taken to social media this morning to say yesterday’s meeting with Australian officials has resulted in a “very positive first day of exchanges”.

A future trade agreement present both sides with a crucial opportunity for diversification.

The strong commitment of the current Australian government to combat climate change will certainly help to find a balanced deal.

Negotiations under the previous government had stalled over the Coalition’s climate change stance as well as tensions with Paris over the submarine deal.

There are now hopes the proposed long-lasting free trade deal between Australia and the European Union will be ratified by 2024.

We agreed with Senator the Hon Don Farrell, the 🇦🇺 trade minister, that we need to use the coming months to find an agreement. Not just any agreement, but one that is sustainable and fair. @EP_Trade pic.twitter.com/rD4dVatVen

— Bernd Lange (@berndlange) September 19, 2022

Australian farmers welcome wriggle room in EU free trade deal

Australian officials, including the trade minister Don Farrell, have met with a delegation of the European parliament’s Committee on International Trade (Inta) at Parliament House in Canberra to discuss the progression of a proposed free trade deal between Australia and the European Union.

The European market has a gross domestic product of about $23tn and Australia is seeking to improve access for agricultural and industrial products as well as create new opportunities for education, financial and professional services.

Farrell said officials also discussed sustainable development during the meeting, and how Australia could become a leading global supplier of green energy.

Bernd Lange, chair of the Inta committee, appeared on ABC radio earlier this morning to discuss the outcomes of the meeting.

Lange said there was room for negotiation around geographical indicators like parmesan, and prosecco, for which the EU had previously suggested they wanted these food names to be more tightly bound to the regions of their origin.

He also indicated EU concerns around deforestation was targeted more around the Amazon, rather than Australia.

Tony Mahar, the CEO of the National Farmers’ Federation, followed Lange on ABC radio and said he was “comforted” by Lange’s position on these issues for Australia’s primary producers.

– with AAP

The hills and vineyards of the Prosecco region in Veneto, Italy.
The hills and vineyards of the Prosecco region in Veneto, Italy. Photograph: Pavel Rezac/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Victorian parliament sits for final days before state election

Victoria’s parliament will sit for the final time this week before the state election, AAP reports.

An extra sitting week was added to the calendar following Queen Elizabeth’s death.

The Queen’s passing meant parliament was adjourned following condolence motions in her honour, as well as for allowing time for MPs to swear their allegiance to the new monarch, King Charles.

Under a quirk in Victoria’s constitution, members of state parliament must pledge allegiance to the new monarch following the predecessor’s death.

Today and Wednesday will be normal sitting days with valedictory speeches from retiring members.

The final sitting day on 22 September will no longer go ahead after it was declared a one-off national public holiday by the prime minister Anthony Albanese.

Government ‘hopes’ to pass federal integrity commission legislation by year’s end: Gorman

See also  OPEC+ to decide whether to stay the course or cut further at upcoming meeting

One of the main concerns around the suspension of parliament for the Queen’s death was the delay to debating legislation for a federal anti-corruption commission.

ABC radio asked Gorman if the government is still committed to passing the legislation before the end of the year. The assistant minister to the prime minster responds:

We plan to introduce that legislation next week … We hope it will be passed by the end of the year.

The Senate has its own processes and may choose to look at this legislation for a period of time … We want to get it done in the right way and hopefully we see a path to get it done before the end of the year.

‘Important’ Indigenous perspectives shared after Queen’s death, Patrick Gorman says

How Indigenous Australians feel about the Queen’s death was powerfully expressed by Stan Grant this weekend: “After Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Indigenous Australia can’t be expected to shut up. Our sorry business is without end.”

Asked about that piece on ABC radio, Patrick Gorman, the assistant minister to the prime minister, replied:

I think it’s really important those perspectives are shared. I thank Stan Grant and others who have chosen to put their perspectives forward.

The history of Australia, as we know, didn’t start in 1788 and indeed not all of our history is history of which we can stand proud today.

We recognise as a government we need to go so much further in the ongoing work of reconciliation.

‘Indigenous Australia can’t be expected to shut up’: Stan Grant
‘Indigenous Australia can’t be expected to shut up’: Stan Grant. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Despite split support for monarchy, ‘that’s the situation we have at the moment’ Patrick Gorman says

The assistant minister to the prime minister, Patrick Gorman, is speaking to ABC radio. The interview kicks off with questions about Australia’s ties to the monarchy, as Anthony Albanese returns home after attending the Queen’s funeral.

RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas asks Gorman if he believes the events of recent days – the Queen’s death and the accession to King Charles – have deepened Australia’s connection to Britain, and to the monarchy.

Gorman:

I think those connections have always run very deep … We have a large number of people who have migrated from Britain … and this of course has served as a reminder of these ties.

Karvelas asks Gorman about the results of Guardian’s Essential Poll showing Australians are split 50-50 on whether they want King Charles as head of state:

People can give their opinions, it’s a matter of fact … That’s the situation we have at the moment.

People have been incredibly respectful about where they might choose to express their views or recognising that some of those debates are more appropriately held over for another day.

Australia signs up to G7’s price cap on Russian oil

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

Australia will sign up to the G7’s price cap on Russian oil, a measure aimed at cutting revenue for its Ukraine war effort and improve the cost of living.

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, announced Australia will support the cap to take effect on 5 December for Russian crude oil and 5 February for refined products, such as diesel.

Earlier in September G7 finance ministers agreed to the measure, which includes a requirement for importers seeking shipping services and insurance cover from companies to adhere to a price cap to transport Russian oil.

Vladimir Putin has vowed not to sell oil to countries imposing the cap, but the G7 and European Union push could encourage those that still buy Russian oil, such as China and India, to seek further discounts, depriving Russia of revenue.

Australia’s participation in the price cap is largely symbolic, as it has already imposed a complete ban on importing, purchasing and transporting Russian oil, gas, refined petroleum products and coal.

Some countries that have imposed a ban may shift towards a price cap instead, but Australia has no plans to do so.

Chalmers said that “higher oil prices will likely drive higher inflation and risk slowing global economic growth”.

We’re looking to limit some of the impacts of the war in Europe on the cost of living, by supporting this price cap.

Wong said supporting the price cap “demonstrates Australia’s resolve to limit the global economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while maximising the pressure on Russia to end the conflict”.

Australia condemns Russia’s unilateral, illegal and immoral aggression against the people of Ukraine.

Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory.

‘Australia condemns Russia’s unilateral, illegal and immoral aggression against the people of Ukraine’: Senator Penny Wong
‘Australia condemns Russia’s unilateral, illegal and immoral aggression against the people of Ukraine’: Senator Penny Wong. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

On Monday Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, told Sky News that Ukraine had discovered evidence of “heinous crimes” following recent gains taking its territory back off Russia.

Myroshnychenko thanked Australia for supporting its submissions to the International Criminal Court on alleged war crimes, which Russia denies.

It’s part of their strategy, it’s done deliberately – to intimidate Ukrainians, to scare us. The torture, the rape of civilians is part of the war.

Myroshnychenko noted that of the 60 bushmaster vehicles committed by Australia 40 had been delivered and 20 more were “on their way”. He urged Australia to increase the commitment to 90 or 120.

Australia’s support for Ukraine is one of the largest among non-Nato countries.

On Sunday the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, rebuffed calls from Myroshnychenko to ban Russian tourists from entering Australia.

Marles revealed Australia is considering sending further military aid to Ukraine to bolster existing commitments. He told ABC’s Insiders:

We do need to be preparing ourselves for protracted conflict and on that basis, we get that we are going to need to provide support for Ukraine over the long term.

Good morning!

The prime minister Anthony Albanese was among more than 2000 people attending the state funeral in London for Queen Elizabeth II, as many Australians joined the estimated 4 billion people around the world who watched the live telecasts of the service at Westminster Abbey.

Albanese will now return to Australia where he will pay tribute to the late monarch at Thursday’s memorial service, alongside opposition leader Peter Dutton.

As the Queen’s death brings Australia’s future ties with the monarchy into sharp relief, the latest Guardian Essential poll asked Australians whether they believed King Charles III should be the country’s head of state. The answers revealed a 50-50 split between those who support the new UK monarch and those who do not.

As Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Sarah Martin writes:

The survey of 1,075 people, taken after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, gives little hope to the republican cause with fewer than half of the respondents (43%) supporting Australia becoming a republic – a figure that has barely moved over the past five years.

Don Farrell, the minister for trade and tourism, has met his French counterpart in the first time a French trade minister has visited Australia since the Morrison government swapped French submarines for the Aukus deal. Farrell told the ABC that he hopes the two nations have “put our problems behind us”.

In AFL news, Buddy Franklin is set to finish his career with the Sydney Swans, after confirmation in a statement last night he would play on in 2023.

Franklin’s announcement made with the two words “one more” had echoes of Michael Jordan’s succinct announcement of his his return to the NBA in 1995: I’m back.”

Let’s get going!




Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *