The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has falsely claimed that the Australian government is “talking about giving statehood to a Hamas-led territory in Palestine”.
In a regular interview with 2GB radio today, Dutton spoke about the rise in antisemitism in Australia, before claiming:
And we’ve got the prime minister running off talking about giving statehood to a Hamas-led territory in Palestine. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
This is not what the government has said. The foreign minister, Penny Wong, certainly triggered a round of political debate – and some criticism – with her speech on Tuesday stressing that the only way to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East in the long term is a two-state solution. She said each state must recognise the right of the other to exist.
Wong noted that the international community was “now considering the question of Palestinian statehood as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution” – which is true given that countries including the Conservative party-governed United Kingdom has said so openly – but she did not give any timeframe for Australia to do so.
Wong was emphatic that the Australian government saw “no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state”.
Two-state solution 'only hope to break the endless cycle of violence': Penny Wong – video
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, reiterated yesterday – a day before Dutton’s 2GB claim – that “we don’t think that Hamas should have any role in a future Palestinian state – we’ve made that very clear”. Albanese said:
They’re a terrorist organisation and not a legitimate party to the future of Palestine. And they are an organisation that have not assisted … Palestinians, as well as, of course … being committed to the destruction of the state of Israel.
What we want is Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace and security with stability, and to be able to prosper in the future in a region which is peaceful.
Circling back to the parliamentary inquiry into the Middle Arm development:
Over two days of hearings in Darwin, senators are taking evidence from Larrakia traditional owners, environment groups, scientists and health workers with concerns about the project.
The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the inquiry had taken “hundreds” of submissions from community members concerned about the health impacts of a new industrial precinct just a few kilometres from Palmerston. She pushed the government to provide its “worst case scenario” modelling of the potential health impacts of the project.
The government told senators they had undertaken 200 studies examining the full range of potential impacts of the project. Those studies are not public and Hanson-Young asked for them to be tabled on notice. At a rally before the hearing, she said she plans to raise all of the concerns presented to senators in Darwin at a meeting with the environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, today:
I’ll be telling her that there’s no social licence for Middle Arm in Darwin, the Darwin community are worried about the impact on their health.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
The independent senator David Pocock pointed to a social impact study, commissioned by the NT government, which he said warned the Middle Arm development could lead to – among a long list – reduced health and safety, reduced housing affordability, reduced marine safety, potential water scarcity and a reduced quality of life for Darwin residents. Pocock said:
I mean, is this one of the 200 technical studies that you’ve referenced? And if so, how can you claim that studies have consistently backed the development? They seem like serious, serious risks.
Plan for Australian-made renewables will benefit people and the planet: WWF
The WWF-Australia has welcomed plans for a Future Made in Australia Act, as announced by Anthony Albanese today.
CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the prime minister’s speech – which just wrapped up – presented “a bold vision for Australia to capture the opportunities of becoming a renewable energy export superpower”.
O’Gorman said Australia needed to invest significantly more to unlock the true potential of green manufacturing:
Globally, countries are set to invest over US$1.8 trillion in clean energy.
If Australia is going to be a leader in that new economy, and make the most of the opportunity to work with key trading partners in Asia to decarbonise steel and iron supply chains, we need more investment to grow our capability and capacity.
The prime minister’s announcement today is a step in the right direction.
Albanese officially announces Future Made in Australia Act
Back at the Queensland Media Club where Anthony Albanese has been speaking:
He said the government would be guided by three principles as he announced the Future Made in Australia Act:
First, we need to act and invest at scale, moving beyond a hope-for-the-best approach, where the priority has been minimising government risk rather than seeking to maximise national reward.
Second, we need to be more assertive in capitalising on our comparative advantages and building sovereign capability in areas of national interest. For too long, governments have taken a reactive patchwork approach which has been more about managing an immediate crisis than maximising long-term opportunity…
Thirdly, we will continue to strengthen and invest in the foundations of economic success – affordable and reliable clean energy, a better and fairer education system, skilled workers, secure jobs, fair wages, modern infrastructure, shared ambition with business and private capital and a positive regulatory environment.
Anthony Albanese addresses the Queensland Media Club. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
NT chief minister rejects criticism of Middle Arm development at senate inquiry
Lisa Cox
The chief minister of the Northern Territory, Eva Lawler, has used a federal Senate inquiry to reject criticism of the proposed Middle Arm development at Darwin harbour, telling opponents of the project “you can’t complain about a wait time at a hospital or funding for education if you don’t support Middle Arm”.
Hearings of an inquiry examining the controversial project, in which the Albanese government is taking a $1.5bn equity stake, have been taking place in Darwin.
The project has been controversial because it was publicly labelled a sustainable development despite being linked to new gas projects.
Lawler told this morning’s hearing the proposed industrial precinct signalled “a change of direction” for the territory that would lead to an increased population, more GST and “ongoing secure jobs for territorians”. She said:
You can’t complain about a wait time at a hospital or funding for education if you don’t support Middle Arm.
Northern Territory chief minister Eva Lawler. Photograph: Neve Brissenden/AAP
The government told the hearing that an environmental impact statement for the project, originally expected last year, would now be handed to the federal government later this year.
Lawler was asked whether the government could clarify “once and for all” whether the site would support a petrochemicals industry. The chief minister said she would not rule out that possibility; however, officials said the concept for the development had evolved over the years to factor in renewable energy and critical minerals.
The chief minister said “Middle Arm provides the opportunity for energy for industry … whether it’s renewables or it’s gas”.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese is delivering a speech on his ‘future made in Australia’ legislation at the Queensland Press Club.
We’ll bring you the highlights, but here is a look at what Albanese has been saying:
In all this we need to aim high, be bold and build big to match the size of the opportunity that is right there in front of us and we have to get cracking. We have unlimited potential, but we do not have unlimited time. If we don’t seize this moment, it will pass. If we don’t take this chance, we won’t get another. If we don’t act to shape the future, the future will shape us.
That’s the sense of purpose and urgency that drives our government. We know there is a world of opportunity out there and we know the world won’t wait for us. If we want to make our future here in Australia, here in Queensland, we have to go forward now.
Tim Crakanthorp found to have breached public trust and ministerial code but no finding of corrupt conduct
Tamsin Rose
The former New South Wales Labor minister Tim Crakanthorp has been found to have breached the public trust and the ministerial code after an investigation by state’s corruption watchdog.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption made no finding of corrupt conduct.
The probe was launched last year when it was discovered the Newcastle MP had allegedly failed to declare “substantial private family holdings” in the Hunter region relating to his wife’s family. Crakanthorp was the minister for the Hunter.
Neither Crakanthorp’s wife nor her family were accused of any wrongdoing.
In its report handed to the premier, Chris Minns, on Wednesday and released publicly today, Icac found that Crakanthorp had beached the public trust when he “knowingly failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from interests” in property around the Broadmeadow Investigation Area and the Hunter Park Sport and Entertainment Precinct held by him, his wife and his in-laws.
“That such failure constituted a breach of public trust,” Icac found.
Former member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The commssion also found that Crakanthorp’s “conduct in participating in meetings when minister for the Hunter that could affect his and his extended family’s properties constituted a breach of public trust”.
The commission found Crakanthorp breached the ministerial code “by failing to declare his conflict of interest as required” and by participating in meetings relating to the conflict.
Great Barrier Reef suffering ‘most severe’ coral bleaching on record
Concern that the Great Barrier Reef may be suffering the most severe mass coral bleaching event on record has escalated, after a conservation group released footage showing damage up to 18 metres below the surface.
As Sharlotte ThouandAdam Morton report, marine biologist Dr Selina Ward says it was the worst bleaching she had seen in 30 years working on the reef, and that some coral was starting to die.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society has released video and photos of bleaching on the southern part of the reef extending to greater depths than had been previously reported this year.
ACTU responds to ‘Future Made in Australia’ legislation: ‘this is a nation-building project’
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has welcomed the prime minister’s “Future Made in Australia” legislation, announced today.
Anthony Albanese is due to give his speech at the Queensland Press Club very shortly around the policy. You can read all the details on the policy from Karen Middleton below:
The prime minister’s announcement today of a Future Made in Australia Act promises a historic step forward for workers, for the climate, and for every Australian who wants a fair go on a livable planet.
Decarbonising our economy could create hundreds of thousands of good secure well-paid jobs, healthier communities, and a renewed national prosperity, while safeguarding Australians from spiralling climate crises …
This is a nation-building project [that] will help Australia compete at the head of the pack in the global race toward our clean energy future and make sure the benefits flow to workers their families and communities.
President of the ACTU, Michele O’Neil. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Aldi confirms it has no plans for Tasmanian expansion
Jonathan Barrett
As we flagged just earlier: Aldi is not expanding into Tasmania any time soon, according to the chief executive of the supermarket chain’s Australian arm, due to difficulties in setting up in more isolated areas with smaller populations.
Aldi’s Anna McGrath told a Senate inquiry into supermarkets today that while the chain now had almost 600 stores across the country, it could not reach some areas accessed by major chains Coles and Woolworths.
When we’re identifying where to expand, we do need to consider the additional costs and complexities that are involved and therefore when it comes to Tasmania it would be largely the supply chain elements.
It’s not currently in our plans.
An Aldi supermarket in Melbourne. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
The Greens senator Nick McKim, who represents Tasmania and is chairing the committee, said the response would disappoint shoppers seeking an alternative to the majors.
Recent financial results suggest consumers are starting to turn against the big supermarkets due to high grocery prices, instead shopping at lower-cost rivals including Aldi.
The Senate inquiry, designed to investigate how big supermarkets set prices and use their market power when dealing with suppliers, is due to report its recommendations to the government in early May.
The recommendations may include measures that would help rivals better compete with Coles and Woolworths, which collectively control two-thirds of the market.
It has taken Aldi more than two decades to build a 10% market share after opening its first Australian store in 2001.
