Key events
Albanese attends climate action meeting in New York
Tom McIlroy
Anthony Albanese attended a special event on climate action convened by the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, this morning.
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, co-hosted the event in the lead up to Brazil hosting COP30 summit in November.
The prime minister showcased Australia’s ambition of new national emissions targets and climate policies, and highlighted the economic, trade and investment opportunities for Australia in the world’s transition to net zero. He told the event:
This is the decisive decade for acting on the environmental challenge of climate change – and seizing the economic opportunities of clean energy”.
We all grasp the scale and the urgency of our task.
He also said Australians know too well the cost of climate change, in the form of natural disasters, and told citizens and governments around the world that it is not too late to act.
If we act now, if we move with common purpose and shared resolve, then we can do more than just guard against the very worst.
We can protect our environment and build a stronger and fairer economy for the next generation.
Good morning and happy Thursday. Nick Visser here to take over from Martin Farrer. It’s a busy morning, let’s dive in.
Natasha May
Wong was also asked whether the decision on Palestinian recognition could lead to even more drastic action from the Israeli government, after members of the Israeli government called for counter measures which would include annexing the West Bank and crushing the Palestinian Authority.
“I think the world is seeing the extent to which the Netanyahu government seems to be prepared to go to avoid a ceasefire and peace. And if those actions are taken, I think that will confirm that. We all want a ceasefire. We all want the hostages returned, and we want a pathway to peace. What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.”
Wong was asked:
“Are you saying the Israeli government does not want a ceasefire in order to continue its operations in Gaza?”
Wong:
“I’m saying if the hypothetical threats that you are putting to me I carried out, I think that would be the conclusion the world would draw. The reason we have recognised, alongside the United Kingdom and Canada, a Palestinian state is because simply this, the Palestinian people deserve a state, and we believe it’s in the interest, ultimately, also of Israel, that there will not be long term peace and security in the region without there being.”
“… I would say to the Israeli government that they should ensure there is a cease fire, and I would say to Hamas we call again for the unconditional release of hostages.”
Natasha May
Wong said she met with her Iranian foreign minister “to look him in the eye” and explain why Australia made its decisions to expel its ambassador over intelligence Iran directed antisemitic attacks.
“I thought it was the right thing to do to meet directly with my counterpart and to look him in the eye and tell him precisely why we made the decisions we made and why what we believe has occurred. I made it very clear that the actions of the IRGC crossed a line, that they were unacceptable and that Australia was compelled to take the action we took. I made that very clear to him, and I thought that was the right thing to do in the context of all we know has occurred that we know has occurred.
Asked about whether he made any attempts to deny the involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran in those attacks, Wong said:
“Obviously you wouldn’t expect them to accept these assertions, I made clear, we accept the advice we have confidence in the assessments.”
Natasha May
The foreign minister has reiterated Australia has a “different view” to the Trump administration when it comes to climate change, after the US President’s speech to the UN in which he called climate change a “con job”.
Appearing on ABC’s 7.30 report yesterday evening, Penny Wong was asked about the speech:
“These are issues where President Trump has been very consistent. His position has been clear. Australia does take a different view. We accept the reality of climate change. We see it in our lives, and we believe in the importance of transitioning our economy to operate in a world of net zero. We believe that renewable energy is the cheapest new form of installed energy, and we will continue to transition our economy.”
Tom McIlroy
Von der Leyen says social media platforms ‘addict children through manipulative algorithms’
Von der Leyen said social media platforms are working as intended, “to attract and addict children through manipulative algorithms”.
She said she was establishing a panel of experts to assess the best options for European Union member states and would be guided by the experience of countries like Australia.
“Everyone understands that it is our duty to do our best to equip families with the tools to live as safely as possible, and empowering parents to collectively say ‘no’ to social media to their young children is one of these.”
Robert Abela, the prime minister of Malta, as well as Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji and Aisake Valu Eke of Tonga also attended the event.
European Commission president ‘inspired by Australia’s example’ on social media ban for kids
Tom McIlroy
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, calling it a bold decision by a country determined to improve online safety.
Von der Leyen and Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a special event hosted by Anthony Albanese at the United Nations in New York overnight, designed to build support for the looming social media age ban, due to come into force from December.
Along with the communications minister, Annika Wells, Albanese made the case for curbing the ability of kids to use social media, up from the existing age of entry at 13.
“I have been inspired by Australia’s example,” von der Leyen said. “You are the first to give this a try.
“We in the EU will be watching and learning from you as you implement your world first and world leading social media ban.
“Our next generation needs us to step up, and to be daring and give this a go.”
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before Nick Visser gets on the case.
Anthony Albanese is attending a special event on climate action convened by the UN secretary general, António Guterres, in New York this morning as he continues his intensive round of diplomacy in the US. It comes as we report exclusively that the climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen appeared with Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdoğan, at a major environment event in New York as negotiations over hosting rights for the COP31 summit come down to the wire.
Albanese also met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen who praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, saying she had been “inspired by Australia’s example”.
Penny Wong, speaking on 7.30 last night, has reiterated that Australia has a “different view” to the Trump administration when it comes to climate change, after the US president’s speech to the UN in which he called climate change a “con job”. More coming up.
Aldi has recorded the lowest prices for home brand groceries and retained its crown as the supermarket with the cheapest staples, while IGA’s home brand goods cost nearly 20% more, according to Choice survey.
