/qnotables25/ - ===Q Notables 2025===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23152313 (100902ZJUN25) Notable: Video: Hate-spewing preacher Wissam Haddad’s sword post ahead of court battle with Jewish leaders - Hate preacher Wissam Haddad has ramped up threats on the eve of his legal battle against Australia’s peak Jewish body, warning in a video “we are not going to come unarmed, we’re going to fight them with everything that we have,” followed by the image of a sword. The video has been condemned by Jewish community members who believe it is an incitement to young radicals to commit violence, with Mr ­Haddad set to appear in the Federal Court on Tuesday to defend claims that he breached vilification laws over his sermons asserting Jews are “vile” and “treacherous” people. The provocative post comes as radical American Islamist Sheik Ahmad Musa Jibril exhorts his followers around the world to help fund Mr Haddad’s defence, with a radical Salafi account linked to Sheik ­Jibril claiming the Sydney-based cleric is “one of the most ­targeted men in Australia by the disbelievers”. Mr Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, is being sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry over alle­gations that he breached the Racial Discrimination Act through his sermons in the wake of the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Mr Haddad or speakers at his Bankstown-based Al Madina Dawah Centre have called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing, and said people should “spit” on Israel so its citizens “would drown”.

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>>73554

Hate-spewing preacher Wissam Haddad’s sword post ahead of court battle with Jewish leaders

STEPHEN RICE - 9 June 2025

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Hate preacher Wissam Haddad has ramped up threats on the eve of his legal battle against Australia’s peak Jewish body, warning in a video “we are not going to come unarmed, we’re going to fight them with everything that we have,” followed by the image of a sword.

The video has been condemned by Jewish community members who believe it is an incitement to young radicals to commit violence, with Mr ­Haddad set to appear in the Federal Court on Tuesday to defend claims that he breached vilification laws over his sermons asserting Jews are “vile” and “treacherous” people.

The provocative post comes as radical American Islamist Sheik Ahmad Musa Jibril exhorts his followers around the world to help fund Mr Haddad’s defence, with a radical Salafi account linked to Sheik ­Jibril claiming the Sydney-based cleric is “one of the most ­targeted men in Australia by the disbelievers”.

Mr Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, is being sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry over alle­gations that he breached the Racial Discrimination Act through his sermons in the wake of the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

Mr Haddad or speakers at his Bankstown-based Al Madina Dawah Centre have called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing, and said people should “spit” on Israel so its citizens “would drown”.

In most cases, Mr Haddad has claimed that he was referring to or reciting Islamic scripture.

In a new video, Mr Haddad declares that he has “no problem facing the Jewish lobby … but they are the ones dragging us to court. So we’re not going to come unarmed. We’re going to fight them with everything that we have.”

At that point the image of a sword appears on screen and Mr Haddad continues: “But if this fighting means that it brings some sort of strength to the Muslim community, and it teaches a Muslim community that we should no longer be bullied.”

The image of the sword is then replaced with a raised fist.

“Isn’t it about time that somebody fights back? Isn’t it about time that somebody stands up to these bullies?

“And this is Alhamdulillah (praise be to God) something that I’m personally willing to do.”

The sermon appears to be one Mr Haddad delivered last month but the violent imagery has been newly added.

A Jewish community source told The Australian it was his view that Mr Haddad’s use of a sword was summoning his followers to join in a fight – “not a battle of ideas, but a physical battle”.

“He’s positioning it as an act of Islamic duty, a religious war ­between Muslims and Jews, which makes it even more alarming and chilling. He doesn’t have mainstream support in his own community, but it has the potential to incite young radicals to commit violence. It’s extremely dangerous.”

Mr Haddad’s GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $18,000 although it is still short of its $25,000 target.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23152324 (100913ZJUN25) Notable: Video: Jihadi preacher’s sermons ‘comfort to Muslim congregants’, court hears - Lawyers for Jihadi preacher Wissam Haddad have argued his sermons were given to provide private “comfort” to Muslim congregants, despite accusations he was in active dialogue with reporters as a self-proclaimed “masjid (mosque) shock jock”. Mr Haddad, whose first name is William but who is also known as Abu Ousayd, arrived at court on Tuesday ahead of his racial discrimination hearing, avoiding questions and surrounded by his legal team, as he stares down a four-day trial over alle­gations by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry that he breached the Racial Discrimination Act through his sermons in the wake of the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Mr Haddad or speakers at his Al-Madina Dawah Centre have called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing and said people should “spit” on Israel so its citizens “would drown”. In most cases, he has claimed he was referring to or reciting Islamic scripture.Mr Haddad’s representative, Andrew Boe suggested Mr Haddad throughout his sermons addressed only historical Jewish tribes referenced in the Koran or the state of Israel and the influential figures within it, not the global Jewish diaspora.

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>>73554

>>73626

Jihadi preacher’s sermons ‘comfort to Muslim congregants’, court hears

JAMES DOWLING - 10 June 2025

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Lawyers for Jihadi preacher Wissam Haddad have argued his sermons were given to provide private “comfort” to Muslim congregants, despite accusations he was in active dialogue with reporters as a self-proclaimed “masjid (mosque) shock jock”.

Mr Haddad, whose first name is William but who is also known as Abu Ousayd, arrived at court on Tuesday ahead of his racial discrimination hearing, avoiding questions and surrounded by his legal team, as he stares down a four-day trial over alle­gations by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry that he breached the Racial Discrimination Act through his sermons in the wake of the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

Mr Haddad or speakers at his Al-Madina Dawah Centre have called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing and said people should “spit” on Israel so its citizens “would drown”.

In most cases, he has claimed he was referring to or reciting Islamic scripture. He sat in the front row of the Federal Court and did not rise or bow to Judge Angus Stewart as proceedings began or were adjourned.

The ECAJ, with ECAJ co-chief executive Peter Wertheim as the primary applicant, first launched court action against Mr Haddad and his Bankstown-based Al-Madina Dawah Centre in Oct­ober after a failed mediation process in the Human Rights Commission.

In a provocative video posted before the hearing Mr Haddad stated that “we are not going to come (to the trial) unarmed, we’re going to fight them with everything that we have”, followed by the image of a sword.

Peter Braham, representing Mr Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot SC, said Mr Haddad’s behaviour had “the effect of normalising anti-Semitic prejudices and the expression of them, and (could) encourage acts of violence against Jewish people”.

“He makes no distinction between Jews who support Israel today and Jews who don’t. As we will see, in fact, the speeches were just speeches about Jews, ascribing to Jewish people certain negative characteristics, and encouraging his audience to hold those views,” he said.

“The intent of the speeches was to persuade an audience that the Jewish people had certain immutable and eternal characteristics that caused them to come into conflict with Muslims.”

Mr Haddad’s representative Andrew Boe suggested a judgment against Mr Haddad would unjustly limit freedom of speech and the “boundaries of legitimate debate cannot be set so narrowly as to exclude that which is not polite, bland, (or) muted”.

“It cannot be … that Section 18C (of the Racial Discrimination Act) can be contravened because some people in a group have gone out of their way to expose themselves to speech which they might reasonably expect to be critical of Israel,” Mr Boe said.

“It would be analogous to a person with a prudish sensitivity seeking out pornography on the web and then complaining about being offended by it.

“Mr Haddad’s evidence will be his motivation was to respond to expressions of great distress … by providing historical and religious context on those events in an attempt to provide spiritual comfort to them. That motivation is entirely consistent with the content of the speeches.”

He argued Mr Haddad throughout his sermons addressed only historical Jewish tribes referenced in the Koran or the state of Israel and the influential figures within it, not the global Jewish diaspora.

Mr Braham disputed this purported intention, and said Mr Haddad knowingly entered a public dialogue with journalists who reported on his sermons, including citing articles by this masthead.

“Mr Haddad read these newspaper articles, and as you see in his speech, he responds to them … and he says, ‘Hey, journalists, get your microphones ready, I’ve got more,’” Mr Braham said.

He pointed to extracts from Mr Haddad’s speeches.

“Today, I’m going to be a masjid (mosque) shock jock, and I want to rub salt in the wound so on Monday they have something to report about,” Mr Haddad said in a speech played before the court.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23152367 (100938ZJUN25) Notable: Video: Imam Samir Mohtadi’s hate speech from pulpit - A high-profile Victorian Muslim leader who branded Zionists as “scavengers” and “bloodsucking humans” has declared that Australia is waging a war on Islam, as he plans to build a multimillion-dollar Islamic “sanctuary” north of Melbourne. Sheik Abu Hamza, also known as Samir Mohtadi, is spearheading a $6.9m religious development in the fast-growing suburb of Mickleham, where he aims to establish an Islamic facility to cater for the city’s burgeoning Muslim population. But while fundraising millions through his registered charity, the Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia, Sheik Mohtadi has also launched inflammatory public attacks on Zionists, Australian politicians, the “West” and secular institutions. In a hate-fuelled sermon delivered at the Australian Bosnian Islamic Centre in Melbourne’s west last week, which was attended by The Australian, the prominent imam prayed for victory for “our mujahideen (fighters) in Palestine” and called on Allah to “cast terror into the hearts of the Zionists”. Sheik Mohtadi’s sermon then turned to Australia itself, as he accused the federal government and institutions of waging an ideological “war of no God”. He preached to worshippers that they were not obliged to adopt the values of the country that had hosted them, granted them citizenship, and provided them full political, social, and economic rights - including the freedom of religion. He declared that as long as they had their own values, culture, language, and religion, they did not need to embrace Australia’s.

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>>73553

>>73554

>>73626

Imam Samir Mohtadi’s hate speech from pulpit

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - June 09, 2025

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A high-profile Victorian Muslim leader who branded Zionists as “scavengers” and “bloodsucking humans” has declared that Australia is waging a war on Islam, as he plans to build a multimillion-dollar Islamic “sanctuary” north of Melbourne.

Sheik Abu Hamza, also known as Samir Mohtadi, is spearheading a $6.9m religious development in the fast-growing suburb of Mickleham, where he aims to establish an Islamic facility to cater for the city’s burgeoning Muslim population.

But while fundraising millions through his registered charity, the Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia, Sheik Mohtadi has also launched inflammatory public attacks on Zionists, Australian politicians, the “West” and secular institutions.

In a hate-fuelled sermon delivered at the Australian Bosnian Islamic Centre in Melbourne’s west last week, which was attended by The Australian, the prominent imam prayed for victory for “our mujahideen (fighters) in Palestine” and called on Allah to “cast terror into the hearts of the Zionists”.

“Oh Allah, grant victory to our mujahideen in Palestine, strengthen their feet, and grant them a clear triumph,” he said in Arabic.

“Oh Allah, cast terror into the hearts of the Zionists and shake the ground beneath their feet.

“Oh Allah, take away from them the blessing of security, scatter their gatherings, and tear apart their unity.”

Sheik Mohtadi’s sermon then turned to Australia itself, as he accused the federal government and institutions of waging an ideological “war of no God”.

He preached to worshippers that they were not obliged to adopt the values of the country that had hosted them, granted them citizenship, and provided them full political, social, and economic rights – including the freedom of religion. He declared that as long as they had their own values, culture, language, and religion, they did not need to embrace Australia’s.

“There’s a war at the moment that exists in this country which is much more dangerous than the war in Gaza,” he said.

“Within this country, we need to understand that the war that exists here, which is much more dangerous (than the war in Gaza), is the war of no God.

“They want to instil in our minds that God does not exist. So this is a war of intellect … They want to convey this message through organisations, through governments, so me and you doubt Allah.

“They want us to doubt Allah, to doubt the Day of Judgment, to doubt the prophet.”

The hardline imam also lamented the removal of religious practices from local council meetings and said secularism was leading Australians into a moral collapse.

“Here in councils, at one stage, they used to begin the meeting with a prayer … now they don’t want this to happen. So they want to distance Allah away from our lives, and that’s why the majority of people (in the West) are in a state of loss.”

Sheik Mohtadi’s radical commentary comes as he leads efforts to build a mega Islamic facility, dubbed a “sanctuary”, on a 12-hectare (30-acre) site in Mickleham, complete with a mosque, Islamic schools, aged care and sports facilities, as well as a youth services hub.

So far, his charity has raised $4.8m of the $6.9m goal, with appeals urging “1000 believers” to donate $3500 each “for the sake of Allah”.

“Plant the seeds that grow for generations to come,” IISNA said in its online fundraising pitch.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23158064 (110946ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese under pressure from White House on NSW mining compensation ahead of Donald Trump talks - Anthony Albanese has been asked to personally intervene in a decade-old $400m compensation claim for Australian and US citizens over a NSW government mining confiscation as part of an upcoming deal with Donald Trump on trade tariffs. As the Prime Minister prepares to go to Canada for the G7 summit and meet the US President on the sidelines of the conference, trade representatives in Washington DC are seeking a resolution to the compensation claim arising from the NSW Liberal government’s confiscation of mining leases in 2014. US trade representatives have repeatedly raised the lack of compensation for US investors as a breach of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement and listed it as an official “investment barrier” in its annual foreign trade barriers report released in March. Before Mr Albanese’s expected face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, US and Australian representatives of “mum and dad” shareholders have appealed to Mr Albanese and Trade Minister Don Farrell to provide compensation and smooth trade relations. In a letter sent to Mr Albanese and Senator Farrell on behalf of 50 mum-and-dad shareholders last month, NuCoal resources chairman Gordon Galt raised concerns with the Prime Minister about the need for “proper redress for affected investors”. Mr Galt, who has fought a long-running battle with the NSW government to provide compensation for investors after then-premier Barry O’Farrell axed the Doyles Creek mining exploration licence, warned Mr Albanese that the matter threatened the “nation’s reputation as a safe destination for investment”.

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>>50828 (pb)

>>73583

>>73611

Anthony Albanese under pressure from White House on NSW mining compensation ahead of Donald Trump talks

DENNIS SHANAHAN and GEOFF CHAMBERS - 11 June 2025

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Anthony Albanese has been asked to personally intervene in a decade-old $400m compensation claim for Australian and US citizens over a NSW government mining confiscation as part of an upcoming deal with Donald Trump on trade tariffs.

As the Prime Minister prepares to go to Canada for the G7 summit and meet the US President on the sidelines of the conference, trade representatives in Washington DC are seeking a resolution to the compensation claim arising from the NSW Liberal government’s confiscation of mining leases in 2014.

US trade representatives have repeatedly raised the lack of compensation for US investors as a breach of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement and listed it as an official “investment barrier” in its annual foreign trade barriers report released in March.

Before Mr Albanese’s expected face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, US and Australian representatives of “mum and dad” shareholders have appealed to Mr Albanese and Trade Minister Don Farrell to provide compensation and smooth trade relations.

As well as the lack of compensation for US and Australian shareholders who have suffered financially, Mr Albanese has also been warned there are grave concerns about sovereign risk at a time of global trade uncertainty.

In a letter sent to Mr Albanese and Senator Farrell on behalf of 50 mum-and-dad shareholders last month, NuCoal resources chairman Gordon Galt raised concerns with the Prime Minister about the need for “proper redress for affected investors”.

Mr Galt, who has fought a long-running battle with the NSW government to provide compensation for investors after then-premier Barry O’Farrell axed the Doyles Creek mining exploration licence, warned Mr Albanese that the matter threatened the “nation’s reputation as a safe destination for investment”.

Former Labor MP for the Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon, who was a defence and agriculture minister in the Rudd government, said the decision was “a shocker” and had ruined families’ finances.

“They are mum and dad shareholders. Their only crime was having faith in a market regulated by the government. Yet it was a government which ripped their hard-earned savings away from them. It’s a shocker,” Mr Fitzgibbon told The Australian.

The Australian understands US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has raised the NuCoal compensation matter with Senator Farrell in their Paris talks last week and in a March phone call.

The 40th Foreign Trade Barriers report released by Mr Greer in March warned US NuCoal investors have not been provided with “recourse to seek compensation”. The total compensation bill quoted by domestic and US investors is between $400m and $500m.

NuCoal acquired the Doyles Creek mining exploration licence in 2010 for more than $94m and raised $10m from investors. The licence was caught up in a ruling by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption over links to disgraced former Labor state minister Ian Macdonald, who in 2008 granted the licence to its former owner.

Despite years of lobbying, successive NSW premiers, including Chris Minns, have rebuffed recommendations made by a state parliamentary committee that compensation be provided.

Mr Minns this year told Mr Galt that while he empathised with NuCoal shareholders who lost their investments, he had a duty to “act in the public interest” and his priority was investing in hospitals, schools and essential public services.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23158079 (111014ZJUN25) Notable: ‘Entirely unacceptable’: Ambassador condemns Australian sanctions on senior Israeli ministers - A diplomatic brawl has broken out between Australia and the US after the Albanese government joined with allies in taking the extraordinary step of sanctioning far-right ministers in the Israeli government on the eve of a peace summit in New York. Highlighting Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation, Australia and the UK spearheaded a months-long push to freeze assets and slap travel bans on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over settler violence in the West Bank and advocating for the displacement of Gazans. Australia announced the move in a statement with Five Eyes security partners Canada and New Zealand and the diplomatically influential nation of Norway, in one of the most striking examples of Western pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wind down Israel’s action in Gaza. The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said the Israeli government would meet early next week to determine how to respond. “The decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers is deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable. These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable,” Maimon said.

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>>73631

‘Entirely unacceptable’: Ambassador condemns Australian sanctions on senior Israeli ministers

Paul Sakkal and Rob Harris - June 11, 2025

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A diplomatic brawl has broken out between Australia and the US after the Albanese government joined with allies in taking the extraordinary step of sanctioning far-right ministers in the Israeli government on the eve of a peace summit in New York.

Highlighting Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation, Australia and the UK spearheaded a months-long push to freeze assets and slap travel bans on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over settler violence in the West Bank and advocating for the displacement of Gazans.

Australia announced the move in a statement with Five Eyes security partners Canada and New Zealand and the diplomatically influential nation of Norway, in one of the most striking examples of Western pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wind down Israel’s action in Gaza.

Ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s expected meeting with Donald Trump next week, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, condemned the sanctions, urging the countries “not to forget who the real enemy is”, referring to terror group Hamas.

Albanese said on Wednesday he did not believe Australia’s relationship with the US would be damaged by his government’s stance, which some within Labor have criticised as not being tough enough.

“Sometimes, friends have to be clear with each other,” Albanese said at a press conference in western Sydney.

“We support Israel’s right to live and to exist in secure borders. But we also support the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians.”

The legal basis for Australia’s sanctions were underpinned mostly by the remarks and actions of Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, and Smotrich, the finance minister, in supporting the behaviour of Israeli settlers. Settlers seeking to increase Israel’s footprint in the occupied West Bank have been ramping up the building of settlements in the area. The ministers have recently grown in influence as Netanyahu relies on their support to remain in power.

At Ben-Gvir’s direction his ministry purchased thousands of rifles for settler communities, where some groups have been dispossessing Palestinians and committing violent acts.

Smotrich has also made inflammatory public remarks, including stating that Gaza “will be entirely destroyed” and suggesting Palestinians be forced to emigrate. Last year, he indicated the deaths of 2 million Palestinians by starvation in Gaza might be “justified”, comments that drew rebukes from allies including Germany.

But British officials said the sanctions were also designed to pressure Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire as humanitarian conditions in the strip become increasingly dire. Hamas has not agreed to release all the remaining hostages.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the international community’s patience had run out, declining to rule out further sanctions on the government of Israel.

“The situation in the West Bank and the situation in Gaza are untenable, both for civilians and long-term peace in the form of a two-state solution,” she said in Canberra on Wednesday.

Wong gave multiple media interviews and a press conference about the sanctions on Wednesday in a departure from Labor’s more reserved tone on the matter in its previous term of government, when former opposition leader Peter Dutton frequently castigated the government for breaking with Israel.

The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said the Israeli government would meet early next week to determine how to respond.

“The decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers is deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable. These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable,” Maimon said.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163733 (120825ZJUN25) Notable: Alliance assessment:Pentagon launches review of Aukus nuclear submarine deal- The Pentagon has launched a review of the 2021 Aukus submarine deal with the UK and Australia, throwing the security pact into doubt at a time of heightened tension with China. The review to determine whether the US should scrap the project is being led by Elbridge Colby, a top defence department official who previously expressed scepticism about Aukus, according to six people familiar with the matter. Ending the submarine and advanced technology development agreement would destroy a pillar of security co-operation between the allies. The review has triggered anxiety in London and Canberra. While Aukus has received strong support from US lawmakers and experts, some critics say it could undermine the country’s security because the navy is struggling to produce more American submarines as the threat from Beijing is rising. Australia and Britain are due to co-produce an attack submarine class known as the SSN-Aukus that will come into service in the early 2040s. But the US has committed to selling up to five Virginia class submarines to Australia from 2032 to bridge the gap as it retires its current fleet of vessels. That commitment would almost certainly lapse if the US pulled out of Aukus. Last year, Colby wrote on X that he was sceptical about Aukus and that it “would be crazy” for the US to have fewer nuclear-powered attack submarines, known as SSNs, in the case of a conflict over Taiwan. In March, Colby said it would be “great” for Australia to have SSNs but cautioned there was a “very real threat of a conflict in the coming years” and that US SSNs would be “absolutely essential” to defend Taiwan. Sceptics of the nuclear technology-sharing pact have also questioned whether the US should help Australia obtain the submarines without an explicit commitment to use them in any war with China.

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>>73432

Pentagon launches review of Aukus nuclear submarine deal

Ending pact would be blow to security alliance with Australia and UK

Demetri Sevastopulo - 12 June 2025

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The Pentagon has launched a review of the 2021 Aukus submarine deal with the UK and Australia, throwing the security pact into doubt at a time of heightened tension with China.

The review to determine whether the US should scrap the project is being led by Elbridge Colby, a top defence department official who previously expressed scepticism about Aukus, according to six people familiar with the matter.

Ending the submarine and advanced technology development agreement would destroy a pillar of security co-operation between the allies. The review has triggered anxiety in London and Canberra.

While Aukus has received strong support from US lawmakers and experts, some critics say it could undermine the country’s security because the navy is struggling to produce more American submarines as the threat from Beijing is rising.

Australia and Britain are due to co-produce an attack submarine class known as the SSN-Aukus that will come into service in the early 2040s. But the US has committed to selling up to five Virginia class submarines to Australia from 2032 to bridge the gap as it retires its current fleet of vessels.

That commitment would almost certainly lapse if the US pulled out of Aukus.

Last year, Colby wrote on X that he was sceptical about Aukus and that it “would be crazy” for the US to have fewer nuclear-powered attack submarines, known as SSNs, in the case of a conflict over Taiwan.

In March, Colby said it would be “great” for Australia to have SSNs but cautioned there was a “very real threat of a conflict in the coming years” and that US SSNs would be “absolutely essential” to defend Taiwan.

Sceptics of the nuclear technology-sharing pact have also questioned whether the US should help Australia obtain the submarines without an explicit commitment to use them in any war with China.

Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration who was the US architect of Aukus, last year stressed the importance of Australia having SSNs that could work closely with the US in the case of a war over Taiwan. But Canberra has not publicly linked the need for the vessels to a conflict over Taiwan.

The review comes amid mounting anxiety among US allies about some of the Trump administration’s positions. Colby has told the UK and other European allies to focus more on the Euro-Atlantic region and reduce their activity in the Indo-Pacific.

One person familiar with the debate over Aukus said Canberra and London were “incredibly anxious” about the Aukus review.

“Aukus is the most substantial military and strategic undertaking between the US, Australia and Great Britain in generations,” Campbell told the Financial Times.

“Efforts to increase co-ordination, defence spending and common ambition should be welcomed. Any bureaucratic effort to undermine Aukus would lead to a crisis in confidence among our closest security and political partners.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163745 (120834ZJUN25) Notable: US launches AUKUS review to ensure it meets Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda - The Pentagon is reviewing the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the US and the UK to ensure it aligns with President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, a US defence official told the ABC. But Defence Minister Richard Marles said he remained confident the pact would remain intact, and a review was a "perfectly natural" thing for a new administration to do. The news follows US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent request for Australia to significantly boost its defence spending "as soon as possible". The US defence official said the review "will ensure the initiative meets … common sense, America First criteria". "As Secretary Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs," the official said. Under the AUKUS pact, Australia would be armed with nuclear-powered submarines at a cost of more than $350 billion. Elbridge Colby, who is the under secretary of Defense for Policy and has voiced scepticism about AUKUS, is leading the review, according to the UK's Financial Times. Last August, Mr Colby tweeted he was an AUKUS "agnostic". "In principle it's a great idea. But I've been very skeptical in practice," he wrote, but added he'd become "more inclined based on new information I've gleaned".

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>>73432

>>73634

US launches AUKUS review to ensure it meets Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda

Brad Ryan and Emilie Gramenz - 12 June 2025

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The Pentagon is reviewing the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the US and the UK to ensure it aligns with President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, a US defence official told the ABC.

But Defence Minister Richard Marles said he remained confident the pact would remain intact, and a review was a "perfectly natural" thing for a new administration to do.

The news follows US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent request for Australia to significantly boost its defence spending "as soon as possible".

The US defence official said the review "will ensure the initiative meets … common sense, America First criteria".

"As Secretary Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs," the official said.

Under the AUKUS pact, Australia would be armed with nuclear-powered submarines at a cost of more than $350 billion.

Elbridge Colby, who is the under secretary of Defense for Policy and has voiced scepticism about AUKUS, is leading the review, according to the UK's Financial Times.

Last August, Mr Colby tweeted he was an AUKUS "agnostic".

"In principle it's a great idea. But I've been very skeptical in practice," he wrote, but added he'd become "more inclined based on new information I've gleaned".

Mr Marles told ABC Radio Melbourne he was "very confident this [AUKUS] is going to happen".

"The meetings that we've had with the United States have been very positive in respect of AUKUS," Mr Marles said. "That dates back to my most recent meeting with Pete Hegseth in Singapore."

He pushed back on the suggestion Australia needed a plan B.

"There is a plan here. We are sticking to it and we're going to deliver," he said. "Chopping and changing guarantees you will never have the capability."

White House 'regularly' reviewing foreign agreements

Former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey speculated Mr Colby may have initiated the review himself, suggesting he had "seen the opportunity" when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reacted dismissively to US requests for more defence spending.

"At the end of the day, there is still strong support for AUKUS across the Congress and in the White House," he told ABC Radio National.

A White House official told the ABC that the Trump administration was "regularly" reviewing foreign agreements to ensure they fit the America First agenda, especially those initiated by the Biden administration.

The Australian government paid the US almost $800 million earlier this year — the first in a series of payments to help America improve its submarine manufacturing capabilities.

AUKUS has enjoyed bipartisan support in all three countries, and senior Trump administration figures including Mr Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have previously spoken in support of it.

But late last month, Mr Hegseth met Defence Minister Richard Marles in Singapore, and said Australia needed to lift its defence spending.

Mr Trump himself has said little publicly about the AUKUS pact, and his criticisms of America's traditional alliances have fuelled anxieties about its future in Canberra and London.

When a reporter asked Mr Trump about AUKUS in February, he appeared to be unfamiliar with the term, replying: "What does that mean?"

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163758 (120852ZJUN25) Notable: ‘Save Australia from itself’: Paul Keating fires up as Trump administration announces review into AUKUS deal - America’s bombshell review into the future of the AUKUS nuclear power submarine deal could be the “moment Washington saves Australia from itself”, former Prime Minister Paul Keating has said. Australia made its first AUKUS down payment to the US in February, transferring nearly $800 million to help boost the country’s submarine production. Overnight, the Trump Administration announced its biggest AUKUS sceptic Elbridge Colby will head a review into whether the US should pull out of the submarine deal with Australia. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has joined the chorus of Australia’s own AUKUS sceptics, saying the move “might very well be the moment Washington saves Australia from itself … from the most poorly conceived defence procurement program ever adopted by an Australian government”. In a statement, Mr Keating described AUKUS as being “hurriedly scribbled on the back of an envelope by Scott Morrison, along with the vacuous British blowhard Boris Johnson, and the confused president, Joe Biden - put together on an English beach, a world away from where Australia’s strategic interests primarily lie”. “The Albanese government had the chance to undertake a review on its own terms when first elected to office in May 2022, but denied itself the opportunity for fear of being seen as dodgy on the alliance,” Mr Keating said. “Now President Trump’s Pentagon, as it is entitled to do, is subjecting the deal to the kind of scrutiny that should have been applied to AUKUS in the first instance. The review makes clear that America keeps its national interests uppermost. But the concomitant question is: why has Australia failed to do the same?”

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>>73432

>>73634

‘Save Australia from itself’: Paul Keating fires up as Trump administration announces review into AUKUS deal

Samantha Maiden - June 12, 2025

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America’s bombshell review into the future of the AUKUS nuclear power submarine deal could be the “moment Washington saves Australia from itself”, former Prime Minister Paul Keating has said.

Australia made its first AUKUS down payment to the US in February, transferring nearly $800 million to help boost the country’s submarine production.

Overnight, the Trump Administration announced its biggest AUKUS sceptic Elbridge Colby will head a review into whether the US should pull out of the submarine deal with Australia.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has joined the chorus of Australia’s own AUKUS sceptics, saying the move “might very well be the moment Washington saves Australia from itself … from the most poorly conceived defence procurement program ever adopted by an Australian government”.

In a statement, Mr Keating described AUKUS as being “hurriedly scribbled on the back of an envelope by Scott Morrison, along with the vacuous British blowhard Boris Johnson, and the confused president, Joe Biden – put together on an English beach, a world away from where Australia’s strategic interests primarily lie”.

“The Albanese government had the chance to undertake a review on its own terms when first elected to office in May 2022, but denied itself the opportunity for fear of being seen as dodgy on the alliance,” Mr Keating said.

“Now President Trump’s Pentagon, as it is entitled to do, is subjecting the deal to the kind of scrutiny that should have been applied to AUKUS in the first instance.

“The review makes clear that America keeps its national interests uppermost. But the concomitant question is: why has Australia failed to do the same?”

Turnbull trashes Aussie sub ‘fiasco’

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier warned the deal risks becoming a billion-dollar “fiasco” for Australia, telling news.com.au that the “terrible deal” inked by Scott Morrison had always included a clause or caveat that no submarines will be handed over unless it had submarines to spare.

“So this is a risk that Australia has taken with its eyes wide open,” Mr Turnbull said.

“It will be a fiasco, I think. So that’s one alternative. Another alternative is to go back to France. They’ve been double crossed once before.

“It is a debacle. I’ve been saying this for years. It was a debacle when Morrison recklessly entered into it, and it was a debacle when Labor, to avoid a political wedge, went along.

“It’s fundamentally a bad deal. I’m not saying naval nuclear propulsion is a bad idea. It’s a good idea, but it’s a very expensive one.

“But the problem with this deal is it’s so asymmetrical, we give the Americans $3 billion, they only have to give us submarines if they feel they could spare them.

“This whole exercise is designed to get us nuclear powered submarines, but the upshot could be that we end up with no submarines at all.”

Scott Morrison defends AUKUS

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken to social media to defend the review and urge critics to not “over-interpret” the move.

“The current US Department of Defense review of AUKUS is well within its remit and not unlike the strategic assessment recently conducted by the new UK Government following the election of Prime Minister Starmer,” he wrote.

“This is a departmental review, not a policy decision, and should not be over-interpreted.”

Mr Morrison, one of the original architects of the security pact, said it was a good opportunity for “Australia to make the case again”.

“We have a good case to make in both our own interests and those of our AUKUS partners, especially the US.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163785 (120923ZJUN25) Notable: ‘Time to wake up’: Turnbull, opposition seize on Trump’s AUKUS review - Defence Minister Richard Marles and AUKUS architect Scott Morrison have insisted they are confident the United States will keep supporting the $368 billion submarine deal despite the Trump administration’s decision to review the security pact to ensure it puts “America first”. The United States on Thursday confirmed it was conducting a 30-day review into whether the AUKUS submarine deal should be changed or scrapped, throwing into doubt Australia’s future maritime defence and adding a pressure point to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s expected meeting with US President Donald Trump on the G7 sidelines in Canada next week. Former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, both prominent AUKUS critics, said the US review gave the Albanese government cause to revisit the deal. But Marles downplayed the situation and revealed the government had known about the review for weeks. Keating said the review gave Australia an opportunity to forge a new path on national security and accused the Labor government of avoiding its own review “for fear of being seen as dodgy on the alliance”. Turnbull also questioned why Australia had not reviewed the scheme. “The UK is conducting a review of AUKUS. The US … is conducting a review of AUKUS,” he said on X. “But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. Our parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed. Time to wake up?”

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>>73432

>>73634

‘Time to wake up’: Turnbull, opposition seize on Trump’s AUKUS review

Michael Koziol - June 12, 2025

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Defence Minister Richard Marles and AUKUS architect Scott Morrison have insisted they are confident the United States will keep supporting the $368 billion submarine deal despite the Trump administration’s decision to review the security pact to ensure it puts “America first”.

The United States on Thursday confirmed it was conducting a 30-day review into whether the AUKUS submarine deal should be changed or scrapped, throwing into doubt Australia’s future maritime defence and adding a pressure point to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s expected meeting with US President Donald Trump on the G7 sidelines in Canada next week.

Former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, both prominent AUKUS critics, said the US review gave the Albanese government cause to revisit the deal. But Marles downplayed the situation and revealed the government had known about the review for weeks.

The United States’ decision to review the Joe Biden-era AUKUS arrangement – which will be examined to ensure it meets Trump’s “America First” priorities – follows its demands for American allies, including Australia, to significantly boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

Labor plans to lift spending from 2 per cent to 2.3 per cent by the 2030s. Coalition defence spokesman Angus Taylor said there was bipartisan support for AUKUS, but said the Albanese government had to come clean on whether the US had been provoked by Australia’s failure to pour more money into defence.

Morrison, who led the deal as prime minister, said the US review should not be overblown. “This is a departmental review, not a policy decision, and should not be over-interpreted,” he said in a statement.

Marles matched Morrison’s relaxed stance. “The review that’s been announced is not a surprise. We’ve been aware of this for some time. We welcome it. It’s something which is perfectly natural for an incoming administration to do,” Marles said on ABC Melbourne on Thursday morning.

“The United Kingdom undertook their own review when the Labour government was elected there in the middle of last year – and that’s reported, and is in fact very positive about AUKUS … The agreement is for the submarines to come in the early 2030s and that is what we are all working to, and I’m very confident that that is what is going to happen.”

The review was first reported on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) by The Financial Times, which said it would be headed by defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby and take about 30 days.

“The department is reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the president’s America First agenda,” a US defence official confirmed to this masthead.

“As [Defence] Secretary [Pete] Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs.”

A separate US government official said: “The Trump administration is regularly reviewing foreign agreements to ensure they align with the American people’s interests, especially those initiated under the failed Biden foreign policy agenda.”

Taylor warned that Australia would “pay a heavy price” if AUKUS fell over as he pushed the Albanese government to escalate its defence spending to be closer in line with American asks.

“The Coalition stands ready to work with Labor to make sure that AUKUS is a success. It needs to be strong and it needs to be effective, but bipartisanship will not be a shield for inaction,” he said.

Critics made the opposite case. Keating said the review gave Australia an opportunity to forge a new path on national security and accused the Labor government of avoiding its own review “for fear of being seen as dodgy on the alliance”.

“AUKUS will be shown for it always has been: a deal hurriedly scribbled on the back of an envelope by Scott Morrison, along with the vacuous British blowhard Boris Johnson and the confused president, Joe Biden,” he said in a statement.

“The usual American apologists are already out in the press today insisting that the prime minister leaves his meeting with Trump on the weekend with a guarantee that AUKUS survives. It is an impossible ask.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163812 (120941ZJUN25) Notable: Jihadi preacher concedes ‘sermons not private’ in hate speech case - Lawyers for Jihadi preacher Wissam Haddad have conceded a central pillar of their defence, acknowledging the cleric’s sermons were not private amid a racial discrimination trial that has hinged on the public accessibility of his remarks. Mr Haddad, who legally changed his first name to William more than twenty years ago but who is also known as Abu Ousayd, has sought to argue he was only speaking to his Muslim congregants at the Bankstown Al Madina Dawah Centre - a co-respondent in his Federal Court case brought by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot – when he made sermons about the conflict in Israel after October 7, 2023. At the beginning of the case’s closing remarks on Thursday, ECAJ barrister Peter Braham SC said Mr Haddad had conceded the argument and acknowledged his speeches were likely to be seen by an audience outside of his congregation. Mr Haddad’s barrister, Andrew Boe, confirmed this. “We formally communicated to the appellant’s team that the respondents concede that the speeches were not … private,” Mr Boe said. The partial concession means Justice Angus Stewart need only judge Mr Haddad’s potential breach of two other elements of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act - whether Mr Haddad’s sermons were likely to offend and whether they targeted those of a specific race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

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>>73627

Jihadi preacher concedes ‘sermons not private’ in hate speech case

Wissam Haddad has acknowledged his sermons on Jews after October 7 could be accessed broadly and would not stay confined to his Bankstown prayer centre.

JAMES DOWLING - June 12, 2025

Lawyers for Jihadi preacher Wissam Haddad have conceded a central pillar of their defence, acknowledging the cleric’s sermons were not private amid a racial discrimination trial that has hinged on the public accessibility of his remarks.

Mr Haddad, who legally changed his first name to William more than twenty years ago but who is also known as Abu Ousayd, has sought to argue he was only speaking to his Muslim congregants at the Bankstown Al Madina Dawah Centre – a co-respondent in his Federal Court case brought by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot – when he made sermons about the conflict in Israel after October 7, 2023.

At the beginning of the case’s closing remarks on Thursday, ECAJ barrister Peter Braham SC said Mr Haddad had conceded the argument and acknowledged his speeches were likely to be seen by an audience outside of his congregation.

Mr Haddad’s barrister, Andrew Boe, confirmed this.

“We formally communicated to the appellant’s team that the respondents concede that the speeches were not … private,” Mr Boe said.

The partial concession means Justice Angus Stewart need only judge Mr Haddad’s potential breach of two other elements of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act – whether Mr Haddad’s sermons were likely to offend and whether they targeted those of a specific race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

Mr Haddad took to the witness box on Wednesday, defending his preachings in the face of Mr Braham’s suggestion he was a wannabe influencer who “revelled” in “flippant ­provocations”.

The wide-ranging cross-examination presented Mr Haddad with a patchwork of alleged media stunts he conducted in the lead-up to five speeches about Jews that provoked the legal action, which Mr Braham contended indicated a pattern of willing and incendiary public dialogue by Mr Haddad.

He told the Federal Court he “never set out to insult Jews” when he recited parables about their killing and made sermons at his Bankstown prayer centre in Sydney’s southwest calling them treacherous and vile.

“I never set out to insult Jews,” he said. “The words of Allah are eternal, so whatever He said then holds now, but specifically for Jews of faith, not ethnicity.”

Probing this defence, Mr Braham at one stage asked Mr Haddad why he had parroted an anti-Semitic trope suggesting Jewish cabalists controlled mass media and Hollywood, with Mr Haddad saying he had been referencing the Israeli government.

“Jews of the Israeli government don’t have Hollywood blockbuster films, Mr Haddad, Hollywood’s in Los Angeles in America,” Mr Braham said.

Mr Haddad told the barrister he “wouldn’t have a clue” where Hollywood was because he had “never been to the States”.

It was part of a series of stipulations he made in the witness box about his prior sermons, suggesting remarks that seemingly applied to the entire Jewish diaspora were rather about Jews who practised their faith or specific indictments of senior Israeli government figures. His audience of Muslim congregants would understand these stipulations implicitly, the court heard.

He has repeatedly said his remarks were pulled from Islamic scripture.

“A very large part of the respondent’s case here is that these speeches were delivered in private to a purely Muslim audience, and it wasn’t reasonably likely that they would come to the attention of the broader community, and that is absolutely not how this man has run his life,” Mr Braham said.

“It’s put forward by the respondent that the purpose for which the speech was given was a serious discussion of current affairs, but this is not a man, in our submission, who engages in serious discussions.

“A very large part of the respondent’s case here is that these speeches were delivered in private to a purely Muslim audience, and it wasn’t reasonably likely that they would come to the attention of the broader community, and that is absolutely not how this man has run his life.

“He’s a man who engages in flippant provocations of other segments of the community … and that’s how he gains attention.”

ECAJ is seeking declarations that Mr Haddad contravened section 18C, injunctions to remove the five offending sermons from the internet, and an order that the cleric refrain from publishing similar speeches in future.

The trial will conclude on Friday before Justice Stewart retires to consider his judgement.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/jihadi-preacher-concedes-sermons-not-private-in-hate-speech-case/news-story/e71f5793b2413ea60417ad1418d4e121

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163825 (120949ZJUN25) Notable: Battlelines drawn as Governor approves July 19 Tasmanian election - Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 - for the second time in 16 months – after the state’s Governor on Wednesday night ­finally agreed to the early election requested by Premier Jeremy Rockliff. The election - Tasmania’s fourth in a little over seven years – follows an extended power vacuum after Mr Rockliff last week suffered a no-confidence motion in the House of Assembly. Governor Barbara Baker, who on Tuesday night deferred a decision on Mr Rockliff’s election request, said she had ­decided there was no real alternative. “Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution,” Ms Baker said. Mr Rockliff welcomed the ­decision. “A state election has been called for July 19 - one that we’re going to fight in the name of common decency,” he said via social media. “To draw a line in the sand, as Tasmanians, and stand up for what we believe in. Not political games. But building a better Tasmania. Your support over these last few days has been nothing short of incredible. I have been truly humbled. Now let’s get on with it.” Labor leader Dean Winter said Tasmanians now had “a choice”, flagging a campaign ­attack based on Mr Rockliff’s abandoned privatisation agenda.

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>>73606

>>73614

Battlelines drawn as Governor approves July 19 Tasmanian election

MATTHEW DENHOLM - June 11, 2025

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Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 – for the second time in 16 months – after the state’s Governor on Wednesday night ­finally agreed to the early election requested by Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

The election – Tasmania’s fourth in a little over seven years – follows an extended power vacuum after Mr Rockliff last week suffered a no-confidence motion in the House of Assembly.

Governor Barbara Baker, who on Tuesday night deferred a decision on Mr Rockliff’s election request, said she had ­decided there was no real alternative. “Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution,” Ms Baker said.

“I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed.”

Mr Rockliff welcomed the ­decision. “A state election has been called for July 19 – one that we’re going to fight in the name of common decency,” he said via social media.

“To draw a line in the sand, as Tasmanians, and stand up for what we believe in. Not political games. But building a better Tasmania.

“Your support over these last few days has been nothing short of incredible. I have been truly humbled. Now let’s get on with it.”

Labor leader Dean Winter said Tasmanians now had “a choice”, flagging a campaign ­attack based on Mr Rockliff’s abandoned privatisation agenda.

“The Liberals want to sell off Tasmania, while Labor will keep Tasmania in Tasmanian hands,” Mr Winter said. “Selling off Tasmania means higher prices for power, public transport, and other essentials.

“Only a vote for Labor will ­ensure Tasmanian profits stay in Tasmania, investing in schools, health, and housing. Our entire labour movement is united and ready to send the Liberals a loud message – Tasmania is not for sale.

“It’s time for a fresh start for Tasmania.”

There had been pressure within the Liberal Party and the business community for Mr Rockliff to resign to allow the party to choose another leader and avoid the snap poll.

However, Mr Rockliff refused to quit and despite several senior ministers being willing to take his place, none were willing to force a spill of the leadership.

The Liberal government, in power since 2014, most recently in a weakened minority administration since March 2024, faces an uphill battle to retain power.

It has taken the state deeply into state debt, recently unveiling a budget doubling net debt to almost $11bn by 2028, while being plagued by allegations of bungled infrastructure projects.

The most notable of these was the failure to build adequate wharf facilities for $1bn new Bass Strait ferries, and alleged mishandling of the contentious $1bn Hobart AFL stadium.

Both major parties are committed to the stadium – a key condition of Tasmania gaining an AFL team.

However, the election casts further doubt over the project’s future, given delays to legislation fast-tracking the project and uncertainty over the make-up of any crossbench, with few ­pundits predicting a majority government.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23163835 (121000ZJUN25) Notable: Albanese-Trump G7 meeting in limbo as Israeli cabinet sanctions trigger US rebuke - Anthony Albanese may not meet with Donald Trump next week in Canada as relations with the US administration sour. The countries' relationship is being tested by Australia's decision to sanction two Israeli cabinet members, plus a fresh American review of AUKUS following a disagreement over defence spending. While a potential in-person meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders gathering in Alberta is still anticipated, senior sources told the ABC it was too soon to be "definitive" and that there were "lots of moving parts". The prime minister departs for North America on Friday morning for the June 15-17 summit amid expectations he will sit down with Mr Trump to discuss US trade tariffs on Australian steel and other goods, and defence cooperation. But there is also an awareness inside the Australian and US governments that Australia's decision to slap sanctions on two hard-right Israeli ministers - Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — could trigger the "mercurial" Mr Trump's ire. The sanctions, which were mirrored by the UK, Canada, Norway and New Zealand, triggered an exchange of words on Wednesday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - who described them as counterproductive to peace in the region — and Mr Albanese, who dismissed the US charge as "predictable, frankly".

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>>73583

>>73634

Albanese-Trump G7 meeting in limbo as Israeli cabinet sanctions trigger US rebuke

Jacob Greber - 12 June 2025

Anthony Albanese may not meet with Donald Trump next week in Canada as relations with the US administration sour.

The countries' relationship is being tested by Australia's decision to sanction two Israeli cabinet members, plus a fresh American review of AUKUS following a disagreement over defence spending.

While a potential in-person meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders gathering in Alberta is still anticipated, senior sources told the ABC it was too soon to be "definitive" and that there were "lots of moving parts".

The prime minister departs for North America on Friday morning for the June 15-17 summit amid expectations he will sit down with Mr Trump to discuss US trade tariffs on Australian steel and other goods, and defence cooperation.

But there is also an awareness inside the Australian and US governments that Australia's decision to slap sanctions on two hard-right Israeli ministers — Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — could trigger the "mercurial" Mr Trump's ire.

The sanctions, which were mirrored by the UK, Canada, Norway and New Zealand, triggered an exchange of words on Wednesday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — who described them as counterproductive to peace in the region — and Mr Albanese, who dismissed the US charge as "predictable, frankly".

While Mr Albanese downplayed potential fallout from the sanctions, saying the matter was not a priority, he insisted the Israeli government "does need to uphold its obligations under international law".

The clash with the US over the sanctions came hot on the heels of a disagreement with the Trump administration over defence spending levels, followed this week by revelations the Pentagon would review whether the AUKUS defence pact fit with Mr Trump's "America-first" agenda.

Mr Albanese this month rebuffed US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth's call for Australia to increase "as soon as possible" its military spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP from the current level of just over 2 per cent.

While there is uncertainty about Mr Trump's willingness to meet with Mr Albanese, there is also a sense the US president is enduring his own disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Gaza.

Labor's decision to impose sanctions on the Israeli cabinet members was criticised by the Greens as "extremely late" while the opposition warned the government had "made a mistake".

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg said the use of "Magnitsky-style" sanctions on democratically elected ministers of state was inappropriate.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) slammed the government's "unprecedented" sanctions as a major escalation, while acknowledging the two ministers were controversial.

"AIJAC finds many statements by Smotrich and especially Ben-Gvir insupportable and we share the government's concern about settler violence against West Bank Palestinians and call on Israeli authorities to do more to stop them," said the group's executive director, Colin Rubenstein.

"However, there are many leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Iran, Turkey, and Qatar who are saying things at least as inflammatory, if not more so.

"Yet, there is no discussion of sanctioning any of them."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/albanese-trump-g7-meeting-uncertain-israel-sanctions/105405674

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23174081 (132338ZJUN25) Notable: Labor’s Israeli sanctions ‘put Australia on the US radar’ - Increasing differences between Washington and Canberra on foreign policies, including the approach to Israel and position on defence spending, have put Australia “on the US radar” and opened up the “opportunity” for the Trump administration to trigger a review of the multibillion-dollar AUKUS deal, former government ministers say. Despite Labor confirming it had known about the Trump administration’s intention to review AUKUS for “some time”, the formal announcement came just a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia and Five Eyes partners such as Britain, saying the move did “not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire”. Defence Minister Richard Marles sought to downplay the review, to be led by vocal AUKUS critic and Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, saying it was a “natural step” for US President Donald Trump to take. Former Australian ambassador to Washington Joe Hockey said Anthony Albanese’s push back against Mr Hegseth’s call for Australia to spend 3.5 per cent of its GDP on defence was part of there reason behind the review. “I think he would have seen the opportunity in the disagreement between Secretary Hegseth and Prime Minister Albanese,” he told ABC. “He would have seen that as an opportunity to have a review of AUKUS, probably initiated by himself.” Mr Hockey said there was “still strong support for AUKUS across congress and the White House”.

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>>73631

>>73634

>>73640

Labor’s Israeli sanctions ‘put Australia on the US radar’

SARAH ISON - June 12, 2025

Increasing differences between Washington and Canberra on foreign policies, including the approach to Israel and position on defence spending, have put Australia “on the US radar” and opened up the “opportunity” for the Trump administration to trigger a review of the multibillion-dollar AUKUS deal, former government ministers say.

Despite Labor confirming it had known about the Trump administration’s intention to review AUKUS for “some time”, the formal announcement came just a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia and Five Eyes partners such as Britain, saying the move did “not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire”.

Defence Minister Richard Marles sought to downplay the review, to be led by vocal AUKUS critic and Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, saying it was a “natural step” for US President Donald Trump to take. “I am comfortable about it and I think it’s a pretty natural step for an incoming government to take and we’ll have an opportunity to engage with it,” he told Sky News. “Obviously, I met with my counterpart, Pete Hegseth, just a couple of weeks ago and that was a very positive meeting in relation to the progress of AUKUS and how we see it going.”

Former Australian ambassador to Washington Joe Hockey said Anthony Albanese’s push back against Mr Hegseth’s call for Australia to spend 3.5 per cent of its GDP on defence was part of there reason behind the review.

“I think he would have seen the opportunity in the disagreement between Secretary Hegseth and Prime Minister Albanese,” he told ABC. “He would have seen that as an opportunity to have a review of AUKUS, probably initiated by himself.”

Mr Hockey said there was “still strong support for AUKUS across congress and the White House”.

Former Labor minister and co-convener of Labor Friends of Israel Mike Kelly said it was clear the government had been moving out of step with the US and there were now clear consequences.

“Certainly, I think we’re now starting to appear on the US radar in terms of our activities,” he said.

“The denial of the visit by Hillel Fuld to Australia has been raised in the US. This sanctions activity and what steps we might take at this UN meeting (next week) will also be of great interest to the US.”

The Prime Minister on Wednesday labelled the outcry from the US over the sanctioning of ­Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as “predictable” and added the matter was “not the priority” in discussions that he had with Mr Trump.

Whether Mr Albanese is able to have his first proper face-to-face discussion with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the G7 is yet to be seen, with the US President having not yet confirmed whether a bilateral meeting or informal pull-aside discussion would take place.

Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor said a meeting between the two leaders needed to take place “as soon as possible” to provide clarity and certainty on the future of AUKUS.

“When will the Prime Minister meet with … President Trump, to discuss this face to face? We understood there was a meeting that was going to proceed. That is less clear now,” he said. “It is hugely important the Prime Minister meet with the President to discuss this.”

While Labor’s sanctions of Israeli ministers and response to calls to increase defence spending were pointed to as having likely inflamed tensions with Mr Trump, analysts said an increasing divide between the US and Australia had been months in the making.

Strategic Analysis Australia founder Michael Shoebridge said Labor had benefited politically from distancing itself from Mr Trump and the US during the campaign, while seeking to accuse Peter Dutton of “copying” policies from the US, but was potentially now seeing the consequences of that language.

He said the diverging positions between the US and Australia came as Washington was grappling with significantly curbing its own submarine capability in order to lock in supply to Australia.

“Their core question is, is weakening America to strengthen Australia worth doing?” he said.

“If there’s a war over Taiwan, will Australian submarines be there? And our government’s made the obvious point, we’ll make our own decision at the time.

“We can’t give and we wouldn’t give future commitments.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/labors-israeli-sanctions-put-australia-on-the-us-radar/news-story/95e7ab7bd7ebc0f5ca5057d3930c1b00

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23174371 (140034ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese’s mission: save the AUKUS pact - Anthony Albanese is preparing a series of major defence funding announcements and will ensure Australia delivers on its pledge to service US nuclear submarines from 2027, as his government scrambles to lock in support from Donald Trump on the $368bn AUKUS pact. The Prime Minister on Friday will fly from Canberra on a critical one-week overseas trip that will bring him face to face with the President for the first time, amid concerns from the US that AUKUS will force it to deliver major funding and defence capabilities to a country that has not committed to support Washington in a conflict over Taiwan. Ahead of Mr Albanese travelling to Fiji, the US and Canada, the Pentagon on Thursday announced a snap 30-day review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, led by influential Defence Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, who has expressed concerns about Australian defence spending and American industrial shipbuilding capacity. As G7 leaders prepare to gather in the Canadian town of Kananaskis over the weekend amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, The Australian understands Mr Trump is yet to lock in any bilateral meetings with counterparts including Mr Albanese.

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Anthony Albanese’s mission: save the AUKUS pact

GEOFF CHAMBERS - June 12, 2025

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Anthony Albanese is preparing a series of major defence funding announcements and will ensure Australia delivers on its pledge to service US nuclear submarines from 2027, as his government scrambles to lock in support from Donald Trump on the $368bn AUKUS pact.

The Prime Minister on Friday will fly from Canberra on a critical one-week overseas trip that will bring him face to face with the President for the first time, amid concerns from the US that AUKUS will force it to deliver major funding and defence capabilities to a country that has not committed to support Washington in a conflict over Taiwan.

Ahead of Mr Albanese travelling to Fiji, the US and Canada, the Pentagon on Thursday announced a snap 30-day review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, led by influential Defence Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, who has expressed concerns about Australian defence spending and American industrial shipbuilding capacity.

As G7 leaders prepare to gather in the Canadian town of Kananaskis over the weekend amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, The Australian understands Mr Trump is yet to lock in any bilateral meetings with counterparts including Mr Albanese.

While the Prime Minister faces a backlash over so far resisting a concerted push from Washington to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, US government ­officials said they believed the meeting with Mr Trump was likely to proceed.

They told The Australian that, on top of the view Canberra should lift investment in defence, there was concern over giving submarines to a country that had not expressed willingness to join any conflict over Taiwan.

AUKUS had also always been considered “Australia’s idea”, with the need to justify the project resting firmly with Canberra, the sources said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he had known about the US AUKUS review “for some time” and welcomed it. Both the British and Australian governments had also conducted reviews into the defence pact. Mr Marles singled out Australia’s financial contributions to the American shipbuilding industrial base and said “AUKUS is under way right now … activities are happening under the banner of AUKUS”.

“We’re really confident about the progress of AUKUS and we’re confident about how it will proceed under the Trump Administration,” he said.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison, who hatched the AUKUS deal with Joe Biden and Boris Johnson in 2021, said the focus of the review was not new and “rightly centres on US submarine production rates”.

“This is a known and genuine challenge for the US industrial base,” Mr Morrison told Sky News. “This goes directly to the maintenance and expansion of the US submarine fleet, and it’s an area where Australia is already uniquely contributing under AUKUS Pillar I.

“I’ve known Elbridge for some years and he’s made observations in the past. He’s a pretty straight shooter in my experience. This is really about what can the US produce and how can they lift their own production capability and so they can meet their obligations that have been set out under AUKUS.”

Australian National University professor of international security and intelligence studies John Blaxland said Mr Colby had a “US-first, zero-sum approach to the submarine allocation”.

“For him, the question is – we can’t be 100 per cent sure that, in a conflict, Australia would be on our side – which is true,” Professor Blaxland told The Australian.

But he said “any self-respecting democracy” could not commit in advance to something that was outside the scope of its treaty obligations – in this case, the ANZUS alliance. “Taiwan is not in the treaty,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23174548 (140101ZJUN25) Notable: Give Trump ‘a new Pine Gap’, say experts claiming AUKUS go-slow - Slow progress on new submarine bases is fuelling calls to offer the US “another Pine Gap” in Western Australia, as defence and diplomatic heavyweights claim a lack of urgency on AUKUS is giving Americans reasons to doubt Australia’s seriousness about the pact. Defence analyst Michael Shoebridge and Yaron Finkelstein, who was chief adviser to former prime minister Scott Morrison when he signed up to the AUKUS pact, said the US had doubts about how much Australia valued the program. Shoebridge said AUKUS was a “gift to the Albanese government that let them wave this totem around” to demonstrate national security credentials at a time when Australia was spending “almost nothing” in the next 10 years and deferring big-spending decisions. Finkelstein, Morrison’s former principal private secretary, said the Biden administration also had concerns about what it perceived as Australian delays in pushing ahead with AUKUS. “There’s a bit of a legacy, a perception, about [whether] our heart is in it,” he said on Sky News. “They had a view that maybe we don’t want this as much as when we first started.” One solution Shoebridge and former Home Affairs chief Mike Pezzullo endorse is a joint submarine base in Australia. The prospect of a US submarine base in Australia is highly contentious, with union and Labor left figures arguing nuclear submarines are dangerous.

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Give Trump ‘a new Pine Gap’, say experts claiming AUKUS go-slow

Paul Sakkal - June 12, 2025

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Slow progress on new submarine bases is fuelling calls to offer the US “another Pine Gap” in Western Australia, as defence and diplomatic heavyweights claim a lack of urgency on AUKUS is giving Americans reasons to doubt Australia’s seriousness about the pact.

Defence analyst Michael Shoebridge and Yaron Finkelstein, who was chief adviser to former prime minister Scott Morrison when he signed up to the AUKUS pact, said the US had doubts about how much Australia valued the program.

Shoebridge said AUKUS was a “gift to the Albanese government that let them wave this totem around” to demonstrate national security credentials at a time when Australia was spending “almost nothing” in the next 10 years and deferring big-spending decisions.

Finkelstein, Morrison’s former principal private secretary, said the Biden administration also had concerns about what it perceived as Australian delays in pushing ahead with AUKUS.

“There’s a bit of a legacy, a perception, about [whether] our heart is in it,” he said on Sky News. “They had a view that maybe we don’t want this as much as when we first started.”

One solution Shoebridge and former Home Affairs chief Mike Pezzullo endorse is a joint submarine base in Australia.

The prospect of a US submarine base in Australia is highly contentious, with union and Labor left figures arguing nuclear submarines are dangerous.

South Coast Labour Council Secretary, Arthur Rorris, said on Thursday that AUKUS was “the most costly, dangerous and treacherous decision ever made by an Australian government in this space”.

AUKUS was announced in 2021, but the government has not picked a nuclear waste site or an east coast submarine base, and there are concerns about the speed of planning for a shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.

Australia made the first of six $US500 million ($770 million) payments to boost the capacity of the US submarine industry earlier this year as part of the $368 billion deal, and has hosted visiting American vessels.

The US informed Australia about a 30-day review of the pact weeks ago, which became public on Thursday. Defence Minister Richard Marles said he welcomed the review. “It’s something which is perfectly natural for an incoming administration to do,” he said on the ABC.

Senior Australian government sources, not permitted to speak publicly, said the US stood to gain from AUKUS and believed the review might be designed to gain leverage as Washington pushed Australia to spend more on defence.

Former US ambassador Joe Hockey said bases should be expanded into locations at which the US could perform large volumes of submarine maintenance to help the US overturn a backlog crippling its ability to keep subs in operation.

“It would be enormously important to the Americans and allow for a significant increase in their capability and deterrence value in the region,” Hockey told this masthead. “Australia is lagging behind.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23174623 (140116ZJUN25) Notable: Paul Keating is right, US AUKUS review might very well ‘save Australia from itself’ - "The Financial Times cited six sources on Wednesday reporting that US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is leading a review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the UK and Australia to determine whether the US should scrap the project. The report noted that this move has triggered anxiety in Canberra. Some Australian media outlets were quick to respond with headlines like "not to worry" and "not a harbinger of collapse." The eagerness to defend the project instead made the anxiety quite obvious. However, other voices emerging from Australia have proven more compelling and harder to ignore. Australian former prime minister Paul Keating issued a statement on Thursday, saying that "the review makes clear that America keeps its national interests uppermost. But the concomitant question is: why has Australia failed to do the same?" Perhaps some organizations and individuals may express disappointment or even shock over the US review, but clear-headed Australians have likely breathed a quiet sigh of relief. For those anxious about the US review, this may also be an opportunity to confront the reality that Australia has always been the party paying the highest price with little gain in this deal. China certainly is not a fan of AUKUS, as it undermines peace and stability in the region. However, China is far from alone; many countries across the region have also voiced concerns or outright opposition to the pact." - Global Times - globaltimes.cn

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Paul Keating is right, US AUKUS review might very well ‘save Australia from itself’

Global Times - Jun 12, 2025

The Financial Times cited six sources on Wednesday reporting that US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is leading a review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the UK and Australia to determine whether the US should scrap the project. The report noted that this move has triggered anxiety in Canberra.

Some Australian media outlets were quick to respond with headlines like "not to worry" and "not a harbinger of collapse." The eagerness to defend the project instead made the anxiety quite obvious. However, other voices emerging from Australia have proven more compelling and harder to ignore.

Australian former prime minister Paul Keating issued a statement on Thursday, saying that "the review makes clear that America keeps its national interests uppermost. But the concomitant question is: why has Australia failed to do the same?" Another former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia should "wake up" and review the agreement itself. "The UK is conducting a review of AUKUS. The US department of defence is conducting a review of AUKUS. But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review," he wrote on X on Thursday.

Such perspectives were echoed by some Australian netizens, one stated, "Let's hope the US DOES walk away from it," while another noted, "It would have been better if Australia terminate AUKUS as it demonstrates our sovereignty."

Perhaps some organizations and individuals may express disappointment or even shock over the US review, but clear-headed Australians have likely breathed a quiet sigh of relief. For those anxious about the US review, this may also be an opportunity to confront the reality that Australia has always been the party paying the highest price with little gain in this deal.

If the US abandons AUKUS, Australia's chances of obtaining submarines will remain unchanged - they were very unlikely to receive any anyway. In recent years, Australian observers have made it clear: Australia won't own AUKUS submarines but will instead host a US naval base with American-controlled submarines. This hollowing of Australia's autonomy is turning the country into a forward operating garrison for US global operations and future conflicts - offering no real security, only greater risk.

If the US does not walk away from AUKUS, the situation won't be any better. The core reason behind this review is that the US can no longer conceal a harsh reality: It's questionable whether its industrial capacity can produce enough submarines to sustain the project. Colby cautioned last year that submarines are a scare, critical commodity and the US industry couldn't produce enough to meet domestic demand. A Pentagon spokesperson also said the department was reviewing AUKUS to ensure that this initiative is aligned with "America First" agenda.

Some observers suggest following this review, the US is likely to demand more from Australia in the AUKUS project. Warwick Powell, an Australian scholar, told the Global Times, "Australian subimperial fealty is being tested. In an America First frame, the US is likely to demand more from Australia without providing any further guarantees."

He further stated that it's conceivable the US will first increase demands on financial contributions from Australia, and second, at best offer access to submarines captained by the US navy and based out of Australian ports. For critics of AUKUS, this would confirm Australia's abandonment of any pretense of national security autonomy and sovereignty.

Chen Hong, a professor and director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times that Australia, as an island nation surrounded by ocean, enjoys a natural layer of security. In this context, advancing the AUKUS project amounts to planting the seeds of future military conflict - bringing risks not only to Australia itself but also to regional peace and stability. Moreover, given the current state of Australia's economy, it is hardly in a position to shoulder the enormous costs required to sustain such a project.

China certainly is not a fan of AUKUS, as it undermines peace and stability in the region. However, China is far from alone; many countries across the region have also voiced concerns or outright opposition to the pact.

After the Pentagon launched a review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Western media rushed to quote American politicians speculating that it would "be met with cheers in Beijing." Ultimately, some American politicians appear overly fixated on how China might react with a zero-sum mentality - while overlooking a more urgent question: How much credibility does the US still have as an ally and partner?

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1336026.shtml

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23174845 (140204ZJUN25) Notable: PM’s meeting with Trump in doubt as Middle East conflict escalates - Anthony Albanese’s first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump risks being derailed as Israeli strikes on Iran seize global attention ahead of a G7 summit in Canada. Albanese told Australians to avoid the region and pointed to new government advice not to travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as Iran prepared retaliatory strikes. Speaking in Fiji on Friday before heading to the United States and Canada, the prime minister warned of Iran’s nuclear program, but called for a diplomatic solution. “We, of course, are very conscious of the threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent to peace and security in the region,” Albanese said on Friday. “We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue, and the United States has been playing an important role there.” Despite weeks of commentary about possible talks with Trump on tariffs and defence, a Trump-Albanese meeting had not been formally secured when the prime minister departed on Friday. Trump has not yet confirmed meetings with any world leaders at the G7, which begins on June 15, but Australia was confident it would secure an informal conversation on the sidelines or a bilateral meeting in Canada.

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PM’s meeting with Trump in doubt as Middle East conflict escalates

Paul Sakkal - June 13, 2025

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Canberra/Nadi: Anthony Albanese’s first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump risks being derailed as Israeli strikes on Iran seize global attention ahead of a G7 summit in Canada.

Albanese told Australians to avoid the region and pointed to new government advice not to travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as Iran prepared retaliatory strikes.

Speaking in Fiji on Friday before heading to the United States and Canada, the prime minister warned of Iran’s nuclear program, but called for a diplomatic solution.

“We, of course, are very conscious of the threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent to peace and security in the region,” Albanese said on Friday.

“We want to see these issues resolved through dialogue, and the United States has been playing an important role there.”

Despite weeks of commentary about possible talks with Trump on tariffs and defence, a Trump-Albanese meeting had not been formally secured when the prime minister departed on Friday.

Trump has not yet confirmed meetings with any world leaders at the G7, which begins on June 15, but Australia was confident it would secure an informal conversation on the sidelines or a bilateral meeting in Canada.

Two Australian government sources familiar with planning for the trip said Australia had for several days contemplated if an Israel-Iran war, which had been foreshadowed for some time, might force Trump to skip the G7 meeting entirely. Trump is also managing a heated domestic row, which he has been widely accused of stoking, over protests in Los Angeles.

If the president does attend, according to the sources who asked for anonymity to discuss the thinking inside the government, his focus may be a long way from the Australia-US relationship.

The AUKUS submarine pact is in the spotlight ahead of the potential talks after the US Defence Department announced a snap 30-day review of the program. Labor ministers reacted calmly to the news and some privately believe it is a tool to leverage Australia to spend more on defence.

Albanese talked down the significance of the fresh US assessment of the landmark defence pact, echoing AUKUS architect and former prime minister Scott Morrison’s remarks on Thursday.

“The United States says an incoming government is having a review, just like the Australian government did … and just like the government of Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom,” the prime minister said.

“We are very confident, though, that AUKUS is in the interest of all three of our nations and that it will play an important role in peace, security and stability around the world.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23175018 (140240ZJUN25) Notable: COMMENTARY: Anthony Albanese’s ‘doublespeak’ no substitute for straight talk on defence - "The subtext of Anthony Albanese’s speech to the National Press Club could not have been louder if he had screamed it from the podium: the biggest threat to Australia is the contagion of American ideas. It was summed up in this sentence: “Australians voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character.” Importing what conflicts and ideologies? From where? The religious hatred Iran and its proxies mobilise across the Middle East and export here? The tyrannical ideologies that China and Russia want to normalise and impose on this nation and the world? No. This statement was aimed squarely at the ideas the Prime Minister says Australians rejected at the election, the ones the Coalition stands accused of smuggling in from the US: culture wars and small government. Albanese’s theme was clear: Labor saved Australia from becoming a colonial outpost of Trumpian America. Albanese knows there are rich political fields to be ploughed here and all available evidence supports him. There are good reasons Canberra should differ with Washington, but with a president as mercurial and transactional as Trump this is a highwire act. There is also a hazard in dog-whistling disdain for the US President while downplaying the real and present danger posed by China’s Xi Jinping. Observers in Washington might have noted the tone Albanese adopted when asked whether he thought China was a national security threat. “I think that our engagement with the region and the world needs to be diplomatic, needs to be mature and needs to avoid the, you know, attempts to simplify what are a complex set of relationships,” Albanese said. Here the Prime Minister was at pains to de-escalate language, refusing to endorse the word “threat” when discussing Beijing." - Chris Uhlmann - theaustralian.com.au

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COMMENTARY: Anthony Albanese’s ‘doublespeak’ no substitute for straight talk on defence

CHRIS UHLMANN - 14 June 2025

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The subtext of Anthony Albanese’s speech to the National Press Club could not have been louder if he had screamed it from the podium: the biggest threat to Australia is the contagion of American ideas. It was summed up in this sentence: “Australians voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character.”

Importing what conflicts and ideologies? From where? The religious hatred Iran and its proxies mobilise across the Middle East and export here? The tyrannical ideologies that China and Russia want to normalise and impose on this nation and the world?

No. This statement was aimed squarely at the ideas the Prime Minister says Australians rejected at the election, the ones the Coalition stands accused of smuggling in from the US: culture wars and small government.

“Australians voted against mass sackings in the public service and the damage that would do to our social safety net,” Albanese said. Here you are invited to conjure a crazy billionaire running amok with a chainsaw in Centrelink. This is apparently what the Coalition intended with its modest, botched, proposal that the number of federal public servants should be reduced through natural attrition and that the rest should be required to work from work.

Labor successfully poisoned this well by broadening the threat from federal employees to the entire workforce.

“Australians overwhelmingly rejected policies designed to drive down wages, undermine job security and take flexibility away from working families,” Albanese said.

Typically, the Coalition reacted like a kangaroo caught in the headlights of a road train. In the end, the only trace of the policy was a bloody smear on the tarmac and flyblown meat on the bull bar. The result? Everyone in politics now apparently agrees the federal public service carries no fat and the highest-paid bureaucrats on earth should never be pressed to ply their trade from the vast, expensive, purpose-built empty offices that litter Canberra.

Seriously, if the Liberal Party cannot campaign for smaller government at future elections, then maybe it is time to fold the tent.

But I digress.

Albanese’s theme was clear: Labor saved Australia from becoming a colonial outpost of Trumpian America. Albanese knows there are rich political fields to be ploughed here and all available evidence supports him.

An extract from the latest Lowy Institute Poll records Australians’ trust in the US fell by 20 points in a year, “with only 36 per cent of the public expressing any level of trust, a new low in two decades of Lowy Institute polling. Almost two-thirds of the public (64 per cent) say they hold ‘not very much’ trust (32 per cent) or no trust ‘at all’ (32 per cent) in the United States to act responsibly.”

This is an astounding vote of no confidence in our major ally, and the fault lies entirely with Donald Trump. But what is intriguing are the signals that Labor sees enduring opportunity in highlighting differences with the US for domestic political profit.

When challenged by the US Defence Secretary to lift defence spending, Albanese channelled his inner John Howard: “We’ll determine our defence policy.” When Australia joined four other nations in sanctioning two Israeli ministers for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”, the Prime Minister described the furious response from Washington and Israel as “predictable, frankly”. In announcing the sanctions Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the perfectly reasonable observation that Australia and the US did not always walk in lock-step.

“The alliance is an alliance that is strong and that has stood the test of time through administrations and prime ministers, governments of different political persuasions,” she said. “From time to time we have differences of views.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23182420 (150915ZJUN25) Notable: Israel’s top diplomat clips Penny Wong for phoning Iranians - Israel’s ambassador to Australia has delivered a veiled barb to Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Western leaders pushing for diplomacy after she revealed she had phoned her Iranian counterpart urging restraint after Israel’s strikes on Iran. Wong has backed Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran’s nuclear program, the expansion of which earned a censure from the international nuclear watchdog before Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday. Wong has also been dealing with Israeli officials since the conflict broke out. Many other Western leaders have made similar remarks urging diplomatic talks rather than more violence. But she has declined to explicitly endorse Israel’s military action, instead emphasising the need for diplomacy as tit-for-tat barrages continued. “This is precisely the same message I put to [Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi]: that we urge restraint because whatever people’s views about what has occurred to date, what happens tomorrow matters to all peoples in the region,” Wong said on ABC’s Insiders on Sunday. “I directly put to the Iranian foreign minister, ‘We are saying to you, exercise restraint, return to diplomacy and dialogue because continuing to escalate this has consequences’.” Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon, a critic of Australia’s policies on the Middle East, latched onto Wong’s remarks about her call with Tehran, releasing his own statement about an hour after she spoke. The statement did not mention Wong by name but made reference to her calls for diplomacy and suggested such sentiments were unrealistic. “Iran isn’t hiding its intent, it declares it. And it’s building the weapons to fulfil it,” Maimon said. “Through its pursuit of nuclear arms, Iran has turned this into an asymmetric conflict, between a democracy seeking to defend itself and a regime bent on destruction. Yet some still urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads.”

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Israel’s top diplomat clips Penny Wong for phoning Iranians

Paul Sakkal - June 15, 2025

Israel’s ambassador to Australia has delivered a veiled barb to Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Western leaders pushing for diplomacy after she revealed she had phoned her Iranian counterpart urging restraint after Israel’s strikes on Iran.

Wong has backed Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran’s nuclear program, the expansion of which earned a censure from the international nuclear watchdog before Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday. Wong has also been dealing with Israeli officials since the conflict broke out. Many other Western leaders have made similar remarks urging diplomatic talks rather than more violence.

But she has declined to explicitly endorse Israel’s military action, instead emphasising the need for diplomacy as tit-for-tat barrages continued.

“This is precisely the same message I put to [Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi]: that we urge restraint because whatever people’s views about what has occurred to date, what happens tomorrow matters to all peoples in the region,” Wong said on ABC’s Insiders on Sunday.

“I directly put to the Iranian foreign minister, ‘We are saying to you, exercise restraint, return to diplomacy and dialogue because continuing to escalate this has consequences’.”

Iran has been increasingly co-operating with a group of authoritarian nations threatening Western hegemony, including China, Russia and North Korea. The theocratic state funds proxy outfits Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen to help bring about its stated aim of damaging Israel.

Despite this, Australia maintains diplomatic ties with Iran, unlike the United States, so that Australian officials can deliver messages from allies, including warnings. The Albanese government – as it faced criticism from pro-Israel groups for not siding strongly enough with Israel over the Gaza war – was pressured by the Coalition to expel the Iranian ambassador last year over his violent statements about Israel. Many European nations also have diplomatic relations with Iran.

Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon, a critic of Australia’s policies on the Middle East, latched onto Wong’s remarks about her call with Tehran, releasing his own statement about an hour after she spoke. The statement did not mention Wong by name but made reference to her calls for diplomacy and suggested such sentiments were unrealistic.

“Iran isn’t hiding its intent, it declares it. And it’s building the weapons to fulfil it,” Maimon said.

“Through its pursuit of nuclear arms, Iran has turned this into an asymmetric conflict, between a democracy seeking to defend itself and a regime bent on destruction.”

“Yet some still urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads.”

Wong has also been engaging with the Israeli embassy in Canberra. She had a call with the Israeli foreign minister scheduled for Friday, but it was postponed; both sides are working to reschedule.

The Iranian foreign ministry released a statement about its call with Wong on social media. The readout appeared to give the impression that Wong was critical of Israel’s actions, but it omitted her public statements about Iran’s nuclear program, the threat it posed to world peace, and Israel’s right to defend itself.

“The Australian foreign minister voiced deep regret and serious concern over the escalation of tensions in the region,” the Iranian statement said.

“Wong stressed that such developments risk further regional destabilisation. She also urged all sides to refrain from actions that risk escalating tensions.”

In the same ABC interview, Wong emphasised Israel’s entitlement to keep itself safe from the threat of Iran but declined to explicitly endorse the Netanyahu government’s military action.

“Well, Israel has a right to self-defence. It does have a right to self-defence,” she said.

“But the question here is not a legal proposition, the question here is what do we do now? We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel.

“And how do we respond in a way that lessens the risk of more civilians ... being brought into this conflict?”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese advised Australians to follow government advice to avoid travel to Israel or occupied territories.

“Australia does not play a role in this military conflict. I wouldn’t expect that there would be a request for Australia to play a military role, but we will continue to play a role in terms of looking after Australian citizens,” he said from Seattle on the way to a G7 summit in Canada.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/israel-s-top-diplomat-clips-penny-wong-for-phoning-iranians-20250615-p5m7ir.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23182429 (150926ZJUN25) Notable: Nationals oppose Liberals’ Hobart AFL stadium to win Tasmania seats, open to ex-JLN MPs - The Nationals - seeking to “take Tasmania by storm” at the state election – have joined the Greens in vowing to kill Hobart’s “irresponsible” Macquarie Point AFL stadium. Seeking to re-establish the party in the decentralised island state, after six years without an elected representative, the Nationals on Thursday announced they would stand candidates in three of the five multi-member electorates. The Nationals’ vow to ditch the $1bn stadium - championed by the minority Liberal government – gives anti-stadium voters in those seats an alternative to the Greens, with Labor and the Liberals standing by the project. Nationals Senate leader Brid­get McKenzie, in Tasmania to kickstart her party’s campaign, ­denied the stadium stance was disloyal to her national Coalition partner. “We are not a faction of the Australian Liberal Party,” Senator McKenzie told The Australian. She said voters in Bass, Braddon and Lyons who did not want the stadium but did not want to vote for the Greens or independents now had another, less de­stabilising option. “We are not a party of protest like the Greens, like other minor parties … we are a party of government and have a very responsible approach to the work of representation, to fiscal respon­sibility,” she said.

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Nationals oppose Liberals’ Hobart AFL stadium to win Tasmania seats, open to ex-JLN MPs

MATTHEW DENHOLM - June 12, 2025

The Nationals – seeking to “take Tasmania by storm” at the state election – have joined the Greens in vowing to kill Hobart’s “irresponsible” Macquarie Point AFL stadium.

Seeking to re-establish the party in the decentralised island state, after six years without an elected representative, the Nationals on Thursday announced they would stand candidates in three of the five multi-member electorates.

The Nationals’ vow to ditch the $1bn stadium – championed by the minority Liberal government – gives anti-stadium voters in those seats an alternative to the Greens, with Labor and the Liberals standing by the project.

Nationals Senate leader Brid­get McKenzie, in Tasmania to kickstart her party’s campaign, ­denied the stadium stance was disloyal to her national Coalition partner.

“We are not a faction of the Australian Liberal Party,” Senator McKenzie told The Australian.

She said voters in Bass, Braddon and Lyons who did not want the stadium but did not want to vote for the Greens or independents now had another, less de­stabilising option.

“We are not a party of protest like the Greens, like other minor parties … we are a party of government and have a very responsible approach to the work of representation, to fiscal respon­sibility,” she said.

“When it comes to the stadia, the policy developed by the Tasmanian Nationals is because they care about the state of the state budget and the (debt-related) intergeneration issues.

“You’ve got a $1bn project proposal which the state of the state budget would indicate would be an irresponsible decision at this time. The Tasmanian Nationals 100 per cent support an AFL team but they do not support a Macquarie Point stadium. That is a clear point of ­difference.”

The party has called for candidate nominations and is not ruling out embracing former Jacqui Lambie Network sitting MPs Andrew Jenner, Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick.

“The National Party in Tasmania welcomes everyone to join and nominations are open,” Senator McKenzie said, adding the ex-JLN MPs would have to follow the party’s normal process: “Be part of this political movement that we hope is going to take Tasmania by storm.”

Her party had a history in Tasmania dating back to 1920 when William McWilliams became the first leader of the Federal Country Party. Its last Tasmanian elected representative was former senator Steve Martin, who lost his seat in 2019.

“This is a state we’ve always felt is a natural fit for the National Party – key industries like ag, fishing, forestry and mining are our bread and butter,” Senator McKenzie said.

The Greens, hoping to build on their five seats in the 35-seat Assembly, are also focusing their campaign on the stadium, a condition of the Tasmania Devils’ entry to the AFL. “This election is an opportunity to put a stop to it once and for all,” said Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff.

With Labor and Liberal both backing the stadium and a recent opinion poll showing 57 per cent of Tasmanians oppose its fast-track through parliament, the issue could send voters into the arms of independents and minor parties.

Peter George, an anti-salmon candidate who gave Labor a scare in the seat of Franklin in the federal election and is standing for the mirror state seat, added his voice in opposition to the stadium.

Tasmania, going to the polls on July 19 for the second time in 16 months because of a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff, has five electorates each returning seven MPs.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nationals-oppose-liberals-hobart-afl-stadium-to-win-tasmania-seats-open-to-exjln-mps/news-story/a57fa8f346caeda94e21006008f46171

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23182448 (150937ZJUN25) Notable: ‘Pillar 1 problematic, Pillar 2 great’: Inside Colby’s AUKUS mind - If US Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby’s personal views on AUKUS come to fruition, then Australia’s largest ever military project won’t be happening in its current form. A review is now being conducted by the Pentagon so it’s wait and see, but in a long interview conducted with Mr Colby just before he was hand-picked by Donald Trump for the Pentagon, he conveyed his view on the two pillars of AUKUS, approved by Congress, and subject to Presidential authority. “Pillar I is very problematic, Pillar II is great, no problem,” Colby said. Pillar I involves the US selling nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s. Pillar II is about other military intelligence sharing including the development of artificial intelligence. Colby scuttled several positive takes I posed about the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia. “How are we supposed to give away nuclear attack submarines in the years of the window of potential conflict with China?” he asked me back. “A nuclear attack submarine is the most important asset for a western Pacific fight, for Taiwan, conventionally. But we don’t have enough, and we’re not going to have enough,” Colby said. America is nowhere near producing enough of its own submarines. so why would they sell any to Australia?

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>>73634

‘Pillar 1 problematic, Pillar 2 great’: Inside Colby’s AUKUS mind

MATTHEW CRANSTON - June 12, 2025

If US Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby’s personal views on AUKUS come to fruition, then Australia’s largest ever military project won’t be happening in its current form.

A review is now being conducted by the Pentagon so it’s wait and see, but in a long interview conducted with Mr Colby just before he was hand-picked by Donald Trump for the Pentagon, he conveyed his view on the two pillars of AUKUS, approved by Congress, and subject to Presidential authority.

“Pillar I is very problematic, Pillar II is great, no problem,” Colby said.

Pillar I involves the US selling nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s.

Pillar II is about other military intelligence sharing including the development of artificial intelligence.

Colby scuttled several positive takes I posed about the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia.

“How are we supposed to give away nuclear attack submarines in the years of the window of potential conflict with China?” he asked me back.

“A nuclear attack submarine is the most important asset for a western Pacific fight, for Taiwan, conventionally. But we don’t have enough, and we’re not going to have enough,” Colby said.

America is nowhere near producing enough of its own submarines. so why would they sell any to Australia?

In just four years following the attack on Pearl Harbour, the United States built 273, albeit significantly less sophisticated, diesel-powered subs. Today, it’s barely producing two nuclear submarines per year.

“We are in what’s called a submarine bathtub. We have way too few attack submarines for what we need as a nation,” Colby said.

What about the fact that having a few submarines under the command of an ally like Australia, which can create a strategic ambiguity for China’s People’s Liberation Navy is a positive?

“A green asset is an ally. But there’s nothing like a blue asset. Blue means it’s ours,” Colby said, “As long as they’re under our command at the end of the day when the balloon goes up, because we need to know that.”

What about jointly crewed?

“If it’s 50-50, that’s not enough,” he said.

Surely there is strategic benefit in having a few submarines ready in the South Pacific rather than moored in San Diego?

That’s not that big an advantage either, apparently.

For Colby, the whole of AUKUS is viewed through practical priorities.

I asked him to explain this in the context of Trump’s America First strategy.

“America First has baggage, but it's a more business-like approach,” Colby said. America, he said, was divided into three camps when it comes to military strategy.

“You have the primacists – or the neo-conservatives – that are traditional like the Mitch McConnell types, then you have on the other side, the restrainers, who are more inward looking (think the Tucker Carlson of America) and then there are people like me, we are more in the middle, the prioritisers,” he said.

“Americans need to understand that we have constrained resources. We’re facing a pure superpower for the first time in our history. And really, there are serious fiscal problems where you can’t run the Reagan playbook when you got 100 per cent debt to GDP ratio.”

So what about the fact that Australia has promised to contribute $4bn to help America build its submarine industrial base and, on top of that, pay billions of dollars per submarine purchased from the US?

Australia has also already made the first $500m payment to the US under AUKUS, when Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles met with his US counterpart in February.

“The key thing for Australia, if it were up to me, and I don’t make any predictions about my role, is that we need to understand we have constrained resources,” Colby said before being appointed to his current position.

There is a lot to read into statement, particularly given the request made earlier this month by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

Former US Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer was asked on Thursday if Colby’s scepticism worried him.

“No, I have great respect for Elbridge Colby’s intellectual capability to analyse situations,” he said.

“There should be people back testing and asking questions as we go forward, because things are going to change.”

Colby’s personal views before Trump’s appointment of him are one thing, but being inside the Trump administration is another.

This whole review into AUKUS might turn out to be just another bargaining chip with Australia on tariffs – another test for Trump’s so-called ‘art of the deal’.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/pillar-1-problematic-pillar-2-great-inside-colbys-aukus-mind/news-story/55fc5c2451c18aeb3f814857fd62dd8f

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23182456 (150940ZJUN25) Notable: Amazon boosts Australian data centre investment to $20bn as Albanese visits Seattle - US global tech giant Amazon will pump $20bn into Australia over five years to expand its data centre network, cloud infrastructure and energy generation, including new investment in three solar farms across Victoria and Queensland. Amazon Web Services chief executive Matt Garman - who leads the company’s cloud, data centre and artificial intelligence business – said the funding pledge out to 2029 was the “largest investment ever announced by a global technology provider in Australia”. The $20bn AWS commitment, which incorporates prior funding pledges made by the company, includes expansions of Amazon’s data centres in Sydney and Melbourne, and investment in three new solar projects. The solar farms will be delivered by European Energy, with Amazon committing to purchase a combined capacity of more than 170MW. Amazon already has investments in eight solar and wind projects in Victoria, Queensland and NSW, which help power AWS operations including data and fulfilment centres. Mr Garman said once all 11 renewable energy projects are up-and-running, they will generate more than 1.4 million megawatt hours of emissions-friendly power annually. Mr Albanese said the Amazon investment represents “an exciting opportunity for Australia to build AI capability using secure, resilient infrastructure”. With the Albanese government positioning productivity as a top economic priority during its second term, the Prime Minister said the AWS expansion plans were “exactly the kind of economic investment in our nation that we want to see, and creates opportunities for continued innovation and growth”.

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Amazon boosts Australian data centre investment to $20bn as Albanese visits Seattle

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 15 June 2025

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US global tech giant Amazon will pump $20bn into Australia over five years to expand its data centre network, cloud infrastructure and energy generation, including new investment in three solar farms across Victoria and Queensland.

Amazon Web Services chief executive Matt Garman – who leads the company’s cloud, data centre and artificial intelligence business – said the funding pledge out to 2029 was the “largest investment ever announced by a global technology provider in Australia”.

Standing alongside Anthony Albanese at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters on Sunday (AEST), Mr Garman was asked whether nuclear power would be required over the long-term to ensure energy-intensive data centres can sustainably harness the full power of AI.

With competitors including Microsoft and Google directing major funding and resources into nuclear Small Modular Reactors, Mr Garman has repeatedly outlined the importance of nuclear energy in supporting AI development since becoming AWS chief executive in June last year.

After signing agreements last year to support the development of SMRs, Mr Garman declared that nuclear is a “safe source of carbon-free energy that can help power our operations and meet the growing demands of our customers”.

Mr Garman, who recently urged British authorities to ramp up nuclear generation alongside renewables to help power the data centres needed for developing artificial intelligence, on Sunday said it was definitely the case that “the explosion of AI requires a lot of power”.

“That’s one of the things we’re thinking about. Here in the United States, we see nuclear as part of that portfolio. I think depending on the local set-up and economies and other things, it’s a global question, but there’s no question that we will continue to need more and more power going forward,” Mr Garman said.

“It’s an important thing that we spend a lot of time on. But it depends on which source of power we choose. Sometimes it’s renewables sources, sometimes it’s hydro.

“From a technology perspective, Australia is incredibly important and a great market for us. From an energy perspective, it’s a portfolio approach for us and I don’t think any one technology is right for every situation.”

The $20bn AWS commitment, which incorporates prior funding pledges made by the company, includes expansions of Amazon’s data centres in Sydney and Melbourne, and investment in three new solar projects. The solar farms will be delivered by European Energy, with Amazon committing to purchase a combined capacity of more than 170MW.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23186828 (160930ZJUN25) Notable: Defence ties with Australia key to Albanese’s pitch in historic Trump meeting - Anthony Albanese will stare down Donald Trump’s demands for Australia to double its defence spending, but reassure the president the country is a trustworthy partner in the strategic contest with China as the prime minister works to safeguard the AUKUS pact. In a meeting with Trump this week that looms as among the most important of his three decades in politics, Albanese will put access to Australia’s critical minerals on the table as the Trump administration reviews whether AUKUS fits with its “America First” agenda. Asked whether Australia would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the US if China attempted to take Taiwan by force - a source of some concern in some parts of the Trump administration – Albanese did not answer directly on Monday. But the prime minister said AUKUS would play a key peace and security role. “Australia’s a trusted partner to promote peace and security in our region,” Albanese said. “We have been so forever. If you look at the role that Australia has played, [we] will continue to play an important role in the Pacific. The visit that I had on the way here to Fiji is another example and a reminder of the fact that Australia is a trusted partner in the Pacific.”

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>>73634

>>73655

Defence ties with Australia key to Albanese’s pitch in historic Trump meeting

James Massola - June 16, 2025

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Calgary: Anthony Albanese will stare down Donald Trump’s demands for Australia to double its defence spending, but reassure the president the country is a trustworthy partner in the strategic contest with China as the prime minister works to safeguard the AUKUS pact.

In a meeting with Trump this week that looms as among the most important of his three decades in politics, Albanese will put access to Australia’s critical minerals on the table as the Trump administration reviews whether AUKUS fits with its “America First” agenda.

Asked whether Australia would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the US if China attempted to take Taiwan by force – a source of some concern in some parts of the Trump administration – Albanese did not answer directly on Monday.

But the prime minister said AUKUS would play a key peace and security role.

“Australia’s a trusted partner to promote peace and security in our region,” Albanese said. “We have been so forever. If you look at the role that Australia has played, [we] will continue to play an important role in the Pacific. The visit that I had on the way here to Fiji is another example and a reminder of the fact that Australia is a trusted partner in the Pacific.”

Trump and Albanese’s first face-to-face meeting, which will take place against a backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel missile strikes, is scheduled for the early hours of Wednesday morning, Australian time, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.

Australian officials said that anything more than 20 minutes would be regarded as a win within the government after Trump used other meetings with world leaders to stage made-for-TV clashes.

Fresh from a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, another world leader who benefited electorally from distancing himself from the US president, Albanese said that he defined success with Trump as being able to argue Australia’s case.

“I don’t want to preempt outcomes of meetings [but] a successful meeting is one where we are able ... to put forward our position,” Albanese said on Sunday, local time.

Australian officials, unauthorised to speak publicly, expect Trump to raise the issue of collective security against China’s rapidly expanding military and ask for more defence spending. Australia spends about 2 per cent of GDP on defence and is on track to increase to 2.3 per cent.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said his country wanted Australia to raise spending by about $40 billion per year to about 3.5 per cent.

Albanese has pushed back against that call, arguing Australian defence spending has increased significantly on his watch and that the nation wouldn’t set an arbitrary target before choosing how to spend the extra money.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23186845 (160945ZJUN25) Notable: Albanese faces Labor dissent over Amazon’s access to government contracts - Anthony Albanese is facing internal dissent over Amazon’s access to lucrative public contracts, with NSW Labor senator Tony Sheldon calling for the tech giant to be barred from receiving such work, while three ministers are among at least 17 government MPs who have accused the company of exploiting its workers. With the Prime Minister on Saturday (Sunday AEST) visiting the Seattle headquarters of the company’s cloud computing subsidiary Amazon Web Services, fellow NSW Right senator Deb O’Neill backed using government procuring power to hold the company accountable. Senator O’Neill, who enjoys the backing of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) - a longstanding critic of Amazon’s approach to workplace practices – has similarly implored the government to use its buying power to “hold Amazon to account”. Late last year, she criticised the multinational for being “anti-worker and fiercely anti-union”, while claiming it had engaged in “countless examples of calculated exploitation” of its workforce. She has accused the company of acting as a “champion tax dodger” and argued that lucrative government contracts had helped “power the Amazon behemoth and keep its practices going.” In response to questions about those remarks, Senator O’Neill said: “I stand by my previous comments.”

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>>73654

Albanese faces Labor dissent over Amazon’s access to government contracts

JACK QUAIL - 15 June 2025

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Anthony Albanese is facing internal dissent over Amazon’s access to lucrative public contracts, with NSW Labor senator Tony Sheldon calling for the tech giant to be barred from receiving such work, while three ministers are among at least 17 government MPs who have accused the company of exploiting its workers.

With the Prime Minister on Saturday (Sunday AEST) visiting the Seattle headquarters of the company’s cloud computing subsidiary Amazon Web Services, fellow NSW Right senator Deb O’Neill backed using government procuring power to hold the company accountable.

The multinational has also been condemned by a host of Labor MPs including Helen Polley, Tania Lawrence, Matt Burnell, Cassandra Fernando, Marielle Smith, Luke Gosling, Raff Ciccone, Dave Smith, Jana Stewart, Varun Ghosh and Glenn Sterle, who have accused the firm of undermining labour laws and employing tax avoidance tactics.

Amazon has also been criticised in federal parliament by Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino, Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae, as well as Assistant Resources Minister Anthony Chisholm.

In recent years, Amazon has emerged as a key recipient of government contracts, with AWS securing work with the Australian Taxation Office, CSIRO, Treasury, and the Department of Defence – including a $2bn agreement to develop and operate top-secret data centres in partnership with national security agencies.

Despite criticism from within Labor, Mr Albanese met with AWS chief executive Matt Garman at the weekend, where he witnessed a new $7bn funding pledge by the tech giant to help support the booming demand for artificial intelligence in Australia.

The commitment will support the expansion of its data centre networks in Sydney and Melbourne and underwrite solar farms in Victoria and Queensland to meet its energy demands.

Mr Albanese’s office declined to comment on Sunday when asked about criticism of Amazon within Labor’s ranks.

The internal disquiet over Amazon comes as Communication Minister Anika Wells is set to sign off on one of the biggest federal government contracts with the company – a deal with the National Broadband Network to deliver satellite internet services to the bush.

Under the agreement, expected to total hundreds of millions of dollars, Amazon subsidiary Kuiper Systems will provide low-latency internet access to the NBN’s rural and remote customers via its constellation of 3000 low-Earth orbit satellites.

Neither Ms Wells – who in 2021 accused Amazon of employing an “exploitative model” in its on-demand delivery arm Amazon Flex – nor the NBN responded to a request for comment.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23186849 (160954ZJUN25) Notable: Hundreds of Australians seek help to leave Israel and Iran - Several hundred Australians have registered interest in leaving Israel and Iran amid escalating hostilities between the two countries, but have been advised to shelter where they are while airspace remains closed. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said 300 Australians had advised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of their desire to leave Israel, and 350 Australians had done so for Iran, with more registrations expected. Senator Wong said that while no flights are possible yet given the risk of missile strikes on civilian aircraft, the government was working on "a range of plans" to help people leave when safe. "I understand how concerned, how distressed many Australians are about what is occurring. I understand how particularly those who are in the Middle East, in Israel or Iran, how worrying this situation is, and how frightening it is," she told reporters on Monday. At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 13 in Israel after several days of strikes. The episode began on Friday, local time, with an Israeli strike on Iran which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was an attempt to destroy nuclear facilities behind what he said would be an "existential threat to Israel". It came shortly after the UN nuclear watchdog concluded Iran was in violation of its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty, and shortly before planned talks with the United States.

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>>73631

>>73649

>>73651

Hundreds of Australians seek help to leave Israel and Iran

Tom Crowley - 16 June 2025

Several hundred Australians have registered interest in leaving Israel and Iran amid escalating hostilities between the two countries, but have been advised to shelter where they are while airspace remains closed.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said 300 Australians had advised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of their desire to leave Israel, and 350 Australians had done so for Iran, with more registrations expected.

Senator Wong said that while no flights are possible yet given the risk of missile strikes on civilian aircraft, the government was working on "a range of plans" to help people leave when safe.

"I understand how concerned, how distressed many Australians are about what is occurring. I understand how particularly those who are in the Middle East, in Israel or Iran, how worrying this situation is, and how frightening it is," she told reporters on Monday.

At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 13 in Israel after several days of strikes.

The episode began on Friday, local time, with an Israeli strike on Iran which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was an attempt to destroy nuclear facilities behind what he said would be an "existential threat to Israel".

It came shortly after the UN nuclear watchdog concluded Iran was in violation of its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty, and shortly before planned talks with the United States.

Wong repeats calls for de-escalation

Senator Wong repeated calls for "de-escalation", a view she said she had conveyed to her counterparts in both countries and was shared by the UK, Canada and France, and was "consistent with what President Trump has said".

"No-one doubts the threat Iran poses, we have long been speaking about this as an international community," she said.

"But what I would say is we don't want to see an escalation which leads to … dire consequences for the people of the region."

Australian citizens, permanent residents and family members with entry rights are eligible to register their interest in an assisted departure with DFAT and are encouraged to do so on the official Smartraveller website.

That website also provides up-to-date official guidance for those who are in Israel or Iran. The government currently advises people to listen to local authorities, who are telling residents to shelter in place. It also advises those outside Israel and Iran to not travel there.

"Obviously that is a very difficult thing to say to people but that is the advice that we have," she said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed calls for de-escalation.

"I have expressed before our concern about Iran gaining the capacity of nuclear weapons as something that is a threat to security in the region. But we, along with other like-minded countries, do want to see that priority on dialogue and diplomacy," he told reporters in Canada, where he is attending a G7 summit.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-16/australians-seek-help-to-leave-israel-and-iran/105422940

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/conflict-middle-east

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23186853 (161005ZJUN25) Notable: USS America, USS San Diego, USS Rushmore arrive in Sydney with 31st Marines - The US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America has arrived in Sydney during a routine stop for troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The flagship of the America Strike Group brings more than 2,500 sailors and marines to Sydney under a US scheduled port visit from 14 June. The ship brings significant capabilities to the region, including a detachment of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, equipped with the advanced F-35B Lightning II aircraft. “Sydney’s warm welcome has been exceptional,” according to USS America Commanding Officer Captain Ethan Rule. “This port visit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen the bonds between our nations, experience Australia’s unique culture, and reinforce our shared values.” Royal Australian Navy Liaison Officer, LCDR Craig Hamilton is currently serving aboard USS America with the mission of fostering seamless cooperation and interoperability between the two navies. He will host Australian military and government officials for a tour of the ship, highlighting its capabilities and the close partnership between the US and Australia. “The US-Australia alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Erika Olson, chargé d’affaires, US mission to Australia. “The arrival of America, USS San Diego and USS Rushmore marks the first time that the three-ship America Strike Group are together in Sydney. We are excited to have sailors and marines here, and warmly welcome them to Sydney.” America, San Diego, and Rushmore are part of the America Strike group, which is capable of responding to a range of military operations, including combat operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

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>>73432

>>73587

USS America, USS San Diego, USS Rushmore arrive in Sydney with 31st Marines

Robert Dougherty - 16 JUNE 2025

The US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America has arrived in Sydney during a routine stop for troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The flagship of the America Strike Group brings more than 2,500 sailors and marines to Sydney under a US scheduled port visit from 14 June.

The ship brings significant capabilities to the region, including a detachment of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, equipped with the advanced F-35B Lightning II aircraft.

“Sydney’s warm welcome has been exceptional,” according to USS America Commanding Officer Captain Ethan Rule.

“This port visit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen the bonds between our nations, experience Australia’s unique culture, and reinforce our shared values.”

Royal Australian Navy Liaison Officer, LCDR Craig Hamilton is currently serving aboard USS America with the mission of fostering seamless cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.

He will host Australian military and government officials for a tour of the ship, highlighting its capabilities and the close partnership between the US and Australia.

“The US-Australia alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Erika Olson, chargé d’affaires, US mission to Australia.

“The arrival of America, USS San Diego and USS Rushmore marks the first time that the three-ship America Strike Group are together in Sydney.

“We are excited to have sailors and marines here, and warmly welcome them to Sydney.”

The US 7th Fleet is the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The USS America is joined by amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore and embarked elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“I want to thank the city of Sydney for their hospitality and the warm welcome of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG),” said Capt. John Baggett, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11, which oversees the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

“Our port visit allows us to deepen friendships with our Australian allies, which is instrumental to our two nations’ forces operating together to maintain regional peace and stability.”

This marks the first time America, San Diego, and Rushmore are moored in Sydney at the same time.

America, San Diego, and Rushmore are part of the America Strike group, which is capable of responding to a range of military operations, including combat operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/naval/16230-uss-america-uss-san-diego-uss-rushmore-arrive-in-sydney-with-31st-marines

https://au.usembassy.gov/uss-america-arrives-in-sydney/

https://x.com/USEmbAustralia/status/1934138030383853983

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23186860 (161019ZJUN25) Notable: USS America docks in Sydney after 30 days at sea - "If you seem to be hearing a lot of American accents in Sydney this week, you’re not hallucinating. At noon on Saturday, the amphibious assault ship USS America steamed into Sydney Harbour with its crew of around 2500 American sailors and marines ready for a bit of shore leave after a 30-day cruise from their home base in Japan. As The Sunday Telegraph’s in-house American, I was offered the chance to chopper out to the ship aboard a Seahawk helicopter with a small delegation to meet the crew and check out life aboard the ship. After a quick but thorough safety briefing and the distribution of flotation devices and helmets (“cranials”, in navy-speak), our delegation was whisked via Seahawk helicopter to the ship as it steamed its way towards the Heads. Aboard, an atmosphere of tightly controlled chaos reigned as the crew readied the America for arrival at Garden Island, nimbly navigating the ship’s disorienting network of gangways, ramps, and stairs. Tilt-wing Ospreys sat arrayed towards the ship’s bow, further astern were a number of the Pentagon’s prized F35B fighter jets. Able to land vertically like a helicopter on the America’s relatively short flight deck, and equipped with impossibly advanced computer systems, one aviator would be heard to remark that there was “magic in those machines”. Elsewhere, excited sailors went about the business of bringing the ship in safely while also revealing their plans for their leave in Australia - almost all of them as first-time visitors." - James Morrow - dailytelegraph.com.au

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>>73659

USS America docks in Sydney after 30 days at sea

Amphibious assault ship USS America has steamed into Sydney Harbour, with its 2500-strong ready to hit the town. Our in-house American James Morrow checked out life on board.

James Morrow - June 14, 2025

If you seem to be hearing a lot of American accents in Sydney this week, you’re not hallucinating.

At noon on Saturday, the amphibious assault ship USS America steamed into Sydney Harbour with its crew of around 2500 American sailors and marines ready for a bit of shore leave after a 30-day cruise from their home base in Japan.

As The Sunday Telegraph’s in-house American, I was offered the chance to chopper out to the ship aboard a Seahawk helicopter with a small delegation to meet the crew and check out life aboard the ship.

After a quick but thorough safety briefing and the distribution of flotation devices and helmets (“cranials”, in navy-speak), our delegation was whisked via Seahawk helicopter to the ship as it steamed its way towards the Heads.

Aboard, an atmosphere of tightly controlled chaos reigned as the crew readied the America for arrival at Garden Island, nimbly navigating the ship’s disorienting network of gangways, ramps, and stairs.

Tilt-wing Ospreys sat arrayed towards the ship’s bow, further astern were a number of the Pentagon’s prized F35B fighter jets.

Able to land vertically like a helicopter on the America’s relatively short flight deck, and equipped with impossibly advanced computer systems, one aviator would be heard to remark that there was “magic in those machines”.

Elsewhere, excited sailors went about the business of bringing the ship in safely while also revealing their plans for their leave in Australia – almost all of them as first-time visitors.

One, an avid outdoorsman, revealed his plans to go to the Blue Mountains for a day.

Another junior officer studying to earn his stripes as a surface warfare officer confessed to being a “big foodie” who was looking forward to checking out some good rooftop bars.

This correspondent tried to warn a pair of marines about the threat of “drop bears” but our cover was blown when Lt Commander Craig Hamilton – a Royal Australian Navy officer from Goomeri, QLD on a two-year posting to the ship – laughed a little too loudly.

Hamilton said that while he loved the ship, he was thrilled to be back in Australia and was “looking forward to catching up with my brother, who’s also in the navy, for a couple of beers”.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/uss-america-docks-in-sydney-after-30-days-at-sea/news-story/80235ac0e70afa2ff9fcc80e83085b80

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23192204 (170850ZJUN25) Notable: PM in subs, regional pitch to keep Trump sweet - Anthony Albanese will use the $368bn AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and Australia’s expanding role in the South Pacific to reassure Donald Trump’s administration that his government is committed to countering Chinese military aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Ahead of his critical first in-person meeting with the US President on Wednesday (AEST), which is scheduled for at least 20 minutes on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, Mr Albanese has launched a major defence of his government’s backing of the US in terms of military support and increased security co-ordination. Amid concerns about Xi Jinping’s military build-up in the ­region, there are now more US marines based in Australia than since the end of World War II, and joint defence and intelligence operations have been ramped up to unprecedented levels. The Australian Defence Force is preparing to host more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations next month as part of the 11th Australia-US led Exercise Talisman Sabre, which will for the first time include training sites in Papua New Guinea. The Australian understands the Prime Minister is preparing to green-light US access to Australia’s critical minerals as Western nations grapple with China’s dominance in the supply of the ­resources.

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>>73634

>>73655

>>73656

PM in subs, regional pitch to keep Trump sweet

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 16 June 2025

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Anthony Albanese will use the $368bn AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and Australia’s expanding role in the South Pacific to reassure Donald Trump’s administration that his government is committed to countering Chinese military aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

Ahead of his critical first in-person meeting with the US President on Wednesday (AEST), which is scheduled for at least 20 minutes on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, Mr Albanese has launched a major defence of his government’s backing of the US in terms of military support and increased security co-ordination.

Amid concerns about Xi Jinping’s military build-up in the ­region, there are now more US marines based in Australia than since the end of World War II, and joint defence and intelligence operations have been ramped up to unprecedented levels.

The Australian Defence Force is preparing to host more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations next month as part of the 11th Australia-US led Exercise Talisman Sabre, which will for the first time include training sites in Papua New Guinea.

The Australian understands the Prime Minister is preparing to green-light US access to Australia’s critical minerals as Western nations grapple with China’s dominance in the supply of the ­resources.

Canberra is also lifting defence investment to allow US naval ships to dock and be maintained at domestic ports. The commitments will be used to ensure Mr Trump sticks with the AUKUS deal, which is currently subject to a snap 30-day review by the Pentagon.

Under both Joe Biden’s and Mr Trump’s administrations, US officials have consistently expressed serious concerns over China’s military expansion, aggression and aspirations to reclaim Taiwan. Some have also privately voiced anxieties about Australia’s commitment to joining them in battle with China if required in the event of conflict.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who last month urged Defence Minister Richard Marles to lift Australia’s defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP “as soon as possible”, has warned that by 2027 China could invade Taiwan and spark a major regional war.

Asked on Monday (AEST) if Mr Trump could be confident that Australian would stand side-by-side with the US in the event of conflict in the Indo-Pacific or China invading Taiwan, Mr Albanese said the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact and deeper engagement with Indo-Pacific ­allies was focused on “peace and security in the region”.

“Australia is a trusted partner to promote peace and security in our region. We have been so forever, if you look at the role that Australia has played,” Mr Albanese said.

While deflecting a question on whether Mr Trump would raise China with him, Mr Albanese pointed to his meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi last Friday as a “reminder that Australia is a trusted partner in the Pacific”.

Mr Albanese, who has spoken with Mr Trump three times on the phone since his return to the White House, has ramped up his government’s focus on diplomatic and military ties with South Pacific nations, which are being targeted by big-spending Chinese officials.

“We’ll continue to play an important role in the Pacific. What that does is to add to security in our region. That is our job. That is what we do. And we all want to see that advance,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23192240 (170912ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese still can’t get a sit-down meeting with Donald Trump - Donald Trump’s shock decision to leave the G7 summit early and cancel his meeting with Anthony Albanese has put the Prime Minister in a politically awkward position that has immediately drawn criticism over when he will sit down in person with the US President. Trump, who is dealing with a genuine threat that the Israel-Iran war could morph into a wider Middle East war and draw in US armed forces, has left Albanese in an embarrassing position after weeks of build-up that the pair would finally develop their relationship beyond three phone calls. Just minutes after Albanese finished a late afternoon press conference in Calgary, which is about one hour away from the G7 summit action in the Canadian mountainside town of Kananaskis, Mr Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered the news that Australian officials had been dreading - the meeting was off. Over recent days as the Middle East conflict escalated, Albanese and his ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, had been concerned the long-awaited meeting with Trump may not eventuate. Albanese was scheduled to speak with Trump for at least 20 minutes about 5.15pm local time on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday AEST), shortly before the PM returned home from Canada. The 62-year-old was expected to be the second last leader to hold talks with Trump before the US President jetted home to deal with the war. In the past five days, Albanese has caught up with other key strategic allies and partners in Canada and Fiji. But overwhelmingly, the purpose of the trip was geared around the meeting with Trump. Albanese is not the only leader who misses out on a G7 meet with Trump. But the abrupt cancellation will spark criticism from detractors who will describe it as a “snub” and say it is proof that Australia does not rate highly on Trump’s radar.

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>>73662

Anthony Albanese still can’t get a sit-down meeting with Donald Trump

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 17 June 2025

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Donald Trump’s shock decision to leave the G7 summit early and cancel his meeting with Anthony Albanese has put the Prime Minister in a politically awkward position that has immediately drawn criticism over when he will sit down in person with the US President.

Trump, who is dealing with a genuine threat that the Israel-Iran war could morph into a wider Middle East war and draw in US armed forces, has left Albanese in an embarrassing position after weeks of build-up that the pair would finally develop their relationship beyond three phone calls.

Just minutes after Albanese finished a late afternoon press conference in Calgary, which is about one hour away from the G7 summit action in the Canadian mountainside town of Kananaskis, Mr Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered the news that Australian officials had been dreading – the meeting was off. Over recent days as the Middle East conflict escalated, Albanese and his ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, had been concerned the long-awaited meeting with Trump may not eventuate.

Albanese was scheduled to speak with Trump for at least 20 minutes about 5.15pm local time on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday AEST), shortly before the PM returned home from Canada. The 62-year-old was expected to be the second last leader to hold talks with Trump before the US President jetted home to deal with the war.

In the past five days, Albanese has caught up with other key strategic allies and partners in Canada and Fiji. But overwhelmingly, the purpose of the trip was geared around the meeting with Trump. Albanese is not the only leader who misses out on a G7 meet with Trump. But the abrupt cancellation will spark criticism from detractors who will describe it as a “snub” and say it is proof that Australia does not rate highly on Trump’s radar.

There was one bright spot for Albanese.

Shortly before he spoke with reporters, Trump appeared to back in the $368bn AUKUS nuclear submarine defence pact that is currently subject to a snap 30-day Pentagon review.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had a huge win after Trump exempted the UK from his trade tariffs because “I like them”, put the billionaire on the spot over AUKUS after the pair clinched a sweeping new economic prosperity deal.

Standing next to Trump after their G7 bilateral meeting, Starmer responded to a question on the nuclear submarine deal by declaring “we’re proceeding” with AUKUS. Trump nodded his head and responded by saying “we’re very long-time partners and allies and friends” and noted he and Starmer had “become friends in a short period of time”.

Albanese’s meeting with Starmer on Wednesday will be important. He will be able to exchange notes with the British PM on his talks with Trump on AUKUS, how he won exemptions and how to deal with the wildcard president.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23192280 (170937ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese relies on Keir Starmer to secure Donald Trump’s backing for AUKUS - When it comes to AUKUS, Anthony Albanese is lucky to have Sir Keir Starmer in his corner. Australia’s Prime Minister has missed his chance, for now, to personally win Donald Trump’s direct support for the submarine pact, with the US President departing the G7 in Canada to deal with the Middle East war. But amid a snap 30-day review of AUKUS ordered by the Trump administration, the British Prime Minister appears to have secured presidential backing for the deal. Unlike Albanese, Sir Keir managed to get a meeting with Trump before he skipped town. Asked later at a joint press conference with the President whether the trilateral subs deal was proceeding, the pair looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Answering for them both, Sir Keir said: “Yep, we’re proceeding with that, it’s a really important deal to both of us.” While not quite from the horse’s mouth, the statement will be a relief for Albanese. Britain can build its nuclear submarines if need be, but Australia would be up the proverbial creek if the AUKUS deal fell over. The navy’s six Collins-class boats are on their last legs, even with planned life-extending upgrades. After having run down the clock with false starts on Japanese and French submarines, the collapse of AUKUS would leave Australia without a viable submarine force for decades. And as the government has warned, only nuclear-powered submarines offer the capability Australia needs to stealthily deter Chinese threats. The fact Albanese has to rely on Sir Keir to get Trump to endorse the AUKUS deal is somewhat embarrassing for him, but he’ll take any help he can get.

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>>73634

>>73662

Anthony Albanese relies on Keir Starmer to secure Donald Trump’s backing for AUKUS

BEN PACKHAM - 17 June 2025

When it comes to AUKUS, Anthony Albanese is lucky to have Sir Keir Starmer in his corner.

Australia’s Prime Minister has missed his chance, for now, to personally win Donald Trump’s direct support for the submarine pact, with the US President departing the G7 in Canada to deal with the Middle East war.

But amid a snap 30-day review of AUKUS ordered by the Trump administration, the British Prime Minister appears to have secured presidential backing for the deal.

Unlike Albanese, Sir Keir managed to get a meeting with Trump before he skipped town.

Asked later at a joint press conference with the President whether the trilateral subs deal was proceeding, the pair looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

Answering for them both, Sir Keir said: “Yep, we’re proceeding with that, it’s a really important deal to both of us.”

While not quite from the horse’s mouth, the statement will be a relief for Albanese.

Britain can build its nuclear submarines if need be, but Australia would be up the proverbial creek if the AUKUS deal fell over.

The navy’s six Collins-class boats are on their last legs, even with planned life-extending upgrades. After having run down the clock with false starts on Japanese and French submarines, the collapse of AUKUS would leave Australia without a viable submarine force for decades.

And as the government has warned, only nuclear-powered submarines offer the capability Australia needs to stealthily deter Chinese threats.

The fact Albanese has to rely on Sir Keir to get Trump to endorse the AUKUS deal is somewhat embarrassing for him, but he’ll take any help he can get.

Sir Keir and Trump get along well, despite their political differences. “He’s slightly more liberal than I am, but for some reason we get along,” Trump said after their meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Albanese and Trump have had three phone conversations but are yet to meet in person. And there are question marks over the PM’s ability to win over the unpredictable President. Trump is also renowned for tearing up deals signed by his predecessors, and key figures in the Trump administration are deeply sceptical of AUKUS.

The Albanese government has put on a brave face after the review announcement, arguing it’s normal for an incoming government to run the rule over such a big undertaking.

Yet there are very real concerns about the US’s long-term commitment to the deal and its ability to deliver a promised three to five Virginia-class submarines to Australia before supporting the US and Britain to build their own fleets of SSN AUKUS subs.

The US is building 1.2 Virginia boats a year but needs to turn out at least 2.33 a year to have enough to give to Australia without undermining its submarine force.

The US’s influential Pentagon deputy Elbridge Colby told a British think tank last year he would have been “quite sceptical” about signing off the AUKUS agreement, saying its benefits were “questionable … My concern is, why are we giving away this crown jewel asset when we most need it?

“AUKUS is only going to lead to more submarines collectively in 10, 15, 20 years, way beyond the window of maximum danger, which is in this decade.”

Colby is also concerned that any submarines given to Australia might not be made available in the event of a war with China over Taiwan. The results of the review are likely to elaborate on these problems and more.

But Trump’s nod for AUKUS looks like keeping open the “optimal pathway” for us to acquire nuclear submarines … for now.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/anthony-albanese-relies-on-keir-starmer-to-secure-donald-trumps-backing-for-aukus/news-story/6454b955894fc823ac3d4b57369cbebc

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23197936 (180914ZJUN25) Notable: Australia races to lock in new meeting with Trump to avoid second snub - Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, is leading a diplomatic push to lock in a meeting for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with US President Donald Trump in Europe next week, which would force Albanese to depart Australia again just days after returning from his failed attempt to meet Trump in Canada. The president is scheduled to be at the NATO summit beginning June 24 in The Hague, and a meeting would give the prime minister a chance to press Australia’s case with the US on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, defence spending and tariffs. But the risk that Trump could cancel to deal with escalating conflict in the Middle East presents a dilemma for Albanese, who has tried to brush off the blow of Trump cancelling their meeting at the G7 for the same reason. A day after saying he expected Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles would attend the NATO summit, Albanese changed his mind and said he could go. “Yes, that’s being considered,” he told reporters travelling with him at the G7 summit in Canada. Sources familiar with Australia’s diplomatic approach, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly, said Rudd was leading work on a potential meeting and that Albanese was unlikely to go to NATO unless time with Trump was certain. While Rudd is leading the push to secure the meeting, Albanese has also sought advice from Greg Norman about how to build a connection with Trump. The strategy mirrors the playbook of Malcolm Turnbull, who also turned to the professional golfer to get in touch with Trump in 2016.

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>>73662

>>73665

Australia races to lock in new meeting with Trump to avoid second snub

James Massola - June 18, 2025

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Kananaskis: Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, is leading a diplomatic push to lock in a meeting for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with US President Donald Trump in Europe next week, which would force Albanese to depart Australia again just days after returning from his failed attempt to meet Trump in Canada.

The president is scheduled to be at the NATO summit beginning June 24 in The Hague, and a meeting would give the prime minister a chance to press Australia’s case with the US on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, defence spending and tariffs.

But the risk that Trump could cancel to deal with escalating conflict in the Middle East presents a dilemma for Albanese, who has tried to brush off the blow of Trump cancelling their meeting at the G7 for the same reason.

A day after saying he expected Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles would attend the NATO summit, Albanese changed his mind and said he could go. “Yes, that’s being considered,” he told reporters travelling with him at the G7 summit in Canada.

Sources familiar with Australia’s diplomatic approach, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly, said Rudd was leading work on a potential meeting and that Albanese was unlikely to go to NATO unless time with Trump was certain.

While Rudd is leading the push to secure the meeting, Albanese has also sought advice from Greg Norman about how to build a connection with Trump. The strategy mirrors the playbook of Malcolm Turnbull, who also turned to the professional golfer to get in touch with Trump in 2016.

The White House confirmed two weeks ago that Trump would attend the NATO summit, which is expected to focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Yet on Wednesday morning, a US State Department official said that Trump’s plan to attend could change because of the “rapidly changing situation in the Middle East”.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum tweeted on Wednesday morning that she had received a phone call from Trump after her own meeting was cancelled, but Albanese said he had not had a similar phone call.

Instead of an audience with the US president in Canada, the prime minister met with three of Trump’s most senior economic advisers, salvaging some time with White House officials.

Joined by Rudd, Albanese met Kevin Hassett, Trump’s director of the National Economic Council, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He then met US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent for about 20 minutes.

The discussions focused on trade between the two nations, the US imposition of tariffs on Australian aluminium, iron ore and other goods and Australia’s willingness to be a reliable supplier of critical minerals and rare earths to the US.

Albanese played down the fact that he had not received a call from Trump as Sheinbaum had.

“We’re mature about the circumstances of what happened. It’s perfectly understandable. We’ll reschedule a meeting. From time to time, that is what occurs,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23197948 (180929ZJUN25) Notable: G7: Anthony Albanese invokes concerns about China’s dominance of global critical minerals supply chains - Anthony Albanese has invoked concerns about China’s dominance of global critical minerals supply chains in his first speech at the G7 summit, warning that “critical minerals markets are concentrated and vulnerable to manipulation”. Speaking to G7 leaders in the Canadian Rockies town of Kananaskis, the Prime Minister spruiked Australia’s vast deposits of critical minerals and raised the perverse impacts geopolitical tensions are having on energy security and supply chains. Asked to address the summit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mr Albanese said over recent years “we have all felt the impact of conflict, non-market practices and unfair competition”. Mr Albanese did not mention China specifically but Xi Jinping’s Communist regime has overseen a domination of critical minerals supply chains. The US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and other regional allies have been working together to break Beijing’s stranglehold on critical minerals supply chains. “Critical minerals are the new drivers of energy security. Australia is blessed to have some of the largest critical minerals deposits on earth. But we are increasingly finding that critical minerals markets are concentrated and vulnerable to manipulation,” Mr Albanese said. “Producers struggle to remain competitive, and supply chains are affected by export bans and controls.” As the Albanese government progresses deals with the US and other allies to turbocharge Australia’s critical minerals market, Mr Albanese said “energy security underpins our growth and prosperity, and is essential for our economic resilience and national security”.

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>>73662

>>73666

G7: Anthony Albanese invokes concerns about China’s dominance of global critical minerals supply chains

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 18 June 2025

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Anthony Albanese has invoked concerns about China’s dominance of global critical minerals supply chains in his first speech at the G7 summit, warning that “critical minerals markets are concentrated and vulnerable to manipulation”.

Speaking to G7 leaders in the Canadian Rockies town of Kananaskis, the Prime Minister spruiked Australia’s vast deposits of critical minerals and raised the perverse impacts geopolitical tensions are having on energy security and supply chains.

Asked to address the summit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mr Albanese said over recent years “we have all felt the impact of conflict, non-market practices and unfair competition”.

Mr Albanese did not mention China specifically but Xi Jinping’s Communist regime has overseen a domination of critical minerals supply chains. The US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and other regional allies have been working together to break Beijing’s stranglehold on critical minerals supply chains.

“Critical minerals are the new drivers of energy security. Australia is blessed to have some of the largest critical minerals deposits on earth. But we are increasingly finding that critical minerals markets are concentrated and vulnerable to manipulation,” Mr Albanese said.

“Producers struggle to remain competitive, and supply chains are affected by export bans and controls.”

As the Albanese government progresses deals with the US and other allies to turbocharge Australia’s critical minerals market, Mr Albanese said “energy security underpins our growth and prosperity, and is essential for our economic resilience and national security”.

“Whether that is to meet the challenge of climate change and drive the energy transition or to power new technologies that can transform our economy into the future – it is essential to our national interest,” he said.

After announcing a critical minerals reserve ahead of the May 3 election, Mr Albanese said his government was focused on developing Australia into a “globally significant producer and supplier of critical minerals”.

“Extracting and refining our natural assets to safeguard the resilience of our economy and support the economic security of our partners. Our new Strategic Reserve will allow us to deal with trade and market disruptions while meeting increasing global demand.”

“I am pleased that Australia is joining the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, which will support secure, diversified critical minerals supply chains. We welcome efforts to level the playing field and establish a stable market that reflects the real costs of delivering high-standard products and trade practices.”

Mr Albanese said Australia would work with Indo-Pacific partners on their clean energy transition and ensure regional partners can “build resilient, sustainable energy sectors and unlock trade and investment”.

In a second summit intervention, Mr Albanese linked Australia’s critical minerals push to the development of “high tech manufacturing, and advancements in Artificial Intelligence and quantum”.

“Australia has made significant investments in quantum technologies – including working with the private sector to develop the first utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. We are building on our strengths in quantum and AI applications, especially in mining, agriculture and medical technology.”

“Australia can be a leader in data centres in our region due to our abundant land and renewable energy resources. We are also harnessing new technologies to become a leader in green metals and clean energy.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23197965 (180943ZJUN25) Notable: Scott Morrison calls for an AUKUS pillar 3 - the space frontier - Scott Morrison, the chief architect of the AUKUS pact has called for the military alliance to be expanded into space under a third pillar that would see Australia take a key role in the geopolitical deterrence in the southern hemisphere. The former Coalition prime minister has declared that space technology would become as critical to western defence architecture as the submarine program and could bring other nations including Japan and NATO into the alliance. With the AUKUS program now under review by the Pentagon, the extension of the program into a third pillar - space technology – would also provide the political incentive Donald Trump needs to put his own stamp on the AUKUS pact which was inked by Mr Morrison and former Democrat President Joe Biden and the UK’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “As the Trump administration examines how to improve AUKUS, there’s another important factor - space,” Mr Morrison says in an opinion piece published in the US paper, The Wall Street Journal. “If our nations are serious about deterrence, then we must prepare for new theatres of geopolitical competition. The global space economy now exceeds $630 billion and is projected to nearly triple in value by 2035. But space is no longer a benign domain. Beijing is already operating dual-use, civil-military technology across its space sector, launching manoeuverable satellites, conducting co-orbital rendezvous operations, and testing systems capable of disabling adversary assets, such as its Shenlong spaceplane.”

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>>73432

>>73544

>>73634

Scott Morrison calls for an AUKUS pillar 3 – the space frontier

SIMON BENSON - 18 June 2025

Scott Morrison, the chief architect of the AUKUS pact has called for the military alliance to be expanded into space under a third pillar that would see Australia take a key role in the geopolitical deterrence in the southern hemisphere.

The former Coalition prime minister has declared that space technology would become as critical to western defence architecture as the submarine program and could bring other nations including Japan and NATO into the alliance.

With the AUKUS program now under review by the Pentagon, the extension of the program into a third pillar – space technology – would also provide the political incentive Donald Trump needs to put his own stamp on the AUKUS pact which was inked by Mr Morrison and former Democrat President Joe Biden and the UK’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“As the Trump administration examines how to improve AUKUS, there’s another important factor – space,” Mr Morrison says in an opinion piece published in the US paper, The Wall Street Journal.

“If our nations are serious about deterrence, then we must prepare for new theatres of geopolitical competition. The global space economy now exceeds $630 billion and is projected to nearly triple in value by 2035. But space is no longer a benign domain.

“It is contested, competitive and strategically vital. In March, Commander of US Space Command General Stephen Whiting recently warned Congress, space superiority has become foundational to homeland defence and global deterrence.

“Beijing is already operating dual-use, civil-military technology across its space sector, launching manoeuverable satellites, conducting co-orbital rendezvous operations, and testing systems capable of disabling adversary assets, such as its Shenlong spaceplane.

“China has also deployed ground-based lasers and high-powered microwaves capable of targeting Western satellites. Russia regularly jams and spoofs satellites and Moscow has tested destructive anti-satellite capabilities.

“No American president since John F. Kennedy has shown more commitment to space than President Trump, from backing the Artemis Moon to Mars program to creating the US Space Force and promoting commercial innovation through public-private partnerships and now the Golden Dome. That leadership makes him the natural champion of an Aukus Pillar III that consolidates co-operation across launch systems, satellite architecture, cybersecurity, data integration, and industrial innovation.

“Australia brings unique advantages to this effort. We already host U.S. assets like the Space Surveillance Telescope and C-Band radar in Western Australia. We’re also leading the AUKUS allies’ effort to develop Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, or DARC.

“Due to be operational in 2026, DARC will track objects in geosynchronous orbit, which includes some of the most valuable and vulnerable satellite assets.

“Our Southern Hemisphere geography gives us lines of sight inaccessible from the north.

“Australia is the only Five Eyes nation in the southern half of the planet with the large landmass and secure jurisdiction critical for both passive surveillance and active launch capabilities.”

Mr Morrison also said that the Trump administration’s request that allies lift defence spending to above three per cent was not an “unreasonable request”.

“AUKUS is a new platform for collective deterrence against an axis of autocratic regimes threatening global and regional security, especially in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Morrison writes.

“The agreement’s first pillar enables Australia’s acquisition of its first nuclear-powered sub fleet. Its second pillar facilitates co-operation on advanced military capabilities, from quantum computing to hypersonic missiles.

“The Chinese Communist Party opposed AUKUS vehemently, confirming its strategic value.

“(But) AUKUS isn’t like other alliances. There are no free riders. Each nation must bring its own capability, commitment and strategic clarity to the table.

“Australia is doing its part.

“It is time to take AUKUS into space. Establishing a Pillar III would ensure that space, the ultimate high ground, is secured by free nations, not our enemies. America and Australia have stood shoulder to shoulder on land, at sea, and in the skies. Now we must do the same in orbit.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/scott-morrison-calls-for-an-aukus-pillar-3-the-space-frontier/news-story/a26e47e4e92731442657c35187d237b3

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23197971 (180948ZJUN25) Notable: How Donald Trump can launch AUKUS into space - "Time has borne out what I said to President Trump on the White House South Lawn in September 2019: While Australia may look to the US as a vital ally, we will never leave it to America alone to deal with security issues. In that spirit, in early 2020 as prime minister I assigned a small team to engage Washington about the possibility of Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarine technology. Two years later the AUKUS agreement among Australia, the UK and the US was born, amid bipartisan support in all three nations. Now, it’s time for AUKUS to grow, and Mr Trump is the right person for the job. AUKUS is a platform for collective deterrence against an axis of autocratic regimes threatening global and regional security, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement’s first pillar enables Australia’s acquisition of its first nuclear-powered sub fleet. Its second pillar facilitates cooperation on advanced military capabilities, from quantum computing to hypersonic missiles. The Chinese Communist Party opposed AUKUS vehemently - confirming its strategic value. No American president since John F. Kennedy has shown more commitment to space than Mr Trump, from backing the Artemis Moon to Mars program to creating the US Space Force and promoting commercial innovation through public-private partnerships and now the Golden Dome. That leadership makes him the natural champion of an AUKUS Pillar III that consolidates cooperation across launch systems, satellite architecture, cybersecurity, data integration and industrial innovation. This would enable better coordination of allied space policies and create shared standards across defense and commercial systems. It should also provide a platform for integrating non-Aukus allies such as Japan and NATO members into the same architecture. That would make clear that the allies’ space systems are resilient, interconnected and can’t be targeted in isolation. Establishing a Pillar III would ensure that space, the ultimate high ground, is secured by free nations, not our enemies. America and Australia have stood shoulder to shoulder on land, at sea and in the skies. Now we must do the same in orbit." - Scott Morrison, Australia’s prime minister from 2018-22 and vice-chairman of American Global Strategies - theaustralian.com.au

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>>73668

How Donald Trump can launch AUKUS into space

Scott Morrison - 18 June 2025

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Time has borne out what I said to President Trump on the White House South Lawn in September 2019: While Australia may look to the US as a vital ally, we will never leave it to America alone to deal with security issues.

In that spirit, in early 2020 as prime minister I assigned a small team to engage Washington about the possibility of Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarine technology. Two years later the AUKUS agreement among Australia, the UK and the US was born, amid bipartisan support in all three nations. Now, it’s time for AUKUS to grow, and Mr Trump is the right person for the job.

AUKUS is a platform for collective deterrence against an axis of autocratic regimes threatening global and regional security, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement’s first pillar enables Australia’s acquisition of its first nuclear-powered sub fleet. Its second pillar facilitates cooperation on advanced military capabilities, from quantum computing to hypersonic missiles. The Chinese Communist Party opposed AUKUS vehemently — confirming its strategic value.

AUKUS isn’t like other alliances. There are no free riders. Each nation must bring its own capability, commitment and strategic clarity to the table.

Australia is doing its part. Under Pillar I, by 2029 we will have invested up to $3billion directly into the American defence industrial base to increase nuclear submarine production capacity. No other US ally can make that claim. We are building our own fleet of SSN-Aukus submarines with the UK and upgrading infrastructure in Western Australia to support, service, and operate American, UK, and Australian submarines from our western coast.

Some observers reacted to the Pentagon’s current review of AUKUS as if it spells the alliance’s doom. But a review – which isn’t unusual for an incoming administration – is a chance to refocus and recalibrate.

The review is motivated by the shortfall of US nuclear-submarine production. The current output of Virginia-class submarines is about 1.3 a year, below the 2.33 needed to meet both Aukus and American naval commitments. This threatens the timeline for Australia to acquire its first boats from the US and ultimately undermines deterrence. Mr Trump’s commitment to fixing this shortfall is welcome and essential.

America is also calling on Australia to lift its defence spending to above 3% of gross domestic product. That isn’t an unreasonable request. The US can’t be expected to carry the world’s security burden in isolation, and Washington has been right to push for similar commitments from allies in and outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Australia stood with America in every major conflict for over a century, even when others turned their backs. Our interests and loyalties are strongly aligned. A stable Indo-Pacific is critical to Australia’s security and prosperity. That includes protecting the status quo in Taiwan, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law. Washington can rely on us to turn up when it counts.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23197979 (181000ZJUN25) Notable: Ghost Bat missile trial looms amid growing foreign interest - Boeing Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone will be trialled as an armed platform later this year in a major leap forward for the program, as the government ramps up efforts to acquire lethal uncrewed aircraft. The developmental drone will test-fire an air-to-air missile after a successful trial last week in which two of the aircraft were operated simultaneously from an RAAF jet. The government, which has poured $1bn of taxpayers’ funds into the aircraft, had deferred plans to arm the Ghost Bat, intending to develop it initially for surveillance and electronic warfare missions. But there is growing confidence in the drone after the latest test at South Australia’s top-secret Woomera range, prompting the fast-tracking of the missile trial. “There will be an armed trial later this year,” Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. “Boeing is working on plans that will involve an air-to-air weapons test.” Mr Conroy declined to say when the Ghost Bat was expected to enter service but said the program was running four months ahead of schedule and indicated it was in line for further funding when its budget was expended by the end of the year. He said the drone was one of the top five capabilities the government was marketing to foreign militaries, and was already attracting strong interest from potential overseas buyers.

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>>73567

Ghost Bat missile trial looms amid growing foreign interest

BEN PACKHAM - 17 June 2025

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Boeing Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone will be trialled as an armed platform later this year in a major leap forward for the program, as the government ramps up efforts to acquire lethal uncrewed aircraft.

The developmental drone will test-fire an air-to-air missile after a successful trial last week in which two of the aircraft were operated simultaneously from an RAAF jet.

The government, which has poured $1bn of taxpayers’ funds into the aircraft, had deferred plans to arm the Ghost Bat, intending to develop it initially for surveillance and electronic warfare missions.

But there is growing confidence in the drone after the latest test at South Australia’s top-secret Woomera range, prompting the fast-tracking of the missile trial.

“There will be an armed trial later this year,” Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. “Boeing is working on plans that will involve an air-to-air weapons test.”

The drone will fire a US-made AMRAAM missile, which the RAAF uses on its F-35s and F/A-18 Super Hornets.

Mr Conroy declined to say when the Ghost Bat was expected to enter service but said the program was running four months ahead of schedule and indicated it was in line for further funding when its budget was expended by the end of the year.

He said the drone was one of the top five capabilities the government was marketing to foreign militaries, and was already attracting strong interest from potential overseas buyers.

“It’s one of the most advanced collaborative combat aircraft in the world,” Mr Conroy said.

The endorsement follows Boeing’s failure to gain entry into the US’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program to acquire hundreds of “loyal wingman”-style drones to operate with crewed fighter jets, prompting fears the Ghost Bat could become an expensive “orphan” capability.

The US Air Force selected tech disrupter Anduril and longtime drone-maker General Atomics as its top candidates for manufacturing and testing under the CAA program.

But Mr Conroy said the government was hopeful the Ghost Bat could still gain entry to the US program.

The two Ghost Bats involved in last week’s trial were operated from an E-7A Wedgetail – an airborne early warning and control aircraft based on a Boeing 737 airframe.

Boeing defence, space and security chief executive Steve Parker said the demonstration was a “first of its kind” with a collaborative combat aircraft.

He told reporters at the Paris Air Show that the company had been honing its machine learning, autonomy and artificial intelligence in the Ghost Bat’s development, delivering “the most advanced CCA” available.

“We are seeing a lot of interest from around the globe, back into the US, as well as (in) Europe,” Mr Parker said.

Further testing will see the drones operated from Super Hornets and F-35s. The Ghost Bat received $400m from the Albanese government in February 2024 to deliver three new prototype aircraft by the end of this year, after $600m in earlier funding.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23198013 (181033ZJUN25) Notable: Top China military official disappears in latest purge under Xi Jinping amid rising factional politics - The disappearance of another high-ranking Chinese military official has demonstrated that no-one is indispensable to President Xi Jinping in achieving his goals. Even those among his closest allies. General He Weidong, China's second-ranking military official and co-vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), has not been seen in public since March 11. His name was also absent from the official list of attendees at the funeral of his former colleague, Xu Qiliang, who was also a co-vice chairman of the CMC. With silence often treated as confirmation in China's highly choreographed political system, He's ongoing absence confirms his removal from power. His disappearance follows a similar pattern of recent high-profile purges. Former foreign minister Qin Gang and former defence minister Li Shangfu also disappeared from public view before they were removed from their positions. He's dismissal comes after a longstanding personal and professional relationship with Xi. Xi and He both served in the local government of Fujian province in the 1990s and 2000s, with He promoted to "full general" - the highest military rank — in 2017 and eventually co-vice chairman in 2022. It's a position that granted him more than just command of the military. It also made him a member of the elite Politburo - the top decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). His sudden fall just three years into the role underscores the intensity of internal instability within the CCP. Despite projecting a unified public image, the highest level of China's political system is a pressure cooker of competing ambitions, ideological divides, and factional loyalties. Xi's leadership has been marked by a relentless consolidation of power and a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, but the frequent removal of his own appointees suggests cracks in the system he has built.

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>>73560

Top China military official disappears in latest purge under Xi Jinping amid rising factional politics

Bang Xiao - 18 June 2025

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The disappearance of another high-ranking Chinese military official has demonstrated that no-one is indispensable to President Xi Jinping in achieving his goals.

Even those among his closest allies.

General He Weidong, China's second-ranking military official and co-vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), has not been seen in public since March 11.

His name was also absent from the official list of attendees at the funeral of his former colleague, Xu Qiliang, who was also a co-vice chairman of the CMC.

With silence often treated as confirmation in China's highly choreographed political system, He's ongoing absence confirms his removal from power.

His disappearance follows a similar pattern of recent high-profile purges. Former foreign minister Qin Gang and former defence minister Li Shangfu also disappeared from public view before they were removed from their positions.

He's dismissal comes after a longstanding personal and professional relationship with Xi.

Xi and He both served in the local government of Fujian province in the 1990s and 2000s, with He promoted to "full general" — the highest military rank — in 2017 and eventually co-vice chairman in 2022.

It's a position that granted him more than just command of the military. It also made him a member of the elite Politburo — the top decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

His sudden fall just three years into the role underscores the intensity of internal instability within the CCP.

Despite projecting a unified public image, the highest level of China's political system is a pressure cooker of competing ambitions, ideological divides, and factional loyalties.

Xi's leadership has been marked by a relentless consolidation of power and a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, but the frequent removal of his own appointees suggests cracks in the system he has built.

Xi's gamble amid political uncertainty

The timing of He's disappearance could be politically charged.

In August, the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee is scheduled to take place — a key meeting where leadership direction is often recalibrated behind closed doors.

It is precisely during such sensitive periods that purges are most common, either as a pre-emptive strike or a signal of discipline.

The disappearance of He also exposes the fragility in China's defence system at a time when Beijing is expanding its military footprint and increasing its defence budget.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been conducting joint air and naval exercises in the South China Sea, a move likely aimed at both foreign and domestic audiences.

On one hand, the drills serve as a warning to neighbouring countries and the United States.

On the other, they reinforce the narrative of a combat-ready PLA under Xi's direct control.

Military strength and political authority go hand in hand in China, and Xi's tightening grip on the armed forces is as much about addressing internal rot as external deterrence.

Purges at such moments are rarely about a single person.

Since 2023, at least three senior generals have been removed from their posts — including two defence ministers hand-picked by Xi — as part of a broader campaign targeting entrenched corruption and disloyalty within the ranks.

But in He's case, the removal may have been less about personal wrongdoing and more about managing factional rivalry and consolidating political control.

While no-one knows exactly why He was purged, his downfall serves as a warning that even those within Xi's own circle are not immune.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23203238 (190916ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese seeks window for Trump sit-down - Anthony Albanese has left the door open for a last-minute dash to The Hague next week as he continues to seek his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the NATO leaders’ summit after the US President ditched their G7 talks. The Prime Minister was blindsided on Tuesday when the President cancelled their meeting and departed the G7 early following an escalation of the Israel-Iran war, forcing Mr Albanese to make his long-awaited pitch on the need for the US to lift its tariffs on Australian products to Mr Trump’s economic officials instead. After sitting down with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday (AEST), Mr Albanese revealed he had not heard from Mr Trump directly since the cancellation of their meeting, despite other leaders such as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum having received a call from the President. Mr Albanese - who is under pressure from the Coalition for being unable to progress his relationship with Mr Trump and secure wins on tariff exemptions and the long-term ­future of the $368bn AUKUS deal – said he had had discussions with a range of people in recent days including NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte. The Australian understands that several meeting scenarios are being explored and that Mr Albanese would not attend the NATO summit if there was no chance of a meeting. Should Mr Albanese attend NATO, the Labor leader would be exposed to the debate on what countries should be spending on defence, relative to GDP, with Australia having resisted calls from the US so far to lift spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

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>>73662

>>73666

Anthony Albanese seeks window for Trump sit-down

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 18 June 2025

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Anthony Albanese has left the door open for a last-minute dash to The Hague next week as he continues to seek his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at the NATO leaders’ summit after the US President ditched their G7 talks.

The Prime Minister was blindsided on Tuesday when the President cancelled their meeting and departed the G7 early following an escalation of the Israel-Iran war, forcing Mr Albanese to make his long-awaited pitch on the need for the US to lift its tariffs on Australian products to Mr Trump’s economic officials instead.

After sitting down with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday (AEST), Mr Albanese revealed he had not heard from Mr Trump directly since the cancellation of their meeting, despite other leaders such as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum having received a call from the President.

While failing to make ­material progress with the US on issues surrounding AUKUS and tariffs, Mr Albanese was able to make headway on a security and defence partnership with the ­European Union, which had come as a surprise to the Labor leader when first raised with him in Rome earlier this year.

Just 24 hours after Mr Albanese said he expected Defence Minister Richard Marles would attend the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands, the 62-year-old said he was now considering attending the two-day NATO heads of state and government meeting mid-next week, rather than wait for a meeting with Mr Trump at the UN leaders’ summit in New York, scheduled in September.

Mr Albanese – who is under pressure from the Coalition for being unable to progress his relationship with Mr Trump and secure wins on tariff exemptions and the long-term ­future of the $368bn AUKUS deal – said he had had discussions with a range of people in recent days including NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte.

The Australian understands that several meeting scenarios are being explored and that Mr Albanese would not attend the NATO summit if there was no chance of a meeting. Should Mr Albanese attend NATO, the Labor leader would be exposed to the debate on what countries should be spending on defence, relative to GDP, with Australia having resisted calls from the US so far to lift spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

As White House officials sought to fill the void Mr Trump left at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Mr Albanese and US ambassador Kevin Rudd met for 20 minutes with Mr Greer and Mr Hassett, who is the US President’s principal economic adviser. The group held another 20-minute meeting that included Mr Bessent.

The meetings, not open to the media and initially kept under wraps, allowed Mr Albanese to put forward the case for tariff exemptions and plans to unlock Australia’s vast critical minerals and rare earths reserves in partnership with the US. Mr Albanese said he made the point clearly to the economic officials that the US-Australia free trade agreement had delivered for both countries, with the US enjoying a trade surplus over more than two decades.

“It was a real opportunity to meet three of the President’s senior economic team together,” he said. “We’ll continue to engage constructively.”

Concerns about the Pentagon’s snap 30-day review into the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and US calls for Australia to lift its defence spending were not raised with Mr Trump’s economic officials, Mr Albanese said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a meeting with his Australian counterpart, told Mr Albanese they would take co-_operation on defence, security and the AUKUS deal to “another level”. A day after landing a major trade deal with Mr Trump and winning assurances from him on the AUKUS pact, Sir Keir said the bilateral relationship between Australia and the UK “could not be stronger in my view”.

“We’ve both taken it on ourselves to take it to another level when it comes to defence and security, to our work on AUKUS, but also on issues like energy and the global issues that matter,” Sir Keir said. “We think alike, we work alike and we have a shared agendas to work together.”

Mr Albanese said of the UK that there was “no relationship more important than the one between our two great nations”.

He said the defence relationship and AUKUS partnership with Britain were “so important”.

“I travelled up to Barrow (in the UK) and saw first-hand what is happening there (with the nuclear submarines),” Mr Albanese said.

He praised Sir Keir for his government’s leadership on supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23203256 (190931ZJUN25) Notable: Kunafa chef charged for chanting ‘All Zionists are terrorists’ at pro-Palestinian rallies - Victoria Police will argue in court that chanting “all Zionists are terrorists” in public is anti-Semitic and effectively brands the majority of Jewish Australians as such, in a major legal test of hate speech laws targeting pro-Palestinian activists. Summary of statement documents obtained by The Australian reveal Victoria Police deemed the controversial chant “anti-Semitic” and considered the use of it as an “affront” to the Jewish community while pressing charges against activists. The documents concern charging kunafa chef Jad Awwad Abu Alsendyan under Section 17(1) of the state’s Summary Offences Act - which prohibits profane, indecent or obscene language – for allegedly saying “all Zionists are terrorists” at pro-Palestinian rallies. If proven, the crime is punishable with two months’ prison for the first ­offence, three months for the second, and six months for three or more. Mr Alsendyan, who owns the popular Kunafeh House food truck, is facing two charges. The 48-year-old activist is widely regarded in Melbourne’s Middle Eastern community for making Nablus-style kunafa (Palestinian dessert). Police allege Mr Alsendyan led the chant during the Protest Until Ceasefire rally in Melbourne’s CBD on April 6, using a megaphone to amplify the slogan. Detectives say they relied on footage shared by pro-Palestinian groups online to identify him and other participants.

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>>73553

>>73626

>>73628

Kunafa chef charged for chanting ‘All Zionists are terrorists’ at pro-Palestinian rallies

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 18 June 2025

Victoria Police will argue in court that chanting “all Zionists are terrorists” in public is anti-Semitic and effectively brands the majority of Jewish Australians as such, in a major legal test of hate speech laws targeting pro-Palestinian activists.

Summary of statement documents obtained by The Australian reveal Victoria Police deemed the controversial chant “anti-Semitic” and considered the use of it as an “affront” to the Jewish community while pressing charges against activists.

The documents concern charging kunafa chef Jad Awwad Abu Alsendyan under Section 17(1) of the state’s Summary Offences Act – which prohibits profane, indecent or obscene language – for allegedly saying “all Zionists are terrorists” at pro-Palestinian rallies.

If proven, the crime is punishable with two months’ prison for the first ­offence, three months for the second, and six months for three or more.

Mr Alsendyan, who owns the popular Kunafeh House food truck, is facing two charges.

The 48-year-old activist is widely regarded in Melbourne’s Middle Eastern community for making Nablus-style kunafa (Palestinian dessert).

Police allege Mr Alsendyan led the chant during the Protest Until Ceasefire rally in Melbourne’s CBD on April 6, using a megaphone to amplify the slogan. Detectives say they relied on footage shared by pro-Palestinian groups online to identify him and other participants.

“During the march, the accused was walking at the head of the march with a megaphone,” the informant’s summary states.

“The accused chanted ‘all Zionists are terrorists’ a total of three times, encouraging the protest group to chant in unison by saying ‘Louder!’

“The chant ‘all Zionists are terrorists’ was deemed to be anti-Semitic and offensive language as it categorises the majority of the Australian Jewish community as terrorists, seen as an affront to that community.”

Speaking to Mr Alsendyan, detectives asked him how he would define the chant.

“Everyone in the protest, they chant. So all the thousands of people they chant,” he said.

“We didn’t say anything bad. We didn’t attack any person or any religion or any country.”

The conflation between Zionism and anti-Semitism has been a flashpoint in public discourse since October 2023, complicating debates around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and freedom of speech in Australia.

Pro-Palestinian supporters argue that Zionism is a settler-colonial ideology that led to the displacement of Palestinians in 1948 (the Nakba). They see it as the driving force behind the ­establishment of Israel on land they consider historically Palestinian. But mainstream Jewish organisations in Australia argue that activists had been hiding ­behind the “Zionist” euphemism to vilify Jews.

Mr Alsendyan told The Australian he planned on camping outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court until his case was heard later this month.

Rule of Law Institute of Australia vice-president Chris Merritt said the decision by police to use the Summary Offences Act raised the question of why it was not used earlier.

“This act has been on the statute books since 1966 and imposes jail time for public threats, abuse and insults – conduct that is now a regular occurrence on the streets of Melbourne,” Mr Merritt said.

“It has a much broader reach than Victoria’s recently enacted anti-vilification law, which appears incapable of protecting ­Zionists from vilification.

“But Zionism, or support for the Jewish homeland, is a political belief that is not determined by race or religion. And vilification on the basis of political ­belief is not one of the new law’s protected attributes.”

He said while the Summary Offences Act carried lesser penalties, it was not restricted by definitions based on race, religion or other specific characteristics.

It is understood a total of five activists have been charged by Victoria Police for using the chant.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/kunafa-chef-charged-for-chanting-all-zionists-are-terrorists-at-propalestinian-rallies/news-story/0abef29f892f6e5db8c4477effb67c30

https://www.instagram.com/kunafehhouse/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23203311 (191018ZJUN25) Notable: Armoured cars, ferries: How Australians are fleeing the Middle East - Australians are resorting to chartering armoured cars and ferries to flee Israel, or sheltering in place in Iran, as Australia’s embassies scramble to organise evacuations in a region where flights are not operating and conflict is escalating. Almost 3000 Australians have registered to be evacuated out of Israel and Iran, representing a near doubling in the number of people seeking to flee for each day the conflict has continued, and some have accused the government’s response of being “delinquent”. At least two buses have already left Israel for Jordan with Australians on board, including one organised by insurers and the other by the government, but others are paying private companies for evacuation via armoured car or ferries to Cyprus. Wong told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday the missile strikes between Israel and Iran made the situation difficult because they made it impossible to conduct evacuation flights. “It’s a very, very difficult situation on the ground at the moment,” Wong said. “Obviously, there are more opportunities [to evacuate people] in relation to Israel. We took the opportunity to get a small group out across by land crossing yesterday. And we’ll seek to continue that … Iran is a very complicated situation, a very risky situation.” Airspace over the region has been closed since June 13, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched dozens of missile attacks on Iranian targets with the aim of ending the expansion of its nuclear weapons development program. Iran has since retaliated.

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>>73651

>>73658

>>73662

Armoured cars, ferries: How Australians are fleeing the Middle East

Olivia Ireland - June 19, 2025

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Australians are resorting to chartering armoured cars and ferries to flee Israel, or sheltering in place in Iran, as Australia’s embassies scramble to organise evacuations in a region where flights are not operating and conflict is escalating.

Almost 3000 Australians have registered to be evacuated out of Israel and Iran, representing a near doubling in the number of people seeking to flee for each day the conflict has continued, and some have accused the government’s response of being “delinquent”.

At least two buses have already left Israel for Jordan with Australians on board, including one organised by insurers and the other by the government, but others are paying private companies for evacuation via armoured car or ferries to Cyprus.

Wong told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday the missile strikes between Israel and Iran made the situation difficult because they made it impossible to conduct evacuation flights.

“It’s a very, very difficult situation on the ground at the moment,” Wong said. “Obviously, there are more opportunities [to evacuate people] in relation to Israel. We took the opportunity to get a small group out across by land crossing yesterday. And we’ll seek to continue that … Iran is a very complicated situation, a very risky situation.”

Airspace over the region has been closed since June 13, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched dozens of missile attacks on Iranian targets with the aim of ending the expansion of its nuclear weapons development program. Iran has since retaliated.

Governments’ struggles to evacuate citizens have spurred demand for private exit routes. Earlier this week tour groups of Jewish Australians co-ordinated to join a ferry to evacuate from Haifa to Cyprus.

US medical and security response company Global Rescue also reported a spike in requests from people who would have to pay thousands for their rescue.

The company’s associate director Harding Bush said one Australian in Israel was driven by private security guards in an armoured SUV to the country’s eastern border where a Jordanian team picked him up and took him to the airport.

Evacuations of this kind were executed all week from Israel, Bush said, as well as some from Iran that proved to be more difficult.

“As soon as airspace shuts, while governments are still figuring out how to organise group evacuations, we tend to get stranded travellers searching us on the internet, because there’s no other way to get out,” he said.

David Morris, a Jewish Australian executive from Sydney, is one of the many stuck in Jerusalem along with his wife since the attacks, spending hours each night in their hotel’s safe room.

Morris said he was frustrated by the lack of information from DFAT, which has told Australians to make their own assessments about the safety of leaving Israel.

“We can’t make our own assessments because we have no information,” he said. “I’m sitting in the hotel room and I’m going to use social media to make an assessment?”

On Tuesday, Morris received an email from the department asking if he wanted to make a land crossing to Jordan via a private bus.

The email said “you will be responsible for your onward travel after arrival in Jordan”.

Despite responding “yes”, Morris said he received no reply.

“This is really unacceptable and the Australian government is delinquent in the way they are managing this situation,” Morris said, questioning why there was not more proactive support available to evacuate citizens once they reach Jordan.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23212682 (210823ZJUN25) Notable: Video: Australian embassy staff in Tehran rushed out of Iran amid fears of bigger conflict in the Middle East - The federal government has suspended its embassy in Iran and rushed out Australian diplomats in Tehran across the border into Azerbaijan as fears of a major war in the Middle East continue to mount. It is also ramping up its warnings to Australians in Iran, urging them to make their own way out of the country by road if they can safely do so. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government had directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran based on advice about "the deteriorating security environment in Iran". She warned the situation was volatile. "The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of our staff … we do not have to cast our minds back too far in history to understand the risk to foreign officials in Iran in times of unrest," Senator Wong said. The ABC has been told that Australian diplomats - along with family members — spent almost 24 hours travelling by car to get out of the country as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes, and as President Donald Trump contemplates US military action against Tehran. At least some of those Tehran-based diplomats are expected to stay in place near the Iran-Azerbaijan border as they work to evacuate more Australians from Iran. The minister said she was conscious that the embassy's closure would add to difficulties for Australians seeking to leave the country, but said staff continued to work on contingency plans for when Iran's airspace reopened.

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>>73658

>>73675

Australian embassy staff in Tehran rushed out of Iran amid fears of bigger conflict in the Middle East

Stephen Dziedzic - 20 June 2025

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The federal government has suspended its embassy in Iran and rushed out Australian diplomats in Tehran across the border into Azerbaijan as fears of a major war in the Middle East continue to mount.

It is also ramping up its warnings to Australians in Iran, urging them to make their own way out of the country by road if they can safely do so.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government had directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran based on advice about "the deteriorating security environment in Iran".

She warned the situation was volatile.

"The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of our staff ... we do not have to cast our minds back too far in history to understand the risk to foreign officials in Iran in times of unrest," Senator Wong said.

The ABC has been told that Australian diplomats — along with family members — spent almost 24 hours travelling by car to get out of the country as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes, and as President Donald Trump contemplates US military action against Tehran.

At least some of those Tehran-based diplomats are expected to stay in place near the Iran-Azerbaijan border as they work to evacuate more Australians from Iran.

The minister said she was conscious that the embassy's closure would add to difficulties for Australians seeking to leave the country, but said staff continued to work on contingency plans for when Iran's airspace reopened.

"We are really conscious it is difficult. I wish it were not so, I wish that we had more capacity to assist, but the difficult reality is the situation on the ground is extremely unstable," Senator Wong said.

Foreign embassies have been repeatedly targeted before during crises in Iran, most famously during the 1979 Revolution when US diplomats were taken hostage.

In 2006, paramilitary groups attacked the Danish embassy in Tehran to protest cartoons of Prophet Mohammad in a Danish newspaper, while Azerbaijan's embassy was attacked in January this year.

Senator Wong hoped the embassy would be able to reopen.

More urgent warnings for Australians

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is also now issuing more urgent warnings to Australians in Iran, saying that it "urge[s] Australians who want to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe".

"Australians in Iran who are unable to leave, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place," it said.

Just over 2,000 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members have now registered with the federal government to say they want to leave Iran.

The travel advice tells Australians they can potentially leave by road to Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, but also warns roads "may be crowded and exposed to security risks such as military action, rocket attacks and terrorism".

"You should consider the risks carefully before attempting to leave by any route and you should make your own assessment whether it's safe for you to travel in current circumstances," it said.

"If you are not confident in the safety and reliability of any departure option, shelter in place and follow the advice of local authorities."

The advice also said Australians would need a visa to cross most of those borders, with the exception of Armenia.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23212691 (210831ZJUN25) Notable: Albanese government to evacuate Australians stranded in the Middle East amid Iran-Israel war - The Albanese government has shuttered the nation’s embassy in Iran and launched a major operation to evacuate Australian citizens from the Middle East, as US President Donald Trump granted Tehran a two-week window to abandon its nuclear program ­before he decides whether to launch US strikes on the country. Mr Trump said he believed there was a “substantial chance of negotiations” with Tehran, sparking a fresh European push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in talks with Iran’s foreign minister in Switzerland. The evacuation mission, announced amid ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran on Friday AEST, includes the deployment of two RAAF passenger airlifters together with air force and army personnel and the relocation of consular staff to Azerbaijan to support Australians fleeing across the border from Iran. More than 2000 Australians and their family members are seeking help to leave Iran, while another 1200 have sought evacuation from Israel. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the mission, dubbed Operation Beech, was currently unable to airlift Australians from either country but the government was preparing plans for the reopening of the region’s airspace. She said the decision to order the evacuation of Australian diplomats from Tehran was not taken lightly and the nation’s ­ambassador, Ian McConville, would remain in the region to support the government’s response to the unfolding crisis.

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Albanese government to evacuate Australians stranded in the Middle East amid Iran-Israel war

BEN PACKHAM and SARAH ISON - 20 June 2025

The Albanese government has shuttered the nation’s embassy in Iran and launched a major operation to evacuate Australian citizens from the Middle East, as US President Donald Trump granted Tehran a two-week window to abandon its nuclear program ­before he decides whether to launch US strikes on the country.

Mr Trump said he believed there was a “substantial chance of negotiations” with Tehran, sparking a fresh European push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in talks with Iran’s foreign minister in Switzerland.

The evacuation mission, announced amid ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran on Friday AEST, includes the deployment of two RAAF passenger airlifters together with air force and army personnel and the relocation of consular staff to Azerbaijan to support Australians fleeing across the border from Iran.

More than 2000 Australians and their family members are seeking help to leave Iran, while another 1200 have sought evacuation from Israel.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the mission, dubbed Operation Beech, was currently unable to airlift Australians from either country but the government was preparing plans for the reopening of the region’s airspace.

She said the decision to order the evacuation of Australian diplomats from Tehran was not taken lightly and the nation’s ­ambassador, Ian McConville, would remain in the region to support the government’s response to the unfolding crisis.

“It is a decision based on the deteriorating security environment in Iran; a decision I directed after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister,” Senator Wong said.

“We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now if it is safe. Those who are not able to do so or who do not wish to leave are advised to shelter in place.”

She revealed she had a phone call overnight on Thursday with her US counterpart Marco Rubio, who said Mr Trump’s two-week window for Iran had opened the way for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”.

In a statement read by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the President said: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

The pause followed days of escalating rhetoric by Mr Trump, who had warned the US was preparing for a “total and complete victory” unless Tehran agreed to an unconditional surrender.

The President has been weighing the use of US “bunker buster” bombs to destroy Iran’s underground Fordow uranium-enrichment facility as the US masses air and naval power in the Middle East to support potential combat operations and protect US personnel in the region.

Late on Friday AEST, the White House was waiting on the results of talks between the British, French, German and EU foreign ministers, and their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy – who met with Mr Rubio in the White House on Thursday to discuss the unfolding situation – said it was time to bring the conflict to an end.

“A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution,” he said.

“Now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one.“

Israel on Friday struck Iranian targets with 60 fighter jets, hitting a nuclear research facility and multiple missile production sites.

“These sites were built over years and were the industrial centre of gravity of the Iranian Ministry of Defence,” the Israel Defence Forces said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military had destroyed at least half of Iran’s missile launchers while also eliminating key military leaders and paramilitary forces.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/pm-launches-operation-bring-em-home/news-story/6fcaaf980d23f7a0daa9661cdb52c0d7