/qnotables25/ - ===Q Notables 2025===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23252471 (290942ZJUN25) Notable: Q Post #2064 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02wKufX3nw - Played by 'Operation Specialists' [pre-event] last night. Q - https://qanon.pub/#2064

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

Q Post #2064

Sep 2 2018 15:18:24 (EST)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02wKufX3nw

Played by 'Operation Specialists' [pre-event] last night.

Q

https://qanon.pub/#2064

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23252476 (290950ZJUN25) Notable: Q Post #2065 - >why did I get extreme goosebumps while listening to this?? - https://qanon.pub/#2065

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

>>109225

>>109226

Q Post #2065

Sep 2 2018 15:24:57 (EST)

>why did I get extreme goosebumps while listening to this??

https://qanon.pub/#2065

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23252491 (291001ZJUN25) Notable: Video: Wissam Haddad escalates violent rhetoric on eve of hate speech verdict – Jewish leaders are bracing for a Federal Court decision on whether Sydney cleric Wissam Haddad breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Haddad, long accused of promoting extremist views, described Jews as “vile” and “treacherous” in sermons at his Bankstown centre and has since escalated his rhetoric online, invoking swords against Jews and Christians. The case, brought by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, seeks injunctions to stop future vilification. It comes as NSW crossbenchers move to repeal hate speech laws linked to the discredited Dural caravan plot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73626 (pb)

Wissam Haddad escalates violent rhetoric on eve of hate speech verdict

STEPHEN RICE - 29 June 2025

1/2

Jewish community leaders are waiting nervously to find out whether hate preacher Wissam Haddad will be allowed to continue his anti-Semitic attacks, with the Federal Court to deliver a landmark ruling in the vilification case against the radical cleric amid moves by NSW crossbenchers to repeal new hate speech and protest laws.

On Tuesday, judge Angus Stewart will hand down his verdict on whether Mr ­Haddad breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in sermons asserting that Jews were “vile” and “treacherous” people.

Mr Haddad or speakers at his Bankstown-based Al Madina Dawah Centre in southwest Sydney 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 his defence to the claim brought by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Mr Haddad has claimed he was referring to or reciting Islamic scripture in sermons he made in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks.

Mr Haddad has escalated his violent rhetoric as the decision approaches, invoking the Koran in a sermon posted to social media about swords being raised against “Ahl al-Kitab” (the People of the Book, primarily Jews and Christians) “until they pay the Jizya” (a tax paid by non-Muslims living under Islamic rule in return for protection).

“As for the words of the messenger … when he said ‘I was sent with the sword’, it means that Allah sent him as a caller to ­Tawhid (the oneness and uniqueness of Allah) with a sword, after inviting the people to be a witness to Allah with evidence that whoever does not respond to the invitation of this Tawhid, through the Koran and its evidences is therefore called to Islam with the sword”, Mr Haddad said.

The post suggests he is deliberately using the violent imagery as a provocation.

“We are on the topic of swords, and the topic angers the Kuffar (disbelievers) … and in fact, angering them is a type of Ibadah (worship; acts done to seek the pleasure of Allah)”, Mr Haddad says in the video.

An earlier video featuring ­images of an Arabic sword, in which Mr Haddad warned that “we are not going to come unarmed”, was condemned by Jewish community members as an incitement to young radicals to commit violence.

In an early hearing, Justice Stewart said “upon quick reading” the case against Mr Haddad was “damning”, and pushed back on an argument that certain sermons were protected by section 18D of the ­Racial Discrimination Act that provides exemptions for public interest rhetoric, given it runs counter to his own judgment in the successful case of Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi against One Nation’s leader, Pauline Hanson.

If Justice Stewart decides in favour of Mr Haddad, many in the Jewish community fear the case could unleash a storm of anti-­Semitic rhetoric from radical clerics, at a moment when hate speech laws are being attacked in the NSW parliament as the product of a “fake” terror plot.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256427 (300856ZJUN25) Notable: Beijing’s argument against increasing defence spending and China threat – China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has urged Anthony Albanese not to raise military spending, warning it would burden the economy and undermine growth, while dismissing fears over Beijing’s military build-up. His intervention comes as Penny Wong heads to Washington for Quad talks and Albanese prepares for a visit to Beijing. Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned of China’s aggressive actions, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Beijing is preparing for war. Canberra maintains defence and social spending are not mutually exclusive, though critics argue strategic priorities remain underfunded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73555 (pb)

>>73560 (pb)

>>73421 (pb)

Beijing’s argument against increasing defence spending and China threat

GEOFF CHAMBERS and NOAH YIM - 30 June 2025

1/2

Xi Jinping’s top diplomat in Australia has warned Anthony Albanese that increasing military spending will impose a “heavy fiscal burden” on his budget and undermine economic development, in an attack on ­Donald Trump’s push for Canberra to ramp up defence spending and help counter Chinese aggression.

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s expected visit to Beijing next month and Penny Wong travelling to Washington this week for a Quad foreign ministers meeting, Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian rejected domestic fears about China’s massive armed ­forces build-up and threat to ­regional security.

Writing in The Australian, Mr Xiao claimed China and Australia were “friends, not foes”, Beijing’s military build-up was “normal” and “just 1.5 per cent of GDP” was being spent on the People’s Liberation Army.

As Mr Albanese pledges to fund necessary ADF capabilities presented to him but resists US calls to increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Mr Xiao urged against lifting military expenditure on the grounds of economic peril. “Dramatically increasing military spending ­places a heavy fiscal burden on the countries involved, undermining their efforts to boost economies and improve livelihoods, and further straining a global economy already struggling with weak ­recovery,” he wrote.

“Some countries are ailing yet demand their ‘allies and partners’ foot the bill for medicine, which seems to be an almost laughable notion. Whether to spend on arms purchases, handouts to the ‘hegemon’, or pooling funds for its sake, or to heed their own people’s calls for economic development, is now a difficult choice for these ‘allies and partners’.”

Mr Xiao’s intervention weeks before Mr Albanese meets with the Chinese President is a dramatic escalation in Beijing’s efforts to fight back against US officials calling on allies including Australia to spend more on defence.

The ambassador’s claims that Australia must choose between defence spending and social services comes just days after Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, stared down tariff threats from Mr Trump. The Spanish leader said last week he would not sign up to NATO’s 5 per cent defence spending pledge to protect his country’s “welfare state”.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this month, Defence Minister Richard Marles warned that China was engaged in the largest military build-up since World War II without providing “any strategic reassurance”.

There have been multiple incidents where Australian Defence Force personnel have been put in danger by the PLA, which recently dispatched a spy ship to southern Australia and authorised Chinese warships to circumnavigate the country and conduct live fire exercises in the Tasman Sea ahead of the May 3 election.

In addition to cyber warfare and espionage operations targeting Australia, Chinese naval vessels and aircraft have targeted Australian navy and air force personnel conducting joint exercises with the US and regional allies.

Amid a 30-day Pentagon review into the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement and pressure from the White House for the Albanese government to lift military spending, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that China was preparing for war.

Mr Hegseth said it was clear Beijing, which has made huge ­investments in nuclear weapons, hypersonics and amphibious ­assault capabilities, was preparing to ­“potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific” and that Mr Xi could order an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.

Without naming the US, Mr Xiao accused some countries of hyping up the “so-called ‘China threat” narrative” at the Shangri-La Dialogue, G7 and NATO ­summits, while “inciting” Australia to follow their lead on defence spending.

“By playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China’s normal military build-up, these countries are merely seeking nothing but excuses to drastically grow their military spending, even arbitrarily reaching beyond its geographical scope and mandate,” he wrote.

“Behind the so-called ‘China threat’ lies certain countries’ desire to maintain their hegemony. They are trapped in their own inertia, fear fair competition, and even cannot tolerate other countries from making progress.

“To this end, they seek to stifle the development and advancement of countries like China, so that they can continue plundering the world through hegemony while funnelling benefits to their backers.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256450 (300908ZJUN25) Notable: OPINION: Don’t fall for NATO’s hyped-up rhetoric on defence spending – “Recently, some countries hyped up the so-called China threat narrative on occasions such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, G7 summit and NATO summit, proclaiming to significantly increase defence expenditures, and even incited Australia to follow suit. Such rhetoric and actions are steeped in Cold War mentality, blatantly creating division, fuelling a global arms race as well as threatening world peace and stability, which warrants our high vigilance. China and Australia are friends, not foes. This should never have been in question. China has been always developing bilateral friendship and co-operation with the utmost sincerity and patience, and we hope Australia will work with us in the same direction.” – Xiao Qian, China’s ambassador to Australia – The Australian

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109229

OPINION: Don’t fall for NATO’s hyped-up rhetoric on defence spending

XIAO QIAN - 30 June 2025

1/2

Recently, some countries hyped up the so-called China threat narrative on occasions such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, G7 summit and NATO summit, proclaiming to significantly increase defence expenditures, and even incited Australia to follow suit.

Such rhetoric and actions are steeped in Cold War mentality, blatantly creating division, fuelling a global arms race as well as threatening world peace and stability, which warrants our high vigilance.

By playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China’s normal military build-up, these countries are merely seeking nothing but excuses to drastically grow their military spending, even arbitrarily reaching beyond its geographical scope and mandate.

NATO countries already account for 55 per cent of the world’s total military spending in 2024.

Yet they are still required to raise defence investment to 5 per cent of GDP to build a “more lethal NATO”.

Behind the so-called China threat lies certain countries’ desire to maintain their hegemony. They are trapped in their own inertia, fear fair competition and even cannot tolerate other countries from making progress.

To this end, they seek to stifle the development and advancement of countries such as China, so they can continue plundering the world through hegemony while funnelling benefits to their backers. This runs counter to fairness, justice and the prevailing trend of global development.

Healthy competition is the only path towards world progress and civilisation advancement, a consensus long held by the international community.

Dramatically increasing military spending places a heavy fiscal burden on the countries involved, undermining their efforts to boost economies and improve livelihoods, and further straining a global economy already struggling with weak recovery. Some countries are ailing yet demand their allies and partners foot the bill for medicine, which seems to be an almost laughable notion.

Whether to spend on arms purchases, handouts to the hegemon, or pooling funds for its sake, or to heed their own people’s calls for economic development, is now a difficult choice for these allies and partners.

To be frank, this is not the first time China has been labelled and targeted. In recent years a handful of countries have rallied so-called allies and partners to repeatedly smear China, peddling narratives such as the “China collapse”, “China threat” and even “Peak China”, while imposing economic suppression and technological blockades. Yet the only tangible outcome of their painstaking efforts to undermine international rules and order has been global economic stagnation, slower technological innovation and heightened regional instability.

Facing these smears and containment, China’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and the living standards of the Chinese people have continued to rise. China has always been a steadfast supporter, defender and promoter of world peace. More than 600 years ago, Zheng He’s seven voyages to the Western Seas carried only silk, porcelain, trade and friendship.

Shortly after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it put forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Across the past 70-plus years, China has never initiated a war or occupied an inch of a foreign land. It is the only country that has incorporated peaceful development in its constitution and the only country among the nuclear-weapon states to pledge no first use of nuclear weapons.

China unwaveringly adheres to a defensive national defence policy, with military spending accounting for just 1.5 per cent of its GDP. It is far below the global average and paling in comparison to certain hegemons or their allies and partners.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256464 (300915ZJUN25) Notable: Anthony Albanese riled by questions on China envoy’s op-ed – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would commit whatever funding was necessary for defence after China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, urged restraint in an op-ed arguing the “China threat” narrative was fuelling an arms race. Albanese rejected suggestions he was aligning with Beijing, telling reporters: “The Chinese ambassador speaks for China … my job is to speak for Australia.” The dispute comes amid US pressure for Canberra to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and rising concerns over China’s rapid nuclear and conventional military expansion.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109229

>>109230

Anthony Albanese riled by questions on China envoy’s op-ed

JOSEPH OLBRYCHT-PALMER - 30 June 2025

1/2

Anthony Albanese says his government will pump as much cash as is needed into Australia’s defence after China’s ambassador wrote an op-ed urging Canberra to restrain from spending more.

In his piece published on Monday, Xiao Qian said China and Australia were “not foes” despite being embroiled in a regional rivalry and Beijing rapidly building up conventional and nuclear military capabilities.

It came as the Prime Minister faces domestic and international calls to boost the defence budget, with the US warning of a potentially “imminent” threat from China in the Indo Pacific.

But Mr Albanese has resisted, making Australia an outlier in the West – a position highlighted by NATO’s decision last week to dramatically hike military spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

Fronting media on Monday, Mr Albanese did not align with Xi Jinping’s envoy either.

“The Chinese ambassador speaks for China,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

“My job is to speak for Australia.

“And it’s in Australia’s national interest for us to invest in our capability and to invest in our relationships, and we’re doing just that.”

Asked by a reporter for The Australian if Mr Xiao’s comments constituted “meddling”, a visibly riled Mr Albanese said: “I don’t know, your newspaper published the op-ed.”

He added that people were free to “make comments”.

“That’s up to them,” Mr Albanese said.

“What my job is to do is speak for Australia, and that’s what I do.”

‘Not foes’

Mr Albanese and his senior minister have stuck firm to deciding what capability Australia needs and then funding it, rather than committing to a set percentage of GDP like most other countries and some previous Australian governments.

Mr Xiao used his op-ed in The Australian to urge Canberra to stay the course and continue resisting spending more on defence.

“Recently, some countries hyped up the so-called China threat narrative on occasions such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, G7 summit and NATO summit, proclaiming to significantly increase defence expenditures, and even incited Australia to follow suit,” he wrote.

“Such rhetoric and actions are steeped in Cold War mentality, blatantly creating division, fuelling a global arms race as well as threatening world peace and stability, which warrants our high vigilance.

“By playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China’s normal military build-up, these countries are merely seeking nothing but excuses to drastically grow their military spending, even arbitrarily reaching beyond its geographical scope and mandate.”

He accused “certain countries” of trying to contain China because they “fear fair competition” and “cannot tolerate other countries from making progress”.

Mr Xiao’s piece came as Foreign Minister Penny Wong heads to Washington for a second meeting with her Quad counterparts within six months.

The Quad, made up of Australia, India, Japan and the US, is a partnership broadly seen as a check on China’s economic and military might.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256474 (300923ZJUN25) Notable: COMMENTARY: It’s time to get real about our China problem, PM – “Labor’s obfuscation on China and its refusal to publicly accept the need for a serious boost to defence spending are not helping Albanese secure an all-important first meeting with Donald Trump. Instead of seeing Albanese cement ties with Australia’s closest ally, Australians will watch him cosying up to Xi Jinping and sidestepping more questions on the Chinese threat. It’s time for the Prime Minister to talk clearly about the security threats the nation faces and have an honest conversation with the public about what this means for the defence budget.” – Ben Packham – The Australian

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73634 (pb)

>>109229

>>109230

COMMENTARY: It’s time to get real about our China problem, PM

BEN PACKHAM - 30 June 2025

When will Anthony Albanese be upfront with the Australian people on the security threat posed by China?

He was happy to dog whistle about Donald Trump for votes in the election campaign but refuses to speak clearly about Beijing’s strategic intentions and what they mean for Australia.

The last time the government made a serious case about the China threat was at the 2023 ALP national conference, when Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy spoke starkly about Beijing’s massive military build-up to smash criticism of AUKUS by the party’s hard left.

Two years later, that speech has curiously disappeared from the internet and the government is once again pretending there’s nothing to see here.

Albanese passed up another opportunity on Monday morning to be real with the Australian people on China in the wake of an opinion piece published in this newspaper by Beijing’s top diplomat in Canberra lecturing the government on defence spending.

Ambassador Xiao Qian, whose country is turning out submarines, warships and missiles at a frightening rate, had the gall to warn Australia that lifting defence spending to the 5 per cent agreed by NATO countries would cause tensions internationally and undermine living standards at home.

If anything, this should focus the government’s mind more clearly on the urgent need to rethink its defence budget. But the Prime Minister was having none of it.

Journalist: “We’ve seen the Chinese ambassador to Australia make comments about defence spending … this morning. What can you tell the Australian people about the military threat posed by China, and do you remain concerned about the military build-up that China is undertaking?”

Prime Minister: “The Chinese ambassador speaks for China. My job is to speak for Australia, and it’s in Australia’s national interest for us to invest in our capability and to invest in our relationships, and we’re doing just that.”

It’s no wonder the US is having second thoughts about handing over three of its Virginia-class submarines to Australia, as evidenced by its snap 30-day review of the AUKUS pact.

As the man behind the review, Elbridge Colby, warned last year: “It would be crazy for the United States to give away its single most important asset for a conflict with China over Taiwan.”

In the absence of any signal to the contrary, the US has every right to feel concerned that those submarines, if given to Australia, will sit on the sidelines in any war with China.

Labor’s obfuscation on China and its refusal to publicly accept the need for a serious boost to defence spending are not helping Albanese secure an all-important first meeting with Donald Trump.

There is no sign the government is preparing to shift its position on either issue, which will make for an uncomfortable audience with the US President if and when the Prime Minister makes it to the White House.

Penny Wong will no doubt do her diplomatic best to reassure the US that Australia remains a rock-solid ally when she meets her American counterpart, Marco Rubio, in Washington DC this week.

The problem is, she is the author of the government’s cautious language on China and an opponent of much of the Trump administration’s foreign policy agenda.

Expect more ambiguity from the government in coming weeks when Albanese travels to Beijing.

As revealed by The Australian, the Prime Minister is unlikely to get a meeting with Trump before the visit, around the middle of July.

Instead of seeing Albanese cement ties with Australia’s closest ally, Australians will watch him cosying up to Xi Jinping and sidestepping more questions on the Chinese threat.

It’s time for the Prime Minister to talk clearly about the security threats the nation faces and have an honest conversation with the public about what this means for the defence budget.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/its-time-to-get-real-about-our-china-problem-pm/news-story/dd609d97930d6d673c6abb2068bb70a6

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256499 (300958ZJUN25) Notable: Kevin Rudd says US, Donald Trump have chance to build stable Middle East – Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, praised Donald Trump’s intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict, giving him “full marks” for brokering a ceasefire and suggesting it could open a path to a two-state solution for Palestine. Speaking at the Aspen Ideals Festival, Rudd said degrading Iran’s nuclear program met Israeli security interests and created “an opportunity to secure the future” if Netanyahu could be persuaded. He added Trump’s pressure on NATO allies had succeeded, while cautioning China remained focused on Taiwan and prepared to use force if necessary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73662 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/23218742 (pb)

Kevin Rudd says US, Donald Trump have chance to build stable Middle East

JOE KELLY - 30 June 2025

1/2

Kevin Rudd has given Donald Trump “full marks” on his intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict, while voicing hopes that the US President might now persuade Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a two-state solution with Palestine.

Australia’s ambassador to the US also said the recent decision of NATO members to lift defence spending was the result of a “cocktail of factors” – including the threat to Europe posed by Russia and Mr Trump’s ongoing insistence that America’s partners contribute more to their own security.

“To give President Trump his dues, he has always said that he does not accept that proposition that any US allies should be freeloading on the United States,” Dr Rudd said.

Pressed on the 30-day Pentagon review on the future of the AUKUS agreement, Dr Rudd said the Australian government was “completely relaxed about that … because it is what administration do when they are newly elected for programs which they have inherited from previous administrations”.

He also suggested there was a chance for Mr Trump to reach a grand bargain with Chinese leader Xi Jinping across a range of areas, including trade, investment, technology restrictions, national security issues – including cyber and space – as well as narcotics and fentanyl.

Asked whether Mr Trump deserved the Noble peace prize for his Middle East diplomacy, Dr Rudd did not rule out the possibility. He responded by saying that – given his own past experience as a junior diplomat in Scandinavia – he was aware that “the Nobel committee in Oslo … fiercely guards its independence”.

“But in being fiercely independent and having, through their own country, been party to the Oslo process ... which for the first time brought Palestinians and Israelis around the table way back when – 20 years ago – I’m sure our Norwegian friends will be very mindful of a real outcome,” he said.

Dr Rudd made sure to qualify his remarks at the Aspen Ideals Festival in Colorado, saying that he was a “China guy” by background and that the Middle East was “not my patch”. He said his remarks on the Middle East were those a “rank amateur” and did not represent “the official views of the Australian government”.

Speaking in conversation with Politico’s Jonathan Martin, Dr Rudd said that “we all want the ceasefire to hold. And, frankly, full marks to the President for having the chutzpah to put it on the line.”

He said Mr Trump was able to achieve a “ceasefire between the two most unlikely states to agree to a ceasefire”.

Dr Rudd said Mr Trump had finally brought the “Iranians to the negotiating table in terms of accepting a set of arrangements with the US and the rest of the international community on what is left ... of the Iranian nuclear weapons program”.

He was also optimistic about the outlook for Gaza and the West Bank, saying that Mr Trump’s actions would help “move the debate and the dial in the direction of a sustainable two-state solution”.

In addition, the fact that the Iranian nuclear program had now been degraded met a core Israeli national security interest. Dr Rudd said this would “therefore hopefully provide an opening for the United States and the rest of the international community to cause Israel to conclude that a two-state outcome is the best for Israel, best for the Palestinian people, best for the US, best for US allies, including my own country, and best for the rest of the world because there does need to be a Palestinian homeland”.

“If President Trump can push in this direction to get the Israeli government, notwithstanding Bibi Netanyahu’s reservations, across that line and, assuming there is a reform program within the Palestinian Authority, which has been notoriously badly administered, then I think there is an opportunity to secure the future,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23256501 (301000ZJUN25) Notable: Penny Wong to meet Quad counterparts in Washington – Foreign Minister Penny Wong will meet her Quad counterparts in Washington this week, calling the talks vital to confronting Indo-Pacific challenges. “This will be the second Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting within six months, reflecting the importance of our partnership,” she said, stressing the US is Australia’s “closest ally and principal strategic partner.” The summit comes amid tariffs on Australian exports, a Pentagon review of AUKUS, and US pressure to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. US officials have warned of an “imminent” threat from China, including possible action against Taiwan by 2027.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109229

Penny Wong to meet Quad counterparts in Washington

JOSEPH OLBRYCHT-PALMER - 30 June 2025

Australia’s chief diplomat will meet her Quad counterparts in Washington this week as the Trump administration looks to ramp up pressure on China.

The Quad, made up of Australia, India, Japan and the US, is a partnership broadly seen as a check on China’s economic and military might.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the upcoming dialogue reflected the challenges facing the Indo Pacific.

“This will be the second Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting within six months, reflecting the importance of our partnership and the strategic circumstances confronting our region and the world,” she said in a statement.

“I look forward to engaging with my Quad counterparts as we strengthen cooperation to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Senator Wong also said she would “meet separately with each of my counterparts … to progress bilateral cooperation”.

The meeting comes as pressure mounts on the Albanese government to bolster Australia’s alliance with the US.

Nearly six months have passed since Donald Trump’s inauguration and Anthony Albanese is yet to secure an in-person meeting with the US President.

Australian producers have been slugged with tariffs on most exports to the US, including duties of up to 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, and doubts loom large about the Trump administration’s commitment to AUKUS after it launched a snap review of the defence pact.

The Albanese government has also refused to budge after Washington’s call to hike defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP amid alarm over China’s military build-up.

In her statement, Senator Wong stressed the US “is our closest ally and principal strategic partner”.

“Our alliance contributes to the peace, prosperity and stability of our countries and the region we share,” she said.

“We will continue to work together to further our important economic and security partnership and advance our mutual interests.”

Former US president Joe Biden was last year caught on a hot mic telling his fellow Quad leaders that China was “testing” them, giving a rare glimpse into the candid nature of talks between some of the region’s key players.

“We believe (Chinese President) Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimise the turbulence in China’s diplomatic relationships, and he’s also looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China’s interest,” Mr Biden said.

“China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region, and it’s true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Straits.

“It’s true across the scope of our relationship, including on economic and technology issues.”

Mr Biden’s bluntness was a stark contrast of how leaders of all Quad countries have tried to frame the strategic four-way dialogue, often deflecting suggestions that it exists to counter China.

The hawkish approach to Beijing has been adopted by the Trump administration, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month warning of an “imminent” threat to the Indo Pacific.

Mr Hegseth said China could invade Taiwan as early as 2027.

Such a move would deal a major blow to global supply of semiconductors – crucial components in modern tech – and massively disrupt vital trade routes.

“Let me be clear, any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,” Mr Hegseth said.

“There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent.

“We hope not but certainly could be.”

Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on the sidelines of the conference, he directly asked Australia to boost the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/penny-wong-to-meet-quad-counterparts-in-washington/news-story/3a8d91e4f5d9181b953bcb3a3182f1db

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23260756 (010932ZJUL25) Notable: Australia’s friends in Congress urge Albanese to prioritise Trump visit – Senior US lawmakers Republican Michael McCaul and Democrat Joe Courtney have called on Anthony Albanese to prioritise a White House meeting, stressing Donald Trump values personal diplomacy and that such a gesture would reinforce AUKUS. The pair, who co-chair the Friends of Australia Caucus, warned the pact could be tested by a Pentagon review and pressure for Australia to lift defence spending. McCaul said “the president is transactional,” suggesting Canberra commit a higher share of GDP to defence, while Courtney insisted spending levels remain Australia’s choice. Albanese is working towards a September visit after months of tariffs and alliance strain. (105 words)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73634 (pb)

>>73662 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/23234931 (pb)

Australia’s friends in Congress urge Albanese to prioritise Trump visit

Jessica Gardner - Jun 30, 2025

1/2

Washington | Two senior US lawmakers backing the AUKUS nuclear defence pact have issued a bipartisan plea for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to prioritise a White House visit and forge the personal relationships needed to keep the agreement intact and ease broader strains on the alliance.

Republican Michael McCaul and Democrat Joe Courtney, in the US House of Representatives, said President Donald Trump valued one-on-one interactions, and his approach to diplomacy was heavily influenced by his past as a dealmaker.

“For [Albanese] to come to the White House would be a great gesture on the prime minister’s part, that I think would go over very well,” McCaul said in an interview. “That would be very sound advice for him to do that.”

The president’s tariff blitz challenged the friendship between the United States and Australia who, as a close ally and free trade agreement partner, had hoped for a carve-out. In June, military ties were shaken when it emerged that Elbridge Colby, the US defence under-secretary for policy, would review the AUKUS agreement. The review will weigh up whether Australia is spending enough on defence capabilities and the alliance poses any risk to American military efforts.

Colby has long held a view that the US should prioritise bolstering its own military power against the rising threat of Chinese aggression in the Pacific over the AUKUS alliance.

McCaul, a Texan who is worried about China, and Courtney, whose Connecticut district is home to shipyards, are leading the fight for AUKUS on Capitol Hill as co-chairs of the Friends of Australia Caucus. Last week, they wrote to Colby and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth seeking assurances that shipbuilders would be able to ramp up their production in time to deliver submarines to Australia in 2032 without undermining the US Navy’s fleet.

With Trump’s focus on deals and personal relationships, Courtney said Albanese should argue that Australian companies are heavily investing in American shipyards – set to hit $US3 billion ($4.6 billion) – and that the government does not expect any special deal on the three, four or five US-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines it is buying from 2032.

“This really takes it out of the sort of America First criticism of security agreements … where President Trump felt that other countries weren’t pulling their own weight,” he said. “It’s a case that is very unique that the prime minister can articulate. [Albanese] is a very personable and socially savvy person, kind of like [UK Prime Minister] Keir Starmer, who does seem to have succeeded with the personal interaction. [A visit] would be great.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23260836 (011003ZJUL25) Notable: Penny Wong in Washington for key talks amid US alliance concerns – Foreign Minister Penny Wong has arrived in Washington for a Quad meeting with her counterparts from the US, India and Japan, calling it a chance to support a “peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” The visit comes as Australia faces tariffs on exports to the US, a Pentagon review of AUKUS, and continued pressure to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Wong reaffirmed the US is Australia’s “closest ally and principal strategic partner.” The Trump administration has taken a hard line on Beijing, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning of an “imminent” threat.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109234

Penny Wong in Washington for key talks amid US alliance concerns

JOSEPH OLBRYCHT-PALMER - 1 July 2025

Australia’s chief diplomat has touched down in Washington for a key meeting with her Quad counterparts as the Trump administration looks to ramp up pressure on China.

The Quad, made up of Australia, India, Japan and the US, is a partnership broadly seen as a check on China’s economic and military might.

“Fantastic to arrive in Washington DC ahead of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on social media, along with a photo of her and Australian ambassador Kevin Rudd.

“Thank you (State Secretary Marco Rubio) for hosting our second meeting in six months.

“Looking forward to discussing how we continue to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

The meeting comes as pressure mounts on the Albanese government to bolster Australia’s alliance with the US.

Six months have passed since Donald Trump’s inauguration and Anthony Albanese is yet to secure an in-person meeting with the US President.

Australian producers have been slugged with tariffs on most exports to the US, including duties of up to 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, and doubts loom large about the Trump administration’s commitment to AUKUS after it launched a snap review of the defence pact.

The Albanese government has also refused to budge after Washington’s call to hike defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP amid alarm over China’s military build-up.

Unless the Prime Minister books a Washington trip, his next most-likely opportunity to meet Mr Trump is at the Quad leaders summit tipped for September.

In a statement announcing the trip on Sunday, Senator Wong said the US “is our closest ally and principal strategic partner”.

“Our alliance contributes to the peace, prosperity and stability of our countries and the region we share,” she said.

“We will continue to work together to further our important economic and security partnership and advance our mutual interests.”

Former US president Joe Biden was last year caught on a hot mic telling his fellow Quad leaders that China was “testing” them, giving a rare glimpse into the candid nature of talks between some of the region’s key players.

“We believe (Chinese President) Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimise the turbulence in China’s diplomatic relationships, and he’s also looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China’s interest,” Mr Biden said.

“China continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region, and it’s true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Straits.

“It’s true across the scope of our relationship, including on economic and technology issues.”

Mr Biden’s bluntness was a stark contrast to how other Quad leaders have tried to frame the strategic four-way dialogue, often deflecting suggestions that it exists to counter China.

The hawkish approach to Beijing has been adopted by the Trump administration, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month warning of an “imminent” threat to the Indo Pacific.

Mr Hegseth said China could invade Taiwan as early as 2027.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/penny-wong-in-washington-for-key-talks-amid-us-alliance-concerns/news-story/7260a410c8b4d33d724966ba0045b090

https://x.com/SenatorWong/status/1939857983992955142

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265063 (020959ZJUL25) Notable: Arrested childcare worker accused of contaminating food with bodily fluids as authorities unveil crackdown – Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a childcare crackdown after new allegations that Joshua Dale Brown, 26, added bodily fluids to food at a Point Cook centre. Brown, already charged with more than 70 offences including child rape, allegedly abused eight children and worked at 20 centres since 2017, prompting STI testing for over 1200 children. From September 26, centres must ban smartphones or face fines of up to $50,000, alongside a new statewide register of childcare workers. Authorities admitted existing safety checks had failed, with national reforms now under review.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109236

Arrested childcare worker accused of contaminating food with bodily fluids as authorities unveil crackdown

Cassandra Morgan and Rachel Eddie - July 2, 2025

1/2

Victorian authorities have announced a crackdown on the childcare industry, as horrifying new details emerge about the alleged abuse by a Melbourne childcare worker.

One of the charges against Joshua Dale Brown is that he recklessly contaminated goods to cause alarm or anxiety, which relates to allegations he added bodily fluids to children’s food.

The 26-year-old is accused of abusing eight young children at a Point Cook centre between April 2022 and January 2023. His work at 20 facilities over his eight-year career has sparked the testing of more than 1200 children for sexually transmitted infections.

The Victorian Health Department has recommended the testing out of “an abundance of caution”.

“There’s not no risk, which is why we are making this recommendation,” Chief Health Officer Dr Christian McGrath said on Wednesday.

Ingesting bodily fluids is generally considered low risk in transmitting STIs, however cuts or sores in the gums, mouth or throat are a risk factor, so authorities are proceeding with utmost precaution.

McGrath said “several hundred” families had already been referred for testing based on a case-by-case risk assessment.

It comes as Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday unveiled a suite of measures including fines of up to $50,000 if childcare centres do not ban their workers from carrying smartphones, as officials scramble to bolster the “failing” system.

A ban on smartphones will be enforced from September 26. If a provider does not sign up to the ban, they will have conditions added to their licence. Breaches will attract fines of up to $50,000.

Phone bans are already part of a national framework used within early childhood education and care, but providers must choose to enforce the ban.

“To avoid delay, we’ll be putting all Victorian childcare centres on notice. They will be required to adopt this ban on personal devices,” Allan told reporters on Wednesday.

The state government will also commission an urgent review into childcare safety. A leader for the review will be appointed by the end of the week.

“This will be a short, sharp piece of work that will focus on the immediate actions that we can take, based on that body of work that is going on across Commonwealth and state and territory jurisdictions, but also, too, looking at what further can be done with a sense of urgency,” Allan said.

Victoria will start building a statewide register of childcare workers, which is also being considered at a national level.

“I appreciate there is a substantial amount of work that is already under way across the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to strengthen the safety in the sector here in Victoria, [but] I won’t wait,” Allan said. “Families cannot wait.”

Earlier on Wednesday, federal Education Minister Jason Clare revealed he put child safety on the agenda last Friday during a meeting with his state-based colleagues, after he was briefed on the Melbourne childcare worker charged with more than 70 sex offences against children in his care.

The families of the eight alleged victims were informed last week, but parents of other children were not told until Tuesday this week.

“I was informed about this just over a week ago by the Victorian government. It’s the reason I put this on the agenda for education ministers when we met last Friday,” Clare told ABC Radio National on Wednesday.

“I’m certain that the Victorian government took the steps that they needed to take with police and with the relevant authorities, to make sure that when they advised parents and did so as soon as they possibly could, they were in a position to provide the necessary advice and support for parents.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265081 (021012ZJUL25) Notable: ‘Vehicle for action’: Marco Rubio pushes for stronger critical mineral supply chain ahead of Quad meeting – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged the Quad to move beyond “ideas and concepts” and become a “vehicle for action,” highlighting secure critical mineral supply chains as a priority. Meeting with counterparts Penny Wong, Takeshi Iwaya and Subrahmanyan Jaishankar in Washington, Rubio said concrete steps were needed to address shared economic and security challenges. Wong stressed the partnership’s importance against “escalating competition,” while Iwaya and Jaishankar underscored the Indo-Pacific’s role as a global growth engine and the need to uphold a rules-based order.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109234

‘Vehicle for action’: Marco Rubio pushes for stronger critical mineral supply chain ahead of Quad meeting

JOE KELLY - 2 July 2025

1/2

Marco Rubio has sketched out his ambition to transform the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue into a “vehicle for action” rather than a forum for discussing “ideas and concepts” ahead of a meeting with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia.

Penny Wong has flown into Washington to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the US Secretary of State, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar.

Senator Wong has arrived at a key moment in the alliance relationship with America, with Mr Rubio’s call for action at the Quad coming shortly after a request from Washington for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and amid a snap 30-day review of the AUKUS agreement.

Mr Rubio said that he was reminded by his Quad counterparts that, in January, within an hour of being sworn in as Secretary of State, he had his first meeting with them. He said that India, Japan and Australia were “very important strategic partners and allies” and singled out the need to develop secure supply chains for critical minerals as top priority.

“We are honoured to host them today in this very important partnership that has developed over the years and that I think has really taken wing in the last few months,” Mr Rubio said in the State Department. “Together we have a lot of shared priorities, a lot of things we care about in the world.”

“I think there are many global problems but also problems that we face in our respective countries that can be solved by us co-operating together,” he said. “One of the challenges with something new like this is turning meetings and gatherings where we talk about ideas and concepts into a vehicle for action.”

He said that taking “concrete actions” was the “next step in this great partnership.” Mr Rubio said steps should be taken “in co-ordination with one another … for the benefit of our respective countries.”

He said co-ordinated action between Quad members would benefit other nations across the globe, saying it was not just about security but also economic development. “In fact, later today we will be hosting here in this building a number of companies … representing all four of our countries,” Mr Rubio said. “There are many topics that we can work on, focus on.”

A key issue which Mr Rubio said he was personally focused on was “diversifying the global supply chain of critical minerals. Not just access to the raw material. But also access to the ability to process and refine it into usable material.”

“Having a diverse and reliable global supply chain … is just one example of many that we can focus on,” he said. “That’s the hope for this partnership. That’s why it’s so important to host you here today.”

“It’s also important that in this forum – to turn it into one where we begin to focus on specific issues that we want to work together on and begin to deliver action on these issues,” he said. “And today’s the next step in that process.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265089 (021020ZJUL25) Notable: Trump administration expresses regrets for ditching Albanese meeting – Penny Wong says the Trump administration expressed regret over cancelling Anthony Albanese’s planned G7 meeting with Donald Trump, after the president left to address the Israel-Iran conflict. In Washington, Wong met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for 45 minutes, where he affirmed AUKUS’s importance and did not repeat earlier demands for Australia to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Wong said they discussed “the positive benefits of AUKUS” and cooperation on critical minerals. She dismissed claims Kevin Rudd was a barrier to a Trump meeting, which is yet to be rescheduled.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73662 (pb)

>>109234

Trump administration expresses regrets for ditching Albanese meeting

Jake Evans and Brad Ryan - 2 July 2025

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Trump administration has expressed its regrets to her for missing a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G7.

The senator also said the US secretary of state had recognised the "importance" of the AUKUS agreement to both nations during their 45-minute meeting — and that a demand made last month for Australia to lift its defence spending was not repeated.

Mr Albanese is yet to meet face-to-face with United States President Donald Trump eight months since his election win, and has faced criticism from the Coalition for not pushing harder to meet with him earlier.

The pair were due to meet in Canada last week at the G7 leaders' summit, but Mr Trump left abruptly as the conflict between Israel and Iran flared.

Senator Wong, who is in the United States for a "Quad" meeting between the US, Australia, India and Japan, said she used talks with US Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio to discuss a future meeting between Mr Albanese and Mr Trump.

"He expressed his regret for the fact that the meeting had to be rescheduled," she told Channel Nine.

"I obviously said we completely understood; I think the world understood the president had a fair bit to do, given what was occurring in the Middle East."

The foreign minister rejected suggestions that Australia's ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, who Mr Trump once labelled "not the brightest bulb", was a hurdle to the pair meeting.

Senator Wong said Mr Rubio did not raise Mr Rudd with her.

Defence demands, AUKUS review and tariffs weigh on talks

The meeting comes as Australia navigates several issues that threaten to cause trouble domestically.

The US has openly demanded Australia lift its defence spending as soon as possible to 3.5 per cent of its GDP — about a $40 billion annual lift on current spending.

Senator Wong said Mr Rubio did not raise Australia's defence budget with her.

Australia's major defence partnership with the United Kingdom and the US is also under review by the Trump administration, which is concerned the country may not be able to deliver on its deal to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Senator Wong said she and Mr Rubio discussed deepening cooperation across the alliance, "including through AUKUS".

"We had a good discussion about the work we do together, we had a good discussion about AUKUS, and a good discussion about the positive benefits of AUKUS to [Australia, the US and the UK]," Senator Wong said.

"We both understand the importance to both our countries and to the United Kingdom."

Earlier this year, before the announcement of a US review into AUKUS led by sceptic Elbridge Colby, Mr Rubio said AUKUS had the "very strong support" of the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, the conversation of tariffs on foreign imports to the US looms large over trade discussions, and while the government believes the 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium are unlikely to have a major impact, punishing tariffs on China could hurt Australia if Chinese demand for Australian goods falls as a consequence.

The senator said the Quad had also discussed strengthening cooperation on developing critical minerals supply chains, a "strategic vulnerability" that Senator Wong said Australia could do more to develop.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-02/trump-administration-regrets-ditching-albanese-meeting/105484286

https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1940193345575559461

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265100 (021040ZJUL25) Notable: Federal Court orders series of Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad's lectures be removed from social media – The Federal Court has ruled that lectures by Sydney preacher Wissam Haddad, delivered at Bankstown’s Al Madina Dawah Centre, contained “fundamentally racist and antisemitic” material and must be removed from social media. Justice Angus Stewart found the speeches breached the Racial Discrimination Act by portraying Jews as “wicked,” “vile,” and “descendants of apes and pigs,” rejecting Haddad’s defence that they drew only on scripture. The judge said the imputations were “devastatingly offensive,” with serious effects on Jewish Australians. Haddad must also post corrective notices for 30 days, with costs likely awarded to the ECAJ.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109228

Federal Court orders series of Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad's lectures be removed from social media

Jamie McKinnell - 1 July 2025

1/2

A series of lectures delivered by an Islamic preacher at a Sydney prayer centre must be removed from social media under orders from a Federal Court judge who found they contained "fundamentally racist and antisemitic" material.

Wissam Haddad, who is also known as Abu Ousayd, gave the speeches at Bankstown's Al Madina Dawah Centre in November 2023.

In the Federal Court, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) alleged he contravened the Racial Discrimination Act, including by portraying Jewish people as "wicked", "scheming", "vile", "mischievous" and "descendants of apes and pigs".

Mr Haddad's lawyers argued the speeches were derived in substance from religious texts including the Koran, were delivered only to a Muslim audience in private and did not refer to Australian Jewish people.

Justice Angus Stewart today found the speeches contravened the Racial Discrimination Act and rejected Mr Haddad's defences.

The court found the series of lectures conveyed "disparaging imputations" about Jewish people, based on race or ethnic origin, that were reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate and intimidate Jews in Australia.

"The imputations include age-old tropes against Jewish people that are fundamentally racist and antisemitic; they make perverse generalisations against Jewish people as a group," the judge said in a summary of his decision.

Effects on Jewish Australians 'profound and serious'

In his full judgment, Justice Stewart said the established imputations — or meanings — were "devastatingly offensive and insulting".

He said Jewish people in Australia would have experienced the comments to be harassing and intimidating, "all the more so" because they were made at a time of "heightened vulnerability and fragility".

"That is because of their profound offensiveness and the long history of persecution of Jews associated with the use of such rhetoric," Justice Stewart said.

"Those effects on Jews in Australia would be profound and serious."

The court found passages in an interview and sermon by Mr Haddad contained critical and disparaging things about the actions of the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza and about Zionists.

However, the judge found the "ordinary, reasonable listener" would not understand those things to be about Jewish people in general.

"That person would understand that not all Jews are Zionists and that disparagement of Zionism constitutes disparagement of a philosophy or ideology and not a race or ethnic group," Justice Stewart said.

"Also, political criticism of Israel, however inflammatory or adversarial, is not by its nature criticism of Jews in general or based on Jewish racial or ethnic identity.

"The conclusion that it is not antisemitic to criticise Israel is the corollary of the conclusion that to blame Jews for the actions of Israel is antisemitic; the one flows from the other."

Justice Stewart said he was satisfied Mr Haddad and the centre should be ordered to publish corrective notices on their social media accounts for 30 days, but will hear the parties further on the terms.

He said the ECAJ's case had been "overwhelmingly successful" and there was no reason why Mr Haddad should not have to pay costs.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265108 (021047ZJUL25) Notable: Clinton, Gillard to headline Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit – Hillary Clinton and Julia Gillard will headline the Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit, set for 29 September–1 October across six Australian capital cities. Billed as the largest women-in-leadership event of its kind, the summit will feature Clinton speaking in person in Sydney and Canberra on navigating global challenges, while Gillard will appear via hologram to share lessons from her leadership journey. The program covers impact, resilience, diversity, women’s health in the workplace, and career acceleration, with contributions from figures including journalist Leigh Sales. Organisers say the event will fuel momentum toward more inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Clinton, Gillard to headline Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit

insidestategovernment.com.au - 02/07/2025

Former U.S Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard AC, are set to headline the Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit, scheduled for 29 September – 1 October.

The event, to be held across seven venues in six Australian capital cities, is poised to be the largest women in leadership event of its kind in Australia.

Organisers say the summit’s content is deeply curated to ignite new thinking, energise purpose-driven leadership and fuel collective momentum towards a more inclusive and empowered future.

The agenda features a powerful line-up of public servants, changemakers, and thought leaders who will share actionable leadership strategies.

Key Themes and In-depth Discussions:

The Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit offers a deep dive into critical leadership areas, providing indispensable insights for today’s public sector and beyond.

• Leading with Impact and Navigating Complexity: Attendees will gain direct advice from global powerhouses. Former U.S Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton will be joining the summit in person in Sydney and Canberra, with her session also being livestreamed to other locations. She will share lessons on leading with impact when stakes are highest and effectively managing diverse personalities and evolving global challenges. Julia Gillard AC, Australia’s first and only woman Prime Minister, will reflect on her leadership journey and offer her vision for sustained progress and leading with strength in uncertain times via groundbreaking hologram technology. Journalist Leigh Sales AM will contribute insights on success, strength, and resilience, drawn from her extensive experience interviewing world leaders and powerful

figures.

• Diversity, Inclusion & Allyship: Delve into the profound impact of bias in the workplace, uncovering unconscious biases that leaders might overlook, and providing practical methods to lead with allyship to foster safer, more inclusive teams. Sessions are also dedicated to neuro-inclusive leadership, focusing on how neurodivergent traits can enhance leadership skills, creativity and problem-solving and how to build workplace cultures that celebrate and leverage diverse neurological perspectives.

• Authentic Leadership & Resilience: Participants will explore the power of bringing their whole selves to leadership, understanding how authenticity contributes to high performance and psychological safety and the creation of open and honest workplace cultures. The agenda also includes sessions on adapting to challenges and building personal and team resilience, with speakers sharing their experiences of reframing failure and overcoming challenges.

• Critical Topics Affecting Women in the Workplace: A crucial element of the summit is its direct engagement with women’s health and safety issues in leadership. Panel discussions will address the often-unspoken impact of women’s health conditions, caring responsibilities, mental health stigma, menopause, endometriosis and fertility on career progression and confidence. These discussions aim to equip leaders with practical steps to foster psychologically safe and health-aware workplace cultures.

• Career Acceleration & Practical Application: The summit emphasises real-world learning, featuring practical examples and case studies from some of the most senior and accomplished women in the Public Sector. Interactive sessions such as ‘Networking UNLIMITED’ provide structured opportunities for attendees to build valuable connections and engage in conversations about their leadership journeys, setting goals and receiving peer feedback. Furthermore, attendees gain access to two exclusive post-summit online seminars, which form part of a three-month learning journey. These sessions, focused on ‘Presenting with Power for Women in Leadership’ and ‘Building Trusted & High-Performing Teams’, are designed to enhance summit takeaways and provide practical tools for professional development beyond the event itself.

The summit will run from 29-30 September 2025 in Canberra at the National Convention Centre, with concurrent summits taking place from 30 September – 1 October 2025 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

https://www.insidestategovernment.com.au/clinton-gillard-to-headline-women-unlimited-leadership-summit/

https://womenunlimited.co/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23265116 (021054ZJUL25) Notable: Video: Kanye West officially banned from entering Australia – Rapper Kanye West, legally known as Ye, has been banned from entering Australia after releasing a song titled Heil Hitler. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed his tourist visa had been cancelled, saying officials determined Australia “doesn’t need” imported Nazism or anti-Semitism. West, who is married to Australian-born Bianca Censori, had previously praised Adolf Hitler in media appearances and faced repeated calls for a ban from Jewish community leaders. Burke said freedom of speech did not extend to foreign visitors promoting hatred. The decision prevents West accompanying Censori on visits to her Melbourne family.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kanye West officially banned from entering Australia

The controversial musician, who is married to an Australian, has officially been banned from entering the country.

Samantha Maiden - July 2, 2025

Kanye West has officially been banned from Australia, and his tourist visa has been cancelled in the wake of an anti-Semitic song that referenced Adolf Hitler.

The bombshell decision means that he will be prohibited from entering the country with his Australian-born wife Bianca Censori, who grew up in Melbourne.

She was most recently in the country over the summer, but her husband remained in Japan at the time amid reported marital tensions.

News.com.au understands from government sources that the decision was made recently and communicated to Mr West, who has legally changed his name to Ye.

He had sought and obtained a tourist visa that could remain valid for up to 12 months, but it has now been cancelled.

Ye is the ex-husband of Kim Kardashian. He shares four children with his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed his decision to cancel his visa on Wednesday afternoon, confirming it was cancelled after he released a song called Heil Hitler in May.

“He’s been coming to Australia for a long time and he’s made a lot of offensive comments,” Mr Burke said.

“But my officials looked at it again once he released the Heil Hitler song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia.”

“It wasn’t a visa for the purpose of concerts. It was a lower level and the officials still looked at the law and said “you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism?”, we don’t need that in Australia.”

Asked on ABCTV if a ban on his visa was “sustainable” given his worldwide fame, Mr Burke said Australia would not tolerate anti-Semitism.

“I think that what’s not sustainable is to import hatred,’’ he said. “Some people say, oh, don’t you believe in freedom of speech and for Australian citizens, yeah, you’ve got full freedom of speech but we have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”

Australia has repeatedly warned it may consider cancelling Mr West’s visa over his history of anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Originally, it followed Mr West’s decision to praise Adolf Hitler during an interview with far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

“I like Hitler,” West told Jones, later adding he saw “good things about Hitler”.

“I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis.”

At the time, Labor frontbencher Jason Clare said to describe such comments as awful “would be an understatement”.

“I don’t know if he’s applied for a visa yet — but Google it, you will see that he seems like he’s a pretty big fan of a person who killed 6 million Jewish people last century,” Mr Clare told Channel 9.

“People like that who’ve applied for visas to get into Australia in the past have been rejected.

“I expect that if he does apply, he would have to go through the same process and answer the same questions that they did.”

The Australian Jewish Association has previously written to the government to demand that Mr West, who is legally known by the name of “Ye”, be banned from entering the country.

“He has become a lightning rod for extremists, for anti-Semites, for neo-Nazis as well, and he inspires a lot of young people — he has a massive following,” the association’s president, David Adler, said.

“He has a very strong record vilifying a segment of the community, namely, the Jewish community, he uses terms like going ‘DEFCON 3’ on the Jewish people.

“He’s used all sorts of anti-Semitic tropes — so yes, we think that’s a significant risk, and because of him being such a prominent and inspirational figure to youth, we think it is a risk in Australian society.”

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/kanye-west-officially-banned-from-entering-australia/news-story/188c56101fcad5dd579540f232e43915

https://x.com/ausvstheagenda/status/1940300324998455766

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23269673 (030921ZJUL25) Notable: Accused paedophile Joshua Brown’s work history widens as evidence shows him at centre months earlier – The timeline of alleged offender Joshua Dale Brown’s childcare employment has widened after parents and records revealed he worked at Essendon Papilio Early Learning months earlier than authorities advised. Families were initially told Brown started in February, but evidence shows him at the centre in December and possibly as early as August. Similar discrepancies emerged at another facility in Footscray. Brown, 26, is in custody facing 70 charges, including child rape, while police investigate further offending. Authorities now expect many more families may need notification, with Affinity Education reviewing its records.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109236

>>109238

Accused paedophile Joshua Brown’s work history widens as evidence shows him at centre months earlier

Noel Towell - July 3, 2025

The work history of accused Melbourne paedophile Joshua Dale Brown has widened after errors emerged with the childcare worker’s employment dates supplied to families and the public.

Health authorities are expected to update official notifications of the dates Brown worked at certain centres on Thursday.

Parents at Essendon Papilio Early Learning in Melbourne’s north were scrambling for answers earlier this week after authorities advised them that Brown began working at the centre on February 17 and remained there until just days before his arrest on child sex abuse charges in May.

But this masthead has obtained evidence of Brown working at the daycare on December 13, more than two months before the date officially advised, and parents have said they recalled the alleged offender caring for children at Papilio as early as August.

The date discrepancy means that families whose children had contact with the 26-year-old before February 17 fell outside the time frame for official notification.

The exposure of Brown’s alleged offending prompted health authorities to notify 2600 families and call for the testing of 1200 children, and forced the state government to rush out a major overhaul of safety protocols for Victoria’s daycare centres.

But the fresh information means that many more families may now have to be notified that their children may have come into contact with Brown.

Doubts have also emerged over the supplied information on Brown’s time at D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children in Footscray, where officials said he worked from March 1 to April 30 last year.

D.O.T.S director Hannah Dunn told this masthead: “This ex-employee was employed at D.O.T.S. from March 18 to April 24, 2024.”

Brown remains in custody facing 70 charges, including sexually penetrating a child under 12, attempting to sexually penetrate a child under 12, and producing child abuse material. Police are investigating allegations of further offending at the Essendon centre while he worked there.

Sources close to the information chain but not authorised to speak publicly said Brown’s work history was supplied by Papilio’s operator, national childcare giant Affinity Education, to Victoria Police early in their investigation. The government used these dates in its notification process and public communications.

The original dates supplied by Affinity were taken from a payroll database, but after other employee databases were searched for more information on Brown, an updated timeline has been sent to authorities.

A spokesperson for the company said it was still going through its records for material that might assist investigators.

“Given the serious nature of the matter, we are currently reviewing our records in detail to ensure completeness,” the spokesperson said.

“Affinity Education continues to co-operate fully with authorities and remains focused on the safety and wellbeing of the children and families in our care.”

A police spokesperson said online information would be updated as fresh details became available.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, information has been compiled from a number of sources and records in relation to Brown’s employment history,” the spokesperson said.

That information, including dates and locations, was released on Tuesday based on what was known at that time.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/accused-paedophile-joshua-brown-s-work-history-widens-as-photos-show-him-at-centre-months-earlier-20250703-p5mcac.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23269684 (030927ZJUL25) Notable: First photo of alleged child rapist Michael Simon Wilson revealed – The identity of Michael Simon Wilson, 36, has been publicly revealed after he was charged with child rape and bestiality offences in April. Wilson is reportedly known to Joshua Dale Brown, the Melbourne childcare worker accused of abusing eight children, though his alleged crimes involve separate victims and no childcare centres. Police allege Wilson raped a teenage boy in Hoppers Crossing. Both men are due in court on September 15. The cases have triggered urgent childcare reforms, with Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Jason Clare pledging tougher checks, phone bans, and safety reviews.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109236

>>109239

First photo of alleged child rapist Michael Simon Wilson revealed

Duncan Evans - July 3, 2025

The full identity of an alleged child rapist, linked to a Victorian childcare worker charged with child sexual abuse, has been revealed.

Michael Simon Wilson, 36, was charged with child rape and bestiality offences in April, with a first image released of the man on Thursday.

The publication of Mr Wilson’s charges followed confirmation of charges against childcare worker Joshua Brown on Tuesday.

Victorian Police charged Mr Brown with 70 offences after he allegedly abused eight children at a Point Cook childcare centre in Melbourne.

It is alleged some children were as young as five months.

A widespread investigation has now been launched, with Victoria’s chief health officer saying 1200 children have been recommended to undergo infectious diseases testing as a precaution.

He is also accused of using his bodily fluids to tamper with food, news.com.au reported.

Mr Wilson and Mr Brown are reportedly known to each other, though the nature of the relationship is unclear.

Mr Wilson’s alleged offences are not believed to involve childcare centres or any of Mr Brown’s alleged victims.

Police allege he raped a teenage boy in Hoppers Crossing in April.

On Thursday, the Herald Sun reported it was the investigation into Mr Wilson’s alleged offending that led them to Mr Brown.

Mr Brown was arrested on May 12 and is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 15.

Mr Wilson will appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on the same day.

The charges have sparked urgent calls for reform in the childcare sector, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan promising immediate action.

The state government will immediately begin building a register for childcare workers, she said, and will bring forward a policy to ban personal devices in centres.

“To avoid delay, we’ll be putting all Victorian childcare centres on notice,” she said.

“They will be required to adopt this ban on personal devices, effective from September 26.

“Childcare centres who don’t comply with this ban will have this placed on them as a condition of licence and may face fines of up to $50,000.

The premier will also commission an “urgent review” into childcare safety, with more details expected at the end of the week.

The review will examine the possibility of installing CCTV cameras in centres and the deploying a “four eyes” principle, meaning children should not be left alone with a single adult.

It will also review whether the five-year working with children check time frame should be shortened.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said on Wednesday the problem of predators in childcare settings was “serious” and required “serious action”.

“It’s one of the reasons why I put this on the top of the agenda when education ministers met last week,” he said.

“Let me be clear – when education ministers met to discuss child safety last week, we didn’t discuss this case, but we discussed – what are the next steps that we need to take as a nation to make sure that our kids are safe in early education and care?”

The federal government has already banned personal mobile phones in centres and changed rules around mandatory reporting from seven days to 24 hours following complaints about sexual or physical abuse.

Mr Clare promised further reforms, including cutting off funding for centres that fail to meet minimum standards.

He also flagged changes to background checks for workers.

“It’s taken too long to do the work necessary to make sure that our Working with Children Check system is up to scratch,” he said.

“I’ve spoken a number of times with the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, the new Attorney-General, and I think I can safely speak on her behalf – she agrees, and is determined to take the action necessary here to make sure that our working with children checks across the nation are up to scratch.

“That’ll be something that will be discussed by Attorneys-General when they meet next month.”

He cautioned that a working with children check was not a “silver bullet”.

“In too many examples, a perpetrator is eventually caught and arrested and sentenced, there’s somebody that got a Working with Children Check because they had no prior criminal record,” he said.

“And so it’s only one of the things that we need to focus on here if we’re serious about making sure that we keep our kids safe.”

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/first-photo-of-alleged-child-rapist-michael-simon-wilson-revealed/news-story/47ba798e0c91e521b13ea6f027e7fab3

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23269714 (030945ZJUL25) Notable: Elon Musk’s X wins ‘free speech’ fight against eSafety Commissioner – The Administrative Review Tribunal has overturned an order by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant requiring Elon Musk’s X to remove a post insulting trans activist Teddy Cook. Deputy president Damien O’Donovan ruled the post did not meet the legal threshold for adult cyber-abuse, saying intent to cause serious harm was not proven. X’s lawyer Justin Quill called it “a win for free speech in Australia,” accusing the commissioner of overreach. eSafety said it welcomed the ruling’s guidance but would continue tackling online harms. The case comes as the government prepares to introduce a social media ban for under-16s.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Elon Musk’s X wins ‘free speech’ fight against eSafety Commissioner

Alexander Darling and Erin Pearson - July 1, 2025

1/2

Lawyers for social media platform X have declared a judgment that found in X’s favour against the eSafety Commissioner “a win for free speech in Australia”.

On Tuesday, the Administrative Review Tribunal struck out an order by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant, which demanded that Elon Musk’s X remove a post that insulted a transgender Australian man.

The order was made in March 2024 and relates to an X post about trans rights activist Teddy Cook.

Chris Elston, known on X as Billboard Chris, misgendered and insulted Cook, equated transgender identity with mental illness, and linked to an article suggesting Cook was “too smutty” for intergovernmental work.

At the time, X complied with an order from Inman-Grant to hide the post from Australian users, but later lodged an appeal against the removal notice.

In his ruling, the tribunal’s deputy president Damien O’Donovan said he was not satisfied that the post met “the statutory definition of cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult”.

In Australia, if online content is serious enough and the service or platform does not help the person affected, the eSafety Commissioner can direct the platform to remove it.

The statutory definition is that the offensive content in question must target a specific Australian adult (over 18 years old) and be both intended to cause serious harm, and menacing, harassing or offensive in all the circumstances.

“The more focused question is whether I can be satisfied that the necessary intention to cause serious harm to the subject of the post has been established,” he wrote in his ruling.

“Based on the evidence before me, I am not satisfied that it has. Consequently, the decision of the eSafety Commissioner to issue a removal notice is set aside.”

X was represented in court by Justin Quill, partner at major law firm Thomson Geer.

“This is a win for free speech in Australia,” Quill said in a statement on Tuesday night.

“It seems clear this is another example of the eSafety Commissioner overreaching in her role and making politically motivated decisions to moderate what she considers Australians should and shouldn’t read and hear from the outside world.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23269730 (030954ZJUL25) Notable: Chinese bases ‘not welcome’ in Pacific, says Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka – Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the National Press Club that Beijing should not be allowed to establish military bases in the Pacific, declaring: “Who would welcome them? Not Fiji.” Visiting Australia with senior ministers, he backed Labor’s plan to recruit Pacific Islanders into the ADF, saying Fijians could fill the force’s 5000 vacancies. Rabuka called for a treaty with Australia to elevate ties beyond “political whims” and endorsed cooperation on development and security. He also praised Xi Jinping’s domestic achievements while warning against coercion in the Pacific. Rabuka will observe Fiji’s participation in Talisman Sabre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

>>109229

Chinese bases ‘not welcome’ in Pacific, says Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka

BEN PACKHAM - 3 July 2025

1/2

Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has called on fellow Pacific leaders to resist Chinese efforts to establish a military base in the region as he backed Labor’s push to recruit Fijians to the Australian Defence Force and flagged a new bilateral treaty with Australia.

Amid surging efforts by China to expand its security footprint in the Pacific, the former coup leader said Beijing should not be allowed to secure a military outpost in the region.

“Who would welcome them? Not Fiji,” he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. Mr Rabuka – one of the region’s most senior leaders – threw his support behind the Albanese government’s plan to recruit Pacific Islanders into the ADF, which is short more than 5000 personnel.

He said Fijians, more than 1500 of whom were serving in the British Army, could fill “the whole lot”.

“I would like to see it happen,” Mr Rabuka said.

Declaring the region’s outlook “more uncertain than at any time since Fiji’s independence in 1970”, Mr Rabuka said it was time to step up his country’s “Vuvale” (family) partnership with Australia to “an agreement or treaty”.

He said a bilateral treaty, which was being strongly backed by the Albanese government, would help address “neglected areas of development” while placing the countries’ relationship above politics.

“It will not be subject to the political whims of the winning parties in the various elections because there will be national treaties between sovereign states,” Mr Rabuka said.

The former military strongman, who has long been concerned about China’s growing influence in the Pacific, laid out a plan for a Pacific “ocean of peace” based on unity and co-operation among the region’s states.

In a veiled swipe at Beijing, he said Fiji expected “those from outside to respect our approaches and participate with us”. He said this meant respecting the “Pacific way”, refraining from “coercion” and respecting the environment.

“Right now, we are having to cope with a China that is big, really big, and has gotten powerful, and would probably like to spread its influence to the Pacific,” he said. “The Pacific leaders in all the recent discussions have tried to go for policies that are friendly to all and enemy to none. It is a fairly tough call to steer. But is it possible? We need to hold hands. We need to encourage each other to be able to maintain that view.”

At the same time, he acknowledged China’s President Xi Jinping was a “great leader” for his country, lifting standards and economic development for his people.

Mr Rabuka’s comments follow Beijing’s failed push for a region-wide security pact, its controversial 2022 security agreement with Solomon Islands and its repeated attempts to do a similar deal with Papua New Guinea.

The Fijian Prime Minister is in Australia for a six-day visit with his defence, security and immigration ministers. He and Anthony Albanese will watch the country’s Flying Fijians rugby union team go up against the Wallabies on Sunday.

Mr Rabuka also will visit a company of Fijian soldiers taking part in Australia’s biggest military exercise, Talisman Sabre – his country’s biggest contingent yet to join the biennial war games.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23269751 (031006ZJUL25) Notable: ‘No effective treatment’: man dies after first case of rare bat virus confirmed – A man in his 50s from northern NSW has died after contracting Australian bat lyssavirus, marking the first confirmed case in the state and only the fourth nationally since 1996. NSW Health said he was bitten by a bat several months ago and later hospitalised in critical condition. Authorities warned there is “no effective treatment” once symptoms begin, which progress rapidly to paralysis and death. In 2024, 118 people required medical assessment after bat bites or scratches. Officials urged the public to avoid handling bats and to seek urgent treatment if bitten.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

‘No effective treatment’: man dies after first case of rare bat virus confirmed

HOLLY TRUELOVE - 3 July 2025

A northern NSW man has died after being bitten by a bat, in the first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus in NSW.

The man, in his 50s, was bitten by a bat several months ago and had been in a critical condition in hospital, but on Thursday NSW Health confirmed he had died.

“We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” NSW Health said in a statement.

Health authorities have urged people to stay away from bats, warning that there is “no effective treatment” for the rare virus – a close relative to the rabies virus.

The virus is transmitted from infected bat saliva to humans through a bat bite or scratch.

NSW Health Director in Health Protection Keira Glasgow described the case as “very tragic” and said further investigations were under way to understand if other factors contributed to the man’s illness.

“This is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, and the fourth case in Australia,” Ms Glasgow said.

“It is incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start … sadly there is no effective treatment.”

Only three cases of human infection with bat lyssavirus (ABLV) have been recorded since the virus was first identified in 1996, according to NSW Health. All three cases were in Queensland and all died as a result of ABLV infection after bites or scratches by bats.

The early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, fever and fatigue. The illness progresses rapidly to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death, usually within a week or two.

NSW Health said 118 people required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats in 2024.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment.

Ms Glasgow said people should wash the wound for 15 minutes and apply an antiseptic with antivirus action, before they are treated with rabies immunoglobulin and a rabies vaccine.

Australian bat lyssavirus can be found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats.

Authorities are advising people who see a distressed, injured or trapped bat to contact WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service - 1300 094 737) or a local wildlife rescue group.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/health/medical/no-effective-treatment-man-in-critical-condition-as-first-case-of-rare-bat-virus-confirmed/news-story/30cb3c5ecf056a0252d0dd9a1c1ddba9

https://www.wires.org.au/

https://www.wires.org.au/report-a-rescue

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23278968 (050647ZJUL25) Notable: PM wants ‘full force of the law’ as Sussan Ley, Josh Frydenberg slam ‘hate’ in Melbourne anti-Jewish attacks – Anthony Albanese condemned Friday night’s synagogue arson and violent protest at Israeli restaurant Miznon, vowing anti-Semites “must face the full force of the law.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called the attacks “evil,” while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said, “This is not protest. This is hate.” Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg labelled it a “hate crime,” and opposition spokesman Julian Leeser called it “a very sad day for Australia.” Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel branded the incidents “terrorism” and accused Canberra of weakness against rising antisemitism.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

PM wants ‘full force of the law’ as Sussan Ley, Josh Frydenberg slam ‘hate’ in Melbourne anti-Jewish attacks

RICHARD FERGUSON - 5 July 2025

1/2

Anthony Albanese has called on anti-Semites who terrorised Melbourne’s Jewish community on Friday night to face the “full force of the law”.

The Prime Minister has talked to Victorian police minister Anthony Carbines and been briefed by both ASIO and the federal police on Friday’s incidents.

The Prime Minister has made his first comments after a man tried to set the East Melbourne synagogue on fire while 20 people were inside having a Shabbat dinner, while in a separate incident, customers and staff a CBD restaurant were left screaming as rioters tried to break in while chanting “death to the IDF.”

Mr Albanese said in a statement that the Commonwealth would do everything it could to help the Victorian state government and Victoria police to find justice.

“Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia,” Mr Albanese said.

“Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has called the attacks “abhorrent” and “evil”.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also condemned the attacks, describing them as ‘horrifying’.

“This is not protest,” she wrote on social media platform X. “This is hate. And it has no place in Australia.” Other leaders including former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg called for more action and protection against rising anti-Semitism.

Israel, meanwhile, weighed in, branding the firebombing attack on thesynagogue and a targeted protest at the restaurant as acts of “terrorism”, and accused Australia of failing to confront the surge of violent anti-Semitism.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said the attacks were not only assaults on the Jewish and Israeli communities, but a threat to Australia’s democratic values.

“The horrifying attacks overnight on a synagogue and an Israeli business in Melbourne are yet another reminder of how far racist, antisemitic hate crimes have spread in the heart of Australia,” Ms Haskel said in a statement to The Australian.

“Targeting Jewish houses of worship and an Israeli restaurant is terrorism, aimed at intimidating an entire community simply because of their religion and identity. These attacks are not just assaults on Jews or Israelis – they are assaults on Australian values of tolerance, diversity, and freedom.”

Ms Haskel said the Australian government had failed to implement “real consequences” for individuals and groups spreading anti-Semitic hate and inciting violence, warning the “weakness” would only embolden extremists.

“Let me be clear: these attacks are happening because, for too long, there have been no real consequences for those spreading hate and inciting violence. Weakness and silence only embolden the extremists,” she said.

In a terrifying night for Melbourne’s Jewish community, police say a man entered the grounds of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Albert St about 8pm and poured flammable liquid over the front door before setting it alight then fleeing on foot.

Friday’s arson comes months after the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea was firebombed.

Counter-terrorism police in June executed raids across Melbourne’s northern suburbs as part of its months-long probe into the potential terrorist attack.

Police are yet to determine the motivation for the attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue but confirmed arson chemists and detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and investigating the possibility of a hate crime.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279036 (050729ZJUL25) Notable: Attempted synagogue firebombing no act of terror, say police – Victoria Police confirmed three anti-Semitic incidents in Melbourne, including an arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, but stopped short of declaring terrorism. Commander Zorka Dunstan said 20 worshippers escaped unharmed, while CCTV shows the suspect carrying a duffle bag before lighting the doors. Hours earlier, 20 protesters stormed Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon chanting “death to the IDF,” damaging property before police intervened. A third incident saw cars torched and spray-painted in Greensborough. All cases are under Counter-terrorism Command review, with police calling the crimes “abhorrent” but currently treating them as serious criminal acts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109252

Attempted synagogue firebombing no act of terror, say police

MOHAMMAD ALFARES and LYDIA LYNCH - 5 July 2025

1/2

Victoria Police have revealed a third anti-Semitic incident occurred in Melbourne on Saturday, as they stopped short of declaring the attempted firebombing of a synagogue a terrorist attack – despite confirming it was a targeted act that endangered 20 worshippers.

Addressing the media after releasing CCTV images of the suspected arsonist, Commander Zorka Dunstan said investigators were now examining three separate incidents, all under the scrutiny of the Counter-terrorism Command and local detectives.

The first, and most serious, was the deliberate arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, where an unknown man allegedly poured a flammable liquid over the front doors and set them alight around 8.05pm Friday.

Twenty people inside the synagogue for a Shabbat dinner were forced to evacuate through a rear exit. No injuries were reported, but police confirmed the building’s entrance was significantly damaged.

“I’d like to make it very clear that we do recognise that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent, but at this stage we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,” Commander Dunstan said.

“In the course of our investigation we will examine the intent and ideology of the person involved to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment we are categorising it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly.”

The second incident occurred in Melbourne’s CBD, when a splinter group of pro-Palestinian protesters from a broader “No Police at Protest” rally stormed Miznon, an Israeli-owned restaurant on Hardware Lane, and disrupted diners.

Police arrived quickly and moved the demonstrators on. A 28-year-old Footscray man was arrested for hindering police and later released on summons.

A third, previously unreported incident occurred at 4.30am Saturday at a Greensborough business on Para Road, where three cars were set alight and spray-painted with graffiti. One vehicle was destroyed; the others were damaged.

“That business has been subject to some pro-Palestinian activity in the past, and that’s why we’ve made that connection at this time,” Commander Dunstan said.

“In saying that, we haven’t made a full connection. We’re just continuing to investigate, and we thought we’d just bring it to your attention at this time.

All three incidents are being reviewed for potential links by detectives and counterterrorism authorities.

Suspect image released

An image of the attempted synagogue firebombing suspect, captured just before 8pm on Friday night, shows a man walking past the synagogue’s front gate holding what appears to be a dark duffle bag.

“The man depicted is perceived as being Caucasian in appearance, is believed to be aged in his 30s with a beard and long hair,” police said in a statement.

“He is pictured wearing a dark blue or black jumper, black pants and a black beanie.”

Twenty people were inside having a Shabbat dinner on Friday at the time of the attack, while in a separate incident a group of keffiyeh-wearing protesters stormed a Jewish-owned restaurant in the CBD.

“Everyone inside self-evacuated through the rear of the building and there have been no reports of injuries,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire which was contained to the front entrance.

“Police are still working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the fire including the motivation behind the incident. An arson chemist will be attending the scene and police are currently canvassing for CCTV footage.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279053 (050754ZJUL25) Notable: ‘Kindy cops’ sent in to police childcare as top operator installs CCTV cameras – The federal government will introduce laws allowing “kindy cops” to carry out unannounced inspections after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with sexually abusing eight babies and toddlers, forcing 1200 children to undergo STI tests. Education Minister Jason Clare vowed to cut funding to centres prioritising profit over safety, calling delays in reform “too bloody long.” Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest chain, is rolling out CCTV across 653 centres, while Early Childhood Australia warned staff shortages encourage corner-cutting. Clare dismissed calls to ban men from childcare, stressing systemic safeguards, not gender bans, are required.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109236

>>109238

‘Kindy cops’ sent in to police childcare as top operator installs CCTV cameras

NATASHA BITA - July 03, 2025

1/2

Commonwealth “kindy cops’’ will carry out snap inspections of childcare centres, as the nation’s biggest childcare chain installs CCTV cameras across hundreds of daycare centres.

New powers of entry for fraud officers to conduct unannounced spot checks of daycare centres will be part of childcare safety legislation to be introduced to federal parliament within weeks.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said it was “sickening and serious’’ that 1200 young children had to be tested for STDs this week after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with allegedly sexually abusing eight babies and toddlers in his care. He said governments had taken “too bloody long’’ to fix child-safety risks in daycare centres and announced new laws to punish centres that “put profit over quality and put child safety at risk’’.

“The big weapon that the federal government has to wield here is the funding that we provide to childcare centres,’’ Mr Clare said.

“It equates to about 70 per cent of the funding that runs a centre, and if they’re not keeping our kids safe then we need to cut off their funding.’’

The change means fraud teams will no longer require a warrant, or be accompanied by Australian Federal Police, to check if centres are fraudulently claiming to care for “ghost” children to pocket taxpayer subsidies.

The legislation will give the federal Education Department the power to cut childcare subsidies to centres with “egregious and continued breaches’’ of child safety and quality rules.

Childcare operators that persistently fail to meet minimum standards for childcare will be banned from opening centres.

Mr Clare said federal, state and territory governments must bring in a national register of childcare workers, and “fix’’ working-with-children checks to provide live notifications of criminal convictions. “That’s work that’s being led by attorneys-general, but it needs to be sped up,’’ he told the Seven Network.

“It’s a complicated system but people aren’t interested in bloody excuses, they’re interested in action. The implementation of those reforms has taken too bloody long, and they need to be accelerated.’’

Mr Clare hosed down suggestions that men be banned from working in childcare, noting that women had also abused and ­neglected children in daycare.

Australia’s largest childcare chain, not-for-profit Goodstart Early Learning, has revealed it is installing CCTV cameras across all 653 centres to “enhance safety and security, with strict privacy controls in place’’.

“CCTV has a role to play but it will never be a replacement for ­active supervision of every child by professional educators,’’ Goodstart said in a statement.

“Governments will have to consider how they fund a national program to support the rollout of CCTV in early learning centres as the costs are extremely high, in terms of installation costs, secure storage of data and ongoing monitoring or review.’’

Goodstart banned mobile phones from its centres in March this year, well ahead of national ban to start in September.

The company also employs more staff than the mandated ratio of one carer for every four ­babies in nursery rooms. “Our educators are also expected to work closely together to ensure they are in line of sight or in hearing of each other,’’ Goodstart said.

It said staff were not allowed to be alone with a child “if there is no professional reason for doing so’’, and they should avoid taking children to offices or staffrooms out of the sight of colleagues.

Staff do not put posters over windows that hinder line of sight.

Goodstart said: “We are very supportive of the proposed introduction of a national working-with-children check, improved reporting and information sharing between government agencies and increased funding for ­regulators.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279069 (050810ZJUL25) Notable: Queensland review into responses to child sexual abuse hears past complaints against Ashley Paul Griffith may not have been shared between agencies – A review into system responses to child sexual abuse has heard that reputation concerns, defamation fears, and unclear processes may have deterred agencies from raising concerns about convicted paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith, who abused children over two decades. The Child Death Review Board found “more than one complaint” was made to employers, regulators and police, but not always progressed or shared. Griffith retained a Blue Card until his 2022 arrest. The review warned the system gave a “false sense of security” and urged reforms before 2026.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109236

Queensland review into responses to child sexual abuse hears past complaints against Ashley Paul Griffith may not have been shared between agencies

Kate McKenna - 1 Jul 2025

1/2

Defamation fears and a focus on an organisation's "reputation" may act as a deterrent to raising concerns about childcare staff, a Queensland review into child sexual abuse responses has heard.

Paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith is appealing his life sentence after last year pleading guilty to abusing dozens of children over almost 20 years at childcare centres in Brisbane and in Italy.

The Child Death Review Board (CDRB) is currently reviewing system responses to child sexual abuse in Queensland — using Griffith's offending as a case study.

The latest progress report, published late last week, detailed what the review has heard so far, including that the early childhood education and care workforce is large and highly casualised, and pressures may impact the quality of recruitment processes, including the "robustness" of referee checks.

"[In addition] the prioritisation of an organisation's reputation, a fear of defamation and legal risks to organisations and individuals may act as a deterrent to raising or sharing concerns about a person, particularly where complaints have not been substantiated," the progress report said.

"Unclear information sharing processes and a fear of privacy breaches may also create an environment where early indicators of potential harm are minimised. This impacts the system's capacity to detect child sexual abuse, including by identifying patterns over time and across services."

Initial findings show 'more than one complaint' made against Griffith

Queensland police have previously said Griffith was subject to two reports about his behaviour in the two years leading up to his arrest, however there was "insufficient evidence to take action" at the time.

An internal inquiry found police investigated the claims appropriately.

The progress report said initial findings from the CDRB review show “more than one complaint” was made about Griffith to his employers, the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority and QPS.

"Of these complaints, the available information suggests they were not always progressed, and information was not shared between agencies," the report said.

"Prior complaints made to QPS did not proceed to prosecution. This meant that up until the offender's arrest in 2022, there were no pending investigations, charges or convictions against him, and he met all requirements to obtain and maintain a Blue Card."

Queensland's working with children check — the Blue Card screening process — looks for a charge or conviction for any offence in Australia, child protection prohibition orders, and domestic violence information.

The CDRB review has heard a "lack of understanding" of the limitations of the Blue Card system "may result in a false sense of security" in organisations where workers hold the card.

"The Blue Card system is not designed to collect information on early indicators of harm or to identify patterns over time and across organisations, particularly where complaints about a person have been investigated and found to be unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence," the progress report said.

"The implementation of a reportable conduct scheme in Queensland, which will commence in 2026, will improve the collation and sharing of this type of information."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279531 (051335ZJUL25) Notable: University of Pennsylvania to revoke transgender swimmer’s records and apologise to female swimmers – The University of Pennsylvania will revoke Lia Thomas’s swimming records and titles and issue apology letters to female athletes, under a resolution with the US Education Department. The deal comes after the Trump administration froze $US175m in Penn research funds while investigating whether allowing Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete in female categories breached Title IX, the federal law banning sex-based discrimination in education. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called it “the Trump effect in action.” Penn said it complied with NCAA rules at the time. NCAA now restricts women’s teams to those assigned female at birth.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73621 (pb)

University of Pennsylvania to revoke transgender swimmer’s records and apologise to female swimmers

SARA RANDAZZO - July 02, 2025

The University of Pennsylvania will revoke winning records of a transgender swimmer who competed for the school several years ago and issue apologies to affected female swimmers under a resolution announced Tuesday by the Education Department.

The resolution is the latest in the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to remake higher education. President Trump’s ire against universities has so far focused on accusations of tolerating antisemitism and criticisms of policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called Tuesday’s agreement (local time) an example of “the Trump effect in action.”

The administration had frozen $US175m ($266m) in federal research funds to the Ivy League university earlier this year while investigating whether Penn violated Title IX by allowing swimmer Lia Thomas to compete on the women’s team. While the resolution doesn’t mention any financial aspects, an Education Department spokeswoman said Tuesday the funds would be restored.

Thomas came out as transgender in the summer of 2019 after previously swimming on the men’s team and underwent hormone therapy during a cancelled Covid pandemic season. Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship after winning the 500-yard (457m) freestyle in 2022. Thomas holds three all-time school records in freestyle events and one relay record.

Penn agreed to remove any records, titles or recognitions “misappropriated by male athletes allowed to compete in female categories,” the Education Department said. The resolution also includes sending personalised apology letters to affected female swimmers, adopting “biology-based definitions” for the words “male” and “female” and issuing public statements.

Thomas is the only transgender athlete to have participated in women’s competitive athletics at Penn.

The university noted Tuesday that it complied with NCAA rules at the time Thomas competed and never set its own regulations around transgender athletes. NCAA in February announced new guidelines, following an executive order by Trump, that limit women’s athletic teams to those assigned female at birth.

“Our commitment to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all of our students is unwavering,” Penn President J Larry Jameson said Tuesday. “At the same time, we must comply with federal requirements.”

In February, three former Penn swimmers sued the school and the organisers of an Ivy League championship for allowing Thomas to compete, arguing it made the competition unfair.

Paula Scanlan, a former Penn swimmer not involved in the lawsuit, heralded the agreement in the Education Department announcement. “Today marks a momentous step in repairing the past mistreatment of female athletes, and forging a future where sex discrimination plays no role in limiting girls’ potential,” Scanlan said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/us-politics/penn-to-revoke-transgender-swimmers-records-and-apologise-to-female-swimmers/news-story/8b4271d7a62bf2f1f6890c34f235be75

https://qresear.ch/?q=Lia+Thomas

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279579 (051347ZJUL25) Notable: PNG woman Rosa Yakapus endured days of public torture. No one came to save her – Rosa Yakapus, in PNG’s Hela Province, was accused of sorcery in her estranged husband’s death and endured three days of brutal, public torture. Stripped naked, tied to a pole, and burned, she was assaulted with hot sticks and knives before being shot and thrown into a river. Villagers repeatedly called police, but officers lacked vehicles, fuel, and backup to intervene. Critics argue billions in Australian aid secure energy projects while women remain unprotected. Shared videos underline escalating sorcery-accusation violence and community paralysis. “The world is watching PNG. We need to do something,” said Sergeant Alice Arigo, urging cars, fuel, rations, and urgent arrests soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73607 (pb)

PNG woman Rosa Yakapus endured days of public torture. No one came to save her

AMANDA HODGE - 5 July 2025

1/2

On Tuesday this week, Papua New Guineans received a government phone alert that a new Australian-trained, counterterrorist unit – the latest beneficiary of hundreds of millions in funding – was being deployed with “shoot to kill” orders to address soaring tribal violence.

A day earlier, in Ugu village in PNG’s impoverished Hela Province, Rosa Yakapus, stripped naked and tied to a pole with her legs spread wide and a fire burning beneath her, was enduring a third day of extreme and very public torture over a sorcery allegation.

Her estranged husband, a man she had supported through teacher’s college only for him to marry another woman after his career took flight, had died of a suspected heart attack and his relatives had accused her of using witchcraft to kill him.

Graphic videos of Rosa’s ordeal circulating before her death and in the days since, including her assault with hot sticks and knives, have raised questions about the police response to such an extreme and public crime.

The Weekend Australian has been told a local community police officer at a Margarima police station, less then 40 minutes drive away from Ugu village, had fielded calls from several villagers alerting them to the ongoing torture. They hoped police could come and save her.

But no one rescued Rosa Yakapus.

The Margarima local community police officer was on his own with no car.

He called Sergeant Alice Arigo, the committed, lone family and gender violence officer in a region now riven with such crimes, who this week has been personally caring for two sorcery-related violence victims for lack of a local safe house.

She too had no car – after it was “requisitioned” by another station – and needed backup which took time to organise, time that Rosa Yakapus did not have.

Hela Province police commander Michael Heli, a two-hour drive away, was only 10 days into the job and still finding his feet when he too learned of Rosa’s ordeal. He ordered a car to be sent to Margarima but by the time it happened it was too late.

In a province where huge police and military resources are dedicated to protecting Chevron and Santos oil and LNG projects, there were apparently no resources available for a woman whose impending murder had been all-but broadcast through viral video.

Australia has sunk well over a billion dollars into building up PNG’s defence and police forces in the past decade, $637 million this year alone in development assistance, and another $600 million to support a Port Moresby-based National Rugby League team – all in the interests of geostrategic security.

Yet there were no vehicles, no fuel, no manpower to save Rosa, none either for at least two other women in her district killed weeks earlier in horrifically similar circumstances, nor for countless PNG women every year who face beatings, torture and sorcery-accusation related mob killings.

Australian money, it seems, has done little to improve their security.

In Rosa’s final hours another video shows her still naked, signs of torture on her body.

It is dark and she is blindfolded. Her head is hanging down and she is surrounded by a mob of men, some laughing, many taking video.

“Did you remove his heart?” one village leader is heard to ask.

In earlier videos she has protested her innocence but this time she weakly confesses.

She did take his heart, she says, but she can put it back and revive him if only they will allow her to go free.

It is a feeble and ultimately futile last effort to save her own life.

On Tuesday evening, after 72 hours of enduring the most extreme, humiliating and sexual-related violence – much of it reportedly committed in front of her five children – her death is recorded in one final video.

Rosa cowers weakly at the very edge of a bridge while a village mob looks on. A single gunshot rings out and her body falls into the river below.

“It took three days and nobody tried to stop it,” says Hela province Bishop Reverend Steven Bai who has called for all those responsible to surrender. “Even the police didn’t come on time. The problem was manpower and logistics.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23279623 (051356ZJUL25) Notable: Opinion: Torture, burning, murder: just the tip of the iceberg in PNG - “The case of a young woman tortured in front of a group of men before being murdered in Papua New Guinea, which Amanda Hodge describes in her article, is significant not because it’s unusual but because it is all too common. Many, many more cases go unrecorded in any way. Bodies are silently buried, or disposed of in rivers, or thrown down pit toilets. Survivors flee their communities and become refugees, constantly looking over their shoulder, worried about what will happen when their new neighbours learn about their history. Most government officials in PNG now accept that this happens on a regular basis and at scale. I have been working in the space of what is now called sorcery accusation related violence in Papua New Guinea since 2013. This has been difficult work, but we have started to see some positive developments. Most government officials in PNG now accept that this happens on a regular basis and at scale. PNG has also passed a holistic national action plan to address sorcery accusation related violence, ... And yet, the violence and the cases continue. The national action plan has been desperately underfunded. The response is overwhelmingly reactive rather than preventive.” - Miranda Forsyth, Director of the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks - The Australian.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73607 (pb)

>>109257

Torture, burning, murder: just the tip of the iceberg in PNG

MIRANDA FORSYTH - 5 July 2025

In my work as Director of the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks I am regularly sent images of the most shocking and gruesome violence to women, related to witchcraft accusations.

The case of a young woman tortured in front of a group of men before being murdered in Papua New Guinea, which Amanda Hodge describes in her article, is significant not because it’s unusual but because it is all too common.

I am told about such cases on a depressingly regular basis, sometimes with, and sometimes without, video footage or photographs. Most cases involve an element of public torture and collective violence. Most are triggered by a death or sickness.

But frequent as these cases are, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Many, many more cases go unrecorded in any way. Bodies are silently buried, or disposed of in rivers, or thrown down pit toilets. Survivors flee their communities and become refugees, constantly looking over their shoulder, worried about what will happen when their new neighbours learn about their history. The fact that an entire community often supports these kinds of attacks and the consequent fear of repercussions, means that cases are seldom reported to police, and even more infrequently result in a prosecution.

I have been working in the space of what is now called sorcery accusation related violence in Papua New Guinea since 2013. Over this time, I have sought to reveal and map the extreme human rights abuses associated with accusations of sorcery.

In one detailed mapping exercise, I recorded 1039 accusation incidents involving 1553 accused persons in four out of the 23 provinces (less than 2 million people) in PNG, over a four-year period. In total, 318 people, either died or survived serious harm during this period, just over half of whom were women.

This has been difficult work, but we have started to see some positive developments. Most government officials in PNG now accept that this happens on a regular basis and at scale.

PNG has also passed a holistic national action plan to address sorcery accusation related violence, and there are many activists and donor programs working in the area. Many use WhatsApp or other social media to network with local leaders and sympathetic police officers and each other.

And yet, the violence and the cases continue. Many police officers are apathetic, overwhelmed or on the side of the community. The national action plan has been desperately underfunded. The response is overwhelmingly reactive rather than preventive.

Through my work on sorcery accusation related violence in PNG I came to know about individuals and organisations around the world working on similar problems.

In 2021 the UN Human Rights Council passed the Resolution on the Elimination of Harmful practices related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks which documented more than 20,000 cases of harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations in more than 60 countries over a 10 year period, between 2009 and 2019.

The resolution formally recognised at an international level the scale of the problem for the first time and highlighted the urgent need for governments across the world to take action.

But it is just the start of the journey, rather than the end.

Miranda Forsyth is the Director of the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks.

This article is an edited version of a speech she gave at the exhibition ‘Witch Hunts in the 21st Century: A Human Rights Catastrophe’, which can be seen at the Moot Court Foyer, ANU Law School until Tuesday July 8.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/torture-burning-murder-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-in-png/news-story/7216208714ded4b496b23306820c5f3f

https://www.anu.edu.au/events/witch-hunts-in-the-21st-century-a-human-rights-catastrophe-photography-exhibition-launch

https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/miranda-forsyth

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23283192 (060900ZJUL25) Notable: Albanese urged to reassure Trump after Curtin speech – Anthony Albanese’s John Curtin Research Centre address, praising independence in foreign policy, has sparked warnings it could be misread in Washington while AUKUS is under review. Former ambassador Arthur Sinodinos urged a diplomatic “charm offensive” to reassure the Trump administration the alliance remains strong, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the speech’s timing risked weakening ties. Ex-Home Affairs chief Mike Pezzullo argued Albanese overlooked Curtin’s pre-war push for defence preparedness and self-reliance, while analyst Michael Shoebridge criticised the speech as ill-timed before Albanese’s fourth meeting with Xi Jinping, noting Albanese has yet to meet Trump face-to-face.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73662 (pb)

>>109259

>>109260

Albanese urged to reassure Trump after Curtin speech

GREG BROWN and JOE KELLY - 6 July 2025

1/2

Former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos has urged the Albanese government to assure the Trump administration it is not going its own way on foreign policy, amid concerns a weekend speech by Anthony Albanese will be viewed negatively in Washington as AUKUS is being reviewed.

Mr Sinodinos called for a diplomatic charm offensive after the Prime Minister hailed John Curtin for pursuing an independent foreign policy that was “not bound by tradition”.

Mr Albanese’s speech, at the John Curtin Research Centre on Saturday, identified the former prime minister’s role in establishing Australia’s alliance with the US during World War II.

While he called the alliance a “pillar of our foreign policy” and “our most important defence and security partnership”, Mr Albanese also declared it was “not the extent” of Curtin’s foreign policy agenda.

“Because Curtin’s famous statement that Australia ‘looked to America’ was much more than the idea of trading one strategic guarantor for another. Or swapping an alliance with the old world for one with the new,” Mr Albanese said in the speech.

“It was a recognition that Australia’s fate would be decided in our region.”

Mr Albanese will travel to China at the end of the week and is expected to have his fourth meeting with Xi Jinping before securing one with Donald Trump.

While Mr Sinodinos defended the content of the speech, he said the context of the relationship with the Trump administration – including the review of AUKUS and a failure to secure a leader-to-leader meeting – made a “careful explanation” necessary.

“Given the context of Australia-US relations at present, the speech will need careful explanation to our American friends to avoid a misconception that was hyped that the speech would be a declaration of independence from the US,” Mr Sinodinos said.

“The speech is about Australia taking foreign policy decisions in its own interest including turning to the US in World War II, and frames that pivot in terms of our security interest in the region.

“The speech makes clear that the alliance has bipartisan support in Australia.”

Sussan Ley questioned the timing of Mr Albanese’s speech on Saturday night, arguing the relationship with Washington “remains as much in our national interest today as it did during John Curtin’s prime ministership”.

“Many Australians will wonder whether this speech at this time was in our national interest, given so many things crucial to Australia’s future are currently being considered by the US administration,” the Opposition Leader said.

“At a time of global uncertainty, growing conflict and a growing list of issues in the Australia-United States relationship, now is a time to build our influence in Washington, not diminish it.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23283300 (061014ZJUL25) Notable: Protesters continue anti-IDF chant at Melbourne rally following antisemitic attacks – At a Melbourne rally on Sunday, children led chants of “Death to the IDF” just 48 hours after an arson attack on East Melbourne Synagogue forced 20 worshippers to flee. Organisers condemned the synagogue attack, but police continue to probe links between Miznon restaurant agitators and known violent protest groups. Angelo Loras, 34, was charged with the synagogue arson and remanded until July 22. State Opposition Leader Brad Battin demanded stronger police powers, while Jewish MP David Southwick accused Premier Jacinta Allan’s government of delaying promised protections, leaving Victoria’s Jewish community “under siege.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109252

>>109263

Protesters continue anti-IDF chant at Melbourne rally following antisemitic attacks

Kieran Rooney - July 6, 2025

1/2

Pro-Palestinian advocates including children chanted “Death to the IDF” at a demonstration in Melbourne less than 48 hours after an antisemitic attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

The chants came after a number of leaders of the pro-Palestinian protest condemned the attempted firebombing of an East Melbourne synagogue on Friday while children and families were inside.

Despite a rally organiser’s condemnation of the attack during the protest, two pre-teen Melbourne sisters, who had previously made moving remarks about the suffering of children their age in Gaza, then led chants of “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” and “Death, death to the IOF [Israeli Occupying Force]“.

On the same night as Friday’s synagogue attack, a group of 20 people stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD, upturning tables, distressing diners and chanting “Death to the IDF”.

Police are also investigating a third incident, on Saturday morning, in which three cars were set on fire and the wall of a business in Melbourne’s north-east was spray-painted with graffiti.

The protest and the chants came after political leaders hit out at the protests which came two days after Friday night’s incidents.

On Sunday, counterterrorism detectives charged Sydney man Angelo Loras over the alleged arson attack at the synagogue, while police continue to investigate the incident at Miznon. The 34-year-old appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday and was remanded until July 22. The court heard it was the accused’s first time custody.

Police said they were still trying to determine whether to classify the alleged arson as an act of terror. They continue to investigate the instigators of the antisemitic incident at Miznon on Friday night.

A police source, who cannot be identified speaking about operational matters, said at least one of those who invaded the restaurant was part of a group known to counter-terrorism police for sometimes organising left-wing protests that turned violent.

Victoria Police declined to comment on the identity of the person or the nature of the groups involved.

At the protest on Sunday, an organiser who did not wish to be identified opened the event by condemning the attack on the synagogue where 20 worshippers were gathered for a meal on the weekly Jewish holy day of Shabbat, on Friday night.

She later told this masthead: “We’ve always stood against antisemitism; attacks on synagogues, worshipping and praying. That’s not what we stand for, and we condemn the attacks.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23288285 (070927ZJUL25) Notable: The Australia-first words that Sussan Ley says could diminish US relationship – Anthony Albanese used the John Curtin Research Centre oration to highlight Australia’s foreign policy independence, praising Curtin’s decision to prioritise national defence over US and UK demands during WWII. Albanese framed the alliance as “a product of Curtin’s leadership, not the extent of it,” under the banner of “progressive patriotism.” Opposition Leader Sussan Ley sharply criticised the timing, warning that with the Trump administration reviewing AUKUS and tariffs, Australia should “build our influence in Washington, not diminish it.” Ley argued many Australians would question whether such a speech was in the national interest given critical US decisions looming.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109259

>>109260

The Australia-first words that Sussan Ley says could diminish US relationship

Paul Sakkal - July 6, 2025

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has questioned the wisdom of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to emphasise Australia’s foreign policy independence while the Trump administration reviews the future of the AUKUS defence pact.

On the eve of his meeting in China with President Xi Jinping next week, Albanese used the 80th anniversary of the death of Labor’s wartime prime minister John Curtin to talk up Curtin’s Australia-first instincts.

“John Curtin is rightly honoured as the founder of Australia’s alliance with the United States. A pillar of our foreign policy … that commands bipartisan support, respect and affection,” Albanese said at the John Curtin Research Centre’s annual oration in Sydney on Saturday.

“Yet our alliance with the US ought to be remembered as a product of Curtin’s leadership in defence and foreign policy, not the extent of it.

“As Paul Keating put it in his John Curtin Memorial Lecture: ‘Curtin began us thinking in our own terms’.

“So we remember Curtin not just because he looked to America. We honour him because he spoke for Australia.”

Curtin is feted for shifting Australia’s primary allegiance from London to Washington, but Albanese hailed Curtin’s decision to stand up to both powers by bringing troops back to defend Australia, rather than sending them to Burma. In putting Australia first, Albanese said Curtin avoided a “disaster”.

Albanese placed his reflections on Curtin under the banner of “progressive patriotism”, a phrase he has used repeatedly since first mentioning it in this masthead’s Inside Politics podcast in May.

But with Albanese now unable to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump, even as the AUKUS defence pact is being reviewed by the Pentagon and Australia is lobbying for exemptions to US tariffs, Sussan Ley argued it was the wrong time to inch away from the US.

“At a time of global uncertainty, growing conflict and a growing list of issues in the Australia-United States relationship, now is a time to build our influence in Washington, not diminish it,” she said in a statement.

“Many Australians will wonder whether this speech at this time was in our national interest, given so many things crucial to Australia’s future are currently being considered by the US administration.”

The AUKUS defence pact is a trilateral agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that will allow Australia to acquire nuclear submarine capabilities.

James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said that since John Howard it was unusual for Australian prime ministers to speak positively about a more independent foreign policy not tied solely to US interests.

“It’s not entirely inconsistent with where Albanese has been headed,” Laurenceson said, pointing to remarks from Trade Minister Don Farrell about growing trade with China following Trump’s tariffs.

Laurenceson said Albanese would be confident that the Australian public was comfortable with his coming meeting with Xi occurring before a face-to-face with Trump, pointing to polling showing Trump’s unpopularity in Australia. Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said on Sky News on Sunday that “it is embarrassing” Albanese had not yet met Trump.

Sydney University international affairs historian James Curran said there was a contradiction in putting a spotlight on sovereignty at a time when Australia was tying itself more firmly into US military framework through the AUKUS submarine pact.

He said Albanese’s speech was significant because it came at a time when the US was pressuring allies to boost defence spending and contain a rising power in China.

“While it’s not a new strategic doctrine, it is saying that there are times when Australia has to determine its own destiny,” Curran said.

“After the best part of two decades, in which the culture of the alliance has been awash in the sentimental claptrap of ‘100 years of mateship’, it’s not necessarily a bad thing for the loose cannons in the Trump administration – who are perhaps getting used to allies capitulating – to hear an Australian PM saying that, from time to time, Australia needs to express itself differently.”

During the election campaign, Albanese and his ministers used Trump’s haphazard approach to discredit the Peter Dutton-led Coalition, whose policy agenda and style had similarities with the US president’s.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/the-australia-first-words-that-sussan-ley-says-are-a-threat-to-the-us-relationship-20250706-p5mcve.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23288298 (070941ZJUL25) Notable: Washington will not be impressed by Anthony Albanese’s Curtin call … but Beijing will lap it up – “Anthony Albanese’s John Curtin oration was ‘astonishingly ahistorical’ and dangerously misleading. By misrepresenting Curtin’s legacy to suggest a lesson of distance from the US, Albanese risks weakening the alliance while flattering Beijing. Curtin placed Australian troops under US command and sought deeper imperial defence links, yet Albanese cherry-picks one dispute with Churchill as proof of independence. With defence spending stagnant, Albanese’s rhetoric is hollow and irresponsible, and this silly speech will do nothing to convince Washington there is a serious government in Canberra.” – Greg Sheridan, The Australian

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109259

>>109260

Washington will not be impressed by Anthony Albanese’s Curtin call ... but Beijing will lap it up

GREG SHERIDAN - 6 July 2025

1/2

Is Anthony Albanese actually trying, intentionally, for reasons best known to himself, to diminish, if not undermine, the US-Australia alliance?

How else to explain his bizarre “look away from America” speech about John Curtin, and the lesson for contemporary Australia to keep its distance from the US?

What byzantine thought processes in the PM’s office produced this astonishingly ahistorical, if not slightly dotty, speech about Curtin, misinterpreting the wartime leader – who placed all Australian troops under the command of US General Douglas MacArthur, who wanted to make Australia “a second Britannia in the Antipodes”, who in his own words feared “the teeming millions of coloured races” to Australia’s north and who therefore argued for re-establishing imperial defence centred on Britain once the war ended – into a modern identity politics kumbaya Asianist?

Of course, it’s not the misrepresentation of Curtin’s historical record in this speech that is so perplexing. It’s the dangerous rhetorical and political purposes to which Albanese seeks to put this misinterpretation that is worrying. Who on earth is Albanese messaging in this speech? Because it implies greater Australian strategic distance from the US, it will be welcomed in Beijing. But the Prime Minister is surely overdoing things here. There’s already been enough sucking up to Beijing to ensure a favourable reception in his forthcoming extended trip to China.

What does the speech say to Washington? That Australia knows better than the Americans? Surely that’s the implication of the tired, tedious, droolingly unspecific tacit call for greater independence within the alliance. Greater independence and self-reliance would obviously require a vastly increased defence budget. What price logic in this speech?

It’s worth noting that as the PM prepares for his fourth meeting with Xi Jinping but apparently won’t go to Washington to meet Donald Trump, he’s now making strategic speeches more welcome in Beijing than in Washington.

Back to Curtin. In the 1930s, a decade of comprehensive bipartisan defence failure by Australia, which led to the nation being wholly unprepared for World War II, Curtin at least notionally supported defence self-reliance.

Albanese would say he promotes Australian defence self-reliance, too, and also supports the US alliance. But here’s the most basic of the countless contradictions. You cannot do defence self-reliance while failing to produce a formidable Australian Defence Force. And you can’t have a formidable ADF with our current pathetic defence budget.

Defence expenditure was 2 per cent of GDP when Albanese came to office in 2022, it’s 2.05 per cent of GDP now. The dollar increase in the defence budget is a result mainly of inflation and population growth. The real increase in defence spending is minuscule.

The Albanese government has embarked on a program to acquire nuclear submarines, which eats up vast amounts of money without substantially increasing defence spending. As a result, we are weaker militarily now than when Albanese was elected. That’s not independence or self-reliance, it’s national irresponsibility of the kind Curtin fought against. Washington has noticed that Albanese is not remotely funding even the capabilities identified as urgent in his government’s own Defence Strategic Review.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23288313 (070952ZJUL25) Notable: Victorian government announces new police taskforce in wake of 'sickening' antisemitic attacks – The Victorian government has launched an Anti-Hate Taskforce after antisemitic attacks across Melbourne, including an arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation that forced 20 worshippers to flee. Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the “sickening crime” and pledged stronger police powers, saying the taskforce would “look at the bigger picture” of hate across Victoria. A 34-year-old Sydney man has been charged. Other incidents included protesters storming Israeli restaurant Miznon, cars torched in Greensborough, and antisemitic graffiti near a Holocaust museum. Anthony Albanese called the attacks “completely unacceptable.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109252

>>109263

Victorian government announces new police taskforce in wake of 'sickening' antisemitic attacks

abc.net.au - 7 July 2025

The Victorian government has announced a new Anti-Hate Taskforce following a spate of antisemitic attacks in Melbourne over the weekend.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the taskforce would work to crack down on antisemitism after a synagogue in Melbourne's east was set on fire on Friday.

Twenty people were forced to flee the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation after a man allegedly poured flammable liquid on the front door and set it on fire during a Shabbat meal.

A 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the incident, briefly appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.

He has been remanded in custody until later this month.

Ms Allan thanked Victoria Police for its swift actions over what she described as a "sickening crime".

"Places of worship like this synagogue are a part of our fabric as a society," she said.

"We will protect them with everything we've got."

Visiting the synagogue in East Melbourne on Monday morning, the premier said she spoke with the Jewish congregation about the "horrific, hateful experience".

"If you consider just as the fire came to the front door here of this shul, but it was stopped - so too must we put a stop to hate, put a stop to antisemitism," she said.

"Which is why alongside pledging my support and my government's support … we spoke about the future. How hate needs to stop, how the Anti-Hate Taskforce will be convened.

"I will continue to stand with the strong, proud Jewish community here in Victoria every single day."

She said a new Anti-Hate Taskforce between governments and police would "look at the bigger picture across our city and state" and vowed to increase police powers to enforce tougher protest laws rolled out earlier this year.

The taskforce is expected to hold its first meeting this week.

Weekend of incidents

Shortly after the attack on the synagogue, about 20 protesters interrupted diners at an Israeli-owned restaurant in the CBD.

In a statement posted to social media, the group behind a No Police at Protests movement said it targeted the restaurant because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal.

Mr Segal is a spokesman for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli and US-backed organisation that has been criticised for how it distributes aid in Gaza.

But the group denied that incident was linked to the attack at the synagogue.

"Pro-Palestinian activists have never attacked places of worship, and we condemn such attacks," the statement read.

On Saturday afternoon, police revealed a business in Greensborough was also targeted.

"It's understood that unknown offenders attended a business on Para Road and set fire to three cars," Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said.

"They also used spray paint on the cars and a building wall. One of the cars was destroyed, the other two were moderately damaged."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the weekend incidents.

"It is completely unacceptable the attack that occurred at a restaurant in Melbourne, and also the attack on a business in the outer suburbs of Melbourne," Mr Albanese said on Saturday night.

"The fact that people were having a peaceful dinner and were disrupted by this act of violence could have had catastrophic consequences."

On Sunday afternoon, police said they were also investigating antisemitic graffiti near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick in Melbourne's south-east.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-07/victoria-government-taskforce-antisemitism-police/105501252

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23288425 (071042ZJUL25) Notable: Eight PNG men arrested over murder of ‘sorcery’ accused – Eight men in Papua New Guinea have been arrested for the torture and murder of Rosa Yakapus, accused of sorcery after her estranged husband’s suspected heart attack. Yakapus was stripped, tied to a pole over fire, tortured with hot implements and finally shot dead at a bridge, her body falling into a river. Police said suspects surrendered after community leaders intervened and face life sentences for torture, murder and illegal confinement. Prime Minister James Marape called the crime a “national shame”, while NGOs and Education Minister Lucas Dawa Dekena warned sorcery-violence is escalating and threatens PNG’s social fabric.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73607 (pb)

>>109257

>>109258

Eight PNG men arrested over murder of ‘sorcery’ accused

STAFF WRITERS - 7 July 2025

Eight Papua New Guinean men have been arrested for the torture and murder of a young woman over a sorcery allegation, with the country’s Prime Minister condemning the horror act as a “national shame”.

The arrests were made after community leaders reportedly intervened and helped detain the men, who had subjected Rosa Yakapus to three days of extreme torture before shooting her dead in the impoverished Hela district.

The Australian reported at the weekend that Ms Yakapus was stripped naked and beaten before being tied to a pole over a fire, after her estranged husband died of a suspected heart attack and his relatives accused her of using witchcraft to kill him.

She was then taken to a bridge where, surrounded by laughing men, she was shot – with her body falling into the river below.

Villagers had alerted a local community police officer at a Margarima police station, less than 40 minutes’ drive from Ms Yakapus’s Ugu village, but without a car he couldn’t reach her in time.

Police Chief Superintendent Michael Welly said after the arrests the murder was “condemned by leaders at all levels as both criminal and barbaric”. He said local leaders had liaised with police to facilitate the “voluntary surrender” of the suspects, including the man who had shot Ms Yakapus dead.

Chief Superintendent Welly said more suspects had been identified and would also be detained. They faced charges of torture, murder and illegal confinement, and could be jailed for life if found guilty, he said.

Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the arrests, saying PNG had been embarrassed internationally by recurring incidents of sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) and murders.

“This is not who we are. We are a Christian country. We are a country with laws,” he said. “This cannot continue. We must end this once and for all.”

James Komengi, one of a few NGO, church and police workers battling the violence in PNG’s Highlands, said he hoped there would now be a momentum towards preventing the brutality instead of reacting to it.

Mr Komengi, who had told The Australian he feared SARV would become normalised if the government didn’t address it, said: “My hope is that we take advantage of this momentum against perpetrators here to promote a change in the narratives for development towards taking a preventive approach instead of being reactive.”

PNG Education Minister Lucas Dawa Dekena said he feared the sharing of the videos of Ms Yakapus’s suffering highlighted the potential for normalisation of such violence.

“These are not just isolated incidents, they are a direct assault on the fabric of our society,” he said. “Such horrific acts have no place in Papua New Guinea.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/eight-png-men-arrested-over-murder-of-sorcery-accused/news-story/0148af5bc0f7ec764f31940e33eb1464

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/leaders-condemn-animalistic-behaviour-in-hela-killing/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/lae-front-and-back-page/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/sorcery-a-national-shame-must-end/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/death-bed-accusation-leads-to-murder/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/k50000-reward-offered-for-hela-murder-suspects1/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23288479 (071102ZJUL25) Notable: Q Post #4207 - The Armor of God - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Q - https://qanon.pub/#4207

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73607 (pb)

>>109257

>>109258

>>109270

Eight suspects over sorcery torture and shooting in police custody

MIRIAM ZARRIGA - JULY 6, 2025

Police Commander Chief Superintendent Michael Welly said: “A woman in Magarima, Hela Province, tortured and murdered over accusations of Sorcery was condemned by leaders at all levels as both criminal and barbaric, prompting the immediate launch of a police-led manhunt supported by provincial and community leadership.”

Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Magarima MP, Manasseh Makiba, visited Magarima and formally launched the operation to pursue and apprehend the suspects. They appealed for community cooperation and the peaceful surrender of those involved.

By Saturday, PPC Welly said, “Local leaders, Magarima District CEO, and police teams engaged communities and facilitated voluntary surrenders.”

“Police units deployed from Tari conducted coordinated arrests on Sunday.”

Eight (8) suspects were taken into custody, including the individual who allegedly pulled the trigger,” PPC Welly confirmed.

All arrested persons have been transported to Tari Police Station for formal processing.

He confirmed additional suspects have been positively identified.

“Some individuals are believed to be from Biango Village, Kandep District, Enga Province, requiring cross-border cooperation with Enga police.”

Sorcery-related killings are fully prosecutable under PNG’s Criminal Code. The Sorcery Act was repealed in 2013, making it clear that sorcery accusations do not justify violence.

Offenders are subject to charges including murder, torture, and unlawful confinement, with potential penalties of life imprisonment, PPC Welly added.

“The success of this operation underscores the importance of proactive leadership and strong community-police collaboration. Hela Province continues to demonstrate that justice is achievable when leaders work on the ground with law enforcement.”

“The direct involvement of Governor Undialu and Minister Makiba, coupled with decisive police action, sends a strong message: sorcery-related violence will not be tolerated in Hela Province.”

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/eight-suspects-over-sorcery-torture-and-shooting-in-police-custody/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/k50000-reward-offered-for-hela-murder-suspects1/

—

Q Post #4207

May 11 2020 12:05:59 (EST)

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Q

https://qanon.pub/#4207

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23293950 (080956ZJUL25) Notable: Anthony Albanese to launch plan to tackle anti-Semitism ‘in days’ – Anthony Albanese will unveil a new anti-Semitism strategy with special envoy Jillian Segal after synagogue and restaurant attacks in Melbourne. Albanese labelled anti-Semitism a “scourge” and pledged stronger protections for Jewish schools, synagogues and organisations. Segal’s plan, informed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s 15-point blueprint, is expected to focus on violent slogans, education reforms and visa rules. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said recent events showed “a violent ideology that not only chants ‘death to Zionists’ but threatens police, elected officials and public safety … the intifada is being globalised.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109252

>>109268

Anthony Albanese to launch plan to tackle anti-Semitism ‘in days’

RICHARD FERGUSON - 8 July 2025

1/2

A new strategy to combat hate will be unveiled by Anthony ­Albanese and his special envoy on anti-Semitism after a resurgence of ­attacks on the Jewish community over the weekend.

Jewish leader Jillian Segal is working on a comprehensive set of proposals for Labor to consider, following the alleged attempted firebombing of a synagogue and the trashing of an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday said he was committed to working with Ms Segal to end the “scourge” of anti-Semitism, but dismissed Sussan Ley’s call for an emergency national cabinet to discuss the hate-crime crisis.

“Jillian Segal has been doing a terrific job, and over the coming days we’ll have more to say. But, of course, we have responded substantially with increased security for synagogues, for Jewish schools, for community organisations,” Mr Albanese said in ­Hobart.

“We’ll continue to engage constructively with the community to make sure that they get the support that they need. Anti-Semitism is a scourge. It has no place in Australia. And what we saw in Melbourne with the ­attacks that occurred are reprehensible, deserve condemnation and the gentleman concerned at the synagogue has been arrested and he should face the full force of the law.”

The Australian understands Ms Segal’s plan will incorporate elements of an Executive Council of Australian Jewry blueprint on combating anti-Semitism, which was released in February.

Sources close to the process believe the Segal proposal will not adopt all 15 points of the ECAJ plan, which includes a clampdown on violent anti-Israel slogans at protests, a new strategy to stamp out bigotry in classrooms, and a tightening of visa rules to keep anti-Semites out of ­Australia.

But ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin on Tuesday said he was pleased Mr Albanese was working closely with Ms Segal to “implement the policy responses the community has called for”.

“The events in Melbourne have, yet again, shown that we are confronted with a violent ideology that not only chants ‘death to Zionists’ but threatens the police, elected officials and public safety,” Mr Ryvchin told The ­Australian.

“They want to turn our CBDs into no-go zones and to pit groups of Australians against each other. They have infiltrated campuses, schools, cultural institutions. The intifada is being globalised exactly as promised.

“We await the government’s announcement on how it intends to restore public order and drive anti-Semitism back to the dark peripheries of society.”

Mr Albanese on Tuesday ­appeared to oppose the suggestion of a cross-jurisdictional taskforce on anti-Semitism when asked about merging state and federal police efforts.

“We have a task force and what we do is take on security issues, we take advice from security agencies,” he said. “That’s precisely what we have done.”

He nonetheless said that he had been receptive to requests by Jewish leaders about stemming rising anti-Semitism.

“I spoke with Jewish community leaders on Saturday,” he said. “Every time there has been a request, it has been met, ­expeditiously, and that has ­occurred.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23293962 (081002ZJUL25) Notable: Three charged over altercation at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in Melbourne CBD – Three people have been charged after protesters stormed Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in Melbourne on Friday night, hurling chairs and damaging a glass door. Police allege the accused — a 50-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and a 28-year-old woman — left a Swanston Street protest before targeting the venue. The incident occurred the same night as a synagogue arson attack and car fires in Greensborough, though police say no links are established. Miznon, partly owned by Gaza Humanitarian Foundation spokesman Shahar Segal, said it “welcomes people of all backgrounds” and condemned the violence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109252

>>109263

Three charged over altercation at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in Melbourne CBD

abc.net.au - 8 July 2025

Three people have been charged with assault, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after a group of protesters converged on an Israeli-owned restaurant in Melbourne's CBD on Friday night.

The group was a part of a larger cohort which had gathered on Swanston Street to protest the need for police presence at public demonstrations.

Police said about 20 people left that group about 8:15pm and went to the Miznon restaurant in Hardware Lane where patrons were having dinner.

Police allege several people in the group were involved in an altercation, where chairs were thrown and a glass door was damaged.

Three people — a 50-year-old man from Richmond, a 48-year-old woman from Footscray and a 28-year-old woman from Essendon have been charged with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage.

The incident occurred on the same night as a string of antisemitic incidents.

On Friday night the door of a synagogue in East Melbourne was set alight while 20 congregants were inside.

Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over that incident.

A business in the north-eastern suburb of Greensborough also had three cars torched about 4:30am the next day.

Police said on Monday no links between any of the incidents had been identified.

Miznon restaurant says venue welcomes people of all backgrounds

In a statement posted to social media, the group behind a No Police at Protests movement said it targeted the restaurant because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal.

Mr Segal is a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli and US-backed organisation that has been criticised for how it distributes aid in Gaza.

But the group denied that incident was linked to the attack at the synagogue.

"Pro-Palestinian activists have never attacked places of worship, and we condemn such attacks," the statement read.

A statement released by Miznon on Tuesday said the events on Friday had had a "profound impact" on staff.

"We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome. Our greatest joy is to feed people from every background and viewpoint and to see the joy on people's faces as they enjoy our food and each other's company. That is our purpose and our objective," the statement read.

"All our staff and customers are coming from different background and cultures. We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same.

"All we wish to do moving forward, is to keep feeding anyone who comes through our doors with love, attention and care while supplying a safe working space for our employees."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-08/three-charged-melbourne-israeli-restaurant-miznon/105507930

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/8/three-charged-after-protest-at-israeli-owned-restaurant-in-australia

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23294002 (081028ZJUL25) Notable: Albanese rebuffs China on two key requests ahead of visit – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected Beijing’s push to add artificial intelligence to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and ruled out easing foreign investment restrictions, ahead of his six-day trip to China. Albanese will meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress and China’s third-highest ranking leader. Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed no relaxation of investment scrutiny, citing national security. Business leaders including Andrew Forrest and Shemara Wikramanayake will attend a CEO Roundtable, with Forrest urging green iron–steel cooperation as a “profound” bilateral opportunity.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73560 (pb)

>>109229

>>109232

Anthony Albanese confirms meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during China trip

Anthony Albanese is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he is expected to discuss key issues including trade and tourism.

Jessica Wang - July 8, 2025

Anthony Albanese has stressed the importance of Australia’s $325bn trade relationship with China ahead of his six day visit to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, with the Prime Minister to meet with Chinese Communist Party President Xi Jingping and other senior officials.

The centrepiece of the trip will be the Australia-China Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing which he will attend alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and where he will also meet Mr Xi and Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji – the third highest ranking person of the CCP.

Discussions will be focused on global and regional issues, plus bilateral co-operation on areas including trade and tourism. China accounts for nearly 26 per cent of Australia’s total goods and service trade.

China will also raise desires to open the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement to include AI, healthcare, green energy and the digital economy.

Mr Albanese, who has faced criticism for failing to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump before his face-to-face with Mr Xi, has defended the trip, saying he intended to “continue to co-operate with China where we can” and “disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest”.

“Trade is now flowing freely, to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides,” Mr Albanese said.

“We will continue to patiently and deliberately work towards a stable relationship with China, with dialogue at its core.

“I will raise issues that are important to Australians and the region including my government’s enduring commitment to pursuing Australia’s national interest.”

A 14-person business delegation will also accompany Mr Albanese at a Australia–China CEO Roundtable, which will be hosted by the Business Council of Australia and include leaders from industries representing banking, resources, tertiary education and food.

This includes ANZ International’s managing director Simon Ireland, BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery, Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest, Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker, SunRice chief executive Paul Serra and UNSW Vice-Chancellor and president Attila Brungs.

BCA chief executive Bran Black said Australia’s relationship with China was a “partnership that matters deeply to our nation’s success”.

“With one in four Australian jobs trade dependent, it’s imperative that our businesses are part of the solution in identifying further opportunities with both new and existing partners,” he said.

“The Australia-China CEO Roundtable is a crucial forum for building an even stronger relationship with our largest economic partner, particularly in the resources, energy and services sectors.”

Mr Albanese is also set to meet with business, tourism and sport leaders when he visits Shanghai and Chendgu, the latter which is home to the giant panda research base, which is where Adelaide Zoo acquired two new giant pandas, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan, in late 2024.

This will be Mr Albanese’s second visit to China.

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/anthony-albanese-confirms-meeting-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-during-china-trip/news-story/e1419c003ef467c451528b5333767bbe

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23294037 (081051ZJUL25) Notable: OPINION: China is open to free trade in AI with Australia – “China-Australia relations have stabilised and improved, achieving a comprehensive turnaround. At the 10th anniversary of the implementation of ChAFTA, we are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy. China is willing to work with Australia to build consensus on international and regional issues, jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, uphold international rules and order, advocate for free trade.” – Xiao Qian, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Australia - AFR

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109276

>>109230

Opinion: China is open to free trade in AI with Australia

On the 10th anniversary of free trade deal, China is willing to review the agreement and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields.

Xiao Qian, Ambassador to Australia - Jul 7, 2025

1/2

Over the past three years, through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have stabilised and improved, achieving a comprehensive turnaround.

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have met on three occasions. Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Albanese have exchanged successful visits. Mechanisms for dialogue and exchange across various sectors have been resumed, mutual understanding enhanced, and practical co-operation between the two nations expanded. Facts have proven that the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations serves the interests of both countries and enjoys the firm support of the two peoples.

Not long ago, the Australian Labor government was re-elected and sworn into office, ushering in the second decade of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and another important epoch of development.

At present, both China and Australia are faced with new economic development tasks. China is committed to advancing high-quality development, while Australia is devoted to enhancing productivity. We look forward to further strengthening co-operation between the two sides so as to bring more benefits to both countries and peoples.

First, strengthening high-level guidance and consolidating institutional dialogue and exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Australia relations have demonstrated resilience and vitality, weathering ups and downs, with the key lying in the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

China has always viewed Australia and China-Australia relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, committed to advancing bilateral ties beyond stabilisation and towards progress.

China is willing to work with Australia to maintain the momentum of high-level engagement, make the most of such primary intergovernmental dialogue mechanisms as the China-Australia Leaders’ Annual Meeting, the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the Joint Ministerial Economic Commission, as well as the Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change, continuously enhance communication, deepen mutual trust, build consensus, and promote co-operation.

Second, expanding practical co-operation across all fields. China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths. Over the past decade since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) came into effect, it has served as an important engine in boosting bilateral economic and trade co-operation.

China has been Australia’s largest trading partner, largest export destination and the largest source of imports for 16 consecutive years. With a population of more than 1.4 billion, including more than 400 million middle-income earners, China provides a vast and stable consumption market for Australian minerals, wine, beef, lobster and other products.

At the 10th anniversary of the implementation of ChAFTA, we are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299395 (090942ZJUL25) Notable: Video: Donald Trump flags tariffs of 200pc on pharmaceuticals, 50pc on copper – US President Donald Trump has warned pharmaceutical imports could face a 200 per cent tariff, with drug makers given up to 18 months to shift production to America. The move threatens Australia’s $2.2bn export industry, with $1.4bn worth bound for the US last year, more than 40 per cent of total pharmaceutical exports. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a final decision would follow an inquiry due this month. Trump also announced copper would face a 50 per cent tariff by early August. Australia exported $55m of copper to the US last year, less than 1 per cent of its $6.7bn global sales.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109274

>>109278

Donald Trump flags tariffs of 200pc on pharmaceuticals, 50pc on copper

Brad Ryan - 9 July 2025

Donald Trump has flagged a possible 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals - one of Australia's biggest exports to the US - but says manufacturers will be given time to move to America to dodge the tax.

The US president also said copper was likely to be hit with a 50 per cent tariff.

To date, pharmaceuticals and copper have both been exempt from the US's ever-evolving tariffs regime, pending two separate investigations by the Department of Commerce.

But Mr Trump has long railed against American dependence on foreign producers of the products, given the lifesaving nature of many imported medicines and copper's importance to the industrial sector and technological innovation.

Speaking to the media before a cabinet meeting, Mr Trump said pharmaceutical producers would get a grace period to move production to the US.

"We're going to give [drug manufacturers] about a year, a year and a half to come in, and after that, they're going to be tariffed," he said.

"They're going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 per cent. We'll give them a certain period of time to get their act together."

A $2b industry

Pharmaceutical tariffs could be particularly punishing for Australia.

Last year, Australia exported $US1.4 billion ($2.2 billion) in pharmaceutical products to the US, according to the UN's Comtrade database.

That was more than 40 per cent of its total pharmaceutical export value of $US3.2 billion ($4.9 billion).

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later suggested a final decision on pharmaceutical tariffs had not been made.

His department's investigation into pharmaceutical imports would be completed at the end of the month, he said.

"And so the president will then set his policies," Mr Lutnick told business network CNBC. "And I'm going to let him wait to decide how he's going to do it.

"He said, if you don't build in America, they're going to be a high rate. But he may consider that if you're building in America, to give you the time to build … and then the tariff will be much higher."

America's pharmaceutical industry has long been frustrated with Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which forces drug companies to negotiate prices with the Australian government rather than individual buyers.

It is designed to keep prices down by giving purchasing power to the government. Pharmaceutical industry leaders in the US have lobbied the Trump administration to impose retaliatory tariffs on Australia.

Copper tariff due within weeks

Copper is also a significant export product for Australia, but sales to the US last year were valued at just $US36 million ($55 million) — less than 1 per cent of Australia's total copper exports, which were valued at $US4.4 billion ($6.7 billion).

"Today, we're doing copper," Mr Trump said after speaking through some of his past tariff announcements. "I believe the tariff on copper, we're going to make it 50 per cent."

Of all the US's trading partners, Chile will feel the effects of the tariff most. It supplies the majority of the US's copper imports.

Mr Lutnick said the copper tariff would probably take effect at the end of July or start of August. Aluminium and steel are already subject to 50 per cent tariffs.

The announcements come a day after Mr Trump released letters he had sent to foreign leaders, which outlined new country-specific tariffs to take effect on August 1.

Australia, however, is not expecting an increase in the 10 per cent tariff already imposed on its exports.

On Monday, the Productivity Commission released modelling that projected Australia could enjoy a small economic benefit from Mr Trump's tariffs.

But the commission also warned that an escalating global trade war would be "very bad for Australia".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-09/donald-trump-tariffs-copper-pharmaceutical-imports/105509914

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299419 (090957ZJUL25) Notable: PBS ‘not on the table’ in battle for pharmaceutical tariff exemption, despite lobbying – Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs up to 200 per cent on pharmaceuticals has raised fears for Australia’s $18bn Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which subsidises 930 medicines. The US pharmaceutical lobby has urged Trump to leverage trade talks, calling PBS pricing “damaging” and restrictive. Treasurer Jim Chalmers insisted the PBS was “not on the table”. Trump’s May 12 “Most Favoured Nation” executive order would bar US buyers from paying more than the lowest global price, pressuring drug firms to lift prices abroad or risk exclusion, a move that could deter them from selling in Australia.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109274

>>109278

PBS ‘not on the table’ in battle for pharmaceutical tariff exemption, despite lobbying

The threat of global 200 per cent tariffs on pharmaceutical products presents a challenge to Australia’s drug subsidy scheme after foreign lobbyists pushed for it to be leveraged in trade negotiations.

JAMES DOWLING - 9 July 2025

1/2

US President Donald Trump has threatened to expand his sweeping global trade war by pushing tariffs on pharmaceutical products as high as 200 per cent, raising fears for the future of Australia’s cheap medicines.

The tariff threats follow aggressive lobbying by the US pharmaceutical industry explicitly targeting Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – with pharmaceutical giants hoping to “leverage ongoing trade negotiations” against the PBS.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers reassured the nation on Wednesday that the PBS was “not on the table” in any bilateral negotiations with the US but markets are nervous and uncertainty is rife.

Tariffs threatened

Mr Trump floated the potential tariff to reporters at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday amid broader discussion of his nation-specific global tariffs, setting a zero-exemption August 1 deadline ahead of the reintroduction of his “Liberation Day” tariffs on July 9.

“We will be announcing something very soon on pharmaceuticals,” he said.

There would be a grace period of up to 1½ years to give companies time to adjust their supply chains, he said, but once instituted the tariff rate could range as high as 200 per cent. It would drastically shift the balance of trade with Australia’s largest pharmaceutical importer, meaning Australia and local companies would find little appetite for their products, while patients remained reliant on American imports.

Lobbyists attack PBS

Australia has been targeted aggressively by the US pharmaceutical lobby since the appointment of the Trump administration over accusations that the PBS has undervalued US products and stymied innovation.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) group urged Mr Trump to pull the PBS into tariff negotiations and drive up Australian pharmaceutical prices in the process.

PhRMA said in a January submission to the US trade review that US companies were the “constant target of compulsory licensing and other harmful practices” by Australia and the PBS.

“Biopharmaceutical innovators in the US face a wide array of damaging government pricing policies abroad,” it wrote.

PhRMA’s submission placed Australia and four other jurisdictions, including the EU, on a “watch list” for the Trump administration to consider; a further 19 countries, including Canada, were placed on a “priority watch list”.

“Australia undervalues new innovative medicines by setting prices based on older inferior medicines and generics, and through use of low and outdated monetary thresholds per year of life gained from clinically proven treatments,” PhRMA said more recently.

“In addition, government assessments often restrict access to a small subset of the patient population for which the regulator determines the product to be safe and effective and additionally create considerable patient access delays through unnecessary data requirements and other administrative hurdles.”

Given the relatively small market Australia presents to global pharmaceutical corporations, the competitiveness of negotiations with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee – which evaluates and negotiates which drugs should be on the PBS – has been a point of constant friction.

The Australian pharmaceutical industry

The US makes up about 40 per cent of Australia’s pharmaceutical export share, more than double our next largest customer, New Zealand. Australia is a far bigger pharmaceutical importer than exporter and takes about 20 per cent of its drugs from the US.

A shock to prices bilaterally could up-end deals forged under the PBS and drive up prices for vulnerable patients accessing new treatments outside of the subsidised system.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299427 (091009ZJUL25) Notable: Top brass in danger as ADF faces overhaul – Defence Minister Richard Marles is preparing sweeping reforms that could cut up to 25 star-ranked ADF officers and 20–40 senior Defence executives amid budget blowouts, delivery delays and Trump administration demands for 3.5 per cent of GDP defence spending. Plans include merging procurement and weapons agencies into a new armaments directorate, with cuts achieved via attrition and severance. Critics say top leadership, including Defence secretary Greg Moriarty, has failed to deliver results. With ships out of service, Collins submarines ageing, and personnel shortages of 5000, analysts warn of a “paper ADF.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73555 (pb)

>>109229

Top brass in danger as ADF faces overhaul

BEN PACKHAM - 8 July 2025

1/2

Dozens of senior ADF officers and Defence public servants are facing the chop as Richard Marles prepares to roll out sweeping ­reforms amid ongoing tension over budget blowouts and delays in getting new weapons and equipment into service.

Up to 25 star-ranked Australian Defence Force commanders could be forced out in the “everything’s on the table” overhaul, while 20 to 40 senior public service positions could be cut.

The government is also considering the creation of a new ­armaments directorate that would roll together the department’s vast and underperforming Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group with its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, and the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group.

Mr Marles, the Defence Minister, flagged the reforms last month, saying the department needed to be “fit for purpose”.

The overhaul comes as the Defence budget is stretched to the limit by the AUKUS submarine program and new frigate projects, sparking warnings of a hollowed-out force with scarce munitions and a shortage of critical capabilities, including missile defence systems and long-range weapons.

At the same time, the government is refusing to lift defence spending from 2 per cent of GDP to the 3.5 percent demanded by the Trump administration.

Mr Marles’ office declined to provide details of his reform plan when approached by The Australian, while a senior government source said the extent of the personnel cuts was yet to be finalised.

The reduction in senior officers and department executives is likely to be achieved through ­attrition and severance packages.

The ADF is one of the most top-heavy militaries in the world, with one study revealing Australian star-ranked officers are ­responsible for 11 times fewer personnel than their US counterparts. Multiple sources said internal discussions on the reforms warned star-ranked officer numbers could be slashed by 10 per cent, while even deeper cuts were being considered for the department’s senior executives.

They said the changes were aimed at sharpening the accountability of senior decision-makers and getting people with the right skills into the right roles.

Mr Marles has become ­increasingly frustrated with his department over its ability to ­deliver on the government’s plans to transform the ADF into a modern force capable of projecting power over long distances.

The tensions were underscored by a recent Auditor-General’s report that revealed Defence failed for nearly 2½ years to provide formal updates to Mr Marles on the readiness of the army, air force and navy.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299470 (091030ZJUL25) Notable: Giggle v Tickle: Courtroom sequel in clash over women-only spaces – Sall Grover, founder of the Giggle for Girls app, has appealed a Federal Court ruling that she unlawfully discriminated against transgender woman Roxanne Tickle by excluding her from the women-only platform. Justice Robert Bromwich had found Grover indirectly discriminated against Tickle, awarding $10,000 in damages. Grover’s appeal argues the app qualifies as a lawful “special measure” under the Sex Discrimination Act to redress disadvantages faced by biological women. The case, set for August, has drawn interventions from the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and the Lesbian Action Group, underscoring its national significance.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73621 (pb)

>>>/qresearch/23212894 (pb)

Giggle v Tickle: Courtroom sequel in clash over women-only spaces

STEPHEN RICE - July 08, 2025

1/2

A ruling that a trans­gender woman was discriminated against when rejected from a ­female-only networking app is set to be challenged on the grounds that the judge failed to consider that the platform was designed to overcome the real disadvantages faced by biological women.

Sall Grover, creator of the ­Giggle for Girls app, has lodged an appeal seeking to overturn last year’s Federal Court ruling that she unlawfully discriminated against Roxanne Tickle, a biological male who identifies as a woman, by barring her from the app.

The finding by judge Robert Bromwich that “sex is changeable” and non-binary caused some shockwaves around the country, with some legal experts arguing it would make it impossible to exclude men from any female spaces if they claimed to be women.

Ms Tickle, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2019, was accepted into the app in February 2021 after an analysis of a “selfie” by Giggle’s third-party ­artificial intelligence tool, but was later blocked when Ms Grover surveyed the image herself.

Justice Bromwich found that Ms Grover had indirectly, but not directly, discriminated against Ms Tickle when she removed her from the app because she did not look sufficiently female, and ordered her to pay Ms Tickle $10,000, as well as her legal costs.

Ms Grover’s appeal will be heard over four days in August in the Full Court of the Federal Court, before justices Melissa Perry, Geoffrey Kennett and Wendy Abraham.

In a reflection of the extraordinary legal significance of the case, the court has granted leave to both the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and the Lesbian Action Group to intervene in the appeal.

Each side has recruited heavyweight legal teams, with Ms Grover represented by Sydney silk Noel Hutley, while Victorian Bar Council member Georgina Costello is likely to appear for Ms Tickle.

While much of Ms Tickle’s legal work has been done pro bono, Ms Grover has had to fund her own case through her Giggle crowd-funding website.

Ms Grover’s appeal team will claim that Justice Bromwich failed to consider the broader context of the Sex Discrimination Act, arguing that the app’s female-only policy was a special measure intended to address the unique disadvan­tages faced by women in digital spaces, and thus should not be considered discriminatory.

Ms Grover said her own experience of sexual abuse and trauma recovery underscored for her the importance of female-only support environments and led directly to the app’s creation.

“These are not abstract concerns,” she says in her appeal submission, obtained by The Australian. “They represent real, lived disadvantage occasioned by female biological or physiological differences.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299504 (091052ZJUL25) Notable: USS America and other foreign battle ships head to town ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 – The USS America, one of the US Navy’s largest amphibious assault ships, has arrived in Queensland ahead of Talisman Sabre 2025, the region’s largest multinational training exercise. More than 30,000 personnel from 23 nations will take part across Australia and Papua New Guinea. The vessel, carrying F-35B fighters, Ospreys and 3000 Marines, is joined by other ships including HMAS Farncomb and South Korea’s ROKS Marado and Wang Geon. This will be the 11th Talisman Sabre, marking its evolution from a bilateral drill into the southern hemisphere’s biggest war games.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73659 (pb)

>>109224

USS America and other foreign battle ships head to town ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025

One of the US Navy’s largest amphibious assault ships has been spotted off the coast of Queensland on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the start of the Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Jodie Munro O'Brien - July 9, 2025

1/2

One of the US Navy’s largest amphibious assault ships has been spotted off the coast of Queensland during what is likely its final visit to Australia.

The USS America has been carrying out training drills off the coast of Shoalwater Bay, outside of Rockhampton in Central Queensland for the past week, ahead of the start of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 on Sunday.

Sunshine Coast based photographer Doug Bazley of Bluey’s Photography, spotted the flagship of the US Seventh Fleet’s America Strike Group off the coast of Caloundra just after midday Wednesday on its way into Brisbane.

“It’s always exciting to see the Navy, whether it be American or Australian,” he said.

“It’s always a thrill to see an aircraft carrier, you could see all the choppers and aircraft on board.

“Everybody is always so excited to see them come past, it’s a spectacle because they’re so close here at Caloundra.

“We don’t see them often, so it always gets people out on the balcony or footpath snapping at them.”

More than 30,000 military personnel from a record 23 countries – including observer nations – are expected to take part in TS25 which is scheduled to be held throughout Queensland, parts of Australia and – for the first time – in Papua New Guinea, from July 13 to August 4.

It is the third time in six years the USS America, which carries fighter jets and tiltrotor aircraft such as MV22-Ospreys, has visited Queensland for Talisman Sabre.

The crew of about 3000 US sailors and Marines, from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, were not permitted to leave the ship during its first visit to the Sunshine State in 2021 due to the then-ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The 257m-long landing helicopter assault (LHA 6)-class vessel, is designed to accommodate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters – or stealth multirole combat jets – as well as a combination of rescue, combat and support helicopters including MV22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, AH-1Z Super Cobra and UH-1Y Venom aircraft.

A detachment from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 is also on board.

The USS America, along with the USS Rushmore and USS Sand Diego, stopped into Sydney for a port visit in June.

The lead ship of the Seventh Fleet’s Amphibious Ready Group has been operating mostly off the coast of Queensland since leaving Sydney.

Based in Sasebo, Japan since 2019, the USS America is scheduled to return to the US, to Naval Base San Diego in California.

Its replacement in Japan, the USS Tripoli, arrived in Sasebo in late June.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23299531 (091107ZJUL25) Notable: Talisman Sabre Tweet: (Video) Countdown is on! Less than one week ‘til Talisman Sabre 2025 - #TS25 #TalismanSabre2025 #YourADF

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

Talisman Sabre Tweet

Countdown is on!

Less than one week ‘til Talisman Sabre 2025.

#TS25 #TalismanSabre2025 #YourADF

https://x.com/TalismanSabre/status/1942746555762565306

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23304704 (101055ZJUL25) Notable: Trump serves Australia $3bn dose of bad medicine – Donald Trump’s threat of 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals has triggered alarm in Canberra and business circles, with Barclays estimating a $2.8bn hit to Australia’s economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers insisted the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) “is not on the table” for trade talks, calling it “a fundamental part of healthcare in Australia.” But CSL chairman Brian McNamee urged the Albanese government to make the PBS more efficient and allow innovative American drugs into Australia faster, saying the nation benefits as much from US innovation in medicines as it does from the protection the nation gets from the Pentagon’s defence spending in the Indo-Pacific.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109274

>>109278

>>109280

Trump serves Australia $3bn dose of bad medicine

MATTHEW CRANSTON - 9 July 2025

1/2

Donald Trump’s move to ramp up tariffs on medicines and copper has sparked alarm among government and business leaders, amid fears the US President’s latest trade war will smash the local drug industry, stripping nearly $3bn from the economy.

But the chairman of the country’s biggest drugs manufacturer says the White House’s concerns over the nation’s Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme are not ­unreasonable and the Albanese government has room to negotiate with Mr Trump.

Mr Trump warned on Wednesday (AEST) there would be no more extensions on tariffs past a new August 1 deadline as he ­unveiled a 50 per cent hit on copper imports and threatened a 200 per cent duty on pharmaceuticals after a grace period of a year to 18 months.

Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser said staff at the central bank were watching Mr Trump’s tariff manoeuvres like “hawks” and that the effects on Australia could be profound.

“How worried are we about it? We are very, very focused on it. The level of uncertainty is clearly elevated and the implications … for a global trading economy like Australia, of these fundamental changes, are very profound,” he told a conference in Sydney.

Mr Trump’s proposed tariff on pharmaceuticals is estimated by analysts at investment bank ­Barclays to likely cost Australia $2.8bn through both direct impacts on economic activity, ­exports to the US and via intermediate goods exports to countries that use them in production of drugs also hit by the tariffs.

“We’re going to give (drug manufacturers) about a year, a year and a half, to come in, and after that they’re going to be ­tariffed,” Mr Trump said in the Oval Office.

“They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 per cent. We’ll give them a certain period of time to get their act together.”

Jim Chalmers expressed alarm, saying the government was urgently seeking further ­details from the US. “These are obviously very concerning developments,” the Treasurer said.

He said Australia’s pharmaceutical sector was “much more exposed” to the US market, but reiterated the government would not sacrifice the nation’s PBS to do a deal with the Trump administration. “We see the PBS as a fundamental part of healthcare in Australia. We’re not willing to compromise the PBS,” Dr ­Chalmers said.

But CSL chairman Brian McNamee urged the Albanese government to make the PBS more efficient and allow innovative American drugs into Australia faster, saying the nation benefits as much from US innovation in medicines as it does from the protection the nation gets from the Pentagon’s defence spending in the Indo-Pacific.

“I don’t think America’s ­demand is an unreasonable ­demand. I don’t think the US is trying to tear the PBS down,” Mr McNamee said.

“Americans have allowed their companies to maximise drug ­innovation and sell to other countries. Other countries benefit from that and are using the free-rider system. I think this is the same as defence.

“I think Australia could accelerate the system for approvals and the mechanism for pricing of ­innovative new drugs, but it does come at a cost. You need to make a contribution.”

The US is Australia’s biggest pharmaceutical export market, accounting for 38 per cent of total Australian pharmaceutical exports. Blood products make up about 90 per cent of the trade.

Australia’s pharmaceutical exports to the US were valued at $2.06bn in 2024, accounting for 9 per cent of the nation’s total goods sold into the American market.

US lobbyists at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) have urged Mr Trump to “leverage ongoing trade negotiations” as a tool for reworking the PBS and raising Australian drug prices.

Medicines Australia chief executive Liz de Somer — representing Australia’s pharmaceutical producers — opposed the institution of tariffs and any threat by the Trump administration to the PBS.

An untested executive order by Mr Trump, dubbed the “Most Favoured Nation” order, also leaves open the threat that international producers could hike up Australian prices or pull their products. Under the proposal, the US would refuse to accept medicine prices higher than those overseas, forcing companies to either give Americans their best rate or bring foreign prices in line.

“We don’t want to overreact to the announcement, but being very clear, the industry in Australia opposes tariffs being applied to pharmaceutical manufacturing,” Ms de Somer said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23304735 (101135ZJUL25) Notable: Gaza woman living in Sydney detained in pre-dawn raid following ASIO security risk ruling – A 61-year-old grandmother from Gaza, Maha Almassri, was detained in a pre-dawn raid on her Bankstown home after the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation issued an adverse assessment declaring her a security risk. Her bridging visa was cancelled under the Migration Act’s character test, with the decision signed by Assistant Immigration Minister Julian Hill. Ms Almassri was taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, prompting a rally outside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office. Family members denied she posed any threat, while the government cited national security and refused further comment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109264

Gaza woman living in Sydney detained in pre-dawn raid following ASIO security risk ruling

A rally has sprung up at Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office after the alleged detention of a woman from Gaza living in Sydney.

A 61-year-old grandmother from Gaza has been detained following a pre-dawn raid on her Bankstown home after she was deemed a security risk by ASIO.

Maha Almassri, 61, was taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre on Thursday, with a Department of Home Affairs letter seen by The Daily Telegraph stating her bridging visa was cancelled on Wednesday as she had failed the visa’s “character test”.

The document states the department was “provided with an Adverse Security Assessment” by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which said the agency “assessed Ms Almassri to be directly or indirectly a risk to security”.

The document said “taking into account the above information”, Ms Almassri “does not pass the character test” – a claim fiercely denied by her family, who launched a snap rally outside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office where other protesters chanted “death, death to the IDF”.

The same day, the Albanese government’s envoy to combat anti-Semitism released an overarching plan to deal with the issue, including the potential to screen visa applicants for anti-Semitic views and work to ensure the Migration Act “effectively facilitates visa refusals or cancellations for anti-Semitic conduct and rhetoric”.

The reasons for Ms Almassri’s detention are not known and there is no suggestion that she holds anti-Semitic views.

A crowd of about 50 protesters, including Ms Almassri’s daughter Albatoul and four year-old granddaughter Laila, gathered outside Mr Burke’s Punchbowl office hours after the raid with keffiyehs and Palestinian flags, pledging to camp outside until the 61-year-old was freed.

Albatoul, who looked sombre during the protest, said her mother had arrived in Australia in February 2024, after visiting relatives in Saudi Arabia and being denied re-entry to Gaza.

Ms Almassri’s brother-in-law Soliman Almassri said “no explanation” had been given for her detention, that she was “sick” and “traumatised” after a family member was killed and her Gaza home destroyed in the conflict there.

“She’s an old lady, there’s no reason … what threat to security are they talking about,” Mr Almassri said.

Police watched on as community members chanted “Tony Burke, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide”, and “Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism”.

There’s no suggestion of wrongdoing by family members or supporters who attended the rally.

A spokesman for Mr Burke said, “The government will not be commenting on this cancellation”.

“Any information in the public domain is being supplied by the individual and is not necessarily consistent with the information supplied by our intelligence and security agencies,” he said.

“The Australian government doesn’t stop investigating new information about a visa-holder just because they are onshore.

“Our security checks never stop and this cancellation is proof the system is working.

“There is nothing more important to this government than the safety of the Australian community.”

The documents state the visa cancellation was “personally” decided by Assistant Immigration Minister Julian Hill, who was contacted for comment.

It’s understood the decision to revoke the visa could be judicially reviewed through the federal or high courts.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/gaza-woman-living-in-sydney-detained-in-predawn-raid/news-story/1ec533132bde633052bf59a46d26e5c0

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23304741 (101146ZJUL25) Notable: Foreign minister promises Asian nations Australia will remain a 'reliable' partner with open markets – Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ASEAN leaders in Kuala Lumpur that Australia would remain a dependable partner with open markets, contrasting Canberra’s approach with the Trump administration’s aid cuts and tariff threats. Wong highlighted Australia’s efforts to fill funding gaps left by Washington and urged support for global rules against coercion. She warned China was pursuing a military build-up and strategic dominance in the South China Sea, stressing the need for a regional balance of power where “no country dominates and no country is dominated.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109234

Foreign minister promises Asian nations Australia will remain a 'reliable' partner with open markets

Stephen Dziedzic - 10 July 2025

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has promised South-East Asian nations that Australia will be a "reliable" partner with open markets, as the region grapples with the Trump administration's aid cuts and tariff threats.

Senator Wong also criticised China's aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea and its military build-up, warning the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) that Beijing is intent on changing the balance of power in Asia.

Foreign ministers from the ten-member ASEAN have gathered in Kuala Lumpur for an annual meeting, along with top officials from other countries, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Trump administration has threatened to hit multiple ASEAN countries with heavy tariffs if they don't strike new deals with the US, and anxieties over the economic fallout from the US president's trade agenda look set to dominate many of the discussions.

Senator Wong used a major speech at the conference to urge ASEAN nations to stand up for global rules and against coercion, while burnishing Australia's credentials as a "reliable partner on whom you can count".

The foreign minister did not directly criticise either Mr Trump's trade agenda or his massive cuts to USAID, but said Australia had moved quickly to fill some "unexpected funding gaps" in development in South-East Asia.

"We believe as partners and neighbours that we have a responsibility to contribute to a more equitable future for our region, and it's a responsibility that our government will not abandon," she said.

"And Australia's response to others reducing their funding has been to pivot and re-prioritise, ensuring we respond to the most acute needs."

Senator Wong said while the Trump administration envisaged a "different role" for America in the world, the US's presence in the region remained "critical" to stability.

She did not take aim at Mr Trump's protectionist agenda and trade threats, but drew an implicit contrast with the US by lauding Australia's move to dismantle tariff barriers in the 80s.

"Australia opened our economy to the region and the world long ago … I can assure you today that this will not change," she said.

She also sharply criticised China's massive military build-up and aggressive conduct in the South China Sea, saying Beijing was intent on shifting the balance of power in its favour.

"China continues to assert its strategic influence and project its military power further into our region," she said.

"And we have seen the worrying pace of China's nuclear and conventional military build-up, without the transparency that the region expects.

"We are realistic about China's objectives in changing the regional balance of power — and it is clear in China's public political discourse."

She also stressed that neither the US nor countries across the region sought military confrontation with China, reiterating her call for "a balance of power" in the region, "where no country dominates and no country is dominated".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-10/foreign-minister-penny-wong-asean-comments/105518328

https://x.com/SenatorWong/status/1943169815235182864

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23309418 (110954ZJUL25) Notable: Bitter Family Battle:What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?- She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband. - On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia. “They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.” To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew. But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help. Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41. Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled - that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes. “Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times. That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>73395 (pb)

What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?

She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband

Josie Ensor, The Times - July 1 2025

1/5

On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia.

“They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.”

To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew.

But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help.

Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41.

Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled — that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes.

“Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times.

That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

Amanda, using a nickname for Virginia, said: “Jenna may have fought battles with some of the most powerful men in the world, like Epstein and Prince Andrew, but what people didn’t understand was that [in her final days] the hardest battle of her life was at home.”

For the first time, Virginia’s family is sharing a diary she kept from the beginning of this year, in which she shares her memories of her marriage as it was breaking down, as well as photos, text messages and legal filings, in which she alleges that Robert was violent, abusive and “emotionally and physically controlling”.

Virginia claimed in her diary that her husband’s behaviour worsened as she became the face of the campaign to bring Epstein and others to justice. “The stronger I became, the scarier he became,” she wrote, accusing him of trying to stop her from “advocating for the victims of trafficking” and, in the final months, allegedly preventing her from seeing her children.

“What you have to know about Jenna is she was never afraid of any of these people,” Sky said. “She was ready to move on with her life, but she wanted that life to be with her kids.”

When contacted for comment, Robert’s attorney said that “the passing of the wife of Robert Giuffre and mother of their children is tragic”. But his counsel was unable to comment on specific allegations of abuse due to live proceedings in the Western Australia courts.

Meeting Robert

Born Virginia Lee Roberts, she experienced abuse at a young age when a family friend molested her aged seven.

She was spotted one day by Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell while working a summer job, aged 15, at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

Virginia described how she was “passed around like a platter of fruit” among the Epstein and Maxwell’s friends until she managed to escape, aged 19.

An aspiring masseuse, she had been sent by Epstein to Thailand for a course at the International Training Massage School. It was there, in 2002, that she met Robert, a 26-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) instructor from Australia.

Instead of returning to Epstein in New York, as she had promised, she ran away with Robert and they were married ten days later.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23309419 (110956ZJUL25) Notable: Bitter Family Battle:What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?- She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband. - On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia. “They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.” To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew. But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help. Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41. Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled - that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes. “Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times. That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109289

2/5

‘On the surface everything looked okay’

The couple welcomed their first child, Christian, in 2006. Noah arrived in spring the following year.

Virginia stayed at home to raise the children. Robert had odd jobs in construction. For years she was afraid to talk about her time with Epstein, even with her own family — until he was convicted for the sex trafficking of a minor in Florida in 2008.

One year later, Virginia sued Epstein — identifying herself only as Jane Doe 102 — accusing the financier of trafficking her between his homes in Palm Beach, New York and the US Virgin Islands.

She decided to waive her anonymity after the birth of her daughter Emily the following year and gave interviews about exactly what went on, turning what had been a local story into international news. Dini von Mueffling, Virginia’s public representative, told The Times: “Holding Emily as a newborn, she said to herself, ‘I need to do better for my daughter and for all the women out there who can’t fight’.”

The earliest alleged incident of domestic violence dates to that time. There is no record of a complaint by Virginia at the time.

In a text Virginia sent to von Mueffling in April this year, she alleged that:

Even when I had Emily in my arms as a baby, Rob was coming down off a 3-day bender and punched me in the face which dropped me to the floor and continuously kicking me in the stomach.

The couple spent those early years between Cairns — the northeast tip of Australia where Robert had grown up — and Colorado in the US, near Sky, 36, and Virginia’s half-brother, Danny Wilson, 46.

They stayed for a month in 2013 with Danny and his wife, Lanette. Danny claimed Robert was “volatile” and “erratic” during that visit, alleging Robert would start drinking on their porch each morning before they went to work. “Anything would set him off,” Danny alleged.

Sky and Amanda said they had always thought of Robert as “controlling” and short-tempered, but Virginia had not mentioned any physical abuse at the time. If she was ever having a bad day, she would say, “Oh, you know Robbie”, Sky said. When pressed about what exactly she meant, Virginia never offered anything more.

Two years later, Robert was arrested in Colorado for an alleged assault on Virginia that the couple kept private. The Times has seen a police record filed in Fremont County on June 3, 2015, against Robert, labelled with the case type “domestic violence”.

The criminal docket is sealed, but according to a civil lawsuit Virginia filed against Maxwell that same year, the couple “became involved in an argument over the welfare of the family dog … [Virginia] alleges she was assaulted by her husband as witnessed by at least one of their children”. According to the filing, Robert pleaded guilty to domestic violence and was placed on probation.

Public v private fight

In 2017 the family moved from the US back to Cairns, where they remained for three years before relocating to Perth. Virginia alleged in her journal, written this year, that Robert stopped working that year and had taken to drinking most days “from 8am to sometime in the pm”.

She claimed in her diary that he was drinking, and alleged that he had become violent when “consumed by jealousy”.

At the same time, Virginia’s lawyers filed another suit in Florida, claiming that Epstein had trafficked her to Prince Andrew.

She accused Epstein and Maxwell of forcing her to have sex with Andrew on at least three occasions in the early 2000s. He denied the allegations.

In November 2019, Andrew gave an interview to the BBC’s Emily Maitlis about his relationship to Epstein that was widely considered a PR disaster. What had been tabloid fodder mutated into a full-blown scandal, forcing the duke to step down from public duties.

Virginia, a 35-year-old sex-trafficking victim from Loxahatchee — a down-at-heel town in Florida which her brothers describe as “a place no one has heard of” — had toppled the Queen of England’s favourite son. Her family said she had always been “incredibly proud of herself” for that.

“When people told her ‘no’, or people told her they wouldn’t believe her, or that she was crazy, she would say ‘Watch me’,” Amanda said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23309420 (110957ZJUL25) Notable: Bitter Family Battle:What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?- She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband. - On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia. “They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.” To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew. But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help. Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41. Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled - that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes. “Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times. That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109290

3/5

Back in Australia, meanwhile, Virginia claimed in her diary kept in her last months that her husband grew uncomfortable with the publicity her case was attracting.

“During this time, the world was getting to know Virginia,” Amanda said during a family trip to New York last month.

“She’s going public, filing lawsuits and I guess she sort of had to put on a face. She had become a spokesperson against sex trafficking and she was able to build that fight for all the other victims, but she wasn’t able to do that battle and the one at home at the same time.”

She was awarded millions of dollars over the years from settlement funds and civil lawsuits against Maxwell, the Epstein estate, Prince Andrew and the bank JP Morgan over its handling of Epstein’s finances. She received $10 million from the duke in 2022, and Queen Elizabeth is believed to have donated £2 million ($2.7 million) to Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (Soar), a charity Virginia had set up to campaign for survivors of sexual abuse.

Virginia alleged in her recent diary that Robert was no longer working and was “gambling away” their money “carelessly”.

The incident

Virginia’s family said she first broached the subject of divorce with Robert in August 2023. “We talked so many times about her leaving. She talked to us for years about being unhappy in their relationship,” Lanette said. “She told me, ‘I don’t love him any more’.”

The couple remained legally married but became estranged in 2024, living in separate houses. Virginia lived at the ranch in a town called Neergabby with her full-time carer, Cheryl, whom she had hired to help after suffering a debilitating back injury. Robert remained at the “marital home” in Ocean Reef 30 miles away.

Everything changed after an incident on January 9 this year, which Virginia and Robert have characterised very differently.

They had reunited at a rental house along the western Australian coast for their daughter Emily’s 15th birthday.

Over a FaceTime call the next day, Virginia told Sky and Amanda her account of the incident. According to Sky, Robert went into Virginia’s room and asked her for sex. When she told him no, Robert allegedly “started to call her names and got aggressive”. Sky said Virginia claimed he “punched her over and over”.

Sky claims said the incident aggravated existing injuries to her sternum and spine, which she had undergone extensive surgery to treat in 2023.

Sky shared a text Virginia sent her mother on January 10:

Fri, Jan10 at 5:55 AM

Mommy, pls call me when you're awake. Rob did it again, I'm in the hospital and I need your voice to help me calm down.

Fri, Jan10 at 10:21 AM

Trying to call please call me back when you can please love you honey love mom

In the days after the alleged assault, while Virginia was recovering at Royal Perth Hospital, she and Cheryl took photos of her injuries. They appear to show Virginia with a black eye and her face and chest bruised.

Both sides reported the incident to police in Western Australia. An investigator from the family violence investigation squad in Perth confirmed they had looked into the claims and that they had not charged either with any crime.

Robert filed a restraining order application against Virginia at the magistrates’ court while she was in hospital.

According to his account, he and Virginia had been talking and “the conversation led to an argument and then she started physically assaulting me with headbutts, punching and spitting. I was trying to protect myself by covering my face and as soon as I had the chance to flee I did.”

He alleged that she caused herself the injuries and that she was, and had been, mentally unstable.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23309423 (110959ZJUL25) Notable: Bitter Family Battle:What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?- She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband. - On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia. “They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.” To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew. But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help. Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41. Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled - that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes. “Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times. That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109291

4/5

In handwritten notes in the affidavit, he claimed that he was left with “scratches and bruising to head” and that he was “fearful my spouse will once again come assault and harass myself and my kids”.

He filed for temporary custody of their younger children — Noah, who was months away from turning 18, and Emily — which he was granted. Virginia was prohibited from seeing or contacting them for six months, in a decision that came as a shock to her and her family in the US.

During her FaceTime call with Sky, Virginia “opened up” about her alleged abuse, which she claimed had been taking place for some time.

“She’d gone through rough patches growing up and she would always protect me from all that stuff,” Sky said. “She played that protector role later in life too, but at this point it was beyond that.”

‘Mommy still loves you’

That night at the rental house was the last time Virginia saw her children.

Over the next two months, she tried to reach out to Emily. “She had sent Emily a link to a song they liked,” Sky said. She changed the names of the family’s shared Netflix and Amazon accounts to “Mommy still loves you” and “Mommy is here”, Sky said, in the hope the children would see the messages.

The family said they saw Virginia’s cryptic Instagram post on March 30 as “a way to reach her children” and “a desperate plea for help”.

The post was met with questions about Virginia’s reliability, whether she did — as she claimed — have four days to live, and whether the crash had even happened. “I reviewed the damage to [Virginia’s] car just because I’m an insurance adjuster myself and I was curious. It was very much damaged,” said Sky, who travelled to Australia to be with Virginia, concerned about her wellbeing:

“There are a very small number of people that know the overall scope of what happened,” Sky said. “You have people coming out, including my own dad, saying somebody did this to her. It’s insulting to me.”

The final days

“I've never seen my sister as physically broken down as she was then,” Sky said of the final three weeks they spent together. “She was really struggling, emotionally and physically. She could face a lot of things, but the idea of not seeing her children broke her.”

Despite that, Sky said he and Virginia had had “such a good day” the day before she took her life. “We had lunch and after that we tried on cowboy hats and went to a thrift store. We were just being silly, you know — she could be very silly.”

That night they went to bed and everything seemed normal, Sky said. The next day, he went to check on her. Hearing the sound of what he described as “meditation music” through her bedroom door, he decided to give her some space and left the house.

He called Cheryl to check she was with his sister, but she informed him that Virginia had told her to take the day off as it was Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in Australia.

“We have always had this interconnected, twinsie thing and I just felt something was wrong,” Sky said, sobbing. He said he drove back to the house at about 8pm and knocked on her door. When Virginia did not answer, Sky tried to open it but found it locked.

He broke the door down and found her unconscious. He attempted resuscitation for 45 minutes before paramedics arrived and declared her dead. Her brother did not wish to go into detail on the manner of her death.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23309425 (111000ZJUL25) Notable: Bitter Family Battle:What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?- She took on Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, then died by suicide in April. For the first time, her family share diary entries, private messages and photos that reveal her secret battle with her husband. - On March 30 Virginia Giuffre shared a photo on her Instagram page, showing her bruised and bloodied after a car crash outside her home in Australia. “They’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote of her prognosis. “I’m ready to go.” To the outside world, it appeared to be the latest in a series of tragedies to befall Virginia, who had accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually trafficking her to his high-profile friends, including Prince Andrew. But her family understood the post for what it was: a desperate and final plea for help. Three weeks later, on April 25, Virginia took her own life, alone on a ranch in remote scrubland north of Perth, aged 41. Virginia’s family said little in the months that followed, even as media speculation and conspiracy theories swirled - that she had made up the crash, that her death had been ordered by influential people trying to silence her. Now, her relatives have decided to speak out in their first interview, to honour what they say were her last wishes. “Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell,” Amanda Roberts, the wife of Virginia’s younger brother, Sky Roberts, told The Times. That story is one of abuse by those, like Epstein, who trafficked and exploited her. But it is also a story about a bitter battle with the person closest to her: her husband of 22 years and father of her three children, Robert Giuffre.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109292

5/5

Von Mueffling, who was keen to dispel any conspiracy theories that there may have been foul play, said: “She confided in me [in the weeks before her death] that she had planned to commit suicide, down to the method.” Von Mueffling counselled her against it and urged the brothers to go and be with her in Perth. “She was very clear that the pain was just too deep, she just couldn’t take it any more. It wasn’t a dramatic conversation, it was very matter of fact.”

Sky does not know why his sister picked that day, though Amanda believes she felt safe knowing her brother — one of the few men she ever really trusted — was there.

“It was a lot of things,” he said. “It was about to be Noah’s 18th birthday. That was very important to her and she knew she wouldn’t be there for that. They were her life.”

Because he remained her next of kin, Virginia’s body was released to Robert, who held a small private service for her in Perth. Her family said they were not invited.

In the months since, Amanda and Sky have taken up Virginia’s mantel with the charity Soar, campaigning across the US to help pass legislation to help protect the victims of abuse.

The pair and Danny got matching tattoos to remember their sister, or “Sissy”.

“I didn’t want this to end this way,” Sky said. “I didn’t want to have this big battle openly.

“But as a culture we are so quick to dismiss women experiencing violence, and we’ve got to stop doing that.”

https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/what-happened-virginia-giuffre-husband-family-epstein-zr2cxwrlh

https://archive.vn/TAJYH

https://www.instagram.com/virginiarobertsrising11/p/DH0vvDKzDvu/

https://x.com/Josiensor/status/1940392315388088416

https://x.com/JayShams/status/1940096033494647156

—

Q Post #4923

Oct 21 2020 20:55:05 (EST)

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1319071346282778624

Dearest Virginia -

We stand with you.

Now and always.

Find peace through prayer.

Never give up the good fight.

God bless you.

Q

https://qanon.pub/#4923

https://qanon.pub/#4568

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314345 (120851ZJUL25) Notable: Anthony Albanese takes strong stand on anti-Semitism ‘but attacks must stop’ – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed envoy Jillian Segal’s anti-Semitism plan, vowing to strip funding from universities, festivals and institutions that fail to act, train border officials to screen anti-Semites, and enforce a nationwide definition of anti-Jewish hate. Albanese declared anti-Semitism “an evil scourge,” condemning recent violence while maintaining criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Jewish leaders, including Israel’s ambassador Amir Maimon, Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and Alon Cassuto of the Zionist Federation of Australia, praised the plan but demanded swift implementation. Opposition spokesman Julian Leeser warned Albanese would be judged on results, not rhetoric, while legal and community groups urged full adoption.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109251

>>109286

Anthony Albanese takes strong stand on anti-Semitism ‘but attacks must stop’

RICHARD FERGUSON - July 10, 2025

1/2

Jewish leaders are warning ­Anthony Albanese that his landmark plan to fight anti-Semitism will be judged on how fast he can implement it and how hard he can crush anti-Jewish bigotry, as they declare the Prime Minister and Labor have finally shown “they get it”.

The Prime Minister’s hand-picked envoy on anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, was flanked by Mr ­Albanese and Home Affairs ­Minister Tony Burke on Thursday as she unveiled a strategy that promises to bring universities, arts bodies, and public broadcasters into line if they allow anti-Jewish hate to continue to foment.

The Segal plan would strip funding from universities and arts festivals that fail to stop anti-Semitism, train border force officials how to screen anti-Semites trying to enter Australia, and implement a nationwide definition of anti-Jewish hate in all level of governments and public institutions.

Australia’s highest-profile vice-chancellor, University of Canberra chief and ex-Labor leader Bill Shorten, warned his sector that it could not hide behind “academic freedom” and must work with Ms Segal in her plan to fight anti-­Semitism on campuses.

Ms Segal will also work with the ABC and SBS to make sure they are taking social cohesion into account and make sure judges, prosecutors and police are trained to deal with anti-Semitic hate crimes.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, was among Jewish leaders in Australia who lauded Thursday’s plan as the most significant step yet into solving a crisis that has seen Jewish Australians targeted on campus, in synagogues, and even in childcare centres since the October 7 massacres and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023.

In his strongest comments since the crisis broke out, Mr Albanese said he would not stand by and let Jewish Australians be vilified and abused under the guise of pro-Palestinian activism.

“Anti-Semitism is an evil scourge,” the Prime Minister said in Sydney. “There is no place in Australia for anti-Semitism. The kind of hatred and violence that we’ve seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won’t be tolerated. And I want those responsible to face the full force of the law.”

Mr Albanese made it clear he would not walk away from his ­government’s strong criticisms of the Israeli government’s actions in its war against Gaza terror group Hamas but said the pro-Palestine movement’s targeting of individual Jews was “delusional” and “destructive”.

“Where the line has been crossed is in blaming and identifying people because they happen to be Jewish.” he said. “If you have a view about the directions of the Netanyahu government, or any other government for that matter … I saw on the ABC the other night, a woman who participated in the trashing and violence that occurred at the restaurant in Melbourne.

“Justifying that, justifying it. There is no justification for that whatsoever. And what’s more, the idea that somehow the cause of justice for Palestinians is advanced by behaviour like that is not only delusional, it is destructive.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314377 (120914ZJUL25) Notable: Protect our spaces from transgender women, lesbian group tells court – The Lesbian Action Group has joined Giggle app founder Sall Grover’s Federal Court appeal against a ruling that she unlawfully discriminated against transgender woman Roxanne Tickle. The group argues biological women are entitled to female-only spaces under the Sex Discrimination Act, warning lesbians are pressured to accept sex with trans women and risk social isolation if they refuse. Their submission cites dangers to schools, shelters and privacy if biological men are legally recognised as women. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody and the Australian Human Rights Commission support Ms Tickle’s case.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109282

Protect our spaces from transgender women, lesbian group tells court

STEPHEN RICE - July 11, 2025

1/2

Female-only spaces for biological women must be protected by law, in part because lesbians are now regularly being pressured to have sex with trans women and face ­social isolation if they don’t comply, according to a lesbian group that will appear in the Federal Court in support of Giggle app founder Sall Grover.

In a rare move, the court has granted the Melbourne-based Lesbian Action Group “intervener” status in Ms Grover’s appeal against the ruling last year that she unlawfully discriminated against transgender woman Roxanne Tickle by rejecting her from the networking app because she was a biological man.

The Lesbian Action Group ­ argues that biological women have a right under the Sex Discrimination Act to their own safe spaces, stating in a submission obtained by The Australian that “it is now commonplace for lesbians to be pressured into having sex with transwomen, and to face risk of social isolation if they do not agree with that very concept.”

The intervention pits the long-established lesbian group not just against Tickle but against Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody who has also been granted amicus curiae (friend of the court) status in the case.

The commissioner says she is simply “seeking to assist the court by providing submissions about the meaning, scope and validity of relevant provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act and that she “has not made submissions about whether Ms Tickle was in fact discriminated against”.

However, the commissioner’s position largely mirrored Ms Tickle’s submissions in the case last year that sex is “changeable” and non-binary, and Dr Cody publicly welcomed judge Robert Bromwich’s decision in favour of Ms Tickle.

“We are pleased this case has recognised that every individual, regardless of their gender identity, deserves equal and fair treatment under the law,” Dr Cody said after the ruling.

The Australian Human Rights Commission estimates it will have spent about $35,000 briefing barristers to represent the Sex Discrimination Commissioner by the end of the current appeal.

The Lesbian Action Group was granted amicus status because it has an interest in the outcome of the case after seeking an exemption from the Sex Discrimination Act in 2023 to hold regular “lesbians born female only” social events.

“We have witnessed the demise of our culture and lesbian space since the early 1990s … in part because of the rise of mainstream LGBTIQ+ and also because of diversity and inclusion laws which currently make it ­illegal for lesbians to hold public female-only functions without applying for an exemption with the Human Rights Commission,” the group said.

The AHRC rejected the exemption, finding that although it would be legal for the Lesbian Action Group to ban men and heterosexual women, it could not discriminate against transgender lesbian women.

The group lost an appeal in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal but a challenge in the Federal Court has been stayed pending the outcome of the Giggle v Tickle appeal.

The group argues in its submission that undermining the sex-based protections of the Sex Discrimination Act “denies autonomy, dignity and safety” to lesbians.

There are “dangers in a male capable, or giving the appearance of being capable, of procreation being classified by the law as a female, despite the best intentions of gender ideology”, says the submission, prepared by Melbourne barristers Leigh Howard and Megan Blake.

“It is the lived experience of lesbians to be confronted by autogynephilic men (those who become sexually aroused by the idea of themselves as women) seeking lesbian attention, as a means of generating sexual gratification for themselves.

“It is now commonplace for lesbians to be pressured into having sex with transwomen, and to face risk of social isolation if they do not agree with that very concept. This is unacceptable.

“The appeal must proceed on the basis that the Giggle app is intended to be used by women (members of the female sex) to the exclusion of Ms Tickle (a member of the male sex).

“Construing the Sex Discrimination Act in this way properly accommodates the needs of members of the female sex, and does not diminish any protection afforded to Ms Tickle and the broader transgender community by the act.

“This community, like members of the female sex, can establish their own special measures.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314404 (120932ZJUL25) Notable: No joke: trans woman wants $40k because female-only app founder giggled at caricature – Transgender woman Roxanne Tickle is seeking at least $40,000 from Giggle app founder Sall Grover, arguing a brief laugh at a caricature during last year’s Federal Court hearing compounded discrimination. Justice Robert Bromwich had already awarded Tickle $10,000, finding Grover’s response “offensive and belittling.” In a cross-appeal, Tickle argues the sum was “manifestly inadequate” and seeks aggravated damages over public comments and misgendering. Grover, who is appealing the ruling, said her laugh was an involuntary reaction. The Federal Court will hear both the appeal and cross-appeal in August.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109282

>>109297

No joke: trans woman wants $40k because female-only app founder giggled at caricature

STEPHEN RICE - July 09, 2025

1/2

Transgender woman Roxanne Tickle wants Giggle app founder Sall Grover to pay her at least $40,000 because the female-only platform creator laughed in court when shown a caricature of Tickle during cross-examination in a sex discrimination hearing last year.

Grover and her Giggle platform are appealing a Federal Court ruling last year that they indirectly discriminated against Ms Tickle when they rejected her from the app because she did not appear to be female.

Tickle is also appealing parts of that decision, arguing judge Robert Bromwich should have found she was the victim of direct, rather than indirect, discrimination.

Justice Bromwich awarded Tickle $10,000, in part because Grover had briefly laughed in court at “an offensive caricature” of Tickle that she had been asked to look at during cross-­examination, a moment the judge found “offensive and belittling”.

“Her explanation, that it was funny in the context of the courtroom, was obviously disingenuous,” he said.

Grover told The Australian: “It was just this moment of such ­ridiculousness that I was in this high stakes, incredibly stressful time, when you’re sitting in the witness box in Federal Court and they turn to a cartoon meme, and I just burst out laughing.

“It wouldn’t have even been three seconds, it was just a complete involuntary human response to something and the judge said that that caused Tickle harm. It’s just ridiculous.”

Justice Bromwich declined to award aggravated damages over the incident because he accepted that Grover was “expressing a genuine, if (as I accept) hurtful belief that Ms Tickle is a man”.

In a cross-appeal submission obtained by The Australian, ­Tickle claims the $10,000 general damages award was “manifestly inadequate” and she should be awarded at least $30,000 in general damages, and at least $10,000 in aggravated damages.

Tickle says the hurt caused was more than “slight” and came on top of “disparaging and hurtful comments by Ms Grover in public forums about transgender women”.

Tickle claims she should have been awarded aggravated damages because Grover “engaged in a sustained attack on Ms Tickle’s integrity and gender identity, infused with innuendo that Ms Tickle, and indeed transgender women more generally, pose a threat or danger to cisgender women”.

Tickle also complains about “the constant and continual misgendering of Ms Tickle by Ms Grover and Giggle throughout the earlier proceedings” as well as Grover’s “campaign” based on gender identity.

Grover’s refusal to provide Tickle with access to the app ­“because she did not appear to be a cisgender woman” was direct and unlawful discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act, ­Tickle’s submission argues.

According to the submission prepared by silk Georgina Costello, the trial judge wrongly concluded that to find discrimination by reason of a person’s gender identity, the discriminator must first be aware of the person’s gender identity.

The legislation’s deliberately broad definition of “gender identity” was intended to confer broad protection from discrimination, the submission argues, so it didn’t matter whether Grover was aware that Tickle identified as a woman.

In any event, the submission argues, Grover and Giggle clearly had a policy of excluding both men and transgender women from the Giggle App.

Their exclusion of Tickle from the app, followed by a refusal to re-admit, “demonstrated a pattern of delegitimising Ms Tickle’s gender identity”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314507 (121042ZJUL25) Notable: If we go to war, submarines come too: How US could demand AUKUS changes – Australia faces pressure from a Trump administration review led by undersecretary of defence Elbridge Colby, who may demand Canberra pay more for submarines and guarantee their use in a conflict over Taiwan. Sources say Colby questions selling Virginia-class subs while US production lags, and wants assurances Australia’s boats would fight under US command. The review has divided Washington, with the State Department and Congress backing AUKUS while Pentagon sceptics push for tougher terms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, soon to meet Xi Jinping, risks political fallout as debates continue.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109299

If we go to war, submarines come too: How US could demand AUKUS changes

Paul Sakkal and Michael Koziol - July 10, 2025

1/2

Australia is facing the prospect of a Trump administration review demanding it pay more for submarines under the $368 billion AUKUS pact and guarantee the boats support the US in a conflict over Taiwan.

Sources familiar with the review by Trump’s undersecretary of defence, Elbridge Colby, believe he intends to urge major changes to the program before Australia can get the nuclear submarines it has been promised.

The review puts Anthony Albanese in a politically difficult position as the prime minister prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a six-day trip to China next week.

But the Trump administration is not united behind Colby’s thinking, according to former aides, with foreign policy a major sticking point in the Republican Party.

The review from Colby, who works for the Pentagon and is sceptical of selling US submarines to Australia, blindsided Marco Rubio’s State Department when it was revealed in press reports last month. The State Department sent its diplomats a message: “We are not aware of a review of the AUKUS agreement.”

Interviews with three Australian sources with direct knowledge of the AUKUS review and American defence experts who worked on the submarine project believe the probe will recommend amending rather than scrapping the deal brokered by former leaders Joe Biden, Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson.

Two Australian officials said one option for Colby was to seek more money for the US submarine industry, which Australia is already contributing $4.7 billion towards.

Two other Australian sources, one in the political establishment and one in defence who have both spoken to Colby, said Colby believed Australia should give a public declaration or private guarantee that US-made nuclear submarines would be used in a possible conflict with China.

Colby is on record as saying the US is not building enough Virginia-class subs for its own needs, even before selling Australia a minimum of three from 2030.

It is not clear if Colby’s boss, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, or the broader White House support those ideas. The administration is split between isolationists, old school Republican globalists, and those who see China as the biggest threat, of which Colby is one.

The Pentagon last week moved to pause weapons deliveries to Ukraine at Colby’s urging, but Trump reversed the move just days later. Foreign policy chaos in the White House has made it difficult for Australian officials to gauge how much impact the undersecretary’s review will have.

One senior Australian official said Colby’s scepticism about selling submarines was not widespread.

“People are mistaking Colby as being the only driver of opinion in the US,” the source said, on condition of anonymity. “He’s an important voice, but not the only voice. There are multiple views about AUKUS within the US administration.”

Jennifer Hendrixson White, a former US official who was the lead negotiator for the AUKUS legislation in the Senate, also indicated Rubio’s department was caught off guard by Colby’s review, and said the State Department and Congress supported AUKUS.

She said leasing rather than selling the submarine was a subject of intense debate when the legislation was passed.

“It’s reasonable to expect the new team will want to put their mark on the agreement, but I don’t expect they will jettison it entirely,” White said. “With this team, there’s always a desire to increase leverage and ‘get a better deal’.

“If I was in London or Canberra, I would count on increased defence spending being one of the things the Administration is looking for. They have made similar requests across the board with other allies and partners.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314548 (121110ZJUL25) Notable: No missiles … but Defence can fire off a cookbook for ‘harmony’ – Defence’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, tasked with building a $20bn missile industry, has produced a $1800 “Taste of Harmony” cookbook instead, featuring recipes from staff and commander Air Marshal Leon Phillips. Senior officers ordered the book buried amid frustration over slow progress on missile production and looming job cuts. Defence Minister Richard Marles is planning a major departmental shake-up as costs blow out under AUKUS. Opposition figures ridiculed the cookbook, saying taxpayers expect missiles, not menus, while industry sources warned the project had failed to deliver.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109281

No missiles … but Defence can fire off a cookbook for ‘harmony’

BEN PACKHAM - July 09, 2025

1/2

They say an army marches on its stomach and so too does Defence’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, which has produced a “Taste of Harmony” cookbook with taxpayers’ funds.

The group, headed by Air Marshal Leon Phillips, has its work cut out establishing a $20bn-plus domestic missile manufacturing industry – a goal that remains a distant one.

But Phillips believes the “incredible power” of food will help his team get the job done, authorising an $1800 print run of the recipe book to celebrate Harmony Week earlier this year.

“In line with this year’s theme of ‘Everyone Belongs’, this book serves as a reminder that every member of GWEO group is valued as we work together towards our shared purpose,” he says in the book’s foreword.

“I encourage each of you to continue to embrace our shared values and create an environment where everyone truly belongs.”

The group’s staff contributed their favourite recipes, including a Chinese-inspired “Mystery meat stir fry”, and a “Loaded potato soup”.

Phillips, a keen amateur gourmet, shares his recipe for Spaghetti ai gamberi, urging his subordinates to “pair this meal with great company and a lovely dry riesling”.

But not everyone shares his passion for food-led team building, with orders coming down for the book to be buried amid high-level concerns over the GWEO group’s progress.

The Australian obtained a copy of the culinary compendium as Defence’s most senior officers braced for news of looming job cuts, with dozens of commanders and senior public service executives set to face the chop.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has ordered sweeping reforms to his department, warning “everything is on the table” amid tensions over budget blowouts and delays in getting new weapons and equipment into service.

The Australian revealed this week that up to 25 star-ranked Australian Defence Force officers could be drummed out, while 20 to 40 public service executive positions could be cut.

It’s understood senior commanders will be briefed on the changes in coming days. There was speculation in military circles this week that Defence could waive a requirement preventing former officers from taking consulting jobs for 12 months after entering civilian life.

The GWEO group faces being rolled into a new ­armaments directorate with the department’s vast and underperforming Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and its Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group.

The bureaucratic shake-up would leave Phillips fighting for his job, while CASG head Chris Deeble could also be vulnerable.

Mr Marles said in April 2023 he was “confident” Australia could begin producing guided missiles within two years, but there has been little progress on the GWEO initiative.

One well-placed industry source said: “I’d be cautious about any cooking times suggested in the cookbook given the amount of time it’s taking for the missile plan to come to a boil.

“They just haven’t done anything. They’re meant to be delivering a whole lot of locally-made missiles to increase our stocks for times of war and that just hasn’t progressed beyond orders for foreign missiles that are already in our catalogue.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314590 (121139ZJUL25) Notable: ‘Central base of operations’: Australia-US alliance carved into the landscape – Facilities like Western Australia’s Harold E Holt station and Pine Gap in the Northern Territory highlight Australia’s critical role in US war planning, relaying messages to submarines and providing early warning of nuclear attack. New AUKUS radar and submarine hubs, as well as US bomber and Marine rotations, reinforce Australia’s position as what US congressman Michael McCaul called “the central base of operations” against China. Defence Minister Richard Marles stresses these joint sites operate with “full knowledge and concurrence,” but analysts warn their importance makes them prime targets in any conflict.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

>>109299

‘Central base of operations’: Australia-US alliance carved into the landscape

BEN PACKHAM - July 11, 2025

1/3

Etched into the ancient red sands of Western Australia’s Northwest Cape is a network of dirt roads that, seen from above, carve a ­mysterious network of geometric shapes into the landscape.

For most Australians, clinging to the continent’s east and southwest coasts, the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station is out of sight and out of mind.

Towering radio masts rise from its central point and each corner of its two hexagonal ring roads, broadcasting very-low frequency signals to Australian and US submarines, including nuclear-armed American “boomers”.

As Australians recoil from Donald Trump, Anthony Albanese has pointedly asserted Australia’s independence in its relationship with the US, praising wartime leader John Curtin in a speech last Saturday for giving the nation the confidence “to think and act for ourselves”.

But the reality is that Australia’s security is so tightly wound up with the US’s strategic posture that the two would be almost impossible to disentangle.

The isolated Harold E Holt station, pictured in a stunning aerial photograph taken last September, is just one example of the array of facilities on Australian soil that would play a critical role in a US war with China.

It’s possible, though Australians will never know, the station’s transmitters relayed messages to the Ohio-class submarine that launched 30 Tomahawk missiles on Iranian nuclear sites last month.

Nearly 1700km southeast as the crow flies is another more well-known national security installation, Pine Gap. It’s been ingrained in the national consciousness, inspiring sporadic protests and one of Midnight Oil’s most famous songs – Power and the Passion. (“Flat chat, Pine Gap, in every home a Big Mac. And no one goes outback, that’s that.”)

Few know, however, that this joint Australian-US facility 18km south of Alice Springs gives the US 20-30 minutes advance warning time of a Russian or Chinese ­nuclear attack.

That’s long enough for whoever is in the White House to launch a devastating counterstrike. It’s this guarantee of mutually assured destruction that, theoretically, keeps America’s enemies from pressing the button, and gives credibility to the US’s extended nuclear umbrella that protects its allies, including Australia.

Top secret files leaked by former NSA officer Edward Snowden confirmed Pine Gap, codenamed “RAINFALL”, also “plays a significant role in supporting both intelligence activities and military operations”, feeding in signals intelligence to the US’s ECHELON surveillance program.

Its capabilities include the geolocation of individuals from their mobile phone signals, allowing them to be assassinated by drone strikes.

These sites and a handful of others are the physical manifestations of the Australia-US alliance. Together with new “force posture initiates” allowing the US military to operate from Australian soil, they are critical to America’s war plans. They are what Defence Minister Richard Marles was talking about when he pointed to the contribution Australia’s geography would make to any conflict ­between the US and China.

“Our continent is more relevant to great power contest now than it’s ever been before,” he told The Australian’s Defending Australia summit in June.

“That is as much of a question in the here and now as is the building up of our defence capability.”

Marles is right. But he is tiptoeing around just how strategically important Australia has become to its closest ally.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314635 (121215ZJUL25) Notable: COMMENTARY: Strengthening ties with Taiwan need not upset Beijing – “Under Xi Jinping’s rule, the past 13 years have seen a dramatic transformation in China’s strategic posture and military ambitions. Xi’s China has militarised the South China Sea in defiance of international law. It has weaponised trade and levied punitive sanctions on Taiwan’s agricultural products, as well as Australian wine, beef, barley and coal. I ask the Prime Minister to reflect on what is unfolding across the Taiwan Strait: 23 million patriotic Taiwanese are rehearsing for a full-scale invasion, with drills designed to gauge how fast they can pivot from weekday routine to wartime survival. Taiwan stands ready to deepen our partnership with Australia. With global trade policy uncertainty at a 50-year high, Taiwan offers collaboration and innovation anchored in an open, rules-based trading order where no country shall coerce or dominate another.” – Douglas Hsu, Taiwan’s chief representative in Australia - The Australian

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109276

>>109288

>>109303

COMMENTARY: Strengthening ties with Taiwan need not upset Beijing

Douglas Hsu - July 11, 2025

1/2

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will touch down in China on Saturday for a historic seven-day visit. While dialogue and mutually beneficial co-operation are important, Australians know successful engagement requires an understanding that China’s political system prioritises state power over all else. Under Xi Jinping’s rule, the past 13 years have seen a dramatic transformation in China’s strategic posture and military ambitions.

Xi’s China has militarised the South China Sea in defiance of international law. It has imposed its will on Hong Kong, undercutting its long-agreed autonomy. It has weaponised trade and levied punitive trade sanctions on Taiwan’s agricultural products, as well as Australian wine, beef, barley and coal. China has become more openly aggressive in the Taiwan Strait, increasing both the frequency and intensity of its military threats and grey-zone activities. These actions continue: last Monday China unilaterally activated a west-to-east flight path, challenging Taiwan’s situation awareness and betraying a decade-long commitment to consult on such moves. This has further heightened regional tensions.

Engaging with the Australian public through the lens of China always seems to me to do a disservice to the important story my country of Taiwan is writing. Taiwan is a world-class maritime trading power with a sophisticated economy and cutting-edge tech sector. The island has an exemplary track record of meeting international trade obligations. It’s perfectly positioned to meet the high standards required by agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.

During his post-election visit to Indonesia, the Prime Minister offered support for Jakarta’s CPTPP application. This is welcomed because “trade liberalisation serves the collective good”, as former DFAT secretary Peter Varghese has written for the Lowy Institute. Geopolitics, not economic and trade merit, appears to be determining the queue, given Taiwan’s CPTPP application was lodged in September 2021. It’s time to put prosperity over politics and move Taiwan’s CPTPP application forward. As CPTPP chair this year, Australia has the chance to focus on real economic opportunity, which helps fulfil the potential of this gold-standard agreement.

Taiwan’s true muscle is witnessed daily in our humming semiconductor fabs, which produce 90 per cent of the world’s most advanced chips, essential for a huge range of applications that power our daily life and fuel our ambitions. Few realise these facilities will soon consume more than 12 per cent of Taiwan’s electricity – largely from gas-fired power plants fuelled by Australian LNG – underlining the critical energy relationship between our economies.

Taiwan is a natural partner for the Albanese government’s economic agenda. Our semiconductor expertise can play a substantial role in supporting the Future Made in Australia vision, from critical minerals processing to advanced manufacturing. Our AI leadership spans chip design to responsible development frameworks. While others seek to dominate, Taiwan partners.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314662 (121238ZJUL25) Notable: ‘Stable ties’ with Beijing as Chinese spy ships head our way – Defence officials expect Chinese surveillance vessels to monitor Talisman Sabre 2025 as Anthony Albanese embarks on a five-day visit to China, including meetings with Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Albanese said he would raise “the full range of issues,” from Taiwan and South China Sea navigation to the detention of Yang Hengjun, insisting “We co-operate where we can and we disagree where we must.” Penny Wong warned of a “permanent state of competition” with Beijing, while Michaelia Cash urged Albanese to reinforce support for the US presence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109276

>>109303

‘Stable ties’ with Beijing as Chinese spy ships head our way

BEN PACKHAM - July 11, 2025

1/2

Defence officials are bracing for the arrival of Chinese spy ships off Australia’s coast in coming days as Anthony Albanese prepares to press the flesh with the country’s President, Xi Jinping, during a ­record five-day trip taking in Shanghai, Beijing and panda capital Chengdu.

The Prime Minister, who ­departs for China on Saturday, will use the visit to highlight his government’s efforts to stabilise ties with the nation’s biggest trading partner, while sidestepping difficult questions on Beijing’s strategic intentions.

The trip coincides with the start of Australia’s largest military exercise, Talisman Sabre, which is expected to be watched at a ­distance by multiple Chinese surveillance ships after it gets under way on Sunday.

A Defence spokeswoman told The Australian: “It would not be unusual or unexpected for China to monitor Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, as it has during previous iterations of this exercise. Defence monitors all traffic in our maritime approaches.”

The biennial war games will bring together military personnel and equipment from 19 nations for land, air, sea, space and cyber exercises, offering a rich intelligence-gathering opportunity for Beijing, which has sent spy ships to lurk off Queensland for the past three Talisman Sabres.

Mr Albanese, who is yet to meet Donald Trump in person, will have his fourth meeting with Mr Xi during the trip, as well as annual talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and a sit-down with National People’s Congress chairman Zhao Leji.

The visit is the longest by an Australian prime minister to China in living memory and comes amid tensions between Australia and the US over the Prime Minister’s refusal to lift ­defence spending and the Pentagon’s snap review of the AUKUS submarine program.

It comes just over six months after Beijing lifted the last of its $20bn worth of punitive trade bans on Australian exporters. Australia’s biggest companies are keen to leverage the improvement in relations, with Mr Albanese to be accompanied by a delegation of CEOs led by the Business Council of Australia.

China will attempt to drive a further wedge between Australia and its closest ally during the trip by urging closer trade co-operation to counter Mr Trump’s tariff chaos. It is expected to renew its calls for Australia to back its bid to join the 12-nation trans-Pacific trade deal, seek the relaxation of Australia’s foreign investment rules, and urge co-operation on artificial intelligence. All are red lines for Canberra.

Beijing is also likely to pressure Mr Albanese to abandon his pledge to force ­Chinese-owned company Landbridge to relinquish its lease over the Port of Darwin, amid government ­silence on the issue since the election.

Mr Albanese said he would raise the “full range of issues” in the nations’ bilateral relationship in his closed-door talks with China’s leaders. These will ­include a call for the release of ­detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun, and for Beijing to maintain the status quo on Taiwan and allow freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

“We co-operate where we can and we disagree where we must, and we’re able to have those honest conversations about some of the disagreements that are there,” Mr Albanese said on Friday.

“Australia and China have different political systems. We have, therefore, different values that are reflected in those political systems. But we have got to be able to have that engagement directly and that is what we will be doing.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314682 (121250ZJUL25) Notable: Anthony Albanese lands in China, while Australian Defence officials brace for arrival of spy ships – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Shanghai for a record five-day visit, calling it “wonderful” to return to Australia’s largest trading partner. He will meet Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, promote a new tourism deal, and attend panda diplomacy events in Chengdu. The trip highlights economic ties worth $312bn annually, with Albanese noting “one in four of Australia’s jobs depends on our exports.” Meanwhile, Defence expects Chinese spy ships to shadow Talisman Sabre 2025, a three-week exercise involving 19 nations and over 30,000 personnel.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

>>109276

>>109303

Anthony Albanese lands in China, while Australian Defence officials brace for arrival of spy ships

BEN PACKHAM - 12 July 2025

Anthony Albanese will look to lure thousands more cashed-up Chinese tourists to Australia as he begins his record five-day charm offensive in Shanghai on Sunday.

Arriving in China’s financial capital just before 8pm AEST Saturday, the Prime Minister declared it was “wonderful” to be back in the country that supports millions of Australian jobs as the nation’s biggest trading partner.

The first full day of his visit will be spent spruiking Australia’s tourism drawcards and launching a reworked marketing campaign amid a slower than expected rebound in visitor arrivals from China.

Mr Albanese said it was a “great honour” to represent Australia during the trip, which will include high-level talks with Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, and a visit to panda breeding capital Chengdu.

The meeting with President Xi will be Mr Albanese’s fourth, underscoring his failure so far to secure a first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The visit comes as Defence officials in Australia brace for the arrival of one or more Chinese spy ships off Australia’s coast in coming days to monitor the nation’s biggest military exercise, Talisman Sabre.

The three-week long exercise opens Sunday and will involve 19 nations, including the US and Japan, and more than 30,000 personnel.

In China, Mr Albanese will oversee a new deal between Tourism Australia and Trip.com, before holding a media event with the Shanghai Port Football Club, coached by former Socceroo Kevin Muscat.

A revamped version of the 2022 “Come and Say G’Day” campaign, starring a toy kangaroo called Ruby voiced by actor Rose Byrne, will also be released, featuring popular Chinese actor Yu Shi.

The latest Bureau of Statistics data showed short term visitor arrivals in Australia at 8.5 per cent below 2019 levels, with the market out of China among the slowest to return. In the 12 months to April, New Zealand accounted for 19 per cent of all visitor arrivals followed by China at 12 per cent and the UK at 9 per cent.

While trailing New Zealand on arrivals, China outpaces all other markets on spend, which was valued at $9.2bn a year

The Prime Minister, who is accompanied by a major business delegation, said the trip “speaks to the importance of the economic relationship between Australia and China”.

“We know that one in four of Australia’s jobs depends on our exports, and China is our major trading partner, with exports to China being worth more in value than the next four countries combined,” he said on the tarmac after his RAAF jet touched down.

“This week, we will have important meetings about tourism, about decarbonisation of steel, about the full range of issues.”

Mr Albanese is likely to sidestep questions about strategic tensions between Australia and China during the trip, which Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted last week warning China’s massive military build-up was destabilising the region.

She urged Beijing not to provoke a clash with the US, which has warned Beijing is preparing to invade Taiwan.

A Defence spokeswoman told The Australian on Friday: “It would not be unusual or unexpected for China to monitor Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, as it has during previous iterations of this exercise. Defence monitors all traffic in our maritime approaches.”

The presence of Chinese warships off Australia’s coast will revive memories of the heavily-armed flotilla of Chinese warships that conducted a surprise live-fire drill in the Tasman Sea in February before circumnavigating the country in an unprecedented show of force.

ANU international law expert Don Rothwell said given that experience, “the government may feel the need to conduct a more robust response to the presence of the PLAN offshore Australia’s coast”.

Mr Albanese was met at the airport by Australia’s Ambassador to China Scott Dewar, China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian, and received a bouquet of flowers from two young children.

The visit is the longest by an Australian prime minister to China in living memory and comes amid tensions between Australia and the US over the Prime Minister’s refusal to lift ­defence spending and the Pentagon’s snap review of the AUKUS submarine program.

China is far and away Australia’s largest trading partner, with total two-way goods and services trade valued at $312bn in 2024 – more than Australia’s next three trading partners combined.

The trip comes just over six months after Beijing lifted the last of its $20bn worth of punitive trade bans on Australian exporters.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/anthony-albanese-lands-in-china-while-australian-defence-officials-brace-for-arrival-of-spy-ships/news-story/c6bac717094b6919d77bfc8b5defd43f

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314703 (121302ZJUL25) Notable: In the hills of Australia, Pacific allies are training to fight Beijing – Japanese and Australian artillery crews joined US Marines in a live-fire drill near Townsville during Southern Jackaroo, underscoring deepening military integration aimed at deterring China. About 3000 troops took part, the largest since the exercise began in 2013. The training comes as Beijing expands naval and air activity across the region, prompting allies to boost readiness. Southern Jackaroo precedes Talisman Sabre 2025, involving 19 nations and 30,000 personnel. Analysts say Australia, Japan and the US are sharpening collective deterrence. Commanders stressed integration is improving each year, overcoming differences in language and procedure.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

In the hills of Australia, Pacific allies are training to fight Beijing

MIKE CHERNEY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - 12 July 2025

1/2

In the rugged hills outside the Queensland coastal city of Townsville, Japanese and Australian artillery crews fired in tandem on a distant target. They were assisted by US Marines, who were embedded with the Australian gun teams.

The live-fire drill was the culmination of Southern Jackaroo, an expanding annual exercise in the Australian bush in which the three nations’ forces practise working together as allies.

Although top officers didn’t call out any foe by name, troops taking part said it was clear that they were training to fight China.

As Beijing’s military steadily expands its forays in the Pacific, US allies in the region are realising they could easily be drawn into a conflict with China. They are responding by bolstering their forces and increasing joint drills to ensure they can work together seamlessly.

A primary goal of the combined displays of force is to complicate Beijing’s planning and convince the Chinese leadership that it would be too risky to use military force to assert territorial claims.

Australia and Japan, both of which have security pacts with the US, have emerged as essential US partners in the Pacific. If a war were to erupt, Washington would want Tokyo to sign off on the US using its Japanese bases to confront China and for Australia to send aircraft, ships and troops to Japan to help the fight, some defence analysts say.

“If there’s any argument to be made for a collective approach to deterrence in the region, it’s these three countries,” said Jeffrey Hornung, the Japan lead at Rand, a think tank.

On Friday, the US, Japan and Australia further bolstered their co-operation with a new naval logistics agreement that covers activities such as refuelling and reloading missile systems, which could be vital to improving their defences.

Australia is also gearing up to host the three-week Talisman Sabre exercise opening Sunday. The exercise will involve 19 nations, including the US and Japan, and more than 30,000 personnel.

Multinational manoeuvres are the new normal as the US and its allies prepare for a possible confrontation with China over Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that Beijing claims as its territory.

China has spent years building up its military – it now has the world’s largest navy – and is using that extra heft to expand its influence, including in areas beyond the “first island chain,” which includes Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

China sent an aircraft carrier group to waters east of Iwo Jima, a remote Japanese island, for the first time in June, prompting alerts from Tokyo. In another foray this year, China conducted naval drills near Australia.

At the same time, Beijing has continued to send its armed forces into the waters and airspace around Taiwan. It has expanded its operations in the disputed South China Sea near the Philippines and is increasing its activities in the Yellow Sea, a strategic area between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula.

“The Chinese are stretching their legs,” said Kelly Magsamen, who was chief of staff to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in the Biden administration.

“Their military modernisation has been at a pace that is pretty astounding. And then once you create a military, you start using your military, and you start pushing further and farther afield.”

Beijing has accused the US and its allies of spreading false accusations about the threat from China, and it has denounced the drills as provocations that disrupt peace and stability.

Training is picking up all over the region. In one recent exercise, US tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft carried Marines and Philippine troops to beaches and a nearby airfield where they practised repelling an adversary. In another, F-35 jet fighters from the US, Japan and Australia trained together for the first time in Guam, a US island territory with an expanding military role.

About 3000 troops took part in this year’s Southern Jackaroo, the most since the exercise started in 2013.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314748 (121328ZJUL25) Notable: Meet the Japanese marines getting ready to storm Australian beaches – Japan’s amphibious rapid deployment brigade (ARDB), created in 2018 amid tensions with China, has grown to 3000 troops and will deploy 450 marines, two destroyers and a tank landing ship for Talisman Sabre 2025. Commanding officer Maj Gen Toshikatsu Musha said working with Australian and US forces would “strengthen our mutual understanding and also strengthen interoperability.” Analysts said training now reflects “actual contingencies” such as Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula, with the ARDB focused on defending Japan’s Senkaku Islands, which China also claims. For the unit’s soldiers, Australia offers tougher seas and live-fire training.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

>>109307

Meet the Japanese marines getting ready to storm Australian beaches

David King - July 11, 2025

1/2

They are the Japanese army’s newest fighting force – a crack group of highly trained marines whose sole purpose is to storm one of the country’s 10,000 islands and repel any invader.

For the next three weeks, they’re going to call Australia home as they prepare to land on a remote Queensland beach with US and local forces in a simulation of what they could face in a potential conflict.

The amphibious rapid deployment brigade (ARDB) was created just seven years ago as tensions mounted between Japan and China over disputed islands in the East China Sea. Since then, the brigade has grown from one regiment to three – 3000 troops in total.

This masthead was given exclusive access to the brigade’s base at Camp Ainoura, at Sasebo on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, before the mission to Australia for Talisman Sabre, the massive international military exercise about to get under way in Sydney on Sunday.

Japan’s contingent of 1500 military personnel is its largest deployment to the exercise so far and will include 450 Japanese marines as well as two navy destroyers, a tank landing ship and amphibious vehicles.

Commanding officer major general Toshikatsu Musha said the chance to test his troops with Australian and US forces was extremely valuable, and he was looking forward to more challenging conditions than the calm waters around their training base.

“The higher the waves we have, the better training we can have. So it’s very beneficial to us,” he said.

“Another benefit is we can work with the US Marine Corp and the Australian soldiers, so we can strengthen our mutual understanding and also strengthen interoperability.”

Talisman Sabre involves 30,000 personnel from 19 countries, plus three observer nations, with war games stretching from Jervis Bay in NSW to the Northern Territory and for the first time this year, Papua New Guinea. Giant warships have already started to arrive in Australia’s northern waters.

It is also the largest combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the United States military, which the ADF says reflects “the closeness of our alliance”.

Japan, Australia and the US are quickly stepping up their military co-operation in a strategic push against China and the exercises will be the first step in delivering a commitment from the countries’ defence ministers to work together on amphibious warfare.

Simulated beach landings near Rockhampton will involve the 31st US Marines as well as the Japanese units amid concerns in all three countries about China’s military build-up and deepening ties between North Korea and Russia.

China has sent spy ships to monitor the Talisman Sabre exercise regularly since 2017 with a keen interest in how the Japanese navy works with US and Australian forces. Defence Minister Richard Marles said he fully expects China to monitor the operation again in 2025.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314818 (121350ZJUL25) Notable: 9th Brigade, US Coast Guard join forces in 30,000 strong Talisman Sabre multi-domain warfighting – More than 30,000 personnel from 19 nations will join Talisman Sabre 2025, with one of the most striking contributions a 1400-strong task group made up mostly of reservists. Australia’s 9th Brigade and the US Coast Guard — which shipped six vessels to Darwin — will patrol communities, waterways and critical infrastructure. 9th Brigade commander Brigadier Tim Orders said reservists bring “real empathy with communities,” while US Cmdr Faith Gamboa called the deployment “a big thing for the US government.” It marks the first time a US Coast Guard Port Security unit has operated in the Indian Ocean.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

9th Brigade, US Coast Guard join forces in 30,000 strong Talisman Sabre multi-domain warfighting

Harry Brill - July 10, 2025

While the size and scale of military’s Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 will captivate the masses, it is the contribution of a single task group that is shaping up to be the most intriguing addition to the mammoth Top End war games exercise.

Starting this weekend, more than 30,000 military personnel from across 19 nations will take to the bush, air and sea to wargame, hitting Territorians with another year of exercise deja vu.

However, at a time when a retention crisis continues to plague the ADF and heated debate surrounds the ‘younger’ generation’s’ desire to enlist, this year’s iteration comes with a positive turnout.

A 1400-strong task group, made up almost entirely of reservists, will take part in the month-long multi-domain warfighting and have been assigned the role of patrolling communities, waterways and critical infrastructure across the Top End.

The task group is made up of both Australian personnel and reservists from the US Coast Guard, who have shipped half-a-dozen vessels to Darwin especially for July.

Despite not being full-time, ‘chocos’ - as they’re colloquially referred to across the ADF - have a lot to offer operationally, according to 9th Brigade commander Brigadier Tim Orders.

“They have real empathy with (local) communities and bring a lot in terms of how we are able to connect and operate,” he said.

Brigadier Orders’ comments are backed by history, as it was ‘chocos’ who did the heavy lifting during the Kokoda Track campaign of 1942 - a series of battles waged in the jungle of Papua New Guinea.

Currently, the ADF’s reserve numbers remain relatively healthy at approximately 32,500.

However, the ADF have sought to expand that number and refine its quality, after a 2024 strategic review tabled 14 detailed recommendations.

One of the submissions was to extend the active commitment period of former permanent ADF personnel from five to 10 years, allowing military commanders to call-on a larger pool of troops in the event of an emergency.

It was also recommended the ADF raise an extra 1000 troops by 2030.

Australia is not the only nation putting more stock into their reserves.

This month, Commander Faith Gamboa of the US Coast Guard will lead a team - of which about 90 per cent are reservists - who hail from Clearwater, Florida.

“This is the first time a Port Security unit has ever been to Darwin, ever been to the Indian Ocean,” she said.

“So this is a big thing for the US government.”

While it is rare for the US Coast Guard to partake in a large, international military exercise, Commander Gamboa said she saw potential to test her troops in the waters of Darwin Harbour and beyond.

“(Our capability is) we can detect, defend and deter any kind of malign threat that’s in the intercoastal waterways or surrounding waters, as well as port spaces (and) critical infrastructure” she said.

“We have both a waterside security portion as well as a shore-side security portion, providing a layer defence in the port area.”

Exercise Talisman Sabre will run from 13 July to 4 August.

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/9th-brigade-us-coast-guard-join-forces-in-30000-strong-talisman-sabre-multidomain-warfighting/news-story/5f9dedd96f5986e396e95603ad79c520

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23314896 (121417ZJUL25) Notable: Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Tweet: (Video) Talisman Sabre locked in - press [play] now. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109224

U.S. Marines launch Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia’s north

Capt. John Fischer - 07.11.2025

DARWIN, Australia — U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) are taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise, to enhance interoperability and strengthen ties with the Australian Defence Force and U.S. Army joint forces across the Northern Territory (NT) this month.

During the exercise, which runs from July 13 to August 4, MRF-D MAGTF Marines and Sailors will execute complex operations alongside the Australian Army’s 1st Division. The training includes airfield seizures at Timber Creek, Cloncurry, and Bootu airfields; establishment of expeditionary advanced bases (EABs) and sustainment hubs; joint and combined live-fire evolutions; and continuous airspace control of the NT through MRF-D MAGTF Marines with Marine Air Control Group 38.

“Our Marines are seizing simulated key maritime terrain and enabling freedom of maneuver for allied forces,” said Col. Jason C. Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF. “This exercise is Force Design 2030, in action, right now.”

Highlights include a bilateral artillery live-fire between Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, MRF-D 25.3, and Australia’s 8th/12th Regiment at Mount Bundey Training Area, MV-22 Osprey-supported air assault operations to secure airfields deep inland, and a historic mobile command and control node enabling continuous low signature deconfliction of fires and forces in the NT battlespace. Marines are also operating the Tactical Aviation Ground Refueling System (TAGRS) to rapidly refuel joint and combined aircraft, showcasing advanced expeditionary refueling capabilities. MRF-D’s defensive cyber capabilities will also integrate with Australian and New Zealand partners to identify simulated threats during the exercise.

Exercise Talisman Sabre is designed to improve combat readiness and strengthen the long-standing alliance between the United States and Australia. More than 35,000 personnel from 19 nations are participating this year, with the U.S. Marines playing a critical role in maneuver, fires integration, logistics support, and combined command and control.

“Everything we do is predicated on trust with our allies and partners,” said Armas. That’s how we train and that’s how we really uphold security and stability in the Asia-Pacific,” Armas said.

MRF-D has been deploying to Australia annually for more than a decade as part of the U.S. Force Posture Initiatives, enhancing regional security cooperation, crisis response capability, and combined operational proficiency.

For imagery and updates from Talisman Sabre, visit:

https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/TalismanSabre25

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/542510/us-marines-launch-exercise-talisman-sabre-25-australias-north

—

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Tweet

Talisman Sabre locked in — press [play] now.

Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners.

https://x.com/MRFDarwin/status/1943662313866952818

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23318879 (130856ZJUL25) Notable: PM and fiancee step out in Shanghai to kick off soccer diplomacy – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and fiancée Jodie Haydon walked The Bund with Socceroos great Kevin Muscat, now coach of Shanghai Port FC, in a bid to appeal to Xi Jinping’s love of football and strengthen personal ties ahead of formal talks. Albanese was gifted a team jersey and hailed “ambassadors” like Muscat as people-to-people links. The visit begins with tourism deals and a new “Come and Say G’Day” campaign, even as Penny Wong raised concerns with Beijing over a Chinese flotilla that conducted a live-fire drill around Australia earlier this year.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109303

>>109306

PM and fiancee step out in Shanghai to kick off soccer diplomacy

Paul Sakkal - July 12, 2025

1/2

Shanghai, China: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon spent the morning walking The Bund with Socceroos great Kevin Muscat, using soccer as a form of diplomacy with China.

In a bid to appeal to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s love for the world game, Albanese met with Muscat, who coaches Shanghai Port FC – a club that has been flooded with funding after Xi put forward an ambitious plan to conquer world football.

The diplomatic move to engage with Muscat before formal talks between Albanese and Xi signals Australia’s aim of strengthening the personal relationship between the two leaders to ease geopolitical tensions.

Albanese was presented with a Shanghai Port FC soccer shirt during an event with the club’s Australian coach, Muscat, at Shanghai’s famous Bund thoroughfare.

“We have a parliamentary football team [and] we’re not very good,” Albanese said, holding the jersey with the number 10 and his name on the back. “I’ll be able to wear that around Australia proudly.”

Muscat and Australians doing business in China were examples, the prime minister said, of healthy people-to-people links between the two nations.

“I’ve just been chatting about Kevin, about the fact that they are ambassadors as well,” Albanese said alongside the Huangpu river, talking up Muscat’s chances of winning another trophy with Shanghai.

Muscat replied: “That’s the idea.”

Wearing a hat bearing the logo of his own football team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Albanese said Australia’s trade with China was worth as much as the next four nations combined.

“That says something about how important this relationship is,” he said.

From 1994 to 2006, Muscat played as a defender for the Socceroos. He won 46 caps and scored 10 goals in that time.

In 2023, the soccer champion became the coach of Shanghai Port, and the club has since won the 2024 Chinese Super League season and the 2024 Chinese FA Cup.

Beyond soccer diplomacy, Australia complained on Friday to China about a live-fire exercise in February that disrupted flights between Sydney and New Zealand, only a day before Albanese touched down in Shanghai.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised Australia’s concerns about the heavily armed flotilla that circumnavigated Australia earlier this year in a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Malaysia on Friday, the government confirmed.

Her expression of disapproval at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a day after she warned of China’s rapid military build-up, serves as a reminder of the points of difference with Australia’s largest trading partner, even after years of calmer relations under Labor.

The emergence of a Chinese flotilla sailing around Australia’s east coast in February sparked concern in Canberra about the lack of notice of live-firing, despite the voyage being conducted in accordance with international law.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/23318889 (130904ZJUL25) Notable: China to take more active part in promoting comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia – "Over the past three years, China-Australia relations have stabilized, turned around and achieved positive results, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. It proves that as long as the two countries uphold a correct positioning of their partnership, bilateral relations can develop steadily and continue to yield results. For her part, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that dialogue and cooperation between Australia and China in trade, tourism and other fields have continued to make progress, and personnel exchanges have become increasingly active. Wong said Australia supports the central role of ASEAN and is committed to maintaining regional peace and stability." – Xinhua

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>109303

>>109306

>>109313

China to take more active part in promoting comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia: FM

Xinhua - 2025-07-12

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) - China is ready to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia through a more proactive approach, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday.

China is willing to work with Australia to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, maintain the momentum of improvement in bilateral ties and properly manage their differences, Wang said.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in the Malaysian capital on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.

Over the past three years, China-Australia relations have stabilized, turned around and achieved positive results, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

It proves that as long as the two countries uphold a correct positioning of their partnership, bilateral relations can develop steadily and continue to yield results, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister noted that Australia's rational and pragmatic policy toward China serves the interests of both countries and aligns with the trend of the times.

For her part, Wong said that Australia is committed to developing a positive and pragmatic relationship with China.

Both sides are making every effort to prepare for high-level exchanges and look forward to achieving positive outcomes, she said, adding that dialogue and cooperation between Australia and China in trade, tourism and other fields have continued to make progress, and personnel exchanges have become increasingly active.

Wong noted that Australia remains firmly committed to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence."

Australia is willing to engage in candid communication and deepen cooperation with China to promote the sustained and positive development of bilateral relations, she said.

Wong said that Australia supports the central role of ASEAN and is committed to maintaining regional peace and stability.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the South China Sea and the Ukraine crisis.

https://english.news.cn/20250712/da547c54ed3b4cd8893f1fe7b1f85af7/c.html