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#42 - Part 1

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 1

>>23252491 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.

>>23256499 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.

>>23265100 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.

>>23278918 Video: Restaurant stormed and synagogue targeted in night of antisemitic attacks in Melbourne – A Melbourne synagogue was set on fire while 20 people, including children, were inside for Shabbat dinner, and Israeli restaurant Miznon was stormed by masked people shouting offensive chants, including “death to the IDF”. Firefighters quickly contained the synagogue blaze, captured on CCTV, but police are still searching for the arsonist. Premier Jacinta Allan, Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece and Jewish leaders condemned the attacks as cowardly, racist and dangerous. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry warned antisemitism is worsening, demanding perpetrators face the full force of the law.

>>23278968 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.

>>23279036 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.

#42 - Part 2

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 2

>>23283256 Video: Man charged after alleged arson attack on Melbourne synagogue – Angelo Loras, 34, from NSW, has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and weapon possession after the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation’s doors were allegedly set alight, forcing 20 people to flee. Police are probing intent and ideology to determine terrorism links. On the same night, protesters chanting “death to the IDF” attacked Israeli restaurant Miznon, cars were torched in Greensborough, and antisemitic graffiti appeared in Elsternwick. Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as “cowardly.” Benjamin Netanyahu called the incidents “reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks” and urged Australia to “take all action” against those responsible.

>>23283300 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.”

>>23288313 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.”

>>23293950 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.”

>>23293962 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.

>>23293989 Video: Benjamin Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “bold leadership” in brokering the Abraham Accords and pursuing peace in the Middle East. Netanyahu said Trump’s leadership showed “dialogue, not extremism,” while warning a Palestinian state would be “a platform to destroy Israel.” Trump, fresh from ordering strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, confirmed Iran had requested talks. Netanyahu set three red lines for a ceasefire with Hamas: its destruction, exile of its leaders, and disarmament. Washington, Qatar and Egypt are brokering a 60-day ceasefire deal.

#42 - Part 3

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 3

>>23304723 Video: Plan to tackle antisemitism: Funding threats for unis, school curriculum changes in bid to change ‘dangerous trajectory’ – Jillian Segal, Australia’s first special envoy on antisemitism, has delivered a landmark plan proposing mandatory Holocaust education, adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism, stricter oversight of universities and media, and potential funding cuts to institutions, charities or cultural events that fail to act. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released the report with Segal, pledging swift but balanced implementation and urging bipartisanship. Mainstream Jewish groups welcomed the blueprint, while civil liberties advocates, Palestinian activists and the Jewish Council of Australia warned it risks undermining free speech.

>>23304735 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.

>>23314345 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.

>>23323852 Video: Masked figure claims responsibility for anti-Israel firebombing, threatens weapons workers – A masked figure in a video claimed responsibility for the July 5 firebombing of weapons manufacturer Lovitt Technologies in Greensborough, Victoria, and threatened further violence against its workers. Police said the four-minute video, filmed before a Palestinian flag, is being reviewed by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team. The man used voice-altering software, warned employees he had their addresses, and demonstrated how to firebomb cars. Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines condemned the threats as incitement to violence, while Jewish leaders likened the group to “an al-Qa’ida terror cell.”

>>23338415 Charges laid but orchestrators behind synagogue attack remain a mystery – Investigators say the December 2024 firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue, declared a likely terrorist incident, has “hit a wall” due to encryption and disposable street gangs concealing those who ordered it. A 20-year-old man has been charged only over the theft of the blue VW Golf used in the attack, but no terrorism charges have been laid. The Joint Counter Terrorism Taskforce (JCTT) maintains it was politically motivated, with $31m pledged for rebuilding and security. Officials believe multiple offenders remain at large, shielded by encrypted networks linking Melbourne’s wider arson-for-hire underworld.

>>23338446 Jason Clare flags ‘months’ until anti-Semitism response – Education Minister Jason Clare says the government will wait for reports on Islamophobia and wider racism before acting on Jillian Segal’s nearly 50 recommendations to combat anti-Semitism, including stripping funding from universities that fail to act. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community cannot wait, warning the crisis has lasted “more than 21 months and counting.” Labor MP Ed Husic urged against “heavy-handed” measures, cautioning young Australians’ reactions to the Middle East should not be assumed to lead to anti-Semitism. Clare backed Husic’s call for careful consideration.

#42 - Part 4

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 4

>>23338461 Hate preacher can’t ‘bury’ court-ordered corrective social media posts – The Federal Court has ordered Wissam Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, to post pinned corrective notices on his social media admitting unlawful racial vilification of Jews, rejecting his attempt to avoid “advertising” them. Justice Angus Stewart ruled Haddad breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and granted the Executive Council of Australian Jewry a muzzle order to prevent future discrimination. ECAJ’s Peter Wertheim welcomed the decision as essential to counteracting harm, warning Haddad could face contempt if he breaches the order.

>>23348117 Gaza woman living in Sydney released from detention after ASIO security risk ruling – Palestinian grandmother Maha Almassri, 61, dubbed “Gaza Gran,” was released from Villawood detention a week after ASIO deemed her a security risk and her bridging visa was cancelled. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office declined to explain, citing national security, while noting no previous adverse assessments had led to visas being reinstated. Opposition spokesman Andrew Hastie called the handling “shambolic,” demanding answers on how she could be freed. Her family denies she failed the “character test” and supporters protested outside Burke’s office.

>>23361911 Australia, UK, France and other nations call for immediate end to war in Gaza – Twenty-eight countries, including Australia, the UK, France and Japan, signed a joint statement demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The statement, signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, condemned Israel’s “drip feeding of aid” and “inhumane killing” of Palestinians, noting more than 800 people have died near aid sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called it Australia’s strongest language yet. Israel rejected the statement as “disconnected from reality”, blaming Hamas for prolonging the war. The US did not sign.

>>23361918 Labor brands Israeli conduct in Gaza ‘indefensible’ after 28-nation statement – Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declared Israel’s actions in Gaza “indefensible” after Australia joined 27 countries in condemning the “horrifying” killing of Palestinians and demanding an immediate ceasefire. The joint statement, signed by Penny Wong, criticised Israel’s “drip feeding” of aid and warned against forced removal of Palestinians. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the statement “disgusting”, while Israel’s top diplomat in Australia, Amir Maimon, said it was “disconnected from reality”. The UN reported 875 deaths near aid sites since July 13.

>>23361926 Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt opening of parliament – Seventeen activists were detained inside Parliament House after chanting “free, free Palestine” during Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s speech, while hundreds more rallied outside, some clashing with police. Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi held a “Sanction Israel” sign and shouted at Anthony Albanese, while Bob Katter retorted “they started it” in reference to Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Demonstrators displayed images of dead children and staged mock funerals; one man stood on a police car before being ordered down. The protest followed Labor’s strongest rebuke of Israel yet, co-signing a 28-nation letter condemning civilian deaths and aid restrictions in Gaza.

>>23367254 Police scour devices of man accused of East Melbourne Synagogue firebombing – Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and criminal damage after allegedly firebombing the East Melbourne Synagogue on July 4 while 20 worshippers were inside. Police say he poured flammable liquid on the doors before setting them alight, causing $5000 damage. No injuries were reported. Two of Loras’ electronic devices are being examined to determine motive, which could escalate the case to a higher court if evidence is found. The incident is being investigated for potential terrorism links amid rising antisemitic acts in Melbourne.

>>23383895 PM labels Gaza a 'humanitarian catastrophe' and reaffirms aspiration for Palestinian statehood – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labelled the Gaza conflict a "humanitarian catastrophe" and reiterated Australia's commitment to a two-state solution. He condemned Israel’s actions, including denial of aid and civilian casualties, calling on Israel to comply with international law. While France plans to officially recognise Palestine, Albanese did not directly address this move but affirmed Australia's long-standing position on a Palestinian state. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Australia would not follow France’s lead but would continue to push for a ceasefire and increased aid to Gaza.

#42 - Part 5

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 5

>>23388321 ‘We won’t make a decision as a gesture’: Albanese says no imminent move to recognise Palestine – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected calls for Australia to immediately recognise Palestine, stating the decision would be made at the "appropriate time." He condemned Israel's restrictions on aid to Gaza as a breach of international law and morality but said Australia would only recognise Palestine once key conditions, such as the removal of Hamas from power, are met. Former foreign minister Bob Carr and other Labor figures urged quicker recognition, but Albanese emphasized that any recognition should be substantive, not symbolic.

>>23392664 NSW premier resists calls for pro-Palestinian 'March for Humanity' on Sydney Harbour Bridge – NSW Premier Chris Minns has opposed a proposed pro-Palestinian march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, citing concerns over public safety and potential chaos. The Palestine Action Group Sydney planned the march for August 3 to protest the "extraordinary situation" in Gaza, highlighting the impact of Israeli restrictions and humanitarian concerns. Minns argued that the bridge, a critical infrastructure, could not accommodate such a protest without causing significant disruption. The group has called for more time to plan and support the march, while the NSW opposition and police have suggested alternative protest routes.

>>23392689 Sydney Harbour Bridge protest showdown looms after Chris Minns’ intervention – Premier Chris Minns has opposed a planned pro-Palestinian march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, citing public safety concerns and the potential for chaos. Palestine Action Group Sydney intends to hold the "March for Humanity" on August 3 to protest the suffering in Gaza. The Premier's opposition has sparked defiance from organizers, with spokesperson Josh Lees saying they would proceed with the march if negotiations fail. While some, including Greens MP Sue Higginson, support the protest, others, like Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, argue that alternative protest locations should be used.

>>23397904 PM brands Israel’s denial of starvation reports in Gaza ‘beyond comprehension’ – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is no starvation in Gaza, calling it “beyond comprehension.” Albanese criticized Israel’s role in restricting media access and said claims of no starvation were part of Hamas’ propaganda. While Albanese continues to oppose Hamas’ control of Gaza, he indicated that the region could eventually be freed from their rule, paving the way for Palestinian state recognition. The remarks come amid ongoing conflict and international disputes over humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

>>23397960 NSW Police to block Sydney Harbour Bridge pro-Palestine protest – NSW Police have moved to block a pro-Palestine protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, citing public safety concerns. The Palestine Action Group had planned to march with 10,000 people to raise awareness of the hunger crisis in Gaza. Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna stated that the protest would create significant disruption and risk public safety. While negotiations for alternative routes are ongoing, the Palestine Action Group insisted the march will go ahead. Premier Chris Minns also raised concerns about insufficient notice given for the protest.

>>23402161 Video: Overseas criminal suspects in synagogue firebombing – Police are investigating the involvement of overseas criminals, including exiled tobacco kingpin Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad, in the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Australian Federal Police are working with Five Eyes partners to explore links to criminals offshore. Authorities arrested a 21-year-old Werribee man in connection with the attack. The firebombing is believed to be politically motivated, but no terrorism-related arrests or charges have been made yet. Police seized electronic devices during searches, and further arrests are expected.

>>23402220 Israel accuses Albanese of telling 'a lie' as a report warns famine is 'playing out' in Gaza – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying after he claimed Israel was withholding aid and causing starvation in Gaza. Sa'ar rejected the allegations, insisting Israel was not withholding aid. Meanwhile, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a warning that famine is "playing out" in Gaza, with malnutrition and hunger-related deaths rising. The IPC is urging immediate action, as Gaza’s food insecurity and starvation are rapidly accelerating. Famine thresholds have been reached, but Israel maintains that aid is being delivered.

#42 - Part 6

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 6

>>23402293 Albanese resists ‘moral momentum’ call to join UK plans for recognising Palestine – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s call to recognise Palestine, stating that recognition will only occur after progress towards peace is made. Despite pressure from Australian Labor MP Ed Husic and unions, Albanese reiterated that the government is focused on the two-state solution, not making statements for political gain. A recent statement from 14 nations, including Australia, shows willingness to consider Palestinian statehood, but stops short of endorsing the UK’s position. Meanwhile, opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash emphasized that recognition should follow peace negotiations.

>>23406871 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese waiting for right moment to recognise Palestinian state – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated he will recognise a Palestinian state, but only when the timing aligns with achieving a peaceful resolution. "What we're looking at is the circumstances where recognition will advance the objective of the creation of two states," Albanese said. He emphasized that his goal has always been to support both Israel’s right to exist within secure borders and the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians for their own state. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Australia’s support for a two-state solution while calling for a ceasefire and the exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

>>23406946 Trump says Palestinian recognition a threat to trade talks in warning to Australia – US President Donald Trump has warned that the recognition of Palestinian statehood could jeopardise trade negotiations, adding pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. As Canada, France, and the UK advance plans to recognise Palestine, Albanese stated that Australia's position remains about "when, not if," but without rushing. Labor faces growing internal and external pressure to align with the global momentum for a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Trump warned that Canada's recognition would complicate trade talks, stating it would make a trade deal with Canada “very hard” .

>>23406966 Video: Adass Israel Synagogue arsonist identified as Giovanni Laulu in first court appearance – Giovanni Laulu, 21, has appeared in court charged with arson, recklessly endangering life, and vehicle theft following the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in December 2024. Laulu, arrested during counter-terrorism raids across Melbourne, faces multiple charges related to the attack, which caused extensive damage to the $20 million synagogue. CCTV footage shows masked men entering the building with a red jerry can before setting the fire. Investigations continue, with Laulu remanded in custody. Authorities are also exploring possible links to overseas criminals.

>>23415263 Video: Harbour Bridge protest in limbo after police argue crowd crush threat – NSW Police has sought a Supreme Court prohibition order against Sunday’s pro-Palestine march across the Harbour Bridge, warning of “unprecedented” risks to public safety, including crowd crush and disruption to emergency access. The move followed a counter-protest threat by fringe pro-Israel group Never Again is Now, which was later withdrawn. Organisers say up to 100,000 protesters will attend, with activists arguing a sanctioned road closure would be safer. The protest has divided Premier Chris Minns’ party, with five Labor MPs joining crossbenchers in backing the march despite Minns’ opposition.

>>23415265 Video: Sydney Harbour Bridge to close for 4 hours, as cops prepare for Sunday traffic chaos – The NSW Supreme Court has authorised a pro-Palestine “March for Humanity” across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, prompting police to warn of major disruption as the bridge shuts from 11.30am to 4pm Sunday. Justice Belinda Rigg ruled safety could be maintained, citing Palestine Action Group’s track record, while organiser Josh Lees called the march an “urgent necessity” amid Gaza’s crisis. Police warned of “serious safety concerns” but pledged a strong presence. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry condemned the ruling, calling it reckless and divisive.

#42 - Part 7

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 7

>>23419269 100,000 march in Melbourne and Sydney to protest Israel’s bombardment of Gaza – More than 100,000 pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Melbourne’s King Street Bridge, demanding sanctions on Israel and condemning Gaza’s starvation. Protesters displayed images of malnourished children, chanting “free Palestine,” while organiser Mohammad Sharab urged calm, calling the movement “peaceful” and denouncing claims of extremism. Victoria Police deployed heavy riot units but confirmed no arrests. Activists including Samantha Ratnam and Basil El Ghattis said Labor faces pressure over military ties, while Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Brad Battin warned of consequences for unlawful disruption.

>>23419310 Video: Julian Assange joins pro-Palestine march across Sydney Harbour Bridge before police stop rally citing safety fears – Tens of thousands marched in Sydney despite rain, with Julian Assange, Bob Carr, Ed Husic, Meyne Wyatt, Craig Foster and Mehreen Faruqi among attendees. Police texted the crowd to halt the rally over safety concerns, turning protesters back after estimating attendance at 100,000, though organisers claimed up to 300,000. Carr and Husic renewed calls for sanctions on Benjamin Netanyahu and recognition of Palestinian statehood, while Faruqi praised protesters for “defying Chris Minns.” Police and government figures had earlier warned of crowd crush and major disruption.

>>23423343 How ‘serial pest’ Josh Lees won the Battle of the Bridge - and closed it down – Activist Josh Lees, long branded a “professional protester,” secured a NSW Supreme Court ruling allowing the Harbour Bridge march, despite police warnings of gridlock, ambulance delays and violent clashes. Justice Belinda Rigg accepted Lees’ testimony that urgency over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis justified authorisation, citing his two decades of activism and community backing. The judgment noted 147 Gazans had died from starvation and 40,000 infants were at imminent risk. Lees, hailed by Red Flag as victorious over “forces of injustice,” left court waving the Palestinian flag.

>>23423365 Sydney Harbour Bridge pro-Palestine protest marred by Ayatollah image and traffic chaos – An estimated 90,000 protesters, led by Julian Assange, marched across the Harbour Bridge in heavy rain, closing it for over five hours and causing major traffic disruption. The event was marred when a demonstrator displayed an image of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei behind Assange and other high-profile figures. Police raised safety fears after crowding at the northern end but no major incident occurred. Justice Belinda Rigg authorised the march, citing Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Protesters and figures such as Bob Carr demanded recognition of Palestinian statehood.

>>23423380 Albanese seeks call with Netanyahu following Sydney, Melbourne protests – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pursuing a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after 90,000 marched across the Harbour Bridge and 25,000 in Melbourne, pressing for recognition of Palestine. Albanese said he would use the call to advocate a two-state solution, while ruling out new sanctions beyond those already imposed. Ed Husic, Alison Byrnes and Tony Sheldon joined the protest, with Husic urging immediate recognition. Albanese praised the march as peaceful but said Australians “don’t want conflict brought here.” Critics warned of manipulation by extremist organisers.

>>23428058 PM speaks with Palestinian Authority amid mounting pressure to recognise statehood – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, pledging support for aid access, a ceasefire, hostage releases and a two-state solution, while agreeing to meet him at the UN General Assembly in September. Australia committed $20m in new Gaza aid as pressure grows for recognition of Palestinian statehood, with Penny Wong suggesting coordination with allies ahead of the UN. Albanese also seeks a call with Benjamin Netanyahu, while UN figures show 1300 Palestinians have died trying to access food since late May.

>>23435986 Australia could recognise Palestinian state within weeks, won’t wait for Trump — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is weighing whether to announce recognition of a Palestinian state before September’s UN General Assembly, aligning with France, the UK and Canada. Albanese stressed Australia is a “sovereign government” and would not seek US President Donald Trump’s approval, despite his warnings recognition could reward Hamas. Any Australian move would depend on Hamas leaving Gaza and reforms within the Palestinian Authority. Albanese discussed the issue with Mahmoud Abbas this week, while critics warned recognition risks diverging from US and Israeli policy.

#42 - Part 8

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 8

>>23444314 Video: Israeli security cabinet agrees to major escalation in Gaza - Israel has approved plans for its military to seize Gaza City as part of a broader ambition to take full control of the enclave, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal was to defeat Hamas and later hand Gaza to Arab forces, not the Palestinian Authority. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the move would “worsen the humanitarian catastrophe,” while Israel’s opposition leaders warned it risked the lives of remaining hostages. The war has already killed over 61,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry says.

>>23448169 Jewish leaders demand Albanese makes sure Palestinian Authority accepts Israel before recognition – Jewish leaders have urged Anthony Albanese to ensure the Palestinian Authority recognises Israel as a Jewish state, ends support for terrorism and halts anti-Semitic indoctrination before Australia considers Palestinian statehood. Labor ministers outlined a path for recognition, with Penny Wong signing a joint call for the PA to play a “central role” and Tony Burke noting precedent for recognition despite terrorist control in parts of territory. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned European recognition efforts undermined ceasefire talks, while Jewish organisations in Australia questioned Mahmoud Abbas’s credibility.

>>23452518 Historic decision:Albanese to recognise Palestinian state at UN in September– (Video) Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at next month’s UN General Assembly, aligning with Britain, France and Canada. He said recognition followed commitments from Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would have no role, while condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and settlement expansion. Israel’s ambassador Amir Maimon and Jewish leaders warned the move undermines security and peace talks, as Benjamin Netanyahu branded it “shameful.” Penny Wong confirmed she briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Washington’s response likely to add strain to relations with Donald Trump’s administration.

>>23452542 Video: Netanyahu lashes ‘shameful’ Australia over Palestinian state – Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced Australia’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood as “shameful,” insisting it will not bring peace but “the next war.” At a press conference, the Israeli Prime Minister defended Israel’s expanded offensive in Gaza, revealing cabinet approval to dismantle Hamas strongholds beyond Gaza City into central refugee camps. He rejected accusations of genocide and starvation, saying if Israel intended such actions “it would have taken exactly one afternoon.” Netanyahu argued Hamas already used Gaza as a “terror state” and warned Palestinian statehood in the West Bank would allow radicals and Iran to exploit it.

>>23452557 Australia will recognise a Palestinian state. But what does that actually mean? – Australia will join Britain, France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, a largely symbolic act that grants Palestine expanded diplomatic status but no immediate change on the ground. Palestine remains a non-member observer state with divided governance between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, disputed borders and extensive Israeli settlements. Anthony Albanese said recognition followed commitments from Mahmoud Abbas to exclude Hamas and pursue elections. Experts stressed UN membership remains unlikely due to a probable US veto, though recognition strengthens Palestine’s claim to self-determination.

>>23456893 Video: Australia's Albanese says Netanyahu 'in denial' over suffering in Gaza – Anthony Albanese has accused Benjamin Netanyahu of being “in denial” about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing a phone call in which the Israeli leader dismissed concerns over civilian suffering. The rebuke came a day after Albanese announced Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, aligning with France, Britain and Canada. He said Netanyahu’s refusal to heed allies contributed to the decision, which is conditional on the Palestinian Authority excluding Hamas. Opposition leader Sussan Ley warned the move risks straining ties with Washington, as public sentiment in Australia shifts.

#42 - Part 9

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 9

>>23456896 Coalition vows to revoke Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state – Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has pledged a future Coalition government would overturn Anthony Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN, insisting recognition should only follow a peace process. She accused Labor of disrespecting the US and warned recognition was premature while Hamas holds hostages. Albanese said Netanyahu’s “denial” of Gaza’s humanitarian toll influenced his stance, describing Australia’s move as part of a coordinated global push with France, the UK and Canada. Michaelia Cash questioned the feasibility of recognising an entity with no borders or unified government, calling it meaningless.

>>23460988 Albanese faces backlash after Hamas praises PM’s ‘courage’ on Palestinian recognition – Hamas has hailed Anthony Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state as “political courage,” claiming its October 7 attacks helped spur Western governments, including Australia, to shift positions. Senior Hamas figure Sheikh Hassan Yousef praised Australia’s move and rejected conditions that the group disarm or be excluded from elections. Albanese dismissed the claim, insisting Hamas opposes two states and that recognition is tied to Palestinian Authority commitments. Israeli officials, Jewish leaders and the Coalition accused Labor of emboldening terrorists, while critics within Labor warned Hamas would exploit recognition to legitimise its violent tactics.

>>23460999 Albanese ‘detached from reality’ as Hamas praises recognition – Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, a former Australian citizen, has accused Anthony Albanese of being “detached from reality” after Hamas praised his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Haskel said recognition, tied by Albanese to commitments from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on reform and elections, would only empower Hamas, which polls suggest would win. She warned Australia had delivered a gift to terrorists and undermined security cooperation. The comments came as Australia joined 25 nations in condemning Israel for curbing aid to Gaza, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed Western recognition moves as symbolic politics.

>>23461005 ‘Not married to one solution’: Trump won’t criticise Albanese’s Palestine state call – The White House has declined to criticise Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, with officials saying Donald Trump is “not married to any one solution” on the conflict. While reiterating he will not recognise Palestine himself, Trump’s team said he opposed rewarding Hamas but remained open-minded about paths to peace. It marked Washington’s first response since Canberra’s announcement, contrasting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s dismissal of such moves as “symbolic” and politically driven. Anthony Albanese tied recognition to commitments from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, including reform, elections and excluding Hamas.

>>23461010 Marco Rubio slams Australia’s ‘meaningless’ Palestine move – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state as “largely meaningless,” accusing Canberra and other Western governments of bowing to domestic anti-Israel sentiment. Rubio said recognition was symbolic and would not affect realities on the ground, stressing peace depends on removing terrorist groups from power in Palestinian areas. He reiterated that Israel’s war began after Hamas’s October 7 attacks and would continue while such groups govern. The rebuke highlights a widening rift, with Anthony Albanese unable to secure a meeting with Donald Trump or tariff relief amid tensions.

>>23470114 Video: Australia's commitment to recognise Palestine met with 'disappointment and disgust' by Trump administration – US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state was met with “disappointment and some disgust” in the Trump administration, calling the timing “terrible” and a “gift” to Hamas. He warned it endangered hostages and could push Israel towards West Bank annexation. Penny Wong said she had notified Secretary of State Marco Rubio in advance, but Huckabee said Israel expected more. He defended Israel’s war conduct, while claiming Donald Trump had done “more than anyone else” to stop starvation by creating a Gaza aid foundation.

#42 - Part 10

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 10

>>23470143 Video: Albanese plays down US ‘disgust’ over Palestine recognition – Anthony Albanese has sought to downplay US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s claim that Donald Trump and Marco Rubio reacted with “disgust” and “disappointment” at Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state. The Prime Minister said Huckabee represented US interests in Israel, not Australia, and stressed his role was to act for Australians, many of whom were horrified by both Hamas’s October 7 massacre and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Albanese said recognition supports a two-state solution, following France, Canada and the UK. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the stance distracts from genuine peace talks with Washington.

>>23470225 Video: PM’s Palestine decision ‘could blow up’ White House talks, former White House adviser says – Former US National Security Council official Michael Green warned Anthony Albanese’s recognition of a Palestinian state is “unexploded ordnance” that could detonate when he meets Donald Trump. The comments followed US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s claim the Trump administration felt “disappointment and some disgust” at Australia’s move, though Penny Wong insists she warned Marco Rubio in advance. Albanese dismissed Huckabee’s criticism, saying his duty was to represent Australia’s interests. Green said figures such as Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby on AUKUS and Huckabee on Gaza were “taking initiative,” making summit planning harder to predict.

>>23470518 Video: More Hamas officials welcome Albanese’s recognition move, as PM warns against propaganda — Two senior Hamas figures have backed Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine, deepening criticism from the opposition that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emboldened terrorists. Hamas media director Ismail Al-Thawabta said recognition “reflects a growing global awareness” and urged Australia to apply “diplomatic pressure to end the Israeli occupation.” Senior Hamas official Basem Naim added that recognition needed “teeth” or the conflict would remain in a “violent vicious circle.” Albanese warned Hamas spreads propaganda and said the Arab League had united in July to demand the group be disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s governance.

>>23476569 Far-right Israeli politician's visa cancelled ahead of speaking tour — The federal government has cancelled the visa of Simcha Rothman, a far-right Israeli MP from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, blocking his planned speaking events in Australia and banning him from entry for three years. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.” Rothman, who has advocated expelling Palestinians from Gaza, denounced the decision as “blatant anti-Semitism.” The cancellation comes a week after Australia said it would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN next month.

>>23482561 Israel bans Australian officials as diplomatic row intensifies — Israel has revoked visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and warned of tighter restrictions on official travel after Canberra blocked Israeli MP Simcha Rothman from visiting. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the Australian ambassador was notified and future visa applications will be “carefully examined,” citing Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state and refusal to admit Israeli figures including former minister Ayelet Shaked and Rothman. Tony Burke defended cancelling Rothman’s visa, saying Australia would not accept visitors spreading “hate and division.” The move escalates tensions after Australia sanctioned Religious Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrich in June.

>>23482656 Video: Israeli MP Simcha Rothman was blocked from Australia in part due to ‘inflammatory’ Hamas calls — Internal Home Affairs documents reveal Israeli MP Simcha Rothman was denied entry to Australia over fears his past statements, including calling Gazan children “enemies” and urging Hamas’s elimination through total conquest of Gaza, would inflame tensions and risk “the good order of the Australian community.” Officials warned his presence could embolden anti-Islamic sentiment. Penny Wong accused Israel of “isolating itself” after it revoked Australian visas in retaliation. Jewish leaders including Mark Leibler and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry urged both governments to end tit-for-tat measures to protect $2bn trade and security ties.

#42 - Part 11

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 11

>>23482715 Netanyahu blasts Albanese as ‘weak’ as diplomatic relations plummet — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded Anthony Albanese a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” as tensions over visa cancellations plunged ties to historic lows. The row began when far-right Israeli MP Simcha Rothman was denied entry, prompting Israel to revoke visas of Australian diplomats in Ramallah. Penny Wong condemned the move as isolating Israel, while DFAT officials protested to Israel’s ambassador. Home Affairs documents cited Rothman’s past remarks, including describing Gazan children as “enemies,” as likely to inflame division. Jewish leaders warned trade and security ties worth $2bn are at risk.

>>23484714 Video: Jewish leaders hit out at Netanyahu as Albanese takes the high road in spat — Australia’s top Jewish community leaders have criticised Benjamin Netanyahu for calling Anthony Albanese “weak,” warning his remarks were “clumsy,” “provocative,” and fuelled antisemitism. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion wrote to Netanyahu urging “measured and seemly language befitting national leaders,” while praising Albanese for acting diplomatically. Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler also condemned Netanyahu’s tone, saying personal attacks were “unhelpful.” Albanese declined to escalate, saying he treats foreign leaders with respect. Meanwhile, Penny Wong and Tony Burke accused Israel of isolating itself after cancelling visas for Australian diplomats in retaliation over Simcha Rothman’s visa denial.

>>23489330 Pro-Palestinian protest over Brisbane's Story Bridge won't be allowed, Queensland court rules — A Brisbane court has blocked a planned pro-Palestinian protest march across the Story Bridge after police argued it posed “a real and significant risk of safety.” Organisers expected 7,000 people, citing Sydney’s Harbour Bridge rally that drew nearly 100,000. Magistrate Janelle Brassington acknowledged the cause was “serious” but ruled the route unsafe due to bridge repairs and safety concerns. Police warned they would make arrests if protesters defy the order and noted risks of crowd crush. An alternative Victoria Bridge route was offered but rejected. Organisers said they respected but disagreed with the ruling and were considering an appeal.

>>23494538 ‘Forever tarnished’: Benjamin Netanyahu steps up criticism of Anthony Albanese - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated attacks on Anthony Albanese, declaring the Australian leader’s record is “forever tarnished” by recognising a Palestinian state. He said Hamas’s welcome of the move showed “you know something is wrong,” and accused Albanese of “weakness” in confronting “terrorist monsters.” Netanyahu announced a Pacific Islands tour by his deputy foreign minister to deepen ties with loyal supporters such as PNG, Fiji and Palau. He warned of a “tsunami” of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia and cited Churchill’s “slumber of democracies.” Albanese declined to retaliate publicly, while Health Minister Mark Butler dismissed the criticism as “frankly ridiculous.”

>>23508392 ‘Shameful’: Far-right Israeli MP speaks out on visa cancellation - Israeli MP Simcha Rothman has denied describing Gazan children as enemies, claiming his remarks were misconstrued, and labelled Australia’s cancellation of his visa “shameful.” Speaking at an online event organised by the conservative Australian Jewish Association, Rothman said views cited by Home Affairs — support for eliminating Hamas and opposing a Palestinian state — were “mainstream” in Israel. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conquer Gaza City, reject hostage deals, and extend sovereignty over the West Bank, which he called “the homeland of the Jewish people.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the cancellation, warning Rothman could spread division in Australia. The decision has intensified diplomatic tensions with Israel.

>>23508523 Video: Man charged over series of graffiti attacks on Melbourne synagogue - A 37-year-old South Yarra man has been charged with more than 20 offences over six graffiti attacks on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation between March and August. Graffiti included “Iran Is Da Bomb” and “Free Palestine,” painted on the synagogue’s facade. Police allege he arrived alone on an e-scooter each time, and seized items linked to the vandalism at his home. He faces charges including six counts of criminal damage, offensive graffiti, unlicensed driving, and failing to stop for police. Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson welcomed the charges, saying justice will be served and expressing hope it deters future acts of “hateful, discriminatory lawlessness.”

#42 - Part 12

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 12

>>23508657 Video: Queensland Premier David Crisafulli condemns protester for flying Hamas’ flag during Brisbane Palestine rally - Police are investigating after a Hamas flag was flown at a 10,000-strong pro-Palestinian rally in Brisbane. Premier David Crisafulli called the act “horrendous” and said the protester must face “the full force of law.” Federal opposition spokesman Andrew Hastie and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said terrorist symbols have no place in Australia. Hava Mendelle of the Minority Impact Coalition said the act showed “support for radicalism.” Queensland Jewish Board president Jason Steinberg said the community was “sickened” by Hamas and jihadist flags. Organiser Remah Naji refused to condemn the flag, stressing the rally’s broader message.

>>23509774 ‘Extraordinary and dangerous acts’:Iran blamed for two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil– (Video) Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador and shuttered its embassy in Tehran after ASIO confirmed Tehran directed arson attacks on Sydney’s Lewis’ Continental Kitchen and Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, flanked by ASIO chief Mike Burgess, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, condemned the “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil.” The government will now list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Israel and Jewish groups praised the move, warning Iran’s “malign reach extends into western democracies, including here in Australia.”

>>23509797 Iran ambassador expelled from Australia, Anthony Albanese accuses nation of directing antisemitic attacks – For the first time since WWII, Australia has expelled a foreign ambassador after ASIO concluded Iran directed arson attacks on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and Sydney’s Lewis’ Continental Kitchen. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, flanked by AFP chief Reece Kershaw, ASIO director Mike Burgess and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, said Iran’s “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression” sought to terrify Jewish Australians and divide society. Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three officials were given seven days to leave. Burgess said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps used “a complex web of proxies,” including organised crime, to hide its role. Australia also suspended operations at its Tehran embassy.

>>23509808 Shock tactics: Why Albanese had to send the Iranians packing – "By booting out Sadeghi and three other Iranian officials, the federal government has skipped all the interim steps available to it and gone straight to the diplomatic equivalent of the nuclear option. This suggests two things. First, that ASIO boss Mike Burgess is absolutely certain of the intelligence to hand… Second, it underscores the fact that the government’s rhetoric about wanting to stamp out antisemitism and ensure social cohesion… is genuine. Today’s move was not weak… symbolically, the expulsion of Sadeghi is a big deal because of the message it sends to Iran, and other nations such as China and Russia… that they will be called out and publicly humiliated if caught." – James Massola, The Age

>>23509816 Labor is taking decisive action on Iran’s attacks, but the warnings were there for Anthony Albanese — "The evil actions of Ali Khamenei’s Islamic Republic of Iran in orchestrating the firebombings of the Adass Israel Synagogue and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen is the tip of the iceberg… Anthony Albanese has taken decisive action… The Iranian-backed attacks on Australian soil, which drove waves of copycat plots and anti-Semitic incidents, is a dramatic escalation that widens the net outside of espionage, foreign interference and cyber attacks… Yet their past comments and actions are not easily forgotten by Jewish-Australians… Iran, which funds and supplies Islamic terror groups including Hezbollah and Hamas… has always been an enemy of Australia… The interconnectedness between enemy states, organised crime gangs and street thugs poses a clear and present danger for Australia’s security." — Geoff Chambers, The Australian

#42 - Part 13

Middle East Conflict - The Australian Perspective - Part 13

>>23514551 Second man faces court for Adass Israel firebombing, a day after Iran exposed as behind the attacks — A 20-year-old Meadow Heights man, Ali Younes, has faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle over the firebombing of the $20m Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea last December. Police allege Younes was one of three masked men who broke in and set the building alight while about 20 people were inside. He is also accused of stealing a blue Volkswagen Golf used in the attack and linked to other crimes. Co-accused Giovanni Laulu, 21, was charged last month. Neither man has entered a plea.

>>23514558 Australia 'primarily' responsible for investigation that uncovered Iran links to antisemitic attacks — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed ASIO was “primarily” responsible for uncovering Iran’s role in the firebombings of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and Sydney’s Lewis’ Continental Kitchen. He said the investigation traced perpetrators “right through to the funding” and identified individuals both offshore and onshore. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the expulsions of its ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three officials as an “assault on diplomacy,” linking them to domestic criticism of Israel. ASIO said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps used “cut-outs” to direct the attacks. Operations at Australia’s Tehran embassy have been suspended, and the IRGC will be listed as a terrorist organisation.

>>23514579 Video: Israeli government claims credit for pushing Albanese to expel Iranian diplomats — Israel has claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “forthright intervention” shamed Australia into expelling Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi after ASIO linked Tehran to antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Israeli spokesman David Mencer said Australia was now “taking the threats seriously,” while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke dismissed the claim as “complete nonsense,” insisting the decision was based solely on ASIO’s findings. Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi echoed Netanyahu’s insult, branding Anthony Albanese a “weak politician,” while Tehran rejected responsibility and threatened reciprocal action, accusing Canberra of appeasing Israel and ignoring “genocide” in Gaza.

>>23518712 Video: Iranian ambassador conducts dramatic press conference before leaving Australia — Expelled Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi held a tense press conference in Sydney before departing Australia, denying Tehran’s role in antisemitic arson attacks despite ASIO’s findings. Flanked by men berating journalists as “stenographers” and a “disgrace,” Sadeghi dismissed the allegations as a “conspiracy” and a “misunderstanding” in relations. He insisted Iran was peaceful and claimed that Iran has a large Jewish community to counter criticism that Iran has long sponsored antisemitic attacks via proxy forces abroad. His departure comes after ASIO concluded Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps directed at least two attacks, prompting Canberra to expel Sadeghi, shut its Tehran embassy, and warn Australians against travel.

#42 - Part 14

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 1

>>23252468 Talisman Sabre 2025:Talisman Sabre 2025 is coming from 13 July - 04 August 2025– Australia will stage its biggest-ever Talisman Sabre exercise between 13 July and 4 August 2025, involving over 30,000 troops from 19 nations and, for the first time, operations in Papua New Guinea to mark its 50th independence anniversary. Activities will span Queensland, WA, NT, NSW, Christmas Island and PNG, with amphibious landings, airborne lodgements, multi-domain combat, and major logistics integration. Vice Admiral Justin Jones said it strengthens the US alliance and regional ties, while Brigadier Damian Hill highlighted unprecedented logistical demands and cooperation with traditional owners, communities and authorities to safely host the multinational training.

>>23252468 Talisman Sabre -Magic Sword- https://qalerts.pub/?q=Operation+Specialists - https://qalerts.pub/?q=magic

>>23252471 Q Post #2064 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02wKufX3nw - Played by 'Operation Specialists' [pre-event] last night. Q - https://qanon.pub/#2064

>>23252473 Video: Magic Sword - In The Face Of Evil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02wKufX3nw - Jan 8, 2015

>>23252476 Q Post #2065 - >why did I get extreme goosebumps while listening to this?? - https://qanon.pub/#2065

>>23299504 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.

>>23299531 Talisman Sabre Tweet: (Video) Countdown is on! Less than one week ‘til Talisman Sabre 2025 - #TS25 #TalismanSabre2025 #YourADF

>>23314748 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.

>>23314818 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.

>>23314896 U.S. Marines launch Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia’s north – U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 are taking part in Talisman Sabre 2025, executing airfield seizures, live-fire drills, advanced base building, cyber defence and expeditionary refuelling alongside the ADF and U.S. Army. Col. Jason Armas said, “Our Marines are seizing simulated key maritime terrain and enabling freedom of maneuver for allied forces … this exercise is Force Design 2030, in action, right now.” More than 35,000 personnel from 19 nations are involved, with the Marines central to manoeuvre, fires integration, logistics support and combined command and control.

>>23314896 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.

#42 - Part 15

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 2

>>23314941 Video: Talisman Sabre underway in Queensland - Talisman Sabre is underway in Brisbane as armed forces from several allied countries have arrived in Australia. Three US Navy ships have docked in Brisbane for routine maintenance, to resupply, and to give the more than 2,000 marines on board some rest and recovery ahead of the planned military drills. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Talisman Sabre and will have its largest participation so far, with more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 countries. The international training exercise will involve a month-long series of war games and live fire operations, aimed at strengthening allied military ties and improving interoperability. Events will be held in and around military bases in NSW, north and central Queensland, and Darwin, as well as in Papua New Guinea, hosted by their defence force. Talisman Sabre will begin next week following a ceremony at Sydney Harbour. - Sky News Australia

>>23314955 Video: Sydney Harbour will star in a military spectacle for Exercise Talisman Sabre - Sydney Harbour will star in a military spectacle for the beginning of Exercise Talisman Sabre, the biggest wargames Australia has ever hosted. - 7NEWS Australia

>>23318962 Video: LIVE | Talisman Sabre 2025 Kicks Off: US, Australia Lead Massive War Games - The opening ceremony of Talisman Sabre 2025 marked the start of the largest-ever iteration of the Australia-U.S. joint military exercise, now including 19 participating nations. The multinational war games are designed to strengthen interoperability, readiness, and regional security cooperation across land, sea, air, and cyber domains. Held in Queensland, Australia, the opening event featured military leaders and defense personnel from across the Indo-Pacific, delivering statements on the strategic importance of allied unity and rapid response capability in a shifting global security landscape. A joint press conference followed the ceremonial events, with remarks from representatives of the Australian Defence Force, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and high-ranking officials from countries including Japan, South Korea, France, the U.K., Indonesia, and more. The exercise spans several weeks and includes amphibious landings, live-fire drills, cyber-defense simulations, and complex combat operations, underscoring growing defense ties among democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific. - APT

>>23318968 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: Australia is prepared for Chinese spies off our coast - Australia is prepared for Chinese spies off our coast as troops take part in the biggest military exercises on home soil. Allies from around the world have been deployed for Talisman Sabre and military rivals are watching on. - 7NEWS Australia

>>23318968 Talisman Sabre -Magic Sword- https://qalerts.pub/?q=Operation+Specialists - https://qalerts.pub/?q=magic

>>23329049 Video: HIMARS rocket platform fired in Talisman Sabre wargame exercise – The biennial Talisman Sabre war games opened in Central Queensland with Australia’s first live-fire of the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Brigadier Nick Wilson called it “a remarkable day,” marking the Army’s entry into long-range, multi-domain strike capability. About 35,000 personnel from 19 countries, including the US, UK, Japan, Canada, France and Germany, are taking part, with Vietnam and Malaysia attending as observers. Wilson said the drills demonstrate that “we are stronger together,” as the exercise expands beyond Australia’s borders for the first time into the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea.

>>23329060 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: Largest-ever joint military exercise underway in Central Queensland - A massive field hospital, capable of treating dozens of people, is up and running in central Queensland. It's part of the largest ever joint military exercise currently underway. - 9 News Australia

>>23329076 Video: Australia hosts military drills with US and other nations, likely to draw Chinese surveillance – The largest-ever Talisman Sabre exercises are under way, involving 35,000 troops from 19 nations, with Malaysia and Vietnam attending as observers. Australia live-fired its newly acquired HIMARS rocket system for the first time at Shoalwater Bay in Queensland. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Chinese surveillance ships had monitored every exercise since 2017 and were again expected: “It’d be very unusual for them not to observe it.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in China for talks with Xi Jinping, said the issue would not be raised, calling such monitoring “nothing unusual.”

#42 - Part 16

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 3

>>23329122 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: The largest military exercise in Australian history - The Australian Defence Forces and 19 other nations are conducting the largest military exercise ever staged in Australian waters, known as Talisman Sabre 2025. The exercise involves 40,000 troops and showcases Australia's newly acquired High Mars rocket launchers with a 500-kilometre range of fire. - 7NEWS Australia

>>23329161 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: As PM charms China, Australia hosts 19-nation war games with eyes on Beijing – As Anthony Albanese met Chinese leaders in Beijing, Australia launched its largest-ever Talisman Sabre, with 40,000 troops from 19 nations openly training with China “firmly pointed out” as the adversary. Vice Admiral Justin Jones said it was “19 friends, allies and partners wanting to operate together … for peace, stability, a free and open Indo-Pacific.” New capabilities on display included HIMARS rocket systems and the “Ghost Shark” submersible drone. Officials acknowledged that Australia’s forces on their own are dwarfed by China’s. Yet combined, the 19 participating nations match Beijing’s manpower and surpass its assets. Lt Gen Joel Vowell called the exercise “a deterrent mechanism” and reaffirmed the US–Australia alliance as “ironclad.”

>>23351668 Carrier USS George Washington Joins Talisman Sabre Drills off Australia – The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group has joined Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest-ever iteration of the multilateral exercise involving 19 nations and 35,000 troops. Rear Admiral Eric Anduze said the drills rehearse “ally and partner integration” to increase interoperability and deterrence. Allied vessels include the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales, Australia’s HMAS Sydney, Canada’s HMCS Ville de Quebec, and Norway’s HNoMS Roald Amundsen. For the first time, F-35C fighters are participating. Brigadier Damian Hill said Australia’s vast geography tests partners’ ability to project force across the Indo-Pacific’s vast distances.

>>23351734 Aircraft Carriers USS George Washington, HMS Prince of Wales Team Up off Australia – USS George Washington and HMS Prince of Wales met in the Timor Sea for the first dual-carrier operations in Talisman Sabre history. The Royal Navy hailed the “powerful demonstration of naval power,” with Prince of Wales embarking 17 F-35Bs and George Washington deploying F-35Cs, marking the first F-35C participation in the exercise. Supporting vessels include USS Robert Smalls, USS Shoup, HMAS Sydney, HMS Dauntless, HMCS Ville de Québec, HNoMS Roald Amundsen, and RFA Tidespring. The UK group continues its Operation Highmast deployment, sailing to Japan after drills conclude July 27.

>>23351780 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: The top end operation with 150 planes - South East Queensland is taking centre stage in this year's Exercise Talisman Sabre. - 9 News Australia

>>23351790 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: Australia's armed forces test readiness in major military exercise - Australia's armed forces are participating in a major military exercise called Talisman Sabre, involving over 150 aircraft from 19 countries. The exercise is designed to test the readiness and capabilities of the Australian defence forces in the face of an increasingly assertive China. - 7NEWS Australia

>>23352196 Australian Army helicopter damaged in 'hard landing' during Talisman Sabre exercise in the NT – An Australian Army Tiger helicopter was damaged after a “hard landing” near Timber Creek during Talisman Sabre, though the two crew escaped unharmed. The 1st Aviation Regiment has paused flying operations pending an independent Defence Flight Safety Bureau investigation, but other rotary support will continue. Defence thanked NT Emergency Services and the US for their assistance. The biennial war games involve 30,000 personnel from 19 nations. The incident comes two years after a fatal Taipan crash at the same exercise, which led to the helicopter fleet being permanently grounded.

>>23352204 Tiger Helicopter goes down during 2025 Talisman Sabre operations – An Australian Army Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter sustained damage after a “hard landing” at Bradshaw Training Area, Timber Creek, on July 16, just hours before it was due to finish its role in Talisman Sabre. Defence confirmed the two crew were unharmed, though the incident was kept under wraps for almost 48 hours. An independent Defence Flight Safety Bureau investigation is underway, with the entire 1st Aviation Regiment grounded pending findings. The ADF plans to retire the troubled Tiger fleet later this year, replacing it with AH-64E Apache helicopters.

#42 - Part 17

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 4

>>23352220 Video: Talisman Sabre Exercise Includes New Space Domain - The Talisman Sabre Exercise is a lot bigger this year and for the first time there's a space operations team. That new space domain will also be opening up for new recruits. - 7NEWS Townsville

>>23357475 Talisman Sabre 2025: Marines rehearse remote airfield seizures during massive Indo-Pacific drills – U.S. Marines and Australian troops practiced seizing remote airstrips in the Outback as part of Talisman Sabre 2025, involving 35,000 personnel from 19 nations. Airstrips at Timber Creek, Nackeroo, and Cloncurry stood in for island bases in a future conflict, with Marines arriving by MV-22B Ospreys and KC-130Js. A Typhon system also fired an SM-6 missile from Bradshaw, the first live launch in the Western Pacific. Marines established command posts, refueling points, and air traffic control, encountering only “small sporadic fire teams” in the exercise scenario.

>>23357490 Video: Talisman Sabre 2025: Providing coastal protection far from home – U.S. Coast Guard Security Unit 307 joined Talisman Sabre 2025 in Darwin, integrating with the 2nd Australian Division to protect vital infrastructure. After a Welcome to Country and training with Australian troops, the Coast Guard began layered port defence drills alongside the 12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment. “To be able to work alongside the Aussies is invaluable learning for us,” said Lt. Nicholas Haas. Lt. Doug Shephard added, “There’s always something to learn.” The joint effort focuses on securing the Port of Darwin through combined sea and shore defence.

>>23361943 Rocket launch demonstration off Jervis Bay shows military might as part of Talisman Sabre – Japanese Self-Defense Forces fired two advanced Type 12 anti-ship missiles in Jervis Bay during Talisman Sabre 2025, their most sophisticated demonstration yet, with missiles striking simultaneously after being fired with different trajectories. Exercise director Brigadier Damian Hill said over 1,500 Japanese personnel are participating, reflecting deepened ties since Japan first joined as an observer in 2017. The three-week drills involve 19 nations and 40,000 personnel, expanding to Christmas Island for the first time. Australia also live-fired HIMARS rockets, showcasing rapid modernisation, while Chinese surveillance ships monitored the exercises.

>>23388366 Inside Australia’s biggest war games, Exercise Talisman Sabre – Thousands of military personnel, including from the US Coast Guard, have converged on Darwin for the nation’s largest war games, Talisman Sabre 2025. This year’s exercise, involving Australian Defence Personnel and the US military, sees a bigger focus on “the enemy,” as concerns rise over threats to Australia. The training takes place in a fictitious country, “Belesia,” with both attack and defence teams. In this iteration, exercises stretch to Papua New Guinea and Christmas Island. The ADF continues to emphasize the peaceful nature of the training, despite China’s surveillance of the exercises.

>>23388424 Video: Australian Army's new Precision Strike Missile fired at NT's Mount Bundey during Exercise Talisman Sabre – The Australian Army has successfully test-fired its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time at Mount Bundey Training Area in the Northern Territory. The missile, launched from High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), reached its target 300 kilometres away in just over four minutes. Developed for the United States Army, the missile provides Australia with enhanced deterrence capabilities. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy highlighted the importance of this advancement in strengthening the Indo-Pacific deterrence strategy. This launch took place during the joint military exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, which involves over 40,000 personnel.

#42 - Part 18

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 5

>>23388478 Defence chiefs meet in Darwin as allies wrap-up Talisman Sabre – As Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes its mainland component, Defence chiefs from 17 participating nations have met in Darwin to discuss the exercise’s outcomes. The largest Talisman Sabre since its inception in 2005, the exercise involved 43,000 military personnel, 32 ships, 297 aircraft, and 32 million kilograms of cargo moved across the country. Vice Admiral Justin Jones highlighted the objectives of the exercise, including the value of allies, testing Australia’s military posture, and rehearsing combined joint war fighting. Key participants included personnel from the United States, the UK, New Zealand, and Japan.

>>23388521 Information Operations:Talisman Sabre’s new advantage takes shape- Amid the backrooms of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, a significant first occurrence is highlighting the trust between the exercise partners. Twelve partner nations have joined to create the first-ever Multinational Information Operations Centre (MIOC). Created for the Talisman Sabre exercise series, the MIOC weaves together the complex relationships of national authorities needed to create a cohesive capability. Information Operations (IO) within the Indo-Pacific area of operation uses information-related capabilities and activities that layer effects while protecting friendly forces and operations. Ultimately, IO aims to gain a competitive edge by shaping the information environment and influencing perceptions and actions. With over 80 personnel from 12 nations working in the MIOC, a key achievement has been the integration of the many national perspectives. Canadian Army planning officer Major Kai Hesser said the MIOC demonstrated the determination of multiple nations to work together. “This allows us to form a cohesive and unified perspective, and effectively plan information operations,” Major Hesser said. “Within this one capability, we can address the opinions and concerns of our partners, and demonstrate to an international audience our strategic partnership and resolve.” Through military manoeuvre and unique specialised capabilities, the MIOC has the ability to project and deliver their multinational effects across vast distances. Integrated with agreed objectives, the MIOC can be proactive rather than reactive, enabling manoeuvrability in the information space, a domain that is in a constant state of evolution. The origins of IO predates the introduction of the written word. Inevitably, all military actions, whether implied or actual, have used information operations to deter military action or give the victor a winning advantage. In the 21st century, IO uses a diverse range of activities, including cyber, space, operational security, signature management, and electronic magnetic operations to create desired effects.

>>23388521 Talisman Sabre -Magic Sword- https://qalerts.pub/?q=Operation+Specialists - https://qalerts.pub/?q=magic

>>23392787 UK to China: Britain will be a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific with our Australian allies – UK officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, have committed Britain to upholding international laws in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing defence cooperation with Australia. At Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the UK highlighted its military presence and support for the AUKUS partnership, sending its aircraft carrier to Australia for joint exercises. This move reinforces the UK’s pledge to support freedom, security, and prosperity in the region, despite growing concerns over Chinese aggression. Lammy and Healey stressed that these efforts are vital in countering global threats and maintaining peace.

>>23392811, >>23395092 An old friendship is ready for new era of security threats – "In today’s increasingly volatile world, with conflicts and aggressive autocracies on the rise, partnerships between like-minded democracies are vital for protecting our shared values and way of life. Australia and the UK enjoy a strong and growing trade and investment relationship, worth close to $50bn annually. … But it is defence that remains the bedrock of our relationship. Our AUKUS partnership with the United States is our most strategically significant defence agreement in generations, and last week we took decisive steps to fast-track delivery. … These exercises aren’t just symbolic. They strengthen regional stability and improve our forces’ ability to act together." – David Lammy and John Healey, The Australian

#42 - Part 19

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 6

>>23392847 Talisman Sabre Tweets: - We have reached the end of the Australian component of EXTS25 as activities now move to Papua New Guinea. This is the first time that a component of Exercise Talisman Sabre has been hosted outside of Australia and will conclude with a closing ceremony on 4 August. We thank all those who have participated to date and supported Talisman Sabre 25 and we look forward to seeing you all at Talisman Sabre 27. #ts25 #talismansabre #talismansabre25 #YourADF #StrongerTogether

>>23392867 Video: ADF | Talisman Sabre 2025 - Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 is being conducted across Australia from 13 July to 04 August. More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 nations will participate in Talisman Sabre 2025, primarily in Queensland but also in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and for the first time, offshore activities will be conducted in Papua New Guinea. Talisman Sabre is the largest Australia-US bilaterally planned, multilaterally conducted exercise and a key opportunity to work with likeminded partners from across the region and around the world. Canada, France, Fiji, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga the United Kingdom are all participating in Talisman Sabre 2025. Occurring every two years, Talisman Sabre reflects the closeness of our alliance and strength of our enduring military relationship with the United States and also our commitment to working with likeminded partners in the region. Now in its eleventh iteration, Talisman Sabre provides an opportunity to exercise our combined capabilities to conduct high-end, multi-domain warfare, to build and affirm our military-to-military ties and interoperability, and strengthen our strategic partnerships. - Defence Australia

>>23428135 Brigadier Ben McLennan hails Talisman Sabre a huge success for Townsville and ADF – Brigadier Ben McLennan declared Talisman Sabre 2025 “exceeded expectations,” praising Townsville’s role and the Australian Defence Force’s ability to coordinate with 19 partner nations. The exercise showcased new platforms, including the M182 Abrams tank deployed for the first time. McLennan described it as “a bonanza for us” and thanked the region for its support. Exercise director Brigadier Damian Hill highlighted expanded geography, record participation, and activities in Papua New Guinea coinciding with its 50th independence anniversary. The exercise formally closes on August 4.

>>23428147 Historic Talisman Sabre Exercise nears end with Personnel Recovery Drill – Talisman Sabre 2025 concludes on August 4 with its first-ever overseas component, featuring complex personnel recovery drills in Papua New Guinea. Forces from the PNG Defence Force, Australian Defence Force and US Armed Forces simulated a crashed aircraft response, deploying joint air, sea and land assets including a PNG Guardian-class Patrol Boat, a C27-J Spartan and the USS Miguel Keith. Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill said the trilateral drills strengthened regional ties, coinciding with PNG’s 50th independence anniversary and underscoring its growing defence interoperability.

>>23428160 Talisman Sabre ends in PNG with renewed calls for stronger defence ties – The 11th Talisman Sabre military exercise has concluded with Australia, the United States and Papua New Guinea emphasising unity in a tense Indo-Pacific. For the first time, drills were staged in Lae and Wewak, where joint forces carried out a complex search and rescue exercise. Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the exercise proved allies could “train together, plan together, and be ready” to defend shared security. With 19 nations participating and PNG marking its 50th Independence, calls have grown for deeper defence cooperation and future joint activities.

#42 - Part 20

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Part 7

>>23428182, >>23428186 Talisman Sabre Tweets: (Video) The closing ceremony of Talisman Sabre 2025 was held in Lae, Papua New Guinea, today. The celebrations included a quarter guard by the PNGDF, and a fly-over by a PAC-750. Officials from PNG, Australia and the United States all spoke of the significance of PNG hosting Talisman Sabre activities this year - the first time a component of the exercise has been conducted outside of Australia – and the close defence ties between the three nations. This ceremony marks the conclusion of Talisman Sabre 2025.

>>23428192 Video: Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - From fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to heavy lifters and logistics teams, Air Force brought the full force of its capability to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. More than 5,500 flight hours - 2,000 sorties - Operations across five states and Papua New Guinea. Air Force worked side by side with 18 partner nations to train for high-end scenarios and test what it takes to operate as part of a joint and combined force. It takes an entire team - on the ground and in the air - to deliver Air Power. Talisman Sabre may be over for another year, however you’ll still see our people and equipment in the coming weeks in the sky and on the road as we make the trip home. - Royal Australian Air Force

>>23428208 Talisman Sabre Tweet: (Video) This year, Talisman Sabre hit some new milestones. Hear from Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Australian Defence Chief of Joint Operations on the successes of Talisman Sabre 25 - #TS25 #TalismanSabre25 #StrongerTogether #OurPeople

>>23432296 Russia blames Australia war games as it dumps nuclear pact — Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed ban on deploying short and intermediate-range nuclear missiles, citing “threats” from US and allied actions. Moscow singled out Washington’s deployment of Typhon launchers to the Philippines and the use of the system in Australia during Talisman Sabre 2025, which also featured the first overseas deployment of the Dark Eagle hypersonic system. The ministry accused the US and partners of ensuring a permanent presence of such weapons, prompting Russia to respond. Dmitry Medvedev warned opponents to “expect further steps.”

>>23428208 Talisman Sabre -Magic Sword- https://qalerts.pub/?q=Operation+Specialists - https://qalerts.pub/?q=magic

#42 - Part 21

Australian Politics and Society - Part 1

>>23256501 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.

>>23260836 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.

>>23265081 ‘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.

>>23265089 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.

>>23265108 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.

>>23265116 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.

>>23269751 ‘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.

#42 - Part 22

Australian Politics and Society - Part 2

>>23278899 Video: Crisafulli’s bid to bring Trump - and the Quad - to Queensland – Premier David Crisafulli has launched a push for Brisbane to host the Quad summit, arguing Queensland’s G20 experience and Olympic trajectory make it ideal. Speaking at an AmCham lunch, he said a smaller-scale gathering with Donald Trump, Narendra Modi and Shigeru Ishiba would deliver defence and investment opportunities, vowing to press the case in India and Japan. While he highlighted Brisbane firm Ferra Engineering’s F-35 parts production, protesters outside condemned Australia’s deepening military ties with the US and complicity in Gaza, warning of secretive deals and militarisation.

>>23279579 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.

>>23279623 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.

>>23283156 Video: Anthony Albanese to champion 'Australian independence' within US alliance – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a speech honouring John Curtin, invoking his wartime leadership to argue Australia must assert sovereignty within its US alliance. He will stress Curtin is remembered for “speaking for Australia” and resisting US-UK pressure to divert troops to Burma. The speech comes amid Trump’s tariffs, AUKUS uncertainty and defence spending demands. Historian James Curran called it Albanese’s most significant speech, saying it highlights that “being in a close alliance does not mean you cannot stand up for Australian self-respect and self-regard,” a signal to both Washington and Australians.

>>23283166 Video: Why Albanese’s ‘Australian way’ speech will concern Washington – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the John Curtin Oration to outline an “Australian way” foreign policy, stressing Canberra will pursue sovereign interests even when diverging from Washington. He drew on Curtin’s defiance of Churchill and Roosevelt in WWII, framing the US alliance as “a pillar” but “not the extent” of policy, while promoting regional engagement, multilateralism and the rules-based order. Critics in Washington viewed the speech negatively, with Hudson Institute’s John Lee warning it lacked matching defence spending and risked leaving Australia “more isolated and vulnerable,” while Arthur Sinodinos urged careful diplomacy to prevent misinterpretation.

#42 - Part 23

Australian Politics and Society - Part 3

>>23283172 Video: Anthony Albanese pays tribute to ‘father’ of Australia-US alliance – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered the John Curtin Oration in Sydney, marking 80 years since Curtin’s death, to praise the wartime leader as founder of the Australia-US alliance while highlighting Australia’s sovereign independence. He said Curtin’s defiance of Churchill and Roosevelt, who wanted troops sent to Burma, saved “hundreds if not thousands” of lives and showed Australia’s fate must be decided in its own region. Albanese called the alliance a “pillar” but “not the extent” of policy, stressing middle-power rights, Pacific leadership, and stabilising ties with China, amid Trump’s push for 3.5% GDP defence spending.

>>23283192 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.

>>23283343 Video: Reviving the Warrior Spirit: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Service, Sacrifice & Strength - “This We Will Defend.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers a powerful message on service, sacrifice, and the revival of the American warrior spirit under President Trump. - The White House

>>23288285 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.

>>23288298 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

>>23288425 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.

#42 - Part 24

Australian Politics and Society - Part 4

>>23288479 Eight suspects over sorcery torture and shooting in police custody – Eight men have been arrested in Hela Province for the torture and murder of Rosa Yakapus, accused of sorcery after her estranged husband’s death. Chief Superintendent Michael Welly confirmed the arrests, including the alleged shooter, following a manhunt supported by provincial and community leaders. Hela Governor Philip Undialu and Minister Manasseh Makiba launched the operation, appealing for peaceful surrenders. Welly said more suspects, including from Enga Province, are identified. Charges include murder, torture, and unlawful confinement, carrying life imprisonment. “Justice is achievable when leaders work on the ground with law enforcement,” Welly said.

>>23288479 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

>>23293966 Video: Deadline looms for Trump's liberation day tariffs - Australian products bound for America may be stuck with tariffs. This comes after the Albanese government has indicated it would not offer extra incentives to the Trump administration. - 9 News Australia

>>23299361 Video: Copper, pharma tariffs are coming as Trump hardens trade stance – US President Donald Trump has ruled out further extensions to negotiate new trade deals beyond August 1, warning countries to accept bilateral agreements or face steep tariffs. The White House announced 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports, sending prices to record highs, while Trump flagged pharmaceutical tariffs could reach 200 per cent after a short grace period. China, which reached a temporary framework in June, has until August 12 to finalise a permanent deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said tariffs have already raised $100bn in 2025 and could reach $300bn by year’s end.

>>23299395 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.

>>23299419 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.

#42 - Part 25

Australian Politics and Society - Part 5

>>23299427 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.”

>>23304704 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.

>>23314308 Video: Donald Trump nominates Sydney-born influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador to Malaysia – Sydney-born former Liberal councillor Nick Adams, once suspended for verbally abusing a journalist, has been nominated by US President Donald Trump as ambassador to Malaysia. Adams, 40, migrated to America and rebranded as a MAGA-aligned influencer, founding a conservative youth group and self-styling as an “alpha male” and Hooters enthusiast. Trump praised him as “an incredible patriot.” Adams’s bombastic persona and lack of diplomatic experience have raised concerns, with analysts warning his appointment could damage already strained US–Malaysia relations. The role requires Senate confirmation. Adams called the nomination “the honour of a lifetime,” citing his “unending love affair” with the United States.

>>23314324 Video: The remarkable rise of an Australian deputy mayor to a plum Trump job – US President Donald Trump has nominated Sydney-born Nick Adams, a self-styled “Alpha Male” and conservative pundit, as ambassador to Malaysia, praising his “love of, and devotion to, our Great Country.” Adams, 40, became Australia’s youngest deputy mayor in Ashfield before resigning from the Liberal Party in 2009 after abusing a journalist. He later moved to the US, joined the conservative speaking circuit and built a profile on Fox News as an outspoken Trump supporter. Naturalised in 2021, Adams wrote several books extolling “American greatness” and became a Trump campaign surrogate. Critics note his lack of diplomatic experience and history of Islamophobic remarks.

>>23314548 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.

>>23314590 ‘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.

#42 - Part 26

Australian Politics and Society - Part 6

>>23348545 Video: Counting begins as polls close in Tasmania for the election 'no one wanted – Tasmanians voted in their second election in 15 months after Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff called a snap poll following a no-confidence motion. Rockliff, in office since 2022, said he was “confident” he had put his “best foot forward,” while Labor leader Dean Winter urged voters to choose “a fresh start.” The campaign was dominated by debt concerns and a divisive plan for a Hobart AFL stadium, with Greens and independents opposing the project. Early signs suggest the crossbench may grow, threatening the Liberals’ hold on government.

>>23351189 Boost to Liberals, swing against Labor as voters punish ALP in Tasmanian poll – Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff claimed a “re-endorsement” as the Liberals secured 39 per cent of the primary vote, a 3.3 per cent boost, but still short of a majority. Labor suffered a 2.9 per cent swing against it, facing its worst result in state history at 25.8 per cent, with leader Dean Winter urging a “new approach to politics” in a likely hung parliament. The $945m Hobart AFL stadium dominated the campaign, splitting voters and boosting independents and Greens, who may now hold the balance of power.

>>23351612 Tasmanian state election leaves state in limbo as Rockliff, Labor fight to form government – Tasmania faces another hung parliament, with Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff claiming a mandate to govern after winning the most seats, while Labor leader Dean Winter pointed to a “progressive majority” and called for collaboration with the Greens and crossbench. Rockliff vowed to work “maturely and pragmatically” with independents despite strained ties, but securing 18 seats for confidence and supply remains uncertain. Winter ruled out another election, urging a “new approach” to politics. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff invited Labor into a power-sharing alliance, signalling weeks of negotiations ahead.

>>23352309 Video: First tranche of Australian army tanks arrive in Ukraine — More than half of the 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks pledged by Australia are now with Ukraine’s armed forces, nine months after the Albanese government’s commitment. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would make a “significant contribution” to Ukraine’s fight against Russia, while Pat Conroy said they provided “more firepower and more mobility.” The $245m tanks, originally slated for retirement, faced US export delays before delivery. Their upkeep may cost $153m annually.

>>23352316 Vasyl Myroshnychenko Tweet: The majority of the 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks, generously gifted by Australia, have now arrived in Ukraine. The final delivery is expected in the coming months. On behalf of the Government of Ukraine and every Ukrainian heart, I express our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Prime Minister @AlboMP and DPM @RichardMarlesMP This powerful gesture of solidarity is more than military support-it is a lifeline, a message that we are not alone in our darkest hour. As we continue to defend our land, our people, and our future from brutal Russian aggression, we are reminded that the fight for freedom, dignity, and justice is a shared one. Together, we stand for all those who believe in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Let this united stand serve as a warning to all who threaten peace: the free world will not be broken.

>>23357406 Swing against Labor won’t stop Dean Winter trying to form government with crossbench – Tasmania faces political deadlock after another hung parliament, with Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberals on 14–15 seats and Dean Winter’s Labor stuck on 10 with its worst primary vote in a century. Rockliff claims the first mandate to govern, but crossbenchers hold the balance of power. Winter argues Tasmanians want “collaboration” and is pitching a “progressive majority” despite pledging no deals with Greens. Constitutional experts say Governor Barbara Baker may demand written agreements before commissioning either side.

>>23384004 Farmers have a beef with Anthony Albanese’s ‘move to woo Donald Trump – Australian beef producers have raised concerns over the Albanese government’s decision to loosen biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports, calling it "dangerous" and a potential risk to the $14bn industry. The decision allows beef sourced from Canada and Mexico, slaughtered in the US, into Australia, despite previous concerns over diseases like mad cow. Industry groups are demanding an independent review of the decision, questioning whether biosecurity and traceability measures are sufficient. Critics argue the decision is politically motivated, aimed at smoothing relations between Australia and the US ahead of Prime Minister Albanese's upcoming meeting with President Trump.

#42 - Part 27

Australian Politics and Society - Part 7

>>23384239 Australia opens market to US beef imports amid Trump celebration – US President Donald Trump has hailed Australia’s decision to reverse its beef import ban as a triumph for his trade agenda, claiming it proves US beef is the "safest and best in the world." The reversal will allow beef from cattle raised in Canada and Mexico and processed in the US into Australia. While the move was celebrated by the US and its agricultural bodies, Australian beef producers and the Nationals party have raised concerns over potential biosecurity risks, calling for an independent review of the decision. Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the move, citing the scientific process behind the decision.

>>23384298 ‘This is very big’: Delighted Trump hails Australian beef deal for a second day – US President Donald Trump has continued to celebrate Australia's decision to lift restrictions on US beef imports, claiming it would be the "first time" American beef would be sold in Australia. Trump hailed the decision as proof that US beef is the "safest and best in the entire world." While Australia had not previously banned US beef, the new policy allows beef from cattle raised in Canada and Mexico to be imported via the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Trade Minister Don Farrell denied any connection between the decision and ongoing tariff negotiations with the US.

>>23386791 Trump’s Aussie ‘alpha male’ is falling flat in Malaysia – US President Donald Trump’s nomination of Nick Adams as ambassador to Malaysia has sparked protests, with the nominee’s past Islamophobic remarks and support for Israel drawing backlash. Adams, an Australian-born, naturalized US citizen, has a history of making controversial statements, including advocating for internment of Muslims and criticising Palestinian support. His nomination has raised concerns in Malaysia, particularly due to his stance on Palestine, a key issue for the country. Despite this, Malaysia’s government, seeking better trade relations with the US, may reluctantly accept Adams, though critics argue he is not the right choice.

>>23386936 Face age and ID checks? Using the internet in Australia is about to fundamentally change – New industry codes set to take effect in December will require Australians to undergo age checks on various online services, including search engines, social media, app stores, and AI chatbots. The codes, developed by the tech sector and the eSafety commissioner, aim to protect children from harmful content like pornography and self-harm material. While some welcome the changes, others warn of privacy concerns, with critics arguing that the regulations give tech companies more control over users' online activities. Non-compliant companies could face fines up to $49.5 million.

>>23387071 Australia is quietly introducing 'unprecedented' age checks for search engines like Google – Australians will soon face mandatory age checks on major online services, including search engines, under new regulations set to take effect in December. The eSafety Commissioner has introduced industry codes requiring companies like Google and Microsoft to implement age-assurance technology for logged-in users. While aimed at protecting children from harmful content such as pornography, the changes have raised privacy concerns. The codes also mandate filtering out inappropriate content for users under 18. Non-compliance could result in fines up to $50 million. The regulations are expected to expand to more online sectors in the future.

>>23387166 Opinion: Age verification is coming to search engines in Australia - with huge implications for privacy and inclusion – "The way we use the internet in Australia is changing. Soon, it won’t just be social media platforms asking to verify your age. Come December, age verification requirements will also extend to search engines - with significant ramifications. That means you may need to scan your face or do an identity check to use a search engine as a logged-in user. And it’s unlikely to stop there: the eSafety commissioner is considering rules for mandatory age checks across the entire internet landscape. These are not small decisions; they will impact everyone who uses the internet in Australia." – Samantha Floreani, The Guardian.

#42 - Part 28

Australian Politics and Society - Part 8

>>23387225 Video: Google threatens to sue the Australian Government if YouTube is added to social media age ban – Tech giant Google is threatening to sue the Australian Government on "constitutional grounds" if YouTube is included in the social media ban for children aged 16 and below. In a letter to Communications Minister Anika Wells, Google outlined three legal options, including a potential High Court challenge. The company argued that the age limit would prevent young adults from engaging in political communication via YouTube. Google also rejected the eSafety Commissioner’s recommendation to include YouTube, claiming it was a "video streaming platform" rather than a "social media platform."

>>23388125 Trade minister admits gaffe over Trump-Albanese beef talks – Trade Minister Don Farrell admitted he was wrong to claim that US President Donald Trump had raised Australian beef import restrictions in phone conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before the decision to lift the ban. The opposition is calling for a Senate inquiry and independent scientific review of the move, suggesting it was politically motivated. Albanese denied discussing the issue with Trump, and Farrell later clarified his statement, saying he had confused Trump’s public remarks with a private conversation. The lifting of the restrictions follows a 10-year independent review, according to Albanese.

>>23388165 Michaelia Cash backs plan to ditch welcome to country, Indigenous flags – Senator Michaelia Cash has publicly supported two motions from the Liberal Party of WA to remove Aboriginal welcome-to-country ceremonies and flags from official government events. Cash, along with conservative figures like Canning MP Andrew Hastie, advocates for a focus on unifying under the Australian flag. The motions, set to be debated at the WA Liberal Party's state council meeting, reflect a push from the party’s conservative faction, with opponents arguing that these Aboriginal symbols are divisive and tokenistic. The debate continues within the party, with tensions over its future direction.

>>23388179 Motion to ditch welcome-to-country ceremonies passes WA Liberal state council – A motion passed by the WA Liberal state council calls for the removal of Aboriginal welcome-to-country ceremonies and the exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from official proceedings. Senator Michaelia Cash publicly supported the motion, advocating for unity under the national flag. This position contrasts with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who has supported acknowledging country in the right context. A motion to abandon net-zero climate targets also passed, with conservative members expressing concerns over Australia’s energy security.

>>23397867 Video: Donald Trump drops another tariff bombshell that may hit Australia – US President Donald Trump has threatened to raise the baseline tariff rate on all US imports to “somewhere in the 15-20 per cent range,” ramping up pressure on the Albanese government to avoid even higher tariffs. Trade Minister Don Farrell reaffirmed Australia’s position, calling any tariffs unjustified and an act of economic self-harm. Health Minister Mark Butler pointed to volatility in US trade talks, particularly regarding pharmaceuticals. Trump confirmed he would soon notify countries of their new “world tariff” rate, which could impact Australian trade.

>>23397881 Government scrambling for details after Trump threatens higher tariffs – Australian officials are scrambling to determine whether exports to the US will face tariffs of up to 20 per cent after US President Donald Trump's recent move to raise tariffs. Opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized Prime Minister Albanese for failing to secure a meeting with Trump, while Trade Minister Don Farrell reiterated Australia's stance against unjustified tariffs. Trump has hinted at a “world tariff” rate of 15-20 per cent but has not specified which countries will be affected. The Albanese government continues to engage with US counterparts, hoping to avoid an increase in tariffs before Trump’s August 1 deadline.

#42 - Part 29

Australian Politics and Society - Part 9

>>23402348 Video: Labor says Google 'sharks' won't scare it from banning YouTube for under 16s – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells have vowed not to be intimidated by Google’s threat of legal action against the Australian government’s plan to restrict children under 16 from accessing YouTube. “We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks,” Wells said, underlining the government’s commitment to safeguarding young Australians from online harm. The new laws, which will take effect in December, will cover platforms like TikTok and Instagram, despite legal pressure from Google. The eSafety Commission has supported the release of the rules.

>>23406982 Australia clueless on Trump’s new tariffs – The Albanese government is bracing for potential tariff increases as US President Donald Trump nears his August 1 deadline for imposing higher tariffs on countries without trade deals with the US. Trump has flagged raising the baseline tariff from 10 per cent to as high as 15-20 per cent, potentially impacting Australian exports. The Australian government has yet to receive official notification and is monitoring Trump’s Truth Social account for updates. With no progress on trade negotiations, Australia risks losing its preferential tariff rate. In contrast, the UK has secured a reduced tariff rate after negotiations, further intensifying Australia's tariff concerns.

>>23415184 Video: Relief as Australia dodges higher Trump tariffs – Australia has successfully avoided an increase in US tariffs, remaining on the 10 per cent base rate as President Trump imposed higher tariffs on other nations. Trade Minister Don Farrell hailed the result as a win for Australia's "cool and calm" diplomacy. The Albanese government’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood could yet result in tariff hikes for Australian exporters, after Mr Trump warned that Canada could be punished with higher rates for announcing it would recognise Palestine. Australia's exporters still face challenges, including sector-specific tariffs on steel and pharmaceuticals. While the government celebrates, the opposition argues Australia’s trade surplus with the US, not diplomatic efforts, is the reason for the favourable outcome.

>>23415195 Albanese government claims vindication after dodging Trump tariff increase – Australia has avoided higher tariffs, with exports to the US remaining at a 10 per cent rate despite earlier threats of a rise to 15 or 20 per cent. Trade Minister Don Farrell called the outcome “a vindication for the Albanese government,” stating, “I haven’t seen any case where retaliatory tariffs result in a better position.” Opposition spokesman Kevin Hogan said Australia was placed in the 10 per cent group because of the US trade surplus, not diplomacy. Farrell highlighted that Australian products like beef and wine are now more competitive in the US market.

>>23415214 Trump takes aim at ‘foreign freeloading nations’ over drug prices in new threat to PBS – US President Donald Trump has ordered pharmaceutical firms to extend “most favoured nation” pricing to Medicaid, warning companies to “negotiate harder with foreign freeloading nations” or face penalties. Letters sent to 17 drugmakers, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, demanded overseas profits be repatriated to lower US drug costs. Trump, who pledged tariffs of up to 200 per cent on pharmaceutical imports, also signalled new baseline tariff hikes on key trading partners, leaving Australia uncertain about impacts on its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

>>23415344 ‘Low on the priority list’: Trump administration in no rush to appoint ambassador – US President Donald Trump has yet to nominate an ambassador to Canberra despite doing so for more than 50 countries, fuelling claims Australia ranks low on his agenda as tariff decisions and an AUKUS review loom. Analysts said the vacancy underscores limited engagement between Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has not secured a meeting with the president. DFAT called the delay routine, but experts warned alliances under Trump hinge on personal ties. Canberra is currently represented by chargé d’affaires Erika Olsen.

#42 - Part 30

Australian Politics and Society - Part 10

>>23419015 Signal boss warns app will exit Australia if forced to hand over users’ encrypted messages – Signal president Meredith Whittaker said the messaging app would quit Australia rather than create a “backdoor” for authorities, warning it would “poison the body” of global communications by undermining encryption. She cited risks for journalists and dissidents if one jurisdiction weakens privacy, arguing “for many people, private communication is the difference between life and death.” ASIO chief Mike Burgess has pressed tech firms to unlock encrypted platforms, while Whittaker condemned governments and big tech for expanding surveillance and deploying “reckless” AI systems.

>>23419110 Video: ‘Spying at unprecedented levels’: ASIO boss sounds alarm on espionage threat – ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said espionage is costing Australia $12.5 billion annually, with 24 major operations disrupted in three years, more than in the previous eight combined. He warned foreign spies are targeting defence employees, trade secrets and the AUKUS pact, with covert searches, fake job ads and surveillance devices among tactics. Burgess said 35,000 Australians had exposed themselves by boasting of sensitive access online, calling it “reckless.” He singled out China, Russia and Iran, and urged a national “awakening” to espionage as ASIO’s top security concern.

>>23419131 Spy agency cracking down on ‘reckless’ boasts by people with top-secret clearance – ASIO will ban top-secret clearance holders from posting about their status on social media after Mike Burgess warned 35,000 Australians had exposed themselves by boasting of access to sensitive information online. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said anyone breaching the rule would lose clearance, stressing espionage costs Australia $12.5 billion a year. He said spies target both government and commercial secrets and urged discretion. Burgess revealed ASIO disrupted 24 major operations in three years, including spies recruiting a clearance holder to hand over trade documents.

>>23423492 First woman appointed to lead Australian Federal Police as Reece Kershaw retires a year early – AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw will retire in October, a year earlier than planned, citing family reasons after six years in the role. He will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett, making her the first woman to lead the AFP. Barrett, who began her career as an administrative assistant, has extensive experience in counter-terrorism, financial and organised crime, and national security. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Kershaw’s service and Barrett’s leadership, while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Kershaw leaves “with his head held high.”

>>23432165 Jeremy Rockliff reappointed as Tasmanian premier as Labor signals another no-confidence motion — Jeremy Rockliff has been recommissioned as Tasmania’s premier after the governor accepted his request to continue leading a minority Liberal government. Rockliff pledged to govern for a full four-year term, despite Labor leader Dean Winter announcing a no-confidence motion would be tabled when parliament returns on August 19. The governor cited the “convention of incumbency,” allowing Rockliff to test his support in parliament. The Liberals hold 14 seats, Labor 10, the Greens five, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP, and five independents.

>>23432280 eSafety commissioner says YouTube 'turning blind eye' to child abuse — Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant accused major tech companies of failing to prioritise child protection, saying YouTube and Apple could not even disclose how many reports of child sexual abuse material they received or how quickly they acted. A new report found “safety deficiencies” across platforms, including weak detection of live-streamed abuse and failure to use hash-matching on all services. The government last week included YouTube in its teenage social media ban. Inman Grant said companies were “turning a blind eye” to crimes on their platforms.

>>23436001 ‘A very big threat’: Australia defends PBS as Trump flags 250% tariffs on medicines — Health Minister Mark Butler has warned Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs of up to 250% on pharmaceuticals is “a very big threat” to $2 billion in Australian exports, particularly CSL’s blood and plasma products. Butler said the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) was “not up for negotiation” but confirmed he would act on a review to speed up new medicine approvals, long criticised by US firms. Trump said tariffs would rise to 250% within 18 months unless nations stopped “freeloading” off higher US drug prices.

#42 - Part 31

Australian Politics and Society - Part 11

>>23436017 Leaked letters and closed-door talks with PM: Media bosses’ AI fight — Australia’s major media companies have joined authors, artists and musicians to oppose a Productivity Commission proposal to exempt AI firms from copyright laws, warning it would “legalise theft” of creative work. Nine’s Matt Stanton and other media chiefs have lobbied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ministers directly, pushing for regulation and commercial deals with AI firms. The Albanese government insists it has “no plans” to amend copyright laws, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said it was “not appropriate for big tech to steal” Australian content.

>>23444208Video: ‘Cowards and goons’: Premier condemns neo-Nazi march through Melbourne CBD — Around 100 masked members of the far-right National Socialist Network, led by white supremacist Thomas Sewell, marched through Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall before dispersing at Flagstaff Gardens. A 26-year-old man who confronted the group was assaulted and hospitalised. No arrests were made, with police citing a strong presence to maintain order. Premier Jacinta Allan denounced the protesters as “cowards” and “goons,” pledging new police powers to unmask participants. Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Victoria had become the “hate capital,” while the Anti-Defamation Commission called the rally a “war parade.”

>>23444222 Outrage as 100+ masked neo-Nazis march on streets of Melbourne, Bacchus Marsh — More than 100 masked members of the far-right National Socialist Network marched through Melbourne’s CBD early Saturday before gathering at Bacchus Marsh and later holding a “national conference” at a Ballan caravan park attended by nearly 250 people. Police, who accused the group of assaulting a 26-year-old man, made no arrests. Premier Jacinta Allan vowed new powers to unmask “goons,” while Opposition leaders branded Victoria the “hate state.” Neo-Nazi leaders Thomas Sewell and Nathan Bull attended the gathering, where the group discussed forming a federal political party.

>>23444254 Economic, defence ties on the table as NZ hosts its ‘only ally’ - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called Australia his country’s “only ally” as he prepares to host Anthony Albanese for bilateral talks in Queenstown. The leaders will discuss strengthening economic integration, security ties, and Pacific defence cooperation amid growing Chinese assertiveness. New Zealand has doubled its defence budget, emphasising interoperability with Australia, while both governments remain aligned on Middle East issues, including recognition of a Palestinian state as “a matter of when, not if.” Tourism levies may emerge as a point of contention.

>>23444271 Anthony Albanese, Christopher Luxon united on Gaza, China for trans-Tasman talks - Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon presented a united front during bilateral talks in Queenstown, aligning on Gaza, China and trade. Both leaders reaffirmed that recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of “when, not if,” while condemning Israel’s planned occupation of Gaza City as worsening the humanitarian crisis. They also pledged closer defence and security cooperation amid China’s growing regional assertiveness, while maintaining engagement with Beijing despite differences. Trade linkages, Trump’s tariff agenda and deportation disputes were also on the agenda.

>>23444385 ‘Bad timing’: US-India tensions throw Albanese-Trump meeting into doubt - Australia’s plans for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet US President Donald Trump in India next month are in jeopardy after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, provoking anger in New Delhi. The Quad summit, intended as Albanese’s first in-person meeting with Trump, is now uncertain, raising doubts over the group’s future role countering China. Analysts warn Trump’s transactional approach undermines long-term US-India cooperation, with tensions over Russia ties, immigration, and trade priorities clouding prospects for the summit.

Suspects in horrific PNG torture murder case released on ‘human rights’ grounds – Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning has ordered the re-arrest of eight men accused of torturing and murdering Rosa Yakapus after a local court freed them on “human rights” grounds due to delays in laying charges. The release provoked outrage, with Governor Philip Undialu and legal experts warning it highlighted systemic failings. Disturbing videos of Yakapus’s ordeal shocked the country, underscoring widespread sorcery accusation-related violence against women. Critics said despite billions in Australian aid for police and courts, PNG lacks resources and political will to enforce existing laws.

#42 - Part 32

Australian Politics and Society - Part 12

>>23448301 Torture and murder accused to be re-arrested – Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning has ordered the re-arrest of eight men accused of torturing and murdering a woman in Hela Province after their release by a court. He said police would exercise their authority to charge the suspects, stressing that evidence from video footage must be backed by witness statements for successful prosecution. Manning condemned villagers for hiding other suspects, warning that anyone obstructing investigations would be treated as co-offenders. He appealed to community leaders to support police, declaring the crime “absolutely disgusting” and depraved.

>>23461015 Brisbane hoping to play host to Quad leaders – Queensland Premier David Crisafulli is lobbying Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba and India’s Narendra Modi for Brisbane to host next year’s Quad Leaders’ Summit, arguing it would boost trade links and investment ahead of the 2032 Olympics. He has also pitched the idea to Anthony Albanese, who is said to be open to it. The push follows tensions with Indian and Japanese business under the previous Labor government. Crisafulli said hosting the Quad would showcase Queensland’s global role, while the next summit could mark Albanese’s first meeting with Donald Trump if New Delhi’s talks falter.

>>23470712 No free ride in defence of free world, Pentagon tells Indo-Pacific — The Pentagon has warned Australia and Japan must lift defence spending to NATO’s 5 per cent of GDP benchmark or risk undermining AUKUS and collective deterrence against China. US officials said Canberra was not spending enough “even for Pillar 1” of AUKUS and urged allies to “step up” ahead of a critical 2027 window when Beijing could seize Taiwan. Defence Minister Richard Marles insisted AUKUS remained secure, citing US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s backing, despite policy chief Elbridge Colby’s scepticism.

>>23470744 Brisbane the best stage for Australia’s first Quad summit, says Anthony Albanese — Anthony Albanese has backed Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s bid for Brisbane to host the 2026 Quad Leaders’ Summit, calling it a “great” chance to showcase the city ahead of the 2032 Olympics. Albanese said he would “make sure” the meeting of Australia, the US, Japan and India takes place in Queensland, amid doubts over this year’s planned summit in New Delhi. Crisafulli said bipartisan support was “heartening” as he prepares to lobby Narendra Modi and Shigeru Ishiba later this month.

>>23476575 Royal Randwick lined up for Pope visit on a bumper weekend — Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse is being considered to host a papal Mass in 2028 if Pope Leo XIV accepts Anthony Albanese’s invitation to attend the Catholic Church’s International Eucharistic Congress. Early planning has flagged September 30, coinciding with the AFL grand final in Melbourne and potentially disrupting the Epsom Handicap and NRL grand final weekend. The Archdiocese of Sydney said dates and venues were still open, with attendance expected to vary greatly depending on whether it marks the first papal visit to Australia in 20 years. Royal Randwick last hosted Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.

>>23476579 Citizenship reward for PNG warriors to fight for Australia in ADF — Thousands of Papua New Guineans will be able to gain Australian citizenship by joining the Australian Defence Force under a new treaty to be signed by Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape on September 15. PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph said the deal, timed with PNG’s 50th independence anniversary, would cement the nations as defence partners and allow up to 10,000 recruits. The agreement, addressing Australia’s workforce shortfall, will see PNG citizens serve in support roles while retaining dual nationality. Fiji is expected to join the scheme later.

>>23476583 Video: MRF-D joins U.S. Ambassador, Solomon Islands Government to honor Allied sacrifice for 83rd Battle of Guadalcanal Anniversary — U.S. Marines from Marine Rotational Force–Darwin stood with officials in Honiara on August 6 to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. A sunrise service at Skyline Ridge honored more than 7,000 Allied troops and Solomon Islanders killed, with wreath-layings and tributes recalling the brutal six-month campaign that turned the tide of the Pacific War. Colonel Jason Armas said victory “was not won by Marines alone but forged in partnership with the people of these islands.” Tributes were paid to Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers whose bravery was vital to the Allied victory.

#42 - Part 33

Australian Politics and Society - Part 13

>>23476596 VP Day: Remembering the war and what we sacrificed — "Eighty years ago, prime minister Ben Chifley began his address to the nation with perfect simplicity: ‘Fellow citizens, the war is over’… Chifley turned his words to all who had fought the darkness but not lived to see the light… ‘Let us remember those whose lives were given that we may enjoy this glorious moment’… We think of all we owe to every Australian who served in our name. Every Australian who fell, and every Australian who came home but could never leave the battle. Every family that felt the pride and weight of a loved one who put on the uniform. Every family that knew the grief that had no ending, only a beginning. Amid the shadows of war, the power of their courage and the strength of their character is a light that is a beacon to us still. They showed us what it is to remain true to ourselves, no matter what. They showed us what it means to stand shoulder to shoulder with friends and allies. And together, they turned the tide. As we stand here today, think of everyone who gathered 80 years ago. Think of the noise of their elation. And, hanging in the air just beyond the sound of their happiness, the silence of those who never came home. A silence that touched every corner of our continent, from the biggest city to the smallest country town. As we do, we return to another sentence whose simplicity is matched only by its power: Lest we forget." — Anthony Albanese, The Australian

>>23484779, >>23484784 Video: Former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz committed to stand trial for war crimes charge of murder — Former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz, 43, will be the first Australian soldier to face trial for a war crimes charge after being committed to the NSW Supreme Court. He is accused of murdering Afghan villager Dad Mohammad in Uruzgan Province in 2012, an incident captured on helmet-cam and first exposed by ABC’s Four Corners. Footage showed Schulz asking, “You want me to drop this c*nt?” before firing three shots. Mohammad, a father of two, was initially deemed lawfully killed by ADF investigators. Schulz, charged in 2023, faces arraignment in October and could receive life in prison.

>>23484790 Video: Killing Field: Explosive new allegations of Australian special forces war crimes - A Four Corners investigation has uncovered new allegations that unarmed civilians were unlawfully killed by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. In an investigation months in the making, drawing upon sources in Australia and Afghanistan, our program will expose a culture of impunity and cover-up among members of Australia's special forces who served in Australia's longest war. - Four Corners / ABC News In-depth, 16 Mar 2020

>>23489318 Video: Mines to Missiles: Kevin Rudd highlights Australia’s role in US critical minerals strategy — Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd says Australia can help achieve Donald Trump’s goal of a resilient America by diversifying critical mineral and rare earth supply chains, calling Australia a “great power, if not a superpower” in the sector. He noted Trump hosted BHP and Rio Tinto chiefs to discuss a copper project in Arizona and cited 20–25 other US-based Australian mining projects. Speaking in Washington, Rudd compared critical minerals to munitions, highlighting their role in submarines and F-35s. He urged a coalition of allies to counter Chinese dominance and outlined Canberra’s $1.2bn strategic reserve and $3.4bn Critical Minerals Facility.

>>23509829 Video: Porepunkah shooting: Weapons stolen from fatally wounded officers, alleged offender a ‘sovereign citizen’ — Two Victoria Police officers have been shot dead and a third seriously wounded in Porepunkah, north-east Victoria, with alleged gunman Dezi Freeman, 56, identified as a self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen” who has previously denounced police as “scumbags” and “criminal filth.” Freeman, his wife Mali, and at least one family member remain on the run after police attended his property to execute a warrant over historical sex abuse allegations. Weapons were taken from the slain officers, prompting a large-scale search and lockdown of the town. Tributes have flowed from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Jacinta Allan, and police leaders.

#42 - Part 34

Australian Politics and Society - Part 14

>>23514611 Loud bangs heard, as police reveal identities of cops allegedly killed by fugitive Dezi Freeman — Victoria Police has named Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, as the officers killed in Tuesday’s Porepunkah ambush. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the loss “has struck at the heart of Victoria Police,” describing both men as heroes. Thompson was a 38-year veteran nearing retirement; De Waart, a linguist and traveller, joined in 2018. As colleagues and leaders offered tributes, the hunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman intensified with roadblocks, a no-fly zone, and Special Operations Group units searching bushland where Freeman, armed and skilled in survival, remains at large.

>>23514628 Video: Marles gets last-minute meeting with Hegseth — Richard Marles has secured a late meeting in Washington with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, though a scheduled press conference was cancelled. The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister also met White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and was expected to see Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Marles shared photos with Hegseth and Vance, saying the alliance was “longstanding” and that he reaffirmed Australia’s commitment. The visit comes as the Pentagon reviews AUKUS, with Hegseth urging Canberra to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP — a request not yet met by the Albanese government.

>>23514638 Allies bowing to defence demands, Hegseth boasts after Marles meeting — US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Indo-Pacific allies were “stepping up” on military spending just hours after his talks with Richard Marles in Washington on the AUKUS submarine pact. Marles also pitched Australia as a “reliable” supplier of critical minerals while seeking relief from Donald Trump’s tariffs, and met with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump aide Stephen Miller. Hegseth wants Australia to lift defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, but Labor has so far resisted, leaving the Pentagon review of AUKUS under Elbridge Colby unresolved.

>>23514649 Marles’ mystery visit to US raises more questions than answers amid mix-ups — "Richard Marles was on a mission for Australia this week in Washington DC, but his purpose and whether he succeeded are mysteries. His meetings with the Trump administration have raised more questions than answers… The Defence Minister’s main public reason for rushing to Washington was to meet Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth… As revealed by The Australian, Marles touched down in Washington to find that no meeting with Hegseth had been locked in. In the end, Marles did see the Defence Secretary – although it appears they spoke only briefly. A readout from the Australian side revealed that Marles discussed critical minerals and rare earths, investment opportunities, US-Australia defence ties including AUKUS, US force-posture initiatives and growing ties between both nations’ defence industrial bases as well as the need for deeper defence industry engagement. Yet, his overall agenda with the administration remains opaque - including whether he may have laid the groundwork for a face-to-face meeting between the President and the Prime Minister. On these issues, it may better serve the government’s political interests to embrace ambiguity rather than clarity." — Joe Kelly, The Australian

>>23524952 Tony Burke’s ‘nothing could be less Australian’ slur on immigration march protesters exposes Canberra elite's preference for every flag except their own - "The March for Australia rallies are barely 24 hours away, and it appears Tony Burke has acquired a sudden craving for patriotism. According to the Home Affairs Minister, “nothing could be less Australian” than the planned demonstrations. Unfortunately, the flag to which the majority of the ruling class swears allegiance seems pretty different from the one most regular folks rally around. Throughout the year, high-status flags, like the Pride flag, hang on every high street and building, symbolising a hostile foreign ideology colonising the country. It signals the elite’s preference for every flag but Australia’s. The March for Australia is taking place because the ruling class continues to refuse to listen to the electorate on immigration, and dismiss mainstream ideas like patriotism as far-right. Believing that nations should maintain and enforce their borders is neither radical nor extreme. The belief that multiculturalism is failing is not an extreme viewpoint. To believe that the flag represents national pride and belonging, which unites all patriotic Australians is not ‘un-Australian.’ Let them march." - Noel Yaxley, SkyNews.com.au Contributor and Immigration Commentator

#42 - Part 35

Virginia Roberts Giuffre - Life and Legacy - Part 1

>>23309418, >>23309419, >>23309420, >>23309423, >>23309425 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.

>>23348169 Trump threatens to sue Murdoch over Wall Street Journal report alleging 50th birthday letter to Epstein – US President Donald Trump denied a Wall Street Journal report that he wrote a sexually suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein, calling it “a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein … These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.” He said he warned Rupert Murdoch and editor Emma Tucker, but “they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway.” Trump vowed to sue and asked Attorney-General Pam Bondi to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts, declaring: “This SCAM … should end, right now!”

>>23348173 Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump. - The leather-bound book was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. The president says the letter ‘is a fake thing.’ - Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo - July 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

>>23348211 Video: ‘I’m going to sue his ass off’: Trump turns on Murdoch over Epstein story – US President Donald Trump vowed to sue Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal after it reported he wrote Jeffrey Epstein a cryptic 2003 birthday letter “framed by the outline of a naked woman.” The Journal alleged Trump’s text read: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump called it a “FAKE letter” and accused Murdoch of a “Scam,” with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labelling it a smear. Amid MAGA rifts over Epstein, Trump reversed course and asked Attorney-General Pam Bondi to seek release of grand jury testimony.

>>23348233 Video: Trump taunts Murdoch as he files $15 billion lawsuit over Epstein story – US President Donald Trump has launched a $15.3 billion defamation suit in Miami against Rupert Murdoch, News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson, and The Wall Street Journal over a story alleging he wrote a cryptic, sexually suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denounced it as a “FAKE letter” and pledged to “sue his ass off.” His lawyers said the report was fabricated to smear him. The Justice Department also asked a court to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts. The Journal’s publisher, Dow Jones, said it would “vigorously defend” its reporting.

#42 - Part 36

Virginia Roberts Giuffre - Life and Legacy - Part 2

>>23397893 ‘Age, health’: Trump seeks urgent evidence from Murdoch in Epstein case – US President Donald Trump’s lawyers are seeking an urgent deposition from Rupert Murdoch in a defamation case related to Jeffrey Epstein, citing the media mogul’s age and health concerns. Trump is suing Murdoch, News Corp, and others over a 2003 birthday letter allegedly written by Trump for Epstein, which Trump denies. The lawsuit seeks $US10 billion in damages, with Trump’s legal team arguing that Murdoch’s involvement in editorial decisions and his recent health issues warrant expedited testimony. Murdoch, 94, resides over 100 miles from the court, raising concerns about his availability for trial.

>>23402320 Video: Donald Trump says Jeffrey Epstein 'stole' young women, including Virginia Giuffre, from Mar-a-Lago – US President Donald Trump has revealed he fell out with Jeffrey Epstein after the convicted sex offender "stole" young women, including Virginia Giuffre, from his Mar-a-Lago club. Trump recalled telling Epstein, "We don’t want you taking our people," referring to women hired at the Mar-a-Lago spa. Trump also confirmed that Giuffre, who later accused Epstein of sex trafficking, was one of the women taken. Meanwhile, Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, seeks immunity before testifying before Congress regarding her role in Epstein’s crimes. Trump denied considering a presidential pardon for Maxwell.

>>23419154 Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell transferred to lower-security prison facility – Ghislaine Maxwell has been moved from a Florida prison to a minimum-security camp in Texas, where Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is also held. Her lawyer confirmed the transfer but gave no reason. The move followed a nine-hour interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who granted conditional immunity as she answered questions on about 100 people linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said he had not considered clemency, though Maxwell faces a congressional subpoena. Lawmakers agreed to delay questioning until the Supreme Court rules on her appeal.

>>23419171 Virginia Giuffre’s family expresses shock over Trump saying Epstein ‘stole’ her – The family of Virginia Giuffre said it was “shocking” to hear President Trump claim Jeffrey Epstein had “stolen” her from Mar-a-Lago, urging that Ghislaine Maxwell remain in prison. Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and others of sexual abuse while trafficked by Epstein, died by suicide this year. The family demanded answers, saying “survivors deserve this.” Trump’s office said he was answering a reporter’s question and noted he expelled Epstein from his club. The comments came after Maxwell’s DOJ interview, where she reportedly answered questions on about 100 people.

>>23419187 Video: Virginia Giuffre’s family says she would have wanted Epstein documents released – Virginia Giuffre’s relatives said she called for the release of Epstein-related documents before her death this year, with her sister-in-law Amanda Roberts recalling she “had been fighting that till her very last day.” The family criticised Trump for saying Epstein “stole” her from Mar-a-Lago, arguing she was “preyed upon … at President Trump’s property.” They condemned giving Ghislaine Maxwell a platform, saying she “deserves to rot in prison,” and warned immunity or clemency would betray survivors. Relatives demanded justice and answers about why the files remain sealed.

#42 - Part 37

Virginia Roberts Giuffre - Life and Legacy - Part 3

>>23432173 Trump and Murdoch agree to pause in battle over Epstein article — Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch have agreed to delay Murdoch’s deposition in the US president’s $15bn libel suit against The Wall Street Journal over a story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. Court filings show the pause will remain until the Journal’s motion to dismiss is heard. Murdoch, 94, had faced pressure for an expedited appearance due to age and health but will only testify if dismissal fails. Trump alleges the Journal defamed him by publishing a 2003 “fake” letter and drawing, while News Corp vows to defend its reporting.

>>23444504 Virginia Giuffre's family says "it would be a travesty" if Ghislaine Maxwell gets a pardon – Virginia Giuffre’s family has condemned the idea that President Trump could pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, calling it “a travesty” and “a slap in the face” to survivors. Giuffre’s sister-in-law Amanda Roberts said survivors are saying “no to leniency. No to a pardon.” Her brother Sky Roberts insisted “the survivors… should have a platform.” Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, has offered to testify before Congress if pardoned. Amanda Roberts said Maxwell “needs to be behind bars” and described her as an “active participant and a ringleader.”

>>23448157 Video: ‘No tears for Virginia Giuffre’: Ghislaine Maxwell's brother brands Epstein accuser a 'monster' who 'ruined lives – Ghislaine Maxwell’s brother Ian has branded Virginia Giuffre a “monster” and said he shed “no tears” after her death, claiming she “ruined the lives” of his sister and Prince Andrew. Speaking to LBC’s Nick Ferrari, he maintained Maxwell’s innocence despite her 2022 conviction, accusing Giuffre of being a “consummate liar” and noting she was not called to testify at Maxwell’s trial. Ian Maxwell backed the release of the so-called Epstein files, arguing “transparency is the friend of my sister,” and said there was a “good chance” of her release on appeal.

>>23509012, >>23509019 Epstein, Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre wrote a memoir. It’s coming out months after her death - A posthumous memoir by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, will be released October 21 by Knopf. Giuffre, who died in April aged 41, had completed the 400-page manuscript with co-author Amy Wallace. In an April 1 email, she wrote it was her “heartfelt wish” the book be published “regardless” of her circumstances, stressing the need to expose “systemic failures” in trafficking. Knopf says the memoir contains “intimate, disturbing and heartbreaking” new details about Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their 2022 settlement.

>>23509019 Q Post #4923 - 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

#42 - Part 38

The Transgender Agenda - Australia and Worldwide - Part 1

>>23269714 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.

>>23279531 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.

>>23299470 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.

>>23314377 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.

>>23314404 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.

>>23357456 Free speech no joke, says Giggle for Girls founder in appeal over transgender ‘Sweaty Balls’ laughter – Sall Grover, founder of the Giggle for Girls app, is appealing a Federal Court ruling that fined her $10,000 for laughing at satirical merchandise mocking transgender woman Roxanne Tickle. Grover’s lawyers argue her “momentary, reflexive laugh” at the “Sweaty Balls” candle, which caricatured Tickle’s comments on SBS Insight, was constitutionally protected political expression. They say penalising such courtroom reactions “chills political engagement and penalises dissent.” Grover maintains her app excluded Tickle based on “visual impression of maleness,” not gender identity. Appeals begin August 4.

#42 - Part 39

The Transgender Agenda - Australia and Worldwide - Part 2

>>23419010 Equality Australia joins fight against female-only spaces – Equality Australia has applied to join Roxanne Tickle’s Federal Court appeal against Giggle app founder Sall Grover, backing claims female-only spaces are unlawful if they exclude trans women. The group’s intervention puts it alongside Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody and against the Lesbian Action Group, which argues sex is binary. Grover alleged the case is a planned “test” by activist Teddy Cook and said Equality Australia is opposing lesbians’ rights. The appeal, beginning August 4, will consider definitions of “sex” and whether Grover should pay Tickle damages.

>>23432264 Sall Grover should pay big damages for ‘misgendering’ trans woman Roxanne Tickle in interviews, court told — Lawyers for Roxanne Tickle told the Federal Court that Giggle app founder Sall Grover should face “significant” aggravated damages for repeatedly referring to Tickle as a man in at least 50 media interviews. Tickle, who is appealing for damages of at least $40,000, argued Grover’s conduct went far beyond a single courtroom incident involving satirical merchandise. Counsel said Grover’s repeated “misgendering” was not bona fide under the Sex Discrimination Act. Grover’s lawyers countered that Tickle’s evidence of loss was “minimal.” J.K. Rowling publicly expressed support for Grover.

>>23436029 Law ‘never intended boys to sleep in girls’ dormitories’, court told — The Federal Court has heard final submissions in Sall Grover’s appeal against a ruling that she indirectly discriminated against transgender woman Roxanne Tickle by rejecting her from the Giggle networking app. Counsel for the Lesbian Action Group argued parliament never intended biological men to enter female-only spaces such as shelters, schools, or lesbian events. Equality Australia countered that sex was non-binary and socially defined, while the Sex Discrimination Commissioner argued “woman” includes trans women. Grover’s lawyers warned expanded protections risk undermining safe spaces for both women and transgender women.

>>23456934 No transition from gender reality, app boss Sall Grover tells court – Giggle for Girls founder Sall Grover told the Federal Court she does not accept that a person who has transitioned from male to female is a woman, after barristers for Roxanne Tickle argued she was discriminated against on gender identity grounds by being excluded from the app. Tickle, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2019 and is legally recognised as female, said Grover’s public misgendering was distressing and fuelled online hate. The case is the first Federal Court test of gender identity protections under the Sex Discrimination Act, with the Commissioner arguing sex is changeable.

>>23456939 Giggle app founder Sall Grover mulls move to US if female-only spaces found to be illegal – Giggle for Girls founder Sall Grover says she may move her business to the US if Australian courts rule her female-only platform unlawful, citing free speech protections under the First Amendment. Grover is appealing a Federal Court finding she discriminated against trans woman Roxanne Tickle, with Equality Australia expected to support Tickle in an appeal to the High Court if Grover wins. Grover criticised Australian institutions, drew parallels with cases overseas, and said her defence is crowdfunded. She remains confident section 7D of the Sex Discrimination Act protects female-only measures.

>>23470848 Video: Jacinta Allan blasts concerns over gender-clinic pipeline in schools — Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has dismissed as “disgraceful nonsense” claims of a “school-to-gender-clinic pipeline,” backing the state’s Respectful Relationships curriculum, which now teaches children as young as five that body parts may not match gender and allows biologically male students who identify as female to play on girls’ teams. Critics, citing the Cass review in the UK, warn of weak evidence for puberty blockers and hormones, while psychiatrists argue the model risks misdiagnosis. Allan said schools must support transgender students, who face far higher suicide risks.

#42 - Part 40

The Transgender Agenda - Australia and Worldwide - Part 3

>>23470875 Parents of gender dysphoric kids hit back at Jacinta Allan — Parents representing more than 50 Victorian families have written to Premier Jacinta Allan after she dismissed warnings of a “school to gender clinic pipeline” as “disgraceful nonsense.” The group, Parents of Adolescents with Gender Distress, challenged Allan’s claim that transgender children are “15 times more likely” to commit suicide, accusing her of using “alarmist and irresponsible” figures without reliable data. They argued the Respectful Relationships curriculum is pushing children toward harmful medicalisation and requested a meeting to share lived experiences, after being refused access to Education Minister Ben Carroll.

>>23470911 COMMENTARY: Why amplifying suicide risk cynically inflames transgender row — "Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, is right about the risk of harm and wrong about the cause… Media scrutiny of social transition in schools is perfectly legitimate… If Allan wishes to prevent harm, she should stop the suicide scare campaign… Like politicians, journalists are supposed to follow mental health advice not to harp on the suicide risk of a particular group… The “transition or suicide” claim is a feature, not a bug, of the “gender-affirming” treatment model… The clearest study so far hails from Finland… suicide risk was driven not by gender distress but by the accompanying psychiatric problems." — Bernard Lane, writer of Gender Clinic News, The Australian

>>23470925 Finnish doctor Riittakerttu Kaltiala argues case for science in teen gender dysphoria care — Finnish psychiatrist Riittakerttu Kaltiala, who leads a national gender identity service in Finland, has warned that early medical interventions such as puberty blockers have shown “very weak” evidence of benefit and often failed to improve outcomes. She said most patients were teenage girls with “a long history of severe psychiatric issues” rather than lifelong dysphoria, and many did not thrive on hormone treatment. Finland’s cautious guidelines now stress psychosocial support and psychiatric care before any intervention. Kaltiala will present her findings in Adelaide at the Gender Healthcare Summit in October.

>>23470963 Video: Pro-trans rights protesters, police clash in the Melbourne CBD countering ‘Women Will Speak’ rally — Four arrests were made after about 80 pro-trans rights activists clashed with police during a counter-protest in Melbourne’s CBD. Police said three officers were injured but not hospitalised, with pepper spray deployed and one man charged after allegedly striking an officer with an umbrella. Protesters blocked cameras with umbrellas and harassed media. At Parliament, around 40 “Women Will Speak” attendees criticised anti-vilification laws and gender identity policies, with speakers warning women’s sex-based rights were being eroded. Police conducted 145 searches and ordered 50 protestors to remove face coverings.

>>23470973 Video: Four arrested as pro-trans protesters clash with police — Four people were arrested after clashes between pro-trans rights protesters and police in Melbourne’s CBD. About 80 activists confronted a women’s rights rally at Parliament House before being pushed by police towards Carlton Gardens, where they chanted “trans liberation, not assimilation” and “all cops are Nazis.” A 21-year-old man was charged with assaulting police after allegedly striking an officer with an umbrella, while pepper spray was deployed and flares set off. Others were arrested for possessing flares and failing to move on. The women’s rally, attended by about 50 people, ended peacefully under heavy police presence.

#42 - Part 41

AUKUS Security Pact and Nuclear Submarine Program - Part 1

>>23260756 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)

>>23314434 Video: ‘Enormous value’: UK’s top AUKUS envoy insists the pact delivers for the US – Sir Stephen Lovegrove, the UK’s special envoy on AUKUS, said Australia’s “massive” contributions to the submarine pact provide “enormous value” to Washington despite the Trump administration’s snap review. He told ABC’s 7.30 that US defence agencies strongly backed AUKUS, with Australia funding the American submarine industrial base and developing a maintenance hub in Western Australia to keep more Virginia-class boats at sea. While noting “schedule is king,” Lovegrove said he was confident the UK would boost production capacity and all three nations remained committed to meeting 2027 milestones.

>>23314507 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.

>>23318920 Video: US review of AUKUS incomplete as cost of defence boost revealed – Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy said the Trump administration’s review of AUKUS, led by Elbridge Colby, has missed its 30-day deadline but expressed confidence it would back the pact. He acknowledged pressure on Australia to raise defence spending, with budget office figures showing a jump to 3.5% of GDP could cost $287b over a decade. Conroy said aid and diplomacy also bolster security, insisting “sovereignty will always be prioritised” and that only the elected government can commit Australia to war, amid reports the US sought assurances on how Australia would respond in a Taiwan conflict.

>>23318940 US wants to know how Australia would use subs if America goes to war – The Pentagon has confirmed it is seeking undertakings from Australia on how AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines would be deployed “across different scenarios,” while also pressing for “substantial increases” in defence spending. US Undersecretary of Defence Elbridge Colby said allies must “step up” commitments, including on Taiwan, as part of Donald Trump’s “peace through strength” agenda. Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy stressed sovereignty, saying Australia “doesn’t discuss hypotheticals” and that only the government of the day can commit forces. The review of AUKUS also examines command structure, US shipbuilding capacity and asset posture.

>>23328908 AUKUS sceptic Turnbull discussed pact’s defects with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby – Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has held extensive talks with US Undersecretary of Defence Elbridge Colby about AUKUS, with both men voicing doubts over Australia’s ability to fund the pact and America’s capacity to supply Virginia-class submarines. Colby reposted a 2024 Turnbull article warning of a looming submarine gap, noting the US could not “prudently reduce” its most vital assets. Turnbull has since warned AUKUS would “considerably” reduce Australian sovereignty, arguing allies must “do more to defend themselves” and protect “sovereign autonomy.”

#42 - Part 42

AUKUS Security Pact and Nuclear Submarine Program - Part 2

>>23328949 Elbridge Colby’s three key challenges for Australia – US defence policy chief Elbridge Colby is pressing Australia on three fronts: whether AUKUS still aligns with Donald Trump’s priorities, if Canberra will pre-commit US-supplied submarines to a Taiwan conflict despite America’s own “strategic ambiguity,” and lifting defence spending. Colby warned that “Taiwan’s fall would be a disaster for American interests” and has tied his review of AUKUS to questions over submarine use. Posting online, he said “central to President Trump’s commonsense, America First message is that our alliances have to be fair and equitable for them to be sustainable.”

>>23333159 Any AUKUS pledges ‘won’t be worth paper they’re written on’: Turnbull – Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia cannot guarantee its AUKUS submarines would defend US interests, calling any such pledge meaningless as no government can bind its successor. He confirmed past conversations with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who is pressing allies to clarify submarine use in a Taiwan conflict. Turnbull warned the US isn’t producing enough Virginia-class subs to meet its own needs, let alone AUKUS. PM Anthony Albanese declined to give assurances, maintaining strategic ambiguity, while Turnbull accused AUKUS supporters of “groupthink” and excessive deference to Washington.

>>23338565 John Bolton says the fate of AUKUS should be resolved before Albanese meets Trump – Former US national security adviser John Bolton warned Anthony Albanese against seeking a White House meeting with Donald Trump before the Pentagon’s AUKUS review is finalised, saying the deal could be derailed. Bolton said Elbridge Colby’s request for an Australian commitment on Taiwan carried “huge diplomatic consequences” and should be handled at leader level. He urged Australia to secure clarity on AUKUS before pursuing a meeting, citing Trump’s record of abandoning agreements. Bolton also called for higher defence spending by both nations and questioned Trump’s resolve to defend Taiwan.

>>23352261 Rudd ‘confident’ on AUKUS review, rejects defence spending claims — Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to Washington, said he was “confident” issues raised by the Pentagon’s AUKUS review under Elbridge Colby would be resolved, citing his long relationship with Colby and the “mature relationship” between defence establishments. Rudd rejected claims Australia underspends on defence, arguing differences in methodology mean its real level is closer to 2.5 per cent of GDP. He stressed AUKUS was a “quarter of a trillion dollar exercise” benefiting both nations. Despite past criticisms of Donald Trump, Rudd said the alliance had proved resilient and would grow stronger under his presidency.

>>23367236 Australia quietly pays US another $800 million for AUKUS despite review – Australia has quietly transferred another $800m to the United States for the AUKUS submarine deal, lifting its total contribution to $1.6bn, even as the Trump administration reviews the pact. The funding boosts US shipyard capacity to deliver Virginia-class submarines, with $2bn due by the end of 2025. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the payments follow a fixed schedule and reflect Canberra’s commitment to AUKUS. The unannounced transfer raised eyebrows, with speculation the US may seek further funds and press Australia to raise defence spending beyond 2 per cent of GDP.

>>23373031 Video: Turn AUKUS shipyard into joint naval base with the US, Morrison urges – Scott Morrison has suggested that a planned AUKUS shipbuilding facility in Western Australia should become a joint base with the US to address the Trump administration's concerns about the submarine deal. The proposal would allow the upgraded facility at Henderson to host and repair both Australian and US submarines, providing the US direct access to the Indian Ocean. Morrison emphasized the importance of maintaining US capabilities and suggested that Australia's Henderson yard could play a significant role in enhancing US submarine production and maintenance. He also downplayed concerns about the Pentagon’s AUKUS review, asserting that operational planning was crucial.

>>23383645 Britain pledges 50-year AUKUS support in message to Trump – The UK government has committed to a 50-year treaty with Australia to strengthen the AUKUS defence pact, with a $41 billion investment to build new submarine fleets. The treaty is seen as a countermeasure to US President Donald Trump's doubts about AUKUS, with his administration conducting a review of the agreement. UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that the treaty would enhance security in the Indo-Pacific and NATO, while also creating thousands of jobs in both the UK and Australia. The deal is a significant move in the face of US skepticism over the pact.

#42 - Part 43

AUKUS Security Pact and Nuclear Submarine Program - Part 3

>>23383680 Video: Australia and UK announce new 50-year AUKUS deal amid US submarine review – Australia and the UK have announced a new 50-year AUKUS treaty, pledging to strengthen defence and industry ties despite US-led review concerns. The treaty, which includes a significant industrial plan to build new nuclear-powered submarines, was unveiled as both nations emphasised the importance of the Indo-Pacific and the geopolitical ties between Ukraine and China. UK Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the indivisibility of security between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, while Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles downplayed concerns about the US review, calling it “the most natural thing in the world.”

>>23388140 Senior Democrat Joe Courtney calls for Trump administration to open up on Elbridge Colby’s AUKUS probe – US Congressman Joe Courtney has called for greater transparency around the AUKUS submarines review, criticizing the US Department of Defence for providing limited information. Courtney expressed concern over the Pentagon’s lack of clarity, particularly regarding the scope and timeline of the review. Despite ongoing work under the assumption that AUKUS will continue, the review’s findings and status remain unclear. Courtney emphasized the need for clearer guidance on the review’s direction, calling the current process frustrating for those involved.

>>23406987 US delays AUKUS review as defence spending row drags on – The Trump administration has delayed the AUKUS review, initially set for completion in 30 days, now expected in the fall. Donald Trump’s defence policy chief, Elbridge Colby, cited the need for an empirical assessment aligning with Trump's America First approach. This delay coincides with ongoing tensions over Australia's defence spending, with Washington urging Australia to increase its spending to 3.5% of GDP amid China's military build-up. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed concerns over the delay, saying it was expected. Meanwhile, Australia and the UK signed a 50-year treaty to strengthen the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.

>>23415282 Albanese’s allies work to kill off anti-AUKUS push before Labor conference – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s allies in Labor’s Victorian Left are lobbying to soften or block a grassroots motion demanding Australia “withdraw” from AUKUS and denouncing US President Donald Trump as a “demagogue.” The push, led by Labor Against War, comes as the Pentagon reviews the $360 billion pact amid US concerns about submarine production. Powerbrokers aligned with Deputy PM Richard Marles are trying to avoid debate, while former foreign minister Bob Carr said the cost justifies scrutiny. A harsh motion could unsettle Washington about Labor’s commitment to AUKUS.

>>23415285 Victorian Labor conference heats up over Gaza, AUKUS – Victorian Labor delegates have voted to urge the Albanese government to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, impose sanctions on Israel, and suspend participation in AUKUS. The Gaza motion called for trade in arms with Israel to cease, while the AUKUS resolution demanded funding be halted and the pact removed from Labor’s platform. Labor Against War described AUKUS as “madness” under Donald Trump, but Premier Jacinta Allan insisted only government sets policy, reiterating support for AUKUS and the two-state solution. Defence Minister Richard Marles faced flag-waving protests inside the conference hall.

>>23415297 CNO Nominee Caudle Says Sub Construction Pace Needs to Grow to Deliver on AUKUS Promise – US Navy chief nominee Adm. Daryl Caudle told Congress the industrial base must double attack submarine output to meet AUKUS commitments, with production needing to rise from 1.3 to 2.3 Virginia-class boats annually while also building Columbia-class submarines. Caudle praised Australian submariners but warned current capacity falls short of Trump administration goals, calling for “transformational improvement.” He backed outsourcing, shipyard reform, and allied maintenance partnerships to ease pressure. Caudle also highlighted amphibious fleet readiness problems, saying the Navy cannot sustain required Marine deployments.

#42 - Part 44

AUKUS Security Pact and Nuclear Submarine Program - Part 4

>>23415327 ‘Not woke stuff’: Trump administration bars US officials from Australia defence talks – The Trump administration has blocked Pentagon officials from travelling to Canberra for the US-Australia Indo-Pacific Deterrence Dialogue, citing concerns that think tank events conflict with its “America First” agenda. The cancellation halted confidential discussions on military integration, nuclear deterrence and China strategy, prompting warnings it undermines alliance ties. Australian experts called the move “disappointing” and “self-defeating,” while the US Studies Centre said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was fighting “internal culture wars.” Organisers hope to reschedule, but future exchanges remain in doubt under the Pentagon edict.

>>23419114 Video: Spies hunt AUKUS secrets, deliver $12.5bn hit to economy – ASIO director-general Mike Burgess warned espionage is costing Australia $12.5 billion a year, with agents targeting AUKUS technologies amid “unprecedented” foreign spy activity. He said China, Russia, Iran and other states are seeking to compromise defence, trade and critical infrastructure, with examples including hacking networks, fake job ads, and a delegate stealing plant material to replicate decades of research. Burgess revealed 24 major espionage operations were disrupted in three years and vowed ASIO will help defend AUKUS to ensure it is “delivered without compromise.”

>>23423528 AUKUS review focus on fixing subs ‘could favour Australia’ – The Pentagon’s review of the AUKUS submarine pact has expanded to include maintenance capacity, which former US Navy secretary Richard Spencer says could benefit Australia if it accelerates upgrades in Western Australia. Spencer, now Austal chairman, urged Canberra to “start walking and stop talking,” warning that delays risk leaving submarines idle. Upgrades at HMAS Stirling and Henderson shipyard are central, though funding remains modest. The review, led by US Under-Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby, is due by November, with any final decision resting with President Donald Trump.

>>23428083 Video: Japan beats Germany to build Australia’s new frigate fleet – Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been selected to build Australia’s new 11-ship frigate fleet, with Defence Minister Richard Marles calling the upgraded Mogami “absolutely the best ship” over Germany’s MEKO-A200. The first three vessels, costing $10bn with infrastructure upgrades, will be built in Japan by 2034, with the remaining eight intended for Perth’s Henderson shipyard. The frigates will feature 32 vertical launch cells, stealth design and long-range missile capability. The deal, Japan’s largest defence export since WWII, symbolises deepening bilateral ties but poses export and sustainment risks.

>>23428124 Video: Allies remember Pacific War 80 years on - With the enormous Ohio-class guided missile submarine in Brisbane, Sky News’ Investigations Reporter Jonathan Lea has taken a deeper look at the reason for its visit. War games brought it down under - now allies are beginning to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. All as the government awaits news confirming Washington will still sell Australia at least three Virginia-class attack submarines needed for the navy. - Sky News Australia

>>23444355 Donald Trump’s Pentagon warns Anthony Albanese that he is not spending enough on defence and AUKUS — The Pentagon has warned Australia will struggle to defend itself or meet AUKUS obligations unless defence spending lifts to 3.5% of GDP, far above the current 2.04%. Officials said AUKUS was “an expensive thing” requiring greater investment, while noting allies needed clarity on commitments in potential conflicts with China. NATO countries recently pledged 5% of GDP on defence, partly by including infrastructure like roads and ports, while Anthony Albanese has resisted using such accounting methods to inflate Australia’s totals. Critics in Washington fear Australia lacks near-term deterrence.

>>23461026 US congressman spruiks Australia relationship at future AUKUS shipyard – US congressmen Joe Courtney and Trent Kelly joined Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil at Adelaide’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, with Kelly praising the US-Australia alliance as “irreplaceable.” Khalil said AUKUS was “critical” for Australia’s defence, highlighting the deterrence value of Virginia-class submarines and future AUKUS boats. More than $1.5 billion has already been invested in the site, where five nuclear-powered submarines are planned if Washington proceeds. The visit came as Trump’s defence chief Elbridge Colby delayed a review of AUKUS, which Canberra supports despite resisting US pressure to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.

#42 - Part 45

AUKUS Security Pact and Nuclear Submarine Program - Part 5

>>23461031 United States congressmen Joe Courtney and Trent Kelly visit Adelaide’s naval shipyard and back AUKUS – US congressmen Joe Courtney and Trent Kelly have endorsed the $368bn AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program during a visit to Adelaide’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, despite the Trump administration’s ongoing review of the pact. Kelly said AUKUS had deepened an already strong alliance, while Courtney praised the “eye-watering investment” in Australia’s shipbuilding sector and noted university collaboration on submarine and unmanned vessel technology. Premier Peter Malinauskas highlighted South Australia’s growing defence role, as both congressmen urged greater technology transfer under AUKUS pillar two, saying all three partners would be “stronger and better together.”

>>23461047 ‘Join the club’: US congressman backs Australia in tensions with Trump – US congressman Joe Courtney has defended AUKUS and Australia’s role in the alliance, rejecting claims the transfer of Virginia-class submarines should be scrapped due to US industrial pressures. Touring Adelaide’s shipyard, he said Australia’s $1.6bn contribution to boost production showed commitment, and argued fears about submarine shortages were “totally inaccurate.” Courtney also backed Anthony Albanese’s objections to Trump’s tariffs, calling them unjustified given America’s trade surplus. He said tariffs could be Trump’s “Achilles heel” politically, but stressed bipartisan support for Australia in Congress would help sustain the alliance through current strains.

>>23470401 US politicians back AUKUS and bigger defence spend – Visiting US lawmakers voiced bipartisan support for AUKUS while urging Australia to lift defence spending and Donald Trump to visit Australia. Democrat senator Chris Coons praised Canberra’s diplomacy but said more investment in defence was needed given shipyard shortfalls and global threats. Congressman Michael Turner credited Trump’s pressure for NATO’s decision to raise spending to 5 per cent of GDP and suggested allies, including Australia, may follow. Delegation leader Joe Courtney warned past comments by Pentagon official Elbridge Colby on AUKUS were troubling but remained confident submarine transfers would proceed. Both Coons and Turner urged an Albanese–Trump meeting.

>>23470656 Warning from Washington: Speak out about Chinese threat or risk AUKUS subs — US figures have warned Australia must be more explicit about China’s military threat or risk the AUKUS submarine pact. John Bolton said Labor was “less vocal” than past governments, while naval expert Bryan Clark argued Australia was “reticent to explicitly call out” using the subs against China. Alexander Gray added that Australia’s shifting rhetoric caused “discomfort” in Washington. Penny Wong’s office rejected the criticism, saying Australia had been “clear and consistent” on China, and stressed AUKUS strengthened regional peace.

>>23484725 AUKUS tensions: Hastie warns of ‘huge backlash’ if US backs out — Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie has warned that if the US abandons its AUKUS commitment to supply Virginia-class submarines, it would trigger “a huge backlash” in Australia. He said local support in Rockingham, WA — where HMAS Stirling will host rotating US and UK submarines from 2027 — could collapse if “Pillar I” fails while communities absorb thousands of US personnel under what he calls “Pillar zero.” Hastie argued Australians would see it as “giving the US prime strategic geography in exchange for nothing,” urging Washington to uphold its deal.

#42 - Part 46

Australia / China Tensions - Part 1

>>23256427 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.

>>23256450 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

>>23256464 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.

>>23256474 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

>>23269730 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.

>>23288326 Video: Pacific Islands vital in power struggle against China – Australia is intensifying efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific, turning to rugby and cultural ties as soft-power tools. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka joined Anthony Albanese in Newcastle, where they awarded the Vuvale Bowl at a Wallabies match, underscoring what Albanese called the “Pacific family.” China has poured billions into regional infrastructure, while US aid cuts under Donald Trump have weakened Western influence. Rabuka said Fiji was “managing” but hoped for improvement within three years. Deputy Nationals Leader Kevin Hogan stressed China remained both a vital trading partner and a strategic concern. Sport, trust and cooperation are seen as central to securing regional alliances.

#42 - Part 47

Australia / China Tensions - Part 2

>>23294002 Anthony Albanese confirms meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during China trip – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu for a six-day visit, headlined by the Australia–China Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Premier Li Qiang and a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping. Albanese said he would “co-operate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest,” highlighting Australia’s $325bn trade relationship with China. He will also attend an Australia–China CEO Roundtable with 14 senior business leaders, including Andrew Forrest, Geraldine Slattery and Kellie Parker, amid Beijing’s push to expand trade to AI, healthcare and green energy.

>>23294037 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

>>23294002 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.

>>23304741 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.”

>>23314599 Penny Wong issues warning on Chinese threat as Anthony Albanese prepares to fly to Beijing – Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned that China’s nuclear and military build-up was accelerating “without the transparency that the region expects.” Senator Wong, in Malaysia for meetings with Southeast Asian counterparts, said: “What we seek is a balance of power, where no country dominates and no country is dominated.” Her remarks set the stage for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s six-day China visit, where he will meet Xi Jinping while resisting US pressure to double defence spending. Taiwan’s envoy Douglas Hsu urged stronger ties with Canberra and support for Taipei’s CPTPP bid.

>>23314635 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

#42 - Part 48

Australia / China Tensions - Part 3

>>23314662 ‘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.

>>23314682 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.

>>23314703 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.

>>23318879 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.

>>23318889 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

>>23318896 Albanese bats away questions about Taiwan and US defence demands on first day of China visit – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the first full day of his China trip, dismissed pressure from the Trump administration after Elbridge Colby, leading a review of AUKUS, urged allies to say what role they’d play in a US-China war over Taiwan. Albanese insisted Australia opposed “any unilateral action” and wanted “no change in the status quo.” Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy said only the elected government could commit Australia to war. Albanese also launched a tourism campaign in Shanghai and praised China’s economic development.

>>23318907 US demands to know what allies would do in event of war over Taiwan – The Pentagon is pressing Australia and Japan to clarify their roles in a possible US-China war over Taiwan, a move that has unsettled both allies. Elbridge Colby, under-secretary of defence for policy, has urged commitments despite Washington’s own “strategic ambiguity.” A US official said the aim was “to intensify and accelerate efforts to strengthen deterrence,” insisting “we do not seek war.” Japan called the request “difficult to answer” and Australia declined comment. Observers said it was unrealistic for the US to demand clarity when President Trump has not committed to Taiwan’s defence.

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Australia / China Tensions - Part 4

>>23323820 Albanese walks trade-security tightrope before Xi meeting – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to return the Port of Darwin to Australian hands despite Chinese displeasure, saying “we want the port to go into Australian ownership.” Speaking in Shanghai ahead of his Beijing talks with Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Albanese promoted Australia as a free-trade nation while stressing peace in the Indo-Pacific underpins economic ties. Mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest warned that “security becomes a distraction” to $312bn in annual trade. Albanese, joined by executives from Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue, also promoted “green steel” cooperation while declining to reveal planned security or rights discussions with Xi.

>>23328979 Video: Thorny issues broached as Albanese, Xi go head-to-head – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping over February’s live-fire drills off Australia’s coast, securing a commitment that Beijing would provide more notice in future. He also pressed China on Taiwan, reaffirming “no unilateral change to the status quo,” and raised the case of detained writer Yang Hengjun, though without expectation of progress. Mr Xi hailed the “recovered” relationship, calling for “equal treatment” and “mutually beneficial co-operation.” Tuesday’s meetings with Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Communist Party Chairman Zhao Leji formed the centrepiece of Albanese’s six-day China tour.

>>23328999 Australian concerns over live fire drill brushed aside in Xi meeting – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised February’s live-fire drills off Australia’s coast with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, stressing concern over “the notice and the ways that it happened.” Mr Xi replied that China conducted exercises “just as Australia engages in exercises.” Albanese also pressed the case of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun, though he said outcomes would take “patient, calibrated advocacy.” Xi hailed a turnaround in ties after a “setback,” while Albanese emphasised trade and stability. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for both nations to uphold multilateralism, free trade and international law.

>>23329028 Xi tells Albanese that China’s ships will conduct exercises wherever they want in international waters – In Beijing, President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that Chinese naval forces would conduct drills “just as Australia engages in exercises,” brushing aside concerns over February’s live-fire operations around Australia. Albanese urged Xi to maintain the status quo on Taiwan and raised the case of detained writer Yang Hengjun. Despite Beijing’s anger at Labor’s pledge to strip Chinese company Landbridge of its lease over Darwin Port, Xi did not raise the issue, instead hailing improved ties and “mutually beneficial co-operation.” Albanese also met Premier Li Qiang and National People’s Congress chairman Zhao Leji, while Business Council of Australia chief Bran Black led 14 major company CEOs in Beijing talks.

>>23333070 Lunch invitation leaves Albanese in a delicate position in rapidly changing global order – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was honoured with a rare lunch with Xi Jinping in Beijing’s Great Hall, the first such gesture since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. Xi lauded improved ties, saying relations had “risen from the setbacks and turned around,” while Albanese raised concerns over February’s Chinese live-fire drills near Australia and the detention of writer Yang Hengjun. China Daily praised Albanese’s “clearer judgment” than predecessor Scott Morrison, framing his six-night visit as a success. The visit coincided with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also being in Beijing.

>>23333078 Anthony Albanese ducks ‘free Yang Hengjun’ criticism – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he raised the case of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun with Xi Jinping but rejected claims his government’s approach is “too soft,” saying it would be “inappropriate and insensitive” to respond to family criticism. He said “patient, calibrated advocacy” was the only way to secure progress and pointed to past successes in securing the release of other Australians. Yang, arrested in 2019 and sentenced last year to a suspended death penalty on espionage charges, has endured harsh treatment in prison. His friend and PhD supervisor Feng Chongyi has condemned Labor’s stance as weak.

#42 - Part 50

Australia / China Tensions - Part 5

>>23333091 Video: Anthony Albanese follows in the footsteps of Gough Whitlam in China tour – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has marked his China trip with a homage to Gough Whitlam, touring the Great Wall with fiancée Jodie Haydon, echoing Whitlam’s landmark 1971 visit that preceded Australia’s recognition of Beijing. Albanese praised Whitlam’s “courage” while Beijing’s state-run China Daily lauded Albanese for showing “clearer judgment” than Scott Morrison. At a press conference, Albanese insisted he acted only in the national interest, not party politics. His six-night stay continues in Chengdu, with stops at Cochlear’s factory and the panda breeding centre.

>>23333103 Chinese premier Li Qiang presses Albanese over treatment of Chinese firms amid Darwin angst – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected Premier Li Qiang’s call for a “fair, open and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese investors after Li raised concerns over Australia’s strict foreign investment rules and the treatment of firms like Darwin Port leaseholder Landbridge. Albanese insisted all bids are assessed “case-by-case” in the national interest and defended AUKUS as vital to counter China’s build-up. Chinese state media flagged Darwin and security ties with the US as points of tension, though neither Xi nor Li raised them directly. The leaders also agreed to resume the China–Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue later this year.

>>23333122 COMMENTARY: China’s embrace of Anthony Albanese aimed at Trump, wider world – “Australia is back in China’s good books, and Beijing wants the world to know it. Anthony Albanese is being held up by Xi Jinping as a model Western leader, playing a bit part in China’s global effort to be seen as a reasonable alternative to Donald Trump. The country’s state-run newspapers carried front-page pictures … extolling the ‘turnaround’ in bilateral relations. The tabloid Global Times said the Australia-China relationship was poised to soar into the ‘stratosphere’. Meanwhile, on page three of the China Daily, there was a photo of Xi extending a hand to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov … The accompanying story says the pair discussed how to ‘promote a more just and equitable order’. Behold, the two faces of China.” – Ben Packham, The Australian

>>23333139 Looking forward to seeing China-Australia relations cruise steadily in the ‘stratosphere’: Global Times editorial – “Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese … bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. As the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, this meeting has set the tone for steady progress in bilateral ties while keeping external disruptions at bay. … Of course, compared with the ‘minefields’ status described by the Global Times editorial three years ago, today’s China-Australia relationship is like a plane flying in the ‘stratosphere’ after passing through the storm zone, and the most turbulent and bumpy period has passed.” – Global Times

>>23333155 Queensland to fast track $1.23bn graphite mine in order to break China’s dominance – Queensland will fast track a $1.23bn Graphinex project to mine and process graphite for Australia’s first battery anode hub, seeking to cut dependence on China, which dominates 98% of global supply. The Croydon mine and Townsville plant, backed by Japan’s Idemitsu and Indonesia’s Baramulti, are set for construction in 2027, creating more than 230 jobs. Graphinex’s Art Malone stressed graphite’s role in EV batteries, noting “6kg of lithium and 52kg of graphite” are needed per unit, making outside supply critical.

>>23338506 Whitlam, Nixon, Albanese: PM uses Great Wall to place himself in history – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked his China trip with a symbolic stop at the Great Wall, drawing parallels with Gough Whitlam’s 1971 decision to open relations with Beijing ahead of US President Richard Nixon. “At the time, that was a controversial decision to recognise the People’s Republic of China,” he said, adding, “We are literally standing on history.” Acknowledging China had not democratised as hoped in Whitlam’s era, Albanese stressed his method: “We don’t shout with a megaphone,” contrasting with Scott Morrison’s confrontational style.

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Australia / China Tensions - Part 6

>>23338525 Albanese says Taiwan ‘status quo’ remains after questions on Chinese media report – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed Chinese state media claims that he opposed Taiwan’s independence, clarifying: “What we do is continue to support a one-China policy. We support the status quo. By definition. We don’t support any unilateral action on Taiwan.” He said Australia’s stance meant Taiwan should not declare independence unilaterally and China should not seize the island without talks. Albanese also stood firm on Labor’s plan to end Landbridge’s Darwin Port lease, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged fairer treatment for Chinese investment.

>>23338548 Video: Bamboo-zled: Albanese embraces China’s panda diplomacy – On the final day of his China visit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured Chengdu’s panda research base with fiancée Jodie Haydon, calling the pandas housed at Adelaide Zoo “a great sign of friendship between China and Australia.” The Chengdu facility manages China’s panda loans, a long-running tool of “panda diplomacy.” Analysts note the practice has grown “more hard-headed,” with pandas leased rather than gifted, extending Beijing’s influence. Adelaide Zoo pays about $780,000 annually, while cubs born abroad must be returned to China by age four, ensuring pandas remain a symbol of Chinese ownership and soft power.

>>23347832 Great haul of China visit: PM spruiks ‘tangible outcomes’ – Anthony Albanese defended his six-night China trip against Coalition claims it was “indulgent,” insisting visits to the Great Wall and Chengdu’s panda park projected “respect” to over a billion Chinese and advanced Australia’s interests. He cited talks on steel decarbonisation with major iron ore producers, promotion of medtech firms such as Cochlear, and cultural initiatives like the Australian Open wildcard tournament in Chengdu. While China praised warmer ties, critics noted pressure over Darwin Port and PLA drills. Albanese said disagreements remain but dialogue strengthens cooperation.

>>23347855 Australian investment in China stalls despite thawing of relationship – Australian direct investment in China has plunged 90% since 2019, standing at just $1.6bn in 2024, while Chinese investment in Australia also declined to $36.5bn. Anthony Albanese acknowledged the fall, blaming Covid and Morrison-era tensions, and called for “more direct investment here.” Visiting Cochlear’s $110m Chengdu plant, he praised its impact: “The idea that an Australian invention gives someone … who’s never heard the voice of their mum or dad … it’s amazing.” Yet security risks and coercion concerns continue to deter firms, with Crown, ANZ, and others scaling back.

>>23347937 Video: Albanese hits back at claims of ‘indulgent’ China trip, saying it will reap rewards – Wrapping up his six-night China tour in Chengdu, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected Coalition criticism of panda visits and Great Wall photo-ops, saying “showing a little bit of respect to people never cost anything. But you know what it does? It gives you a reward.” He cited progress in green steel, tourism and medtech ties, while declining to say he “trusted” Xi Jinping, noting instead that “nothing that he has said to me has he not fulfilled.” Opposition MPs said the trip lacked outcomes on Darwin Port, detainees, and PLA drills.

>>23347968 Video: Australian PM says dialogue with China matters for Australian economy, regional security – "Dialogue with China matters. For jobs, our economy and the security of our region," visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a post on X platform on Friday. "One in four Australian jobs depends upon our trade and the most important trading partner is China. We have worked very hard to stabilize the relationship that brought benefits with over $20 billion of trade resuming." The goal of Albanese's visit to China can be summarized as seeking progress while maintaining stability, as he aims to advance the stability and development of China-Australia relations through dialogue, Chen Hong, director of the Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Friday. "Given the current turbulence and uncertainty in the international situation, both China and Australia, along with other regional countries, hope to work together to pursue predictability and stability," Chen added. " – Chen Qingqing, Global Times

#42 - Part 52

Australia / China Tensions - Part 7

>>23347997 ‘Beware of bully Xi Jinping’s strategy of flattery’, says Scott Morrison – Former prime minister Scott Morrison warned that Beijing was now seeking to “isolate us from the US charming and flattering us,” after previously trying to “isolate us from the US by bullying us.” He argued “China’s plan is to dominate, control the price, block out rivals … exactly what China has done on critical minerals and rare earths for 20 years.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted his six-day trip produced “constructive engagement,” saying a “stable and constructive relationship with China is in Australia’s national interest,” while critics questioned whether tangible gains were delivered.

>>23348101 AUKUS port purchases alarm: fears of Chinese Communist Party links – Companies tied to Shanghai businessman Wang Yongxin, president of the Shanghai Xinyang Chamber of Commerce, have purchased properties near Port Kembla and Newcastle, both shortlisted as potential AUKUS submarine bases. The chamber hosts CCP-related events and has links to the United Front, though Wang’s family denies any connection, calling the acquisitions “purely a commercial investment.” Experts Peter Jennings and Clive Hamilton warned of serious security risks, with Jennings saying “China’s No.1 intelligence target in Australia will be anything to do with AUKUS and nuclear submarines.”

>>23348306 Video: Family of US pilot imprisoned in NSW pleads for his release after 1000 days – Former US Marine pilot and Australian citizen Daniel Duggan has spent 1000 days in Bathurst maximum security prison while awaiting extradition to the US on charges of illegally training Chinese pilots in South Africa between 2010 and 2012, which he denies. His wife Saffrine appealed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland: “Surely that can’t stand in a free, sovereign Australia… enough is enough.” Duggan’s legal team, which previously filed an 89-page submission, will challenge the extradition in the Federal Court next month.

>>23348316 Video: Family plead for alleged China pilot trainer's freedom – Former US Marine and Australian citizen Daniel Duggan has spent 1000 days in maximum security, facing extradition to the US on charges he unlawfully trained Chinese pilots in South Africa between 2010–12. Duggan denies wrongdoing, saying intelligence agencies knew of his work. His wife Saffrine called the case “politically motivated” and pleaded with Anthony Albanese and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland: “Surely Dan, me and our six kids have been failed by our government.” Despite repeated appeals, the government says it will not intervene while the Federal Court review of his extradition proceeds.

>>23352250 Ex-Australian PM Morrison to testify before US House panel on China — Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will appear before the U.S. House Select Committee on China on Wednesday at a hearing on countering Beijing’s “economic coercion against democracies.” Former U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will also testify. Relations with China soured under Morrison after Australia banned Huawei from its 5G network and demanded a COVID-19 origins probe, prompting tariffs on wine, barley, beef and coal. Emanuel has described China’s “economic coercion” as its “most persistent and pernicious tool.” The hearing comes as current PM Anthony Albanese moves to stabilise ties with Beijing.

>>23357327 Inspired by China, Anthony Albanese sets red lines for Donald Trump meeting — "I’m planning to have a defence policy that is in Australia’s national interest," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated as he outlined boundaries for future talks with US President Donald Trump. Reflecting on his recent trip to China, Albanese emphasized respect for both nations' interests, highlighting his opposition to US demands for pre-commitment on Taiwan support and increased defence spending. He also expressed confidence in AUKUS's alignment with Australia’s national interest. Albanese rejected criticism of his China trip, asserting that it was focused on learning from China’s urban planning and transport systems.

>>23357341 ‘An element of trust’: Inside Xi and Albanese’s warm, funny private lunch in Beijing – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described his private banquet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very personal,” saying, “We got to know each other a lot more … there was humour. That shows an element of trust.” He called the “unusual” lunch a sign the relationship had moved “beyond stabilisation” towards deeper engagement. While defending his China visit against Coalition criticism, Albanese also confirmed support for Beijing’s hosting of APEC 2026 and said outcomes on green steel and agricultural trade would build on the six-day trip’s momentum.

#42 - Part 53

Australia / China Tensions - Part 8

>>23357378 Man arrested in Strathfield driving black ‘Chinese Police’ sedan with firearms, ammunition in boot – A 21-year-old man was arrested in Sydney’s inner west after police stopped a black sedan marked with “Chinese Police” insignia, including a bonnet with misspelt “POILCE.” Officers found 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot, along with items allegedly used to impersonate police. The man produced a fake document claiming he was transporting Chinese consulate officials. A search of his Baulkham Hills home uncovered gel blasters, while his registered firearms were seized pending review. He faces multiple charges and is due before Burwood Local Court on July 22.

>>23357388 Video: Confusion as ‘Chinese police’ car spotted on street in Melbourne’s southeast - It’s understood Australia’s foreign interference taskforce is investigating the vehicle - 18 April 2023 - https://archive.vn/d8OqC#18714060

>>23357461 Dutch defence chief warns Australia to increase military capability – Visiting for Talisman Sabre, Netherlands Chief of Defence General Onno Eichelsheim warned that China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific mirrors Russia’s threat to Europe, urging Australia to prepare: “If you prepare for war, you can avoid war.” The Netherlands has lifted defence spending to 3.5% of GDP under U.S. pressure, but Eichelsheim stressed “it’s not about the percentage, it’s about the capabilities.” He said Australia “inevitably” must increase capabilities, both for regional security and support to Europe. Defence Minister Richard Marles insisted Australia is funding targeted capabilities, not arbitrary spending benchmarks.

>>23367227 Scott Morrison to argue case for AUKUS before US Congress committee on China threats – Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison will testify before the US House Select Committee on China as it urges Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to support the under-review AUKUS pact. The review, led by Elbridge Colby, has raised concerns over US shipbuilding capacity. Bipartisan committee leaders said China’s expanding naval reach underscores the pact’s importance. Morrison, who launched AUKUS in 2021, has argued Trump will back it and urged expansion into space security. Washington wants Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, a demand resisted by Anthony Albanese.

>>23367272 Australia knows its China relations well, doesn’t need outsiders peddling anxiety – “Australia has a good grasp of its relationship with China and doesn't need outsiders peddling anxiety. Some Western politicians still believe that NATO's outdated playbook can work in the Asia-Pacific, even though the region has clearly moved on to a very different chapter. Here, people have long understood that conflict reflects the failure of diplomacy, while maintaining peace is the true sign of strength. Trying to fan the flames might stir up a little dust, but disrupting the region's deep-rooted aspirations for peace and prosperity? That's a much harder task.” – The Global Times

>>23372968 Scott Morrison issues new Beijing warning after Andrew Forrest says suspicion of Xi Jinping’s China now a thing of the past – Scott Morrison and Andrew Forrest have clashed over China, with Morrison criticizing Forrest’s praise of Prime Minister Albanese's approach. Forrest claims that Albanese’s government has replaced suspicion with respect in Sino-Australian relations, particularly after the PM’s meeting with Xi Jinping. Morrison, however, warned that China still poses a significant strategic threat. Forrest emphasized China's commitment to green energy and iron, urging greater Australian support. Morrison cautioned against Beijing's charm offensive and its efforts to isolate Australia from its allies. Forrest remains hopeful about a respectful partnership, contrasting his stance with Morrison’s tougher position.

>>23372994 OPINION: We’ve vilified China as an ‘enemy’; Anthony Albanese is right to make friends – "Ever since I was at school, I have found that if you treat someone like an enemy for long enough, eventually they will become one. Human nature is such that if you box someone in, back them into a corner and paint them as a threat, sooner or later they will see themselves that way too. As I watched Australia’s relationship with China deteriorate to the terrible lows of five years ago, this was one of my greatest fears. China has not just been a partner to me personally, but to the company I founded, Fortescue, and to Australia as a whole. It is time for Australia and China to show the world what is possible when respect triumphs over fear." – Andrew Forrest, The Australian

#42 - Part 54

Australia / China Tensions - Part 9

>>23373015 China punished Australia's loyalty to America, Scott Morrison tells US Congress committee – Scott Morrison has appeared before a committee of the US Congress to implore America to "never become casual" about the economic threats posed by China and its willingness to weaponise trade. Pointing to China's "targeted and illegal trade bans and diplomatic estrangement" when he was prime minister, Morrison said Australia had been punished for its loyalty to the US and now had many lessons to offer. He emphasized the importance of strengthening US alliances to better ward off any threat from China, highlighting Australia's own response as a model for others.

>>23373022 Video: Australians ‘going to sleep’ on China threat, Morrison tells US Congress – Scott Morrison has warned the US Congress that Australians are at risk of "going to sleep" on the security threat posed by China, citing polling from the Lowy Institute that shows Australians' shifting perception of China, with 50% seeing it as an economic partner and 47% as a security threat. He stressed that Western democracies must be willing to endure economic pain to stand up to Beijing. Morrison defended his government's stance against China's coercion and warned that discussions with Beijing were unlikely to change its objectives. He emphasized the need for vigilance and resilience in the face of China's influence.

>>23383417 COMMENTARY: In a new cold war, Albanese and Forrest should choose their sides carefully – "Whether the Fortescue executive chairman believes China’s propaganda or simply mouths it, Andrew Forrest’s upbeat take on Beijing’s ‘beautiful evolution’ is, in truth, the entry price into the court of Xi Jinping. Forrest claims Anthony Albanese has overcome these mistakes because “he understands China and how to build partnerships”. Now, Australia and China must together teach 'friends in North America what is possible when respect triumphs over fear'.” Forrest fails to address any negative aspect of China’s behaviour towards Australia in the past few years… He appears to take no position on Beijing’s persecution of ethnic and religious minorities…" – Peter Jennings, The Australian

>>23383513 China diplomat grills mayor over AUKUS submarine location – A Chinese diplomat, Wang Yu, used a private meeting with Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge to probe whether the city’s port could serve as a base for AUKUS nuclear submarines. Wang raised concerns that Australia’s strategic defence decisions could affect Chinese interests and urged Newcastle to maintain good relations with China. Despite this, Kerridge downplayed the discussion, stating the conversation was diplomatic and “routine.” He noted that Newcastle’s nuclear-free policy would make it unlikely to host a submarine base, and the decision would ultimately be made by higher levels of government.

>>23383565 Sub plot forces action: Canberra calls Beijing after secret submarine meeting with Newcastle mayor – The Australian government has raised concerns with Beijing following a secret meeting between Chinese Consul General Wang Yu and Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge, where the diplomat asked about the potential location of AUKUS nuclear submarines. The conversation, revealed in meeting minutes, raised alarms, with opposition figures accusing the government of turning a blind eye to China's actions. The Australian government reiterated that national decisions on AUKUS would be made at the federal level, while local officials questioned the lack of transparency regarding the meeting's agenda.

>>23383607 The warning sign about Chinese steel before Kew pool roof collapse – Lab testing revealed "inconsistencies" in the Chinese steel used to support the roof of the $73 million Kew Recreation Centre, which collapsed in October 2022, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court has heard. The steel was found to have insufficient yield stress, tensile strength, and excessive aluminium. Procurement manager Richard Zhang told the court that concerns over the steel's quality were raised before the collapse, but he did not follow up on the issues due to time pressures. The Victorian Building Authority has charged ADCO Group following a two-year investigation into the collapse.

#42 - Part 55

Australia / China Tensions - Part 10

>>23392738 Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants for foreign nationals including Australian citizen Feng Chongyi – Hong Kong police have issued arrest warrants for 19 foreign nationals, including Australian citizen Feng Chongyi, accusing them of national security crimes. The individuals, involved in pro-democracy activities, are part of what the police call a "subversive organisation" named Hong Kong Parliament. Feng, a vocal critic of China, dismissed the warrant as "ridiculous," stating it reflected the loss of Hong Kong's autonomy under Chinese rule. Australia has strongly condemned the warrants, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirming Australia's objections to Hong Kong's national security laws.

>>23392743 HKSAR govt opposes smears of US, Canada and Australia against lawful enforcement actions on 19 individuals linked to subversive organization – "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday strongly opposed and disapproved of smears with distorted facts by government officials and politicians from countries like the US, Canada and Australia, as well as anti-China organizations, on HKSAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong… Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law." – The Global Times.

>>23407041 FBI opens first office in New Zealand ‘to counter China and cybercrime – The FBI has opened its first office in New Zealand, marking a significant step in its efforts to combat China’s influence and tackle cybercrime. FBI Director Kash Patel called the move “historic” and emphasized the importance of working on “some of the most important global issues.” The new office will be responsible for partnerships across New Zealand and the Pacific region, strengthening protection among the Five Eyes nations. Patel's visit to New Zealand also focused on countering narcotics and ransomware operations.

>>23407051 Home Affairs minister met with FBI director during secretive Australia visit – FBI Director Kash Patel made a low-profile visit to Australia this week, where he dined with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. While the visit was not publicly disclosed, Burke confirmed the meeting, saying, "We share a commitment to keeping our people safe, and I'm optimistic about what we can achieve together in the interest of national security." Patel’s visit occurred just before his trip to New Zealand, where he opened a new FBI office and emphasized the importance of collaborating with New Zealand on global issues, including countering the Chinese Communist Party. Greens spokesperson David Shoebridge criticized the secrecy, calling for more transparency .

>>23415176 Video: FBI director says new office in New Zealand will counter China’s sway, provoking Beijing’s ire – FBI Director Kash Patel’s remarks in Wellington about the new office aiming to counter Chinese influence in the South Pacific have drawn criticism from Beijing and a dismissive response from New Zealand officials. Patel’s comments about tackling the Chinese Communist Party’s activities were quietly rejected by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and other New Zealand leaders, who emphasised the focus on tackling transnational crime. Beijing responded angrily, stating such efforts would not contribute to regional peace. Analysts suggest New Zealand seeks balance between relations with China and its Five Eyes commitments.

>>23415362 COMMENTARY: In national interest, China must be a key climate ally – "We can outlast warmongers like Putin … but we cannot outrun the far greater existential collapse of climate change. The United States is going backwards on climate, while China is accelerating the manufacture and deployment of renewable technologies at a speed the world desperately needs … Turning our backs on China’s decarbonisation would not just be self-defeating. It would be a missed opportunity … Peaceful, firm and respectful relationships with our neighbours is not a choice, but a necessity … Serious countries do not undermine their leader when they are representing the nation on the world stage. That’s not politics. That’s patriotism." – Andrew Forrest, The Australian

#42 - Part 56

Australia / China Tensions - Part 11

>>23415394 Inside the Australian port at the heart of China-US power struggle – One part of Darwin Harbour hosts the key naval base HMAS Coonawarra, where some of the world’s largest warships have docked, including, most recently, the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales. The other part, however, is occupied under a 99-year lease by Landbridge Group, a Chinese company whose billionaire owner, Ye Chang, has close ties to the ruling communist party. This split has raised concerns over military security as Indo-Pacific tensions rise. Analysts warn Chinese control curbs allied operations, despite reviews finding “no basis for security concerns.” The US has expanded its Marine Rotational Force in Darwin and used the harbour during Talisman Sabre 2025 drills, highlighting its strategic value in deterring conflict over Taiwan. Experts argue Australia must retake the port before crisis, warning legal powers to do so in wartime would be too late.

>>23423545 Video: Chinese woman charged with reckless foreign interference over Canberra Buddhist association spying – A Chinese-born Australian permanent resident has been charged with reckless foreign interference, accused of gathering information on Canberra’s Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association on behalf of China’s Public Security Bureau. The Australian Federal Police allege she engaged in covert and deceptive conduct, with items including electronic devices seized during raids. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the case, the first involving a community group, poses a threat to “democracy, social cohesion, and national sovereignty.” The offence carries a maximum 15-year prison term.

>>23428097 Chinese woman accused of spying on Canberra Buddhist group on Beijing’s orders – A Chinese-born Australian permanent resident has been charged with reckless foreign interference after allegedly being directed by China’s Public Security Bureau to spy on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association in Canberra, which Beijing considers an “evil cult.” The woman, whose identity is suppressed, faced court on Monday after being arrested in AFP Operation Autumn Shield. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said further arrests are expected. It is the third charge under Australia’s 2018 foreign interference laws, with ASIO’s Mike Burgess calling the alleged conduct “an appalling assault on Australian values.”

>>23428116 China, US could be excluded from Pacific Islands Forum amid pressure over Taiwan – Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is expected to propose restricting next month’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting in Honiara to members only, excluding Taiwan, China, the US and other partners. The move, presented as procedural, is seen as an attempt to defuse Beijing’s pressure to block Taiwan while avoiding a split among Pacific allies. Analysts said the plan would “de-escalate a geopolitically charged situation” but risk angering major partners. Australia and New Zealand are urging Solomon Islands not to exclude Taiwan.

>>23432218 ‘Let us see the audits’: Kmart faces legal battle over alleged links to Uyghur forced labour — Kmart is facing a Federal Court challenge from the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, which is demanding disclosure of audits and documents on two Chinese textile factories linked to Uyghur forced labour. The group, represented by Maurice Blackburn and the Human Rights Law Centre, argues Kmart may have misled consumers by making unsubstantiated ethical sourcing claims. Kmart insists it has provided extensive details and monitors suppliers, but critics say it has withheld audit evidence. The case is the first of its kind in Australia.

>>23432316 U.S. Embassy Australia Tweets: (Video) @FBIDirectorKash visited Sydney, Australia, to engage in high-level law enforcement meetings aimed at strengthening international partnerships and addressing shared security challenges. These discussions focus on combating transnational crime, cyber threats, and other global issues that require close collaboration with international allies. Building strong partnerships is vital to ensuring a safer and more secure future for all. - #uswithaus @FBI @AusFedPolice @ASIO @nswpolice @MarineCommand @scg

#42 - Part 57

Australia / China Tensions - Part 12

>>23444410 Alleged Chinese spy ran business in heart of Canberra society - A Chinese-born Australian permanent resident accused of spying on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association for Beijing’s Public Security Bureau has been revealed as a businesswoman active in Canberra’s social circles. Court-ordered suppression prevents her identification, but her ventures may have brought her into proximity with politicians, staffers and journalists. Arrested under Operation Autumn Shield, she faces up to 15 years’ jail if convicted of reckless foreign interference. The case, one of the first to target a community group under 2018 laws, follows earlier prosecutions of Di Sanh Duong and Alexander Csergo.

>>23456903 Birkins, Rolex and $400,000 mystery item: police raid home of alleged Chinese spy – Federal police allege a Canberra woman spied on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist Association for China’s Public Security Bureau, receiving more than $230,000 in payments since 2017. Court documents say she covertly gathered residential, financial and sentiment data, including photos and maps, under the direction of a handler in Jindong, China. A July 30 raid found Hermes handbags, a $24,000 Rolex receipt, $5,000 cash and a receipt for a mystery $400,000 item. Police say she later sought refuge at the Chinese consulate. Denied bail, she is accused of targeting a diaspora minority on Beijing’s behalf.

>>23470421 Beijing accuses Australia of fabricating ‘Chinese espionage threat’ – China’s Ministry of State Security has accused Australia of fabricating espionage threats while itself running covert operations, in a rare rebuke after the arrest of a Chinese woman in Canberra charged with foreign interference. The ministry said it had cracked “multiple espionage cases” instigated by Australian intelligence, accusing Canberra of “self-dramatization” and “persecution fantasies”. It denounced “Chinaphobia” among Australian politicians, while citing trade ties and calling for stability and cooperation. The remarks followed ASIO chief Mike Burgess warning that China, Russia and Iran are leading sources of espionage against Australia.

>>23470424, >>23470424 China’s MSS issues commentary article warning Australian intelligence agencies not to exaggerate their actions — "The head of Australia's security intelligence agency recently delivered a speech, making unfounded claims that ‘espionage’ activities from multiple countries, including China, pose a threat to Australia… this attempt to fabricate and hype a ‘Chinese espionage threat’ reflects the unwillingness of certain forces in Australia to see a healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations… Australia is accustomed to engaging in ‘small tricks,’ frequently making baseless complaints and harboring unwarranted suspicions… Australian intelligence agencies have never been the victim… there is no factual basis or evidence to support their claims… Rumors stop with the wise, and facts speak louder than words." — The Global Times

>>23470811 Australia and Vanuatu agree to $500m deal, but details remain scarce — Australia and Vanuatu have “initialled” the landmark Nakamal Agreement on Mount Yasur, with Canberra pledging about $500m over a decade for climate resilience, infrastructure, security and labour mobility. Deputy PM Richard Marles said the pact reflects a “shared destiny,” while Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat called it a “win-win.” Visa-free travel, demanded by Napat, remains unresolved, with Australia offering only to discuss easing requirements. Analysts say the deal strengthens Australia’s position against China’s growing influence in Vanuatu.

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Australia / China Tensions - Part 13

>>23476554 ‘Sanction China’ plea from Hong Kong activist granted asylum, Ted Hui — Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui, now granted asylum in Australia, has urged the Albanese government to impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights abuses, including the 10-year jailing of Australian Gordon Ng. While praising his family’s new security, Hui said Canberra has shown “much greater attention” to Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun, and asked why Ng has not received the same focus. He noted Hong Kong police have placed bounties on him and lawyer Kevin Yam, and said US-style sanctions would limit officials’ global reach.

>>23494426 China demands Pacific nations roll back ‘erroneous’ Taiwan participation — China has urged Pacific Island nations to amend a 1992 communique granting Taiwan participation rights in the Pacific Islands Forum, calling it “erroneous” and contrary to the One China principle. In a statement from its embassy in Tonga, Beijing cited the precedent of last year’s removal of Taiwan references under Chinese pressure. The Solomon Islands, host of next month’s summit, has already excluded both Taiwan and China, later expanding the ban to all 21 dialogue partners — including the US, UK, EU, Japan and South Korea — provoking regional backlash. Tuvalu’s Prime Minister has threatened to boycott, while New Zealand and others insist partners must attend. Analysts warn Beijing may have “overstepped the mark.”

>>23494458 Xi Jinping’s man in Canberra warns: Taiwan’s return to China must not be denied — Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian has urged Anthony Albanese to adopt a “correct historical perspective,” declaring that “Taiwan’s return to China must not be denied.” Writing in The Australian, he linked Beijing’s sovereignty claims to World War II outcomes and UN Resolution 2758, which he said affirmed the PRC as China’s sole representative. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung rejected this, stressing the PRC has “never ruled Taiwan for a single day” and likening Beijing’s claims to “the emperor’s new clothes.” Australia’s parliament last year condemned China’s use of the UN resolution to justify its claims, with bipartisan support for Taiwan’s participation in UN bodies.

>>23494499 COMMENTARY: Australia and China share history of triumph in war on fascism — "During one of humanity’s darkest hours, China and Australia stood firmly as allies in the fight against fascism… The shared memory of China and Australia standing together in mutual support and united resistance deserves to be cherished and remembered by our two peoples. Eighty years ago, Taiwan was returned to China, with the recognition of major victorious nations and Japan. The recovery of Taiwan is a victorious outcome of the Chinese people’s resistance against Japanese aggression and an important part of the post-war international order. Resolution 2758… settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues regarding the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. China and Australia forged friendship in times of hardship. Today… China is ready to work with Australia and all peace-loving nations to uphold a correct historical perspective, to defend international fairness and justice, and a bright future for China-Australia relations." – Xiao Qian, China’s ambassador to Australia – The Australian.

#42 - Part 59

Australia / China Tensions - Part 14

>>23502068 Australia ‘harbouring criminal’, says Hong Kong in new row over asylum for activist - Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki has accused Australia of “harbouring a criminal” after Adelaide-based activist Ted Hui was granted asylum, summoning consul-general Gareth Williams to protest “interfering in China’s internal affairs.” Hui, a former Hong Kong legislator facing national security charges, dismissed the threats, saying officials “know they cannot change the situation now that the visa has been granted.” The dispute follows Britain’s granting of asylum to student leader Tony Chung. DFAT said Australia was concerned by Hong Kong’s broad application of the security law, stressing support for freedoms of expression and assembly. Hui has urged sanctions on officials responsible for human rights abuses.

>>23502072 ‘Sheltering criminals’: China ramps up attack over asylum for Hong Kong activist - Beijing has escalated its condemnation of Australia’s decision to grant asylum to Hong Kong activist Ted Hui, with the Chinese embassy quoting Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning calling Hui “an anti-China agitator… lawfully wanted by Hong Kong police” and denouncing “any country sheltering criminals in any form.” The backlash follows Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary summoning Australia’s consul-general last week. China Daily carried fierce commentary, with barrister Grenville Cross branding Hui “a vile criminal fugitive” and accusing Canberra of “demeaning itself.” Hui, who fled Hong Kong in 2020, now lives in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Melbourne-based lawyer Kevin Yam was struck off the roll of Hong Kong solicitors in Hong Kong and fined $160,000 after calling for sanctions.

>>23508828 Mysterious Chinese billion-dollar proposed deal in Nauru sparks concern in Canberra - Australia is pressing Nauru for details of a claimed AU$1bn investment agreement signed with the little-known “China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation.” The deal, announced by Nauru’s foreign minister Lionel Aingimea, promises investment in sectors from renewable energy to fisheries, but analysts doubt its plausibility, noting no record of the company exists. Under a new treaty signed with Nauru last year, Canberra holds effective veto power over national security decisions, prompting Pacific Minister Pat Conroy to warn that Article 5 may be triggered. Experts suggest the proposal could be “theatre” ahead of Nauru’s September election.

>>23514674 Beijing to Canberra: ‘Say no to AUKUS’ — Beijing has used the rift between the Albanese government and the Trump administration over defence spending to renew pressure on Australia to abandon AUKUS. In a China Daily editorial, Beijing said Canberra should “exercise strategic autonomy” and “say no to AUKUS,” calling the pact a Cold War project serving only to heighten tensions. The piece cited Paul Keating’s view that Washington might “save Australia from itself.” The warning came as Defence Minister Richard Marles met US counterparts in Washington, and ahead of a major PLA parade showcasing new hypersonic and strategic missile systems.

#42 - Part 60

Child Sexual Abuse, Pedophilia, Human Trafficking and Satanism Investigations - Part 1

>>23260808 Video: Identity of alleged childcare paedophile revealed as 1200 children urged to undergo STI tests – Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 offences including child rape, with police alleging he abused eight children aged between five months and two years at a Point Cook centre. Authorities have urged about 1200 children to undergo precautionary STI testing after Brown, who tested positive for gonorrhea, was revealed to have worked at 20 centres since 2017. Premier Jacinta Allan said she was “sickened” by the allegations. Brown remains in custody ahead of a September court hearing as investigations widen.

>>23265063 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.

>>23265073 Sex abuse investigation nets second man known to alleged childcare rapist – A second man, Michael Simon Wilson, 36, has been charged with 45 child sex offences, including rape and possession of child abuse material, following the same investigation that led to the arrest of former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown. Police say Wilson and Brown are known to each other, though their exact connection is unclear. Wilson’s charges involve separate victims and are not linked to childcare centres. He will face court in September on the same day as Brown, who is accused of abusing eight children at a Point Cook centre.

>>23269673 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.

>>23269684 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.

>>23279053 ‘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.

#42 - Part 61

Child Sexual Abuse, Pedophilia, Human Trafficking and Satanism Investigations - Part 2

>>23279069 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.

>>23352234 ABF report disturbing rise in alleged importation of child-like sex dolls into Australia — Australian Border Force (ABF) reports a “disturbing rise” in attempts to import banned child-like sex dolls, with 47 seized nationwide in the past year and six arrests made in seven NSW raids since November. Offenders face fines up to $782,500 and 10 years’ jail. Recent Hunter Valley arrests include Trevor Richard Jones, 63, who pleaded guilty, and Paul Adams, 49, who also faces child abuse and bestiality charges. ABF Inspector Michael Mahony said, “Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community.”

>>23357429 Childcare CCTV rollout risks becoming an ‘expensive mistake’ – Early Childhood Australia chief Samantha Page warned CCTV in centres would be “a very expensive mistake,” creating privacy risks and a false sense of security, calling instead for two staff to be present at all times. Goodstart Early Learning said cameras were “just one tool, and a minor one,” stressing active supervision by trained staff. Georgie Dent of parental advocacy organisation The Parenthood said “cameras don’t build trust – relationships do,” while Carolyn Smith of the United Workers Union warned of hacking risks. Minister Jess Walsh welcomed CCTV commitments but said clear policies would be required from September.

>>23361932 Accused childcare pedophile Joshua Brown ‘may face more charges’: court – Prosecutors told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court they may lay further charges against former childcare worker Joshua Brown, already accused of 70 child sex offences against eight children aged between five months and two years. Brown, 26, allegedly offended while employed at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre, Point Cook, between April 2022 and January 2023, and worked at 24 centres statewide. Magistrate Donna Bakos granted prosecutors more time, adjourning the case to February 2026, and released charge sheets to the media. Linked accused Michael Wilson, facing rape and child abuse charges, also had his case delayed.

>>23367241 All STD results negative in childcare screening so far, says Victorian minister – Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll confirmed that all children tested for sexually transmitted diseases linked to accused childcare paedophile Joshua Dale Brown have so far returned negative results. Around 2,000 children are being screened after Brown, 26, was charged with more than 70 offences, including rape and producing child abuse material, allegedly committed at a Point Cook centre between 2022 and 2023. Carroll also defended current funding for the Commission for Children and Young People, despite reports of rising abuse complaints and warnings its oversight capacity is under strain.

>>23392708 Bill to criminalise AI child abuse apps to be introduced to parliament – Independent MP Kate Chaney will introduce a bill criminalising the use of AI tools designed to create child sexual abuse material. The bill responds to the urgent need for legislation, as current laws fail to address the use of AI in generating illegal material. The proposed bill creates offences for downloading or distributing such tools, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison. Ms Chaney argues that these tools allow for the on-demand creation of abuse material, making police work more challenging and increasing risks for children.

>>23407027 David James: Sydney childcare worker unmasked as alleged paedophile – Former childcare worker and ex-probationary police officer David James has been publicly identified after a year-long court suppression order was lifted. James, accused of abusing 10 children, faces 13 charges including nine counts of aggravated use of a child to make child abuse material. Police allege he filmed boys aged five and six across multiple centres in Sydney’s northern suburbs between 2021 and 2024. Investigators have seized 142,000 files and notified 1200 families. James remains in custody, with prosecutors given 12 weeks to finalise their case.

#42 - Part 62

Child Sexual Abuse, Pedophilia, Human Trafficking and Satanism Investigations - Part 3

>>23419003 Revealed: Former Knox student allegedly made videos at childcare centres – Former Knox Grammar student and ex-NSW police employee David William James, 26, has been charged with producing child abuse material involving 10 boys aged five and six at six Sydney childcare centres. The Australian Federal Police said more than 1000 families have been contacted, with a hotline established after his identity was revealed in court. Investigators allege James filmed children in bathrooms and found material among 142,000 files seized from his devices. He remains in custody on 12 offences, while authorities confirm he held a valid Working With Children Check.

>>23423505 Trans women should have legal protections available to pregnant women, court told – Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody has argued in a Federal Court submission that protections for “pregnant or potentially pregnant women” under the Sex Discrimination Act should extend to trans women, claiming the 2013 repeal of the definition of “woman” confirms inclusivity. The case, brought by trans woman Roxanne Tickle against Giggle app founder Sall Grover, will test whether “sex” is binary or changeable under the Act. Judges will also consider whether Equality Australia can intervene, alongside the Lesbian Action Group, which defends female-only spaces for biological women.

>>23448206 Shattering the silence - Surviving Malka Leifer to stream internationally – A new documentary, Surviving Malka Leifer, follows the decades-long fight by sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper to bring their abuser, Malka Leifer, to justice. Filmmaker Adam Kamien said the project was made foremost for the sisters, who feel the film honours their story. It traces their campaign to extradite Leifer, her 2023 conviction for multiple sexual offences, and the toll of years of court battles. The film, premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival before streaming on Stan, also aims to break the culture of silence in closed communities.

>>23470435 Convicted sex offender and former Melbourne headmistress accused of sexual assault in prison — Malka Leifer, jailed for abusing students at the Addas Israel School, has allegedly assaulted a younger Aboriginal inmate in Melbourne’s maximum-security Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. The alleged incident, said to be captured on CCTV, has seen her moved to solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. Leifer was previously reported to have kissed fellow inmate and conwoman Samantha Azzopardi. Her victims, including Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper, said the new allegations show “she has a pattern, it doesn’t stop just because she is in prison.”

>>23484746 Late former Central Coast mayor Laurie Maher linked to child sex abuse civil claims — Former Gosford mayor Laurie Maher, once celebrated for founding NSW homelessness charity Coast Shelter and awarded an OAM, has been posthumously linked to more than 100 civil child sex abuse claims from his time as superintendent of the Mount Penang Training School for Boys in the 1970s and 1980s. Maher, who died in May aged 86, had been acquitted of several charges but was awaiting retrial on others. Survivors allege sexual and physical abuse, including assaults in dormitories and offices. Lawyers say the process of pursuing claims is “really painful” for complainants, whose entire lives are placed under scrutiny. At least 59 cases have been settled by the NSW government, with victims stressing their fight is for acknowledgement, not “dirty money.”

>>23502080 Queensland government announces new child sex offender registry with personal details of offenders – Queensland will introduce “Daniel’s Law,” creating a public child sex offender register named after Daniel Morcombe, the teenager abducted and murdered in 2003. The legislation, to be passed before year’s end, establishes a website listing reportable offenders who abscond or fail obligations, displaying names, ages, and photos. Queenslanders will also be able to apply for images of high-risk offenders in their area, and parents may ask police whether adults with unsupervised access to their children are on the register. Premier David Crisafulli said victims’ rights come before offenders’ rights, while Bruce and Denise Morcombe welcomed the reform as their son’s legacy. They believe it will deter breaches and provide families with a vital safety tool.

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Anti-immigration rallies held across Australia as clashes break out in Adelaide and Melbourne

abc.net.au - 31 August 2025

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Scuffles have broken out at anti-immigration rallies held across the country, including in Melbourne, where police have used pepper spray on some of those involved.

Police also had to intervene after a clash at the Adelaide event.

The marches — which were mostly peaceful — have been held across the nation's capital cities and in some regional centres, with counter-demonstrations also organised in several locations.

While some attendees said the "March for Australia" events had nothing to do with race and were aimed at slowing down migration, regardless of where it was coming from, a sign reading "white unity at every opportunity" was visible at the Sydney rally.

In Melbourne, anti-immigration protesters and attendees of a pro-Palestine rally clashed in the CBD.

Hundreds of police blocked the groups from meeting on Swanston Street near Flinders Street Station, but members from both groups marched down other streets away from the blockade.

Several police horses and dozens of police officers swarmed to Bourke Street to separate the protesters.

A glass bottle was thrown, which shattered near the pro-Palestine group as the two sides continued to face off.

In Adelaide, a rally was ended after an altercation broke out when a man who identified himself as a member of the National Socialist Network took to the stage to call for an end to immigration.

Police estimate that 15,000 people took part in Sunday's rally and counter-rally in Adelaide, and said in a statement that the crowds were "generally well-behaved".

Organisers have told the ABC the National Socialist Network had not been invited to speak at the event and that they attempted to stop the speech but were met with resistance.

Police who were monitoring the rally stepped in to break up the scuffle as some protesters chanted "let him speak".

The rally did not resume after that point.

Three people were arrested, including a 23-year-old man for assaulting police and two 32-year-old men for "wearing articles of disguise" and failing to state personal details.

Organiser Mark Aldridge told the ABC the event was about "mass immigration at a time when Aussies are struggling".

"It's not anti-migration," he said.

"The general consensus here is mass immigration; it's just not the right time.

"Whilst there's not enough homes, not enough resources, I think we need to temper migration down and then have a national conversation as adults about the continuation of migration figures."

Earlier, one protester held up a placard emblazoned with the face of alleged police killer and fugitive Dezi Freeman, and captioned with the words "Free Man".

A major search operation for the 56-year-old self-described sovereign citizen remains underway in Victoria.

Police allege Mr Freeman shot three police officers who were executing a warrant at his Porepunkah property, killing two and injuring a third.

(continued)

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>>23538724

Politicians condemn anti-immigration rallies in eight capital cities

ABC News (Australia)

Aug 31, 2025

Demonstrators have gathered in cities across the country as part of a series of 'March for Australia' rallies, calling for a reduction in so-called 'mass immigration.' The rallies have drawn condemnation from most federal politicians, who argue that attendees represent a small, vocal segment attempting to undermine social cohesion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYF3xnxxotQ

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>>23538724

Neo-Nazis lead violent anti-immigration march as clashes break out in CBD

Michael Bachelard and Cassandra Morgan - August 31, 2025

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Melbourne’s CBD roiled with protest on Sunday as anti-immigration and counter-demonstrators clashed repeatedly, and a large number of police were stretched to cope with a shifting struggle that ranged through the city’s streets for more than four hours.

Police arrested six people and confirmed using capsicum spray and bean-bag guns “to prevent violence between protesters, some of whom were intent on creating conflict and violence”.

Two officers had bottles thrown at them, and others were affected by capsicum spray.

The anti-immigration March for Australia started about 11am at Flinders Street Station, metres from a smaller counter-protest, whose organisers vowed to put up a direct front against racism. The Age estimates about 6000 people took part in the anti-immigration rally.

The counter-protesters were pushed up Swanston Street, where their numbers swelled to about 3000 after weekly pro-Palestinian protesters marched from their usual State Library meeting place to join the demonstration.

Police estimated a total of 5000 people took part in the rallies.

The anti-immigration rally skewed older, male and white, and was made up of a disparate collection of “sovereign citizens”, mainstream right anti-immigration protesters, and anti-government agitators and neo-Nazis. About 150 far-right National Socialist Network (NSN) members led the rally.

After their initial gatherings, both protests splintered into smaller groups, which moved around the city’s streets and lanes, sparking several tense encounters along Swanston and Bourke streets through the afternoon.

Police, including public order response teams and mounted officers, swiftly formed lines to try to keep the opposing groups apart as they taunted each other, at times from a distance of only metres.

Even so, a large number of people were involved in skirmishes and dozens were subdued by capsicum spray. One woman, wearing the anti-immigration rally’s uniform of an Australian flag draped over her shoulders, was attacked by protesters from the other camp on Swanston Street.

Meanwhile, the March for Australia group targeted several people of colour throughout the rally despite repeated declarations from some who said “we’re not racist”. An Asian man was heckled by the NSN contingent before police pulled him away; another man was called “rag-head” and beaten after he yelled “Nazi scum” at the NSN protesters.

Far-right commentator Avi Yemini, who is Jewish and pro-Israeli, was attacked by neo-Nazis as he tried to join the March for Australia.

(continued)

>>23538724

Premier hits back at neo-Nazi ‘goons’ who gatecrashed press conference

Rachel Eddie and Erin Pearson - September 2, 2025

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Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned neo-Nazis who gatecrashed a press conference she was holding with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes at the edge of Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday morning, saying she was not afraid.

The premier and the treasurer were forced to abandon the press conference when Thomas Sewell, leader of the National Socialist Network, began yelling at Allan as police tried to separate him from the politicians and media in West Melbourne.

Allan and Symes quickly left, along with backbench MP Sheena Watt, and the press conference at Eades Park was abandoned.

Sewell falsely claimed that Australians did not have the right to protest and incorrectly said 50,000 protesters attended the anti-immigration March for Australia that descended into violence in Melbourne on Sunday. This masthead estimates about 6000 people took part in the rally.

In a statement released late on Tuesday morning, Allan said she was OK and wore the neo-Nazis’ hatred of her “as a badge of honour”.

“I am unharmed and undeterred following this morning’s events at a press conference,” the premier said. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about all the other people in the community who Nazis target – like multicultural people, LGBTIQA+ people, First Peoples, and Jews.”

She said “these goons” will fail in their attempt to whip up fear and divide Victoria, adding: “As premier, I’ll always be out and about in public fighting for you, like I am all day today. I am not afraid.”

In this morning’s caucus meeting in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was made aware of neo-Nazis gatecrashing Allan’s press conference, an incident he labelled “horrific”.

Albanese went on to say he was stunned that neo-Nazis were “openly in uniform” at Sunday’s anti-immigration demonstrations.

But, he added: “We have to make sure we give people space to move away, and to not push them further down that rabbit hole.”

(continued)

>>23538724

>>23538799

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell arrested outside Melbourne court over alleged attack on Indigenous protest site

Victoria police confirm arrest hours after the neo-Nazi confronted Victorian premier Jacinta Allan at a press conference

Benita Kolovos - 2 Sep 2025

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell has been arrested outside a Melbourne court over an alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty, a sacred Aboriginal burial ground in Kings Domain and longstanding protest site on Sunday.

Victoria police have confirmed detectives from the Melbourne crime investigation unit arrested Sewell, 32, and two associates – a 23-year-old man from Mooroolbark and a 20-year-old man from Ardeer – outside Melbourne’s magistrates court about 3.20pm on Tuesday.

“They are being interviewed in relation to an ongoing investigation into alleged assaults in King’s Domain about 5pm on 31 August,” police said.

No charges have been laid.

Sewell, the leader of the National Socialist Network, was in court for the second day of a three-day contested hearing related to charges of intimidating police and breaching multiple personal intervention orders.

He was representing himself in the matter before magistrate Michelle Hodgson.

He was separated from the premier by her security detail and the trio quickly left the park, with the press conference abandoned.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, speaking at a party room meeting of Labor MPs in Canberra immediately after the incident, branded it “horrific”.

In a statement, Allan said she was “unharmed and undeterred” after the press conference.

“It comes as no surprise that Nazis oppose me and my government. I wear that as a badge of honour,” she said.

“But this isn’t about me. It’s about all the other people in the community who Nazis target – like multicultural people, LGBTIQA+ people, First Peoples and Jews.

“They’re the Victorians who are on my mind right now, and they’re the Victorians who our anti-hate laws will protect when they come into force later this month.”

Allan said there was “no place for hate” in the state and she would continue to be “out and about in public” fighting for all Victorians’ “right to belong”.

“I am not afraid. We know how these goons operate. They whip up fear to divide our society. They will fail. Because Victorians are fair, and our values are strong,” she said.

Later on Tuesday, she met with multicultural and multifaith groups in Hampton Park, in Melbourne’s south-east.

“Memo to no one in particular: this is what the real Victoria looks like. And we’re better for it,” she posted on X.

“Different families, different faiths, but the same Victorian values: love for our neighbours, respect for each other, and pride in ourselves.”

Allan was answering questions on the incident at Camp Sovereignty, and Sewell’s role in the rally, at the time he approached her.

Speaking generally, she had condemned the “despicable acts of violence and racism” that occurred at the weekend and announced she would be convening an anti-hate taskforce with Victoria police in response.

“The anti-hate taskforce [will] both look at the incidents over the weekend, but also understand too, that this goes beyond just being a law and order issue. There is something deeper going on here,” Allan said.

“People’s sense of economic security is being exploited by a small number of people, who are wanting to use cracks in our society and exploit them to drive division in our society.”

She said it had a been a “tough time” for many Australians but the solution was “not what this small number of people are trying to sell”.

“The pathway to social cohesion is in building a stronger society, a place where people have jobs, people have rights and are respected,” Allan said.

During the ambush, Sewell falsely claimed that 50,000 people attended the anti-immigration March for Australia in Melbourne on Sunday. Victoria police estimated about 5,000 people attended the march and counter-rallies.

He also falsely claimed Australians did not have the right to protest, despite being able to deliver a speech to the anti-immigration rally from the front steps of the Victorian parliament.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/02/jacinta-allan-not-afraid-neo-nazi-goons-after-press-conference-gatecrashed-ntwnfb

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

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>>23538806

Neo-Nazi leader arrested outside court after attack on Indigenous encampment

Cameron Houston - September 2, 2025

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Prominent neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell has been arrested outside a Melbourne court after his group attacked an Indigenous encampment on Sunday.

Two other members of the National Socialist Network, including right-wing extremist Nathan Bull, were also arrested outside the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, where about 25 police officers had gathered on Tuesday afternoon.

Sewell was placed in handcuffs at 3.25pm, but he remained defiant outside the court on William Street.

“This is what happens in the tyranny of Victoria. You’re under arrest for defending yourself,” Sewell shouted before he was bundled into a police van.

A detective from the Melbourne crime investigation unit confirmed Tuesday’s arrests were related to the attack on Camp Sovereignty at the weekend.

Video footage captured Sewell and dozens of others charging Camp Sovereignty – a sacred Indigenous burial site and the location of a permanent vigil in Melbourne’s Southbank – on Sunday evening after that day’s anti-immigration March for Australia rally in the CBD.

Sewell had been in court contesting unrelated charges inside the building, when two unidentified men entered courtroom 27 and got into a heated confrontation with the neo-Nazi and his supporters.

The verbal altercation on level 6 of the Magistrates’ Court had to be broken up by about a dozen police officers and protective services officers.

About 10 of Sewell’s supporters and 25 police and protective services officers had gathered outside the court on Tuesday before the arrests.

One of the men arrested was wearing a black jacket bearing the message “F*ck off we’re full”.

Just hours before the arrests, on his way to his court hearing, Sewell derailed a press conference being held by Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, heckling Allan and saying “Heil, Australia” before being pushed away by security.

(continued)

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>>23538724

>>23538746

Golden Grove man to face court over placard of Dezi Freeman pictured at anti-immigration rally

Authorities had urged the man who displayed the sign to come forward.

Bryce Luff - 2 September 2025

A man has been charged over a placard depicting alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman that was brandished during an anti-immigration rally on Sunday.

Besides the likeness of fugitive Freeman, the poster displayed at Adelaide’s March For Australia also had the words “Free Man” and a Southern Cross symbol.

A 39-year-old from Golden Grove, in Adelaide’s northeast, attended a police station on Tuesday after authorities had urged him to come forward.

“After being interviewed, he was charged with offensive behaviour,” SA Police said.

The accused was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 28.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas had also urged the accused to turn himself in.

Meanwhile Freeman, 56, remains on the run after allegedly shooting dead two police officers at his Porepunkah property, 300km northeast of Melbourne, a week ago.

More than 400 police are searching high and low across Victoria’s high country.

People have been warned not to approach him because he might be armed.

https://7news.com.au/news/golden-grove-man-to-face-court-over-placard-of-dezi-freeman-pictured-at-anti-immigration-rally-c-19887329

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dqlzYlaQbk

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Prime minister insists $408 million deportation deal with Nauru not a 'secret'

Maani Truu - 1 September 2025

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The prime minister has insisted a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars struck by his home affairs minister during an unannounced trip to Nauru was "hardly a secret", while refusing to say what the total cost would be.

Australia has agreed to pay the tiny island nation more than $408 million to accept members of the so-called NZYQ cohort, and almost $70 million per year to cover their costs, under the deal inked on Friday.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke signed the memorandum of understanding with Nauruan President David Adeang during a trip last week.

A statement announcing the deal was quietly uploaded to the Department of Home Affairs website on Friday. But it was not publicised or shared widely with journalists, as is common practice.

"It's hardly secret, you just are asking me about it on national TV," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC's Afternoon Briefing on Monday.

"It was reported. Tony Burke went to the Nauruan Parliament and spoke with the Nauru government. There's nothing secret about it."

In a tense back and forth, the prime minister refused to elaborate on the details of the arrangement.

That included whether the $400 million payment would be up-front, how many people would need to be resettled in return or the time frame for the yearly payments.

He said further details would be "released appropriately" in tandem with Nauru, but did not provide a timeline for when.

"It's an arrangement between our government and the Nauruan government and … there's complexities and details here, including the number of people who go, there's a range of provisions as part of it," he said.

The group slated for deportation were in Australian immigration detention before a landmark 2023 High Court decision ruled it was unlawful to hold people with no reasonable prospects of removal indefinitely.

Hundreds of detainees were released into the community as a result of the ruling, but it is unclear how many Nauru is required to accept under the arrangement.

Many in the cohort have been convicted of violent offences, but have served their sentences.

"People who have no rights to be here need to be found somewhere to go," Mr Albanese said.

"We make no apologies for the fact that we have been very clear about trying to deal with a decision of the High Court."

In a statement posted to social media over the weekend, the Nauruan government echoed the language of the Australian government.

It said the agreement included "undertakings for the proper treatment and long-term residence of people who have no legal right to stay in Australia" in Nauru.

"Australia will provide funding to underpin this arrangement and support Nauru’s long-term economic resilience," the statement read.

The payment from Australia would go towards supporting "Nauru's long-term economic resilience", according to the government.

A statement uploaded to the Department of Home Affairs website on Friday confirmed a deal was signed after Mr Burke met with the president and members of the Nauruan cabinet.

"Anyone who doesn’t have a valid visa should leave the country," Mr Burke said in a statement.

"This is a fundamental element of a functioning visa system."

(continued)

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>>23542705

>>23542782

>>23542802

Xi Jinping greets former Victorian Premier at start of China military parade

9 News Australia

Sep 3, 2025

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been personally greeted by China's Xi Jinping at the start of a massive military parade in China.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnfjgND6MIg

>>23542657

>>23542705

>>23542782

>>23542802

Dan Andrews joins world leaders at China military parade

7NEWS Australia

Sep 3, 2025

China stages a massive military parade in Beijing to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II, featuring 10,000 soldiers and modern military equipment including stealth bombers and new tanks. Former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and ex-NSW Premier Bob Carr attend alongside world leaders including Vladimir Putin and Iran's leader, with Andrews receiving prominent treatment in the ceremony. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech emphasising China's role in ending WWII and its current military strength.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIp1S5G1ZKo

>>23542657

>>23542705

>>23542782

>>23542802

High-tech weaponry and China's military might on full display

ABC News (Australia)

Sep 3, 2025

China's military might was on full display at a Victory Parade hosted by Xi Jinping in Beijing. Hypersonic weapons, underwater drones, and ballistic missiles were rolled out to a crowd that included Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un. Former China correspondent Nicole Johnston says China is sending a clear message to the West about its position in the world and its desire to create a system of global governments that is not centred on the United States.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSre55Y3j5Q

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-03/china-hosts-lavish-military-parade/105728210

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‘Lots going on’: Rudd weighs in after Trump, Albanese speak for fourth time

Michael Koziol - September 5, 2025

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Washington: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday night in what the Australian leader described as a “warm and constructive” call that canvassed economic and security interests, including the supply of critical minerals.

The call marked the fourth time the two leaders have spoken since Trump was re-elected last November, and comes ahead of a long-awaited potential meeting in person at this month’s United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or in Washington.

According to the Australian summary of the call, Albanese and Trump discussed economic co-operation and “opportunities to work together on trade and critical minerals in the interests of both nations”.

They also discussed “the strength of our relationship and the importance of our shared security interests”.

Albanese posted on social media minutes before midnight: “Tonight I had another warm and constructive conversation with President @realDonaldTrump. We discussed our trade and economic relationship as well as areas for growth including critical minerals. We also discussed shared US-Australia security interests.”

Neither Albanese nor the official readout mentioned whether the two men discussed the AUKUS submarine agreement, which is currently under review by the US Department of Defence, nor whether they made plans to meet in person. When asked, Albanese’s office said it had no further comment.

The White House confirmed the call, but there was no readout available more than seven hours later, and no further comment from White House officials. Trump also participated in a call with European leaders on Thursday morning, US time, and was due to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Diversifying US access to critical minerals - most of which are processed in China - is a major priority for the Trump administration, and Australian officials and diplomats have been positioning Australia as the natural supplier of choice, having 36 of the 50 identified as critical by the US.

(continued)