Australian news and politics recap: Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton battling over national security
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Darwin port proves a political hot potato
Compulsory acquisition powers could be used by whoever forms the next government to take back the Port of Darwin, as the Chinese-owned asset becomes a major political fight in the election campaign.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said from Darwin on Saturday that the port would be reclaimed from Landbridge within six months if the Coalition won government, leaving Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to follow up in a radio interview that Labor was prepared to “step in”.
Mr Albanese said on Friday that only Labor was looking to reclaim the port.
On Saturday, while campaigning in the regional Queensland town of Longreach, he accused his opponent of “talking on the run”.
Meanwhile, the port’s operator — Australia’s largest and northernmost — said it was “disappointed” it was being used as a “political football” after both parties agreed that the ongoing foreign ownership was not in the national interest.
FULL STORY:
Dutton’s beer offer after footy faux pas
Peter Dutton has also just messaged the 10 cameraman to once again apologise and follow up on his offer to shout him a beer.
We’ll drink to that!
Treasurer’s simple message to cameraman
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has messaged the Channel 10 cameraman who was accidentally hit in the head with a footbal by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Ghaith Nadir was standing with a group of kids who were kicking a footabll back and forth with Mr Dutton in Darwin.
An errant kick from the Opposition Leader landed on his head, drawing blood.
Mr Nadir required treatment at the scene.
Mr Chalmers message to the cameraman simply read: “You ok mate?”
Chinese firm lashes Albo and Dutton over Darwin port
The Chinese firm that holds the controversial lease to the Port of Darwin has slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for making election pledges to axe their contract.
Landbridge reiterated that the commercial lease was not for sale, with its Australian non-executive director Terry O’Connor saying the firm was being treated like a “political football”.
He said neither the company or the Darwin Port had been in discussions with the Federal Government prior to the announcement.
“Landbridge is disappointed that we are being used as a political football in the current election campaign,” he said.
“We are a positive contributor to the Northern Territory economy. As previously stated, the port is not for sale.”
China wants talks with US after market bloodbath
“The market has spoken” in rejecting US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, China says, as it calls on Washington for “equal-footed consultation” after global markets’ dramatic reaction to the trade levies, which drew Chinese retaliation.
Several Chinese commerce associations in industries from health care and textiles to electronics also issued statements calling for unity in exploring alternative markets and warning that the tariffs would worsen inflation in the US.
“The market has spoken,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a post on Facebook today.
He also posted a picture capturing the dramatic falls on US markets overnight.
Albo, Dutton set up national security battleground
Australia is navigating a world of sharply rising geopolitical uncertainty.
In February, China sent naval boats to circle the Australian coastline, while conducting live fire exercises.
In April, a suspected Chinese “spy ship”, the research vessel Tan Suo Yi Hai, appeared to be circumnavigating Australia, travelling close to the nation’s subsea cables.
The wars in Israel and Gaza and Ukraine continue.
US President Donald Trump wants Australia to increase defence spending and some national security experts warn the Australian-American alliance could be fracturing.
Global terrorism remains an ever-present threat.
There is currently bipartisan support for the AUKUS deal, which involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines from the US and the UK.
But there are clear differences between Labor and the Coalition on a range of vital national security matters and how to handle them.
Click on the link below to find our how PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are tackling the foundational issue of keeping Australia safe, free and sovereign - and trying to win yoiur vote.
PM gets out on the land
Anthony Albanese is certainly ingratiating himself with Queensland’s farmers affected by the floods.
He’s pledging to set up a $105 million fund with the Queensland Government for fencing, a disaster recovery allowance, and loans and grants to help with repairs and restocking.
Dutton kicking goals in the NT
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been out and in the Northern Territory, boasting of his day on X.
He’s been busy promoting investment that would deliver improvements for grass roots AFL in the area.
It would include better venues, playing surfaces, changerooms and upraded lights.
Mass cyber attacks on super ‘inevitable’: Expert
More mass-scale cyber attacks could be launched in the coming days after hackers ripped hundreds of thousands of dollars from Australian superannuation accounts, a security expert has warned.
A second cyber expert said an attack on Australian superannuation funds was “inevitable, some would say overdue” as funds and the Government scramble to find the exploited loopholes and count the cost.
On Friday, news broke that at least five super funds had been attacked during the previous weekend.
The funds were not transparent in exactly how many people were affected but at least 10,000 accounts were compromised in various ways.
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