Today in Australian politics, the Prime Minister announces a new investment policy, Australia signs a joint air defence strategy and Peter Dutton attacks Penny Wong over remarks she made in relation to the Israel-Gaza war. Here’s what you need to know.
Future Made in Australia policy announced
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will introduce the Future Made in Australia Act to parliament. The legislation will invest in local manufacturing, clean energy, skills and infrastructure. Albanese said it will take advantage of opportunities and creating jobs and new industries.
“There’s a race for jobs and opportunity on and it’s a global race and Australia must be in it to win it,” he told the Today Show.
The PM said his vision for the legislation was for Australia to have a future made locally.
“We can’t afford to be vulnerable by not making things here, by being dependent just on what happens offshore,” he said.
“We also can’t afford to continue to export all our resources, wait for someone else to add the jobs and the value and then import it back.”
New trilateral defence strategy
Australia, US and Japan have signed a joint air defence strategy. The deal will increase Australia’s defence capability, utilising Japan’s advanced technology. The deal will see the three countries work collaboratively to improve unmanned aerial systems and seize opportunities in the fields of combat aircraft and autonomy. Albanese said the deal is in Australia’s national interest.
“We want to cooperate with countries in the region and in particular Japan, [which] is an advanced technology nation and the US is our closest ally,” he told the Today Show.
In a statement the White House said the cooperation with Japan formed pillar two of the AUKUS agreement.
Dutton attacks Wong over Palestine comments
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has labeled Foreign Minister Penny Wong “reckless,” after her comments calling for an immediate two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
On Tuesday, Wong said the government hoped to see a Palestinian state formally recognised in the Middle East. Australia has long held the stance for a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel, however does not recognise Palestine as a state. Dutton said Wong’s comments are damaging for Australia’s relationship with Israel.
“It is the most reckless act of a Foreign Minister I have seen in my 22 years in the parliament and it has weakened our international standing,” he said.
Albanese said Dutton is being nasty and negative and has nothing positive to offer about domestic politics or in regards to international engagement.
Photo by Dave Sutherland is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. The image has not been modified.
