Kevin Rudd will remain as ambassador, PM says
Anthony Albanese says Kevin Rudd will remain as Australia’s ambassador to Washington and is doing “a very good job”.
Asked on Sunday if Rudd would still be in the job a year from now, Albanese responded: “Yes.”
The work that he did with Aukus was a difficult task to get that through the Congress and the Senate. But when I was there, one of the things that struck me was just how extensive the links that Kevin Rudd had developed with you at the US, Congress and the Senate were.
He said Rudd had been “a very good ambassador” and “continues to do the job”:
He continues to do the job. He has developed relationships across the political spectrum in the United States, as I expect any ambassador to do, and that’s why he received praise from people such as Tony Abbott as well as Malcolm Turnbull as well as Peter Dutton for the job that he’s been doing.
Key events
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has now repeated his declaration that Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, won’t be going anywhere.
On Sky News, Albanese agreed that Rudd would still be in the job a year from now. On ABC Insiders, Albanese went further:
He’s Australia’s appointment. It says something about the importance of the United States that we have appointed a former prime minister.
That’s a sign of how seriously we take this relationship, which is a relationship between our peoples, based upon our common values.
Kevin Rudd will remain as ambassador, PM says
Anthony Albanese says Kevin Rudd will remain as Australia’s ambassador to Washington and is doing “a very good job”.
Asked on Sunday if Rudd would still be in the job a year from now, Albanese responded: “Yes.”
The work that he did with Aukus was a difficult task to get that through the Congress and the Senate. But when I was there, one of the things that struck me was just how extensive the links that Kevin Rudd had developed with you at the US, Congress and the Senate were.
He said Rudd had been “a very good ambassador” and “continues to do the job”:
He continues to do the job. He has developed relationships across the political spectrum in the United States, as I expect any ambassador to do, and that’s why he received praise from people such as Tony Abbott as well as Malcolm Turnbull as well as Peter Dutton for the job that he’s been doing.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says he didn’t directly ask the incoming US president, Donald Trump, to exempt Australia from a new tariffs regime.
Trump has flagged tariffs on imports to the US of between 10 and 20%, and up to 60% on Chinese goods.
Here’s the exchange on ABC Insiders with host David Speers at short time ago:
David Speers: Did you ask Donald Trump in your phone call to give Australia an exemption from any tariffs?
Anthony Albanese: No, I pointed out, though, to President Trump, that the United States has a trade surplus with Australia. It’s had that trade surplus since Truman was president. So both the United States and Australia benefit from the trade between our two countries.
Speers: Would it be a perfect relationship as he called it if he slapped tariffs on Australia?
Albanese: He said we’re going to have a perfect friendship. I’m very confident that the relationship with the United States will stay strong.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says his comments in support of free trade and taking action to address climate change were not directed at US president-elect, Donald Trump.
Here’s what Albanese told ABC Insider’s host, David Speers, a short time ago:
[My comments were] squarely aimed at one thing – Australia’s national interest.
We’re a trading nation and I support free and fair trade. One-in-four Australian jobs depends on trade. 75% of our trade occurs with Apec nations.
Climate change is something that we have to deal with. It’s in Australia’s national interests [to do so]. I see climate change as not just a challenge, which it is, but also an opportunity and a particular opportunity for Australians.
PM hints at May election
Anthony Albanese has renewed election-timing speculation with an off-the-cuff remark declaring it would occur in May next year.
In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Albanese was asked about media reports that he had spoken to the West Australian premier, Roger Cook, about shifting WA’s election date,now fixed for 8 March.
Describing it as “a completely nothing story”, Albanese initially gave an unclear response, saying the government would “go to an election sometime between [then and] May”. He then became definitive:
We have a budget scheduled for March and the election will be in May.
Pressed to confirm the May date, he returned to more generic language.
Well, that’s when it’s due. Or it could be beforehand.
Albanese hails ‘inclusive trade and investment’ at Apec forum in Peru
Natasha May
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has hailed “inclusive trade and investment” at the Apec forum in Peru where leaders are attempting to push against the protectionist policies favoured by US president-elect Donald Trump.
We’ll hear from the PM on ABC Insiders shortly.
When speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit, which assembles 21 of the world’s largest economies, Albanese said Apec leaders consistently “spoke about the importance of free and fair trade between our economies to lift up the living standards of people throughout this region”.
Albanese also said he had a “friendly” private discussion with the US president, Joe Biden, at the meeting, who he described as “in good form”. Albanese confirmed he did not speak to China’s president, Xi Jinping.
Asked about work to lift trade tariffs with China, Albanese said:
I’m not a commentator … but what I’ve done with China is work in the way that we said we would before the election.
Whether it’s coal, barley, wine, other products, including seafood and others, people are in employment in Australia today because of our trade.
Emergency fire warnings for Victoria’s west
There are several emergency fire warnings in Victoria’s western district this morning after soaring temperatures in the mid-30s on Saturday.
A “watch and act” alert has been issued for those living in Chapple Vale, Crowes, Gellibrand Lower, Johanna, Johanna Heights, Lavers Hill, Stalker, Wangerrip, Wattle Hill, Yuulong and Wattle Hill to the Great Ocean Walk.
Here’s the guidance emergency services issued just after midnight:
Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
By choosing to stay, you and your family may be at risk of serious injury or death.
A watch and act message has also been issued for the towns of Chetwynd, Connewirricoo, Kadnook:
If you left Chetwynd, Connewirricoo or Kadnook it is Not Safe to Return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
Three killed after plane crashes into paddock
A pilot and two passengers have died after a light plane crashed into a paddock and caught alight, AAP reports.
Emergency services were called to the crash in Tinamba West in Victoria’s East Gippsland on Saturday afternoon.
Police were told the aircraft was circling the area before it crashed and set on fire.
The pilot and two passengers, who were the only occupants onboard, died at the scene. They are yet to be formally identified
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash of the “amateur-built light aircraft” and is calling for witnesses or anyone with photos or video of it to come forward.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to another day of the Australia news live blog. Pour yourself a cup of strong coffee, and let’s get into it.
Much of the world’s attention today is in Peru, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) is hosting leaders from around the world. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is there pushing back against protectionist policies. He’ll speak with ABC Insiders this morning.
We’re also keeping a close eye on active bushfire warnings across Victoria’s west after soaring temperatures on Saturday.
We’re also watching another big international forum: the Cop29 UN climate summit in Azerbaijan. Our environment editor, Adam Morton, is there, and we will have updates from him this morning.
