Anthony Albanese talks tariffs in a phone call with Donald Trump; Consultancy group KPMG facing questions over whistleblower scandal at Senate inquiry; And in sport, The Wallabies make major changes ahead of their rematch against Japan.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Anthony Albanese talks tariffs in a phone call with Donald Trump
- Consultancy group KPMG facing questions over whistleblower scandal at Senate inquiry
- And in sport, The Wallabies make major changes ahead of their rematch against Japan
Donald Trump is considering a request to grant an exemption to wide-ranging tariffs on Australian exports after a phone call with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Mr Albanese says he had a warm and productive call with the US president overnight (Thu 13 Aug AEST).
Mr Albanese says he made the case for the US to drop its 12.5 per cent tariffs on Australia, which came into effect last month.
"I informed him about our record when it comes to dealing with issues of modern slavery, the strengthening that we have put forward as well to look and hold companies accountable for the supply chain process as well. And over 20 years, the United States has had a trade surplus with Australia of US$442 billion ."
Mr Albanese says the two leaders also discussed the AUKUS submarine deal between the two countries, the Iran war, as well as Australia's recent alliances in the Pacific.
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A Senate inquiry into the whistleblower scandal at consultancy firm KPMG is hearing from representatives at companies caught up in the alleged misconduct by KPMG's senior audit partners.
The chair of property firm Dexus, Warwick Negus, has told the inquiry, it was shocking to hear the allegations about ethical failures at KPMG while it was engaged as Dexus' internal auditor.
"We are disappointed by what we understand at the moment. And that understanding continues to develop. When we were first told about the issue, KPMG characterised it as a matter concerning a dissatisfied employee. We were subsequently advised that the issues concerning Dexus were unsubstantiated and that an independent legal review had confirmed this. We were not provided particulars."
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The transport safety investigator says an investigation was immediately launched once it received information of a third runway incident at Sydney Airport involving two planes, in the past fortnight.
The incident happened at around 10am on Sunday [[9 August]], with a Virgin Australia flight bound for Perth and a Qantas jet headed to Ayers Rock Airport.
The bureau says air traffic controllers cancelled the take-off clearance for the Virgin Australia flight at the same time as its crew noticed the Qantas aircraft begin to cross the runway ahead of them.
Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Angus Mitchell, says the agency was notified yesterday afternoon (13 Aug).
"Approximately one kilometre of separation remained between the aircraft. Nonetheless, this type of runway incursion and loss of separation is a transport safety concern. As with all ATSB investigations, I can reassure the travelling public that we will consider any organisational - or systemic issues - that may have contributed to these occurrences. And we will do in a comprehensive and timely manner."
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New South Wales emergency services, land management and environmental agencies are meeting ahead of the upcoming bushfire season, to discuss strategies to prevent major fires.
A roundtable has been established to improve coordination of various services, with plans for measures including hazard reduction burns ahead of the hottest months of the year.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin says increased rain has created more fuel for fires and reduced the potential for controlled burns to be carried out throughout the year.
"Despite that, this last year we've been able to increase the amount of hazard reduction burning done across New South Wales. Land managers, together with fire agencies have managed to achieve 124-thousand hectares of land treated this year. Importantly, this has resulted in more than 174 thousand properties being protected from risk from bushfire."
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Turkiye's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says he hopes more countries join a defence agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which is aimed at stabilising a region wracked by conflict.
The so-called Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed last week (7 Aug) on Friday as the Middle East grapples with fallout from the US-Iran war which has dragged in regional players and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says Egypt is committed to maintaining strong relations with all three states involved in the pact.
(Arabic* translated to English): "The Israeli side must fulfill its obligations and commitments according to President Trump's plan, both in its first phase by completing the entry of aid and reaching 600 trucks daily and rehabilitating hospitals and clinics, and also by working to implement the second phase and fully adhering to what the plan stipulates regarding the implementation of Israeli withdrawals from the Gaza Strip in parallel with the handover of weapons. These are very important matters."
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And to sport, in Rugby Union,
Wallabies coach Les Kiss says he is hoping the changes he has made to side for tomorrow's* second Test against Japan strengthens their attack.
Kiss has made eight changes to the starting side, with only two players retained from the Wallabies' starting pack in Osaka last week (8 Aug): captain Harry Wilson and Josh Nasser.
Lachie Shaw is making his Test debut - and flyhalf Carter Gordon joins the team after being cleared to return after a calf injury.
Kiss says the game against Japan in Townsville will be tough.
"It will take more this week to get over Japan - and they were very good last week. And we know that Eddie (Jones) is a very savvy coach. So we're going to have to be very good and improve in certain areas for sure. A special time to come here to Townsville. We're excited. We have to make sure we put our best foot forward because it won't be an easy Test match."
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