Protestors clash with police outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra; The Prime Minsister reacts to Donald Trump's criticism of Kevin Rudd; And in cricket, Western Australia's chances for the Sheffield Shield are further depleted.
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In this bulletin;
- Protestors clash with police outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra;
- The Prime Minsister reacts to Donald Trump's criticism of Kevin Rudd;
- And in cricket, Western Australia's chances for the Sheffield Shield are further depleted.
TRANSCRIPT
Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Chinese Foreign Minister Australians were shocked at the sentence imposed on Australian writer Yang Hengjun.
This comes as protesters have clashed with police outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, removing several people attempting to enter the compound.
Minister Wong raised the issue with her Chinese couterpart, Wang Yi, at the seventh Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue held in Canberra today.
Dr Yang Hengjun was handed a two-year suspended death sentence earlier this year for national security offences, which Dr Yang has consisntely denied.
Minister Wong says the Australian Government is still advocating for Dr Yang.
"I told the foreign minister Australians were shocked at the sentence imposed and I made clear to him the Australian government will continue to advocate on Dr Yang’s behalf. I also raised our concerns about other Australian death penalty cases, as you know, Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances for all peoples."
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The government says it will keep Kevin Rudd in the role of US Amabssador, even if Donald Trump is elected.
Trump had a scathing review of the former Australian Prime Minister, telling GB News "I heard he was a little bit nasty. I heard he’s not the brightest bulb. I don’t know much about him, but he won’t be there long if he is at all hostile."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Rudd will remain as amabssaor if Trump is elected.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the position should not be politicised.
"Because one of the things that I have never seen happen before in 28 years in this chamber, it's an attempt to politicise Australia's representative overseas in an important nation such as that. Never seen it. Never seen it before."
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A draft bill which would guarantee three days per week of childcare for all children aged five and under has been launched at parliament house.
Early learning campaign, 'Thrive by Five', are backing the proposed law, which would also establish 52 weeks of paid parental leave shared between partners, and a minimum of 10 child and maternal health checks.
Former South Australian premier and childhood education advocate Jay Weatherill has welcomed the bill.
"This will unleash economic opportunity as we provide more people with the opportunity to participate in the workforce but the biggest pay off of all is what it does to the capacity of every single citizen, we lift the general standard of capability in this country, by investing in the early years."
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A bill expected to be introduced to parliament this week will aim to impose divestiture powers to defeat the supermarket duopoly held by Coles and Woolworths.
It would allow the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to seek a court order to force supermarket chains to sell assets if they use their market power to unfairly inflate prices.
But the Business Council has criticised the bill, which is also supported by the Nationals, saying it could have a chilling effect on investment and jobs.
Greens economic justice spokesman Nick McKim is leading a parliamentary inquiry into the supermarket leaders, and says it will prevent the grocery giants from price gouging.
“It is worth remembering, the last time the Greens and the Nationals got together on a significant issue, we delivered a banking royal commission to Australia so we're hoping divestiture will follow the same path. I want to say how disappointing it is that Labor appear to be locking themselves out of supporting divestiture laws. This is Prime Minister Albanese making a choice to line up with the giant supermarket corporations rather than line up with the Australian people.”
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And in cricket,
A biking accident by Cameron Bancroft has further depleted Western Australia's chances for the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania.
Bancroft has been ruled out of the decider, which starts tomorrow, after suffering a concussion over the weekend.
His absence is expected to be a blow to WA's hopes of sealing a hat-trick of Shield titles.
