Australia has passed through a baffling period in public and policy debate on China–Taiwan relations. It has been prompted by a tactical step by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force over the last 12 months to engage in flights over the Taiwan Strait and through Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. These have been met by Taiwanese intercepts and have led the United States and other countries to undertake naval exercises around Taiwan and through the strait itself. The US has also signalled clear support for Taiwan through statements, visits and an upgrade of bilateral protocols.
Cross-strait relations are poised at a higher state of activity and tension. It’s almost certain that Beijing is planning another tactical step forward in its actions towards Taiwan.
Share
Police have received 19 new complaints about potential crimes involving federal MPs and political staffers, including a series allegedly committed in government buildings.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw revealed the new reports on Tuesday, telling a Senate estimates hearing a brief of evidence on the Brittany Higgins rape case will soon be handed to prosecutors, potentially paving the way for criminal charges.
Former political staffer Brittany Higgins. A brief of evidence on her rape case will soon be handed to prosecutors.
Dominic Lorrimer
Separately, Scott Morrison’s chief of staff said he had found no evidence senior members of the Prime Minister’s staff had spread damaging information about the former Liberal staffer’s partner, according to a newly released internal report.
Labor Senator Penny Wong has accused Scott Morrison and his government of a cover-up in a fiery Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.
During the meeting ministers were told an enquiry into when the Prime Minister and his staff became aware of the rape allegations put forward by Brittany Higgins, who says she was sexually assaulted inside a Parliament House office in March 2019.
Senators were told by Finance Minister Simon Birmingham and Prime Minister Secretary Phil Gaetjens the enquiry may never be made public, resulting in an explosive response from Senator Wong. It s been undertaken because the Prime Minister refuses to answer a question in Parliament, she responded angrily to Minister Birmingham.
Birmingham: Fall in unemployment justifies ending JobKeeper 21/05/2021|11min
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says Australia’s falling unemployment rate justifies the federal government’s decision to end JobKeeper wage subsidies.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points to 5.5 per cent between March and April 2021.
Youth unemployment also decreased whilst underemployment figures dropped to its lowest in seven years.
“These are very encouraging figures,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News.
“It’s a trend that has seen the unemployment rate decrease for seven consecutive months now and shows there’s real strength in the Australian economy and labour market.
Birmingham confident in brokering FTA with UK21/05/2021|6min
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says he is confident the United Kingdom government will press ahead with negotiations over a free trade agreement.
Reports in the UK press suggest the Conservative party room remains divided over the pending trade agreement with British farmers concerned that the influx of Australian beef would increase market competition that could destroy the nation’s countryside.
Mr Birmingham has reassured the British agricultural sector that the agreement will ensure the introduction of quality Australian produce into the market.
“I trust that the UK will live up the free trade rhetoric they have pushed right through the BREXIT process,” he said.