Penny Wong says Australia needs to work with Pacific on Chinese threat
That’s a wrap for Need to Know today. Here are the key events for Thursday, May 26.
– The status of more electorates have been finalised, with Ryan going to Labor and Curtin to teal independent Kate Chaney. Electorates that remain too close to call are Brisbane, Deakin, Gilmore, and McNamara.
– Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong flew to Fiji to meet with Frank Bainimarama and give an address to the Pacific Island Forum to outline her government’s approach to the Pacific. In her address, she committed vowed to end the climate wars and said Australia and Pacific security are intertwined when approaching China’s influence in the region.
– Wong also announced the Albanese government would commit to the proportion of renewable energy in Australia’s national energy market increasing to 82% by 2030; $545 million over the next four years for Pacific defense and maritime cooperation; and permanent residency visas for 3000 Pacific country citizens annually.
– With Peter Dutton set to be the Liberals’ new leader, he said he believes the Liberals are capable of winning the next federal election but conceded there was a lot of work ahead to achieve that.
– Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen says the release of the Australian Energy Regulator’s final default market offer for the next financial year represents bad news for households’ energy costs.
– On National Sorry Day, the Greens renewed their push for a compensation scheme for Indigenous people who experienced harm from stolen generation policies.
– Fiji Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has sought to play down concern over China’s proposed deal with 10 Pacific nations covering policing, security and communications. Forme Kiribati president Anote Tong says the deal incorporates action on climate change – the Pacific’s biggest security concern
