NSW arts minister says federal government ‘open minded’ as experts meet in Sydney to discuss tax reform
John Graham, the NSW minister for the arts, spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after new government data showed Australia’s cultural and creative industries delivered more than $67bn to the national economy in 2023/2024.
Government and industry leaders are meeting in Sydney today to discuss tax reform for the creative sector to help support the industry. Graham said while there are no guarantees about what could come out of the meeting, it’s good the federal government is “open minded” and recognises there is a need for change.
Graham said:
Even with increased arts funding, because of the actions of other countries, we can’t keep up at the moment. It’s a good time to look at these tax settings. I’ve been really encouraged by the fact that the commonwealth’s been open to letting this conversation unfold, and they’re in a position now where they’re looking to the long term. That’s good news for some of these proposals ….
It’s difficult to change the tax system, but the good news is, if you do make a change, it’s big enough to make a difference and it’s there for the long term. So it will give certainty to some of these organisations.
Former US ambassador says Australia’s recognition of Palestinian state hasn’t been ‘fatal’ to relationship
Arthur Sinodinos, the former ambassador to the US, said Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state hasn’t been “fatal” to the two countries’ relationship.
Sinodinos spoke to RN Breakfast, saying it was important Anthony Albanese meet with US president Donald Trump to ensure the White House of Australia and its partners of “the essential role we play”. Sinodinos said:
In a sort of era of America first, we have to make sure it’s not America only.
The former ambassador went on to say that there has generally been a “certain ballast” to the relationship between the US and Australia, where “most of the time, it’s in fundamentally good shape”. He added he didn’t believe Albanese’s recognition of a Palestinian state would deeply damage that relationship:
I don’t think that it’s been fatal or anything to the relationship. I mean, any criticisms about this have been from the administration have been aimed – there was one or two at Australia specifically – but most of them have been a general spray at the countries that have done this.
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Aldi has lowest home brand grocery prices, Choice survey says
Aldi recorded the lowest prices for home brand groceries and retained its crown as the supermarket with the cheapest staples, while IGA’s home brand goods cost nearly 20% more.
Consumer group Choice’s quarterly supermarket price survey found Coles and Woolworths ranked in between, with the latter’s basket of home brand goods just 10c more expensive.
Woolworths’s basket, though, was 20c costlier, or 45c excluding specials, when shoppers reviewed a broader basket of staples including fresh fruit, milk, chicken breasts and Weet-Bix. The two supermarket giants have tracked very closely on prices throughout Choice’s surveys.
New South Wales shoppers also continued to score the lowest prices, as Choice found in March, with Western Australians paying $57 for a basket priced just $53 in NSW. Victorian shoppers spent just $55.20 at Woolworths
Shoppers in Victoria paid less than other states at Coles and Woolworths, spending $55.20 on the survey basket, while those in New South Wales got the best deal at Aldi, spending just $53.80 on the same basket. Western Australian shoppers spent $57.49 for the same goods at Aldi or nearly $60 at Woolworths and Coles.
As strawberry season returns and punnet prices slip to $3, Choice’s mystery shoppers also found Coles stocked the longest-lasting strawberries. Coles’ strawberries showed no decay after one day in the fridge and less than half of the purchased punnets showed decay within five days.
Home brand products surveyed included spaghetti, soy milk, tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream cheese, thickened cream, puff pastry and frozen berries.
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What time is Albanese speaking at the UN general assembly?
Anthony Albanese will deliver Australia’s national statement to the UN general assembly this morning, Australian time.
We expect the prime minister’s speech a bit after 10am AEST.
It will be Albanese’s first time delivering the set piece speech.
We are told he will speak about Australia’s role as a leader in our region and a middle power in the world as well as the role every nation – big and small – has to play in preserving peace and security.
The speech will also cover Australia’s commitment to action on climate change and how Australia is doing this to create jobs and opportunities for people.
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Albanese welcomes China's first emissions target but says it should not open new coal plants
Anthony Albanese says China should do more on cutting carbon emissions, including closing more coal fired power stations.
In a video statement to the UN in New York, president Xi Jinping said China would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across the economy by 7-10% by 2035, while “striving to do better”.
It is the first time Beijing has committed to an absolute target to cut its emissions.
Speaking at an event at The New York Times, Albanese said it was not enough:
It is good that there is progress being made. We, of course would like there to be more, but it is a step forward, and indeed, China has exceeded its previous targets.
We’d like to see new coal fired power plants not open. But it is a step forward. If you look at the transition that’s occurring as part of what President Xi announced, as well of electric vehicles, that’s been a revolution, frankly, in a relatively short period of time.
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Creative sector made up 2.5% of Australia's GDP in 2023/24, delivering $67bn to economy
Australia’s cultural and creative industries delivered $67.4bn to the national economy in the 2023/2024 financial year, according to newly released government data.
The creative sector accounted for 2.5% of Australia’s GDP. It increased by 6.6% from the previous year and outpaced the nation’s overall nominal GDP growth of 4.1%.
The $67bn figure places the sector on par with the rental, hiring and real estate industry, the report by the Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research found.
Key drivers of the growth were advertising and promotion, print media and publishing, film and television production, and architectural services.
The data is expected to influence how the federal government will support the creative industries in coming years, as part of Labor’s Revive national cultural policy.
Arts minister Tony Burke said the results demonstrated the positive impact a strong arts and cultural sector can have on Australia’s economy.
“There’s always room for growth, and our government is continuing to make targeted investments to ensure our creative economy continues to thrive,” he said in a statement.
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Albanese attends climate action meeting in New York
Anthony Albanese attended a special event on climate action convened by the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, this morning.
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, co-hosted the event in the lead up to Brazil hosting COP30 summit in November.
The prime minister showcased Australia’s ambition of new national emissions targets and climate policies, and highlighted the economic, trade and investment opportunities for Australia in the world’s transition to net zero. He told the event:
This is the decisive decade for acting on the environmental challenge of climate change – and seizing the economic opportunities of clean energy".
We all grasp the scale and the urgency of our task.
He also said Australians know too well the cost of climate change, in the form of natural disasters, and told citizens and governments around the world that it is not too late to act.
If we act now, if we move with common purpose and shared resolve, then we can do more than just guard against the very worst.
We can protect our environment and build a stronger and fairer economy for the next generation.
Good morning and happy Thursday. Nick Visser here to take over from Martin Farrer. It’s a busy morning, let’s dive in.
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Penny Wong was also asked whether the decision on Palestinian recognition could lead to even more drastic action from the Israeli government, after members of the Israeli government called for countermeasures which would include annexing the West Bank and crushing the Palestinian Authority.
“I think the world is seeing the extent to which the Netanyahu government seems to be prepared to go to avoid a ceasefire and peace. And if those actions are taken, I think that will confirm that. We all want a ceasefire. We all want the hostages returned, and we want a pathway to peace. What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.”
Wong was asked: “Are you saying the Israeli government does not want a ceasefire in order to continue its operations in Gaza?”
Wong said:
“I’m saying if the hypothetical threats that you are putting to me I carried out, I think that would be the conclusion the world would draw. The reason we have recognised, alongside the United Kingdom and Canada, a Palestinian state is because simply this, the Palestinian people deserve a state, and we believe it’s in the interest, ultimately, also of Israel, that there will not be long term peace and security in the region without there being.
“I would say to the Israeli government that they should ensure there is a cease fire, and I would say to Hamas we call again for the unconditional release of hostages.”
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Penny Wong says she met Iranian counterpart to ‘look him in the eye’
Penny Wong said she met with her Iranian foreign minister “to look him in the eye” and explain why Australia made its decisions to expel its ambassador over intelligence Iran directed antisemitic attacks.
“I thought it was the right thing to do to meet directly with my counterpart and to look him in the eye and tell him precisely why we made the decisions we made and why what we believe has occurred. I made it very clear that the actions of the IRGC crossed a line, that they were unacceptable and that Australia was compelled to take the action we took. I made that very clear to him, and I thought that was the right thing to do in the context of all we know has occurred that we know has occurred.
Asked about whether he made any attempts to deny the involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran in those attacks, Wong said:
“Obviously you wouldn’t expect them to accept these assertions, I made clear, we accept the advice we have confidence in the assessments.”
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Penny Wong says Australia takes a 'different view' from Trump on climate change
The foreign minister has reiterated Australia has a “different view” to the Trump administration when it comes to climate change, after the US president’s speech to the UN in which he called climate change a “con job”.
Appearing on ABC’s 7.30 yesterday evening, Penny Wong was asked about the speech:
“These are issues where President Trump has been very consistent. His position has been clear. Australia does take a different view.
“We accept the reality of climate change. We see it in our lives, and we believe in the importance of transitioning our economy to operate in a world of net zero. We believe that renewable energy is the cheapest new form of installed energy, and we will continue to transition our economy.”
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Von der Leyen says social media platforms ‘addict children through manipulative algorithms’
Von der Leyen said social media platforms are working as intended, “to attract and addict children through manipulative algorithms”.
She said she was establishing a panel of experts to assess the best options for European Union member states and would be guided by the experience of countries like Australia.
“Everyone understands that it is our duty to do our best to equip families with the tools to live as safely as possible, and empowering parents to collectively say ‘no’ to social media to their young children is one of these.”
Robert Abela, the prime minister of Malta, as well as Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji and Aisake Valu Eke of Tonga also attended the event.
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European Commission president 'inspired by Australia's example' on social media ban for kids
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, calling it a bold decision by a country determined to improve online safety.
Von der Leyen and Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a special event hosted by Anthony Albanese at the United Nations in New York overnight, designed to build support for the looming social media age ban, due to come into force from December.
Along with the communications minister, Annika Wells, Albanese made the case for curbing the ability of kids to use social media, up from the existing age of entry at 13.
“I have been inspired by Australia’s example,” von der Leyen said. “You are the first to give this a try.
“We in the EU will be watching and learning from you as you implement your world first and world leading social media ban.
“Our next generation needs us to step up, and to be daring and give this a go.”
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before Nick Visser gets on the case.
Anthony Albanese is attending a special event on climate action convened by the UN secretary general, António Guterres, in New York this morning as he continues his intensive round of diplomacy in the US. It comes as we report exclusively that the climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen appeared with Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdoğan, at a major environment event in New York as negotiations over hosting rights for the COP31 summit come down to the wire.
Albanese also met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen who praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, saying she had been “inspired by Australia’s example”.
Penny Wong, speaking on 7.30 last night, has reiterated that Australia has a “different view” to the Trump administration when it comes to climate change, after the US president’s speech to the UN in which he called climate change a “con job”. More coming up.
Aldi has recorded the lowest prices for home brand groceries and retained its crown as the supermarket with the cheapest staples, while IGA’s home brand goods cost nearly 20% more, according to Choice survey.
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