![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756175713_987_Ben_Doherty_720x600_final.png\")
Ben Doherty<\/p>\nFormer Pentagon official urges Australia not to abandon Aukus pactBen Doherty<\/p>\n
A former senior Pentagon official has urged the US not to abandon the Aukus<\/a> pact, saying that would make the US \u201cless capable\u201d across the Pacific, but said Australia should give Washington more \u201cconcrete\u201d commitments on how it would deploy its nuclear submarines in the event of war in the region.<\/p>\n US thinktank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies<\/a> (CSIS), has published the report<\/a>, written by Abraham Denmark<\/strong> (an Aukus adviser to former US defence secretary Lloyd Austin<\/strong>) and Charles Edel<\/strong> (CSIS\u2019s Australia chair) as Australian defence minister Richard Marles<\/strong> arrives in Washington DC for a series of meetings with Trump administration officials.<\/p>\n The CSIS report argues Aukus is a \u201cstrategic imperative\u201d for all three nations involved \u2013 the US, the UK and Australia \u2013 but the deal is at a \u201ccritical juncture\u201d.<\/p>\n Aukus is currently being reviewed by a senior Trump administration Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby<\/strong>, an avowed Aukus sceptic.<\/p>\n Pillar One of Aukus will provide Australia with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar Two will focus on cooperation between the three militaries in developing new technologies, particularly in AI, quantum technologies and undersea, hypersonic and electronic warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.18 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n The Coalition<\/a> is still torn over the debate on net zero, with a clash between some of the hard right and the moderates at this morning\u2019s partyroom meeting.<\/p>\n Guardian Australia understands Simon Kennedy<\/strong>, who\u2019s previously spoken out at partyroom to support net zero, was again among a few who spoke out in favour of stronger policy to credibly reduce emissions and reduce energy prices.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood Alex Antic<\/strong>, Matt Canavan<\/strong>, Llew O\u2019Brien<\/strong> (who spoke in favour of Barnaby Joyce<\/strong>\u2019s repeal net zero bill on Monday) and Tony Pasin<\/strong> spoke against net zero.<\/p>\n Kennedy won\u2019t confirm, but in an interview on Sky News, he says the opposition needs to start thinking in the more immediate term, and come up with a policy plan to match a 2035 emissions reduction target.<\/p>\n Net zero for this Labor government, it\u2019s not a policy, it\u2019s a slogan, and we know it\u2019s not a policy and it\u2019s a slogan because they promise price reductions, prices are up, emissions are flat.<\/p>\n They\u2019re [Labor] about to legislate 2035 targets, and we [the Coalition] do need real policy, we need a policy position on that. We know it\u2019s going to be something between, we think 65 to 75% so we should be starting to think about a policy\u2026<\/p>\n The domestic gas reserve announced last election \u2013 we should reinstate that as a policy we modelled that would bring energy prices down\u2026 that would give us something credible to talk about around a 2035 [target].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a> RBA board says more rate cuts needed to bring inflation down, meeting minutes show<\/strong><\/p>\n The Reserve Bank\u2019s monetary policy board members agree that bringing inflation sustainably back to target \u201cappeared likely to require some further reduction in the cash rate over the coming year\u201d.<\/p>\n The minutes from the 11-12 August meeting, released this morning, revealed there was also broad agreement that how fast and far rates will need to be cut will depend on \u201cincoming data on a meeting-by-meeting basis\u201d.<\/p>\n After unanimously voting in favour of lowering the cash rate from 3.85% to 3.6% at this month\u2019s meeting, the minutes show rate moves will depend on tightness in the labour market.<\/p>\n In particular, \u201ca slightly faster reduction in the cash rate over the coming year \u2026 would be appropriate if the labour market turned out already to be in balance\u201d – that is, if an unemployment rate at about current levels was consistent with inflation staying within the 2-3% target band over the coming couple of years. The minutes said:<\/p>\n A slightly faster reduction would also be appropriate if the overall balance of risks to the forecasts became more clearly skewed to the downside, perhaps because of adverse developments in the global economy or the anticipated handover from non-market sector to market sector employment growth not proceeding smoothly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Monthly inflation figures for July will be released tomorrow, and economists expect annual consumer price growth will lift from 1.9% to 2.3% as government electricity bill subsidies elapse.<\/p>\n Financial markets expect the next rate cut to be in November, and another by February, according to ANZ estimates before the release of the latest RBA board minutes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.06 EDT<\/p>\n Recognition of Palestinian statehood follows international consultation, PM says<\/strong><\/p>\n Anthony Albanese<\/strong> has told Labor MPs the world is \u201cengaging\u201d to back a two-state solution in the Middle East, weeks out from the United Nations general assembly getting under way.<\/p>\n In a meeting of Labor\u2019s caucus at Parliament House, the prime minister said Australia had made a decision in the national interest to recognise Palestinian statehood at next month\u2019s meeting in New York, following consultation with international partners.<\/p>\n He told the closed door meeting he had consulted widely before announcing the recognition decision, including discussing it with Israel\u2019s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Albanese is seeking to build momentum for Palestinian statehood by coordinating with countries including the UK, Canada and France, but the announcement has sparked a backlash from Netanyahu\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.52 EDT<\/p>\n Organisations welcome higher education code requiring mandatory response and training to prevent sexual violence<\/strong><\/p>\n Leading violence against women prevention organisation, Our Watch, has welcomed Monday\u2019s passing of a national higher education code to respond to gender-based violence in the sector.<\/p>\n The legislation will require Australian universities and university-operated student accommodation providers to legally respond to sexual violence and take action to prevent it for the first time, including mandatory training and reporting requirements.<\/p>\n The CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly<\/strong>, said the new regulations demonstrated a crucial shift in placing the onus on providers at the stage of prevention, pointing to the last National Student Safety Survey (NSSS), undertaken in 2021, which found 1 in 6 students experienced sexual harassment<\/a>.<\/p>\n The national code makes it clear: prevention is not optional, it\u2019s a core responsibility for every higher education and student accommodation provider.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The women\u2019s officer at The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, Vaness Yap<\/strong>, said there was \u201cno doubt\u201d the legislation was a significant step to protect students, while adding the next NSSS would be \u201cessential\u201d to understanding whether the crisis had worsened and understand additional safeguards needed:<\/p>\n We are excited to see renewed government momentum in the higher education sector \u2026 We hope that this momentum translates to action on the remaining Universities Accord recommendations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.50 EDT<\/p>\n Greens meet to discuss aged care, environment law and Israel\u2019s \u2018double tap\u2019 bombing of Gaza hospital<\/strong><\/p>\n The Greens party room met this morning to discuss the week\u2019s main agendas, including aged care and environment law reform as well as Israel\u2019s latest strike on a hospital in Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n From their newly constructed party room, the minor party discussed Labor\u2019s proposal this morning to put forward a bill<\/a> to overhaul the federal environmental protection regime by the end of the year.<\/p>\n The Greens say they will look at the proposal but warned the federal government needed to remain the \u201cultimate decision maker\u201d over the state governments. They expect debate over the new bill will happen early in 2026.<\/p>\n The Greens are also going to push the Albanese government to apply the same sanctions regime against Israel as it does against Russia in response to its \u201cdouble tap\u201d strike overnight at Nasser hospital<\/a> in Gaza, which killed at least 20 people including five journalists.<\/p>\n The party will hold a press conference shortly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.45 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese admits changes to NDIS and pension \u2018difficult\u2019 decisions<\/strong><\/p>\n Returning to the government party room, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese<\/strong>, admitted changes to the NDIS and pension deeming rates were \u201cdifficult\u201d decisions from the government, but that Labor believed they were in the national interest.<\/p>\n Albanese in the party room meeting praised Jim Chalmers<\/strong> and other ministers for their efforts around the economic roundtable, including 40 meetings with individual stakeholders before the major summit. The PM also chipped the Coalition<\/a> for its public division over the net zero goal, claiming (as he has publicly) \u201cyou only reject net zero if you think climate change isn\u2019t real\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will always be focused on the Australian people, never on ourselves,\u201d Albanese told the room, saying \u201cthat could involve difficult national interest decisions\u201d.<\/p>\n The PM referred to changes to the NDIS, announced last week to set up a new scheme that would cater for some children with autism, and the decision to shift the deeming rate for pensions, which means pensioners will be able to earn less income from financial assets before having their government payments affected.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.40 EDT<\/p>\n Trump vows fresh tariffs on countries pursuing digital services taxes against US tech giants US president Donald Trump<\/strong> says he will impose tough new tariffs and chip export restrictions on countries pursuing digital services taxes against big American technology companies.<\/p>\n Federal Labor will be closely watching the comments, made in the past few minutes on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the President of the United States, I will stand up to countries that attack our incredible American tech companies,\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology.<\/p>\n They also, outrageously, give a complete pass to China\u2019s largest Tech Companies.<\/p>\n I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country\u2019s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He said the US and big tech companies were not \u201cthe \u201cpiggy bank\u201d nor the \u201cdoormat\u201d of the world any longer.<\/p>\n Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or, consider the consequences!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n US president Donald Trump. Photograph: Alex Brandon\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.31 EDT<\/p>\n Continuing from our last post \u2026<\/p>\n If Aukus<\/a> was successfully implemented, it would \u201cstrengthen its closest allies, send a powerful deterrent message to Beijing, and help stabilise the region,\u201d the CSIS report argues.<\/p>\n However, if it was scrapped, Denmark and Edel argue, the US would:<\/p>\n Become less capable in the Indo-Pacific, its defence posture and diplomatic presence would become less deeply embedded, its international credibility would be dramatically undercut, deterrence would be undermined, and propaganda from Beijing and Moscow declaring the unreliability of American commitments would gain significant credibility\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n One of the key issues of Aukus Pillar One centres on the \u201csovereignty\u201d Australia would hold over any nuclear submarines.<\/p>\n The CSIS report argues the two countries should undertake \u201ccontingency planning\u201d to establish how, and under what conditions, Australia\u2019s nuclear-powered submarines would be deployed in a conflict in the region.<\/p>\n Planning, in which military strategists from the United States and Australia would jointly undergo a comprehensive process of strategising and organising military operations to achieve specific objectives, would provide US officials with more concrete reassurances that submarines sold to Australia would not disappear if and when needed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.18 EDT<\/p>\n Former Pentagon official urges Australia not to abandon Aukus pact A former senior Pentagon official has urged the US not to abandon the Aukus<\/a> pact, saying that would make the US \u201cless capable\u201d across the Pacific, but said Australia should give Washington more \u201cconcrete\u201d commitments on how it would deploy its nuclear submarines in the event of war in the region.<\/p>\n US thinktank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies<\/a> (CSIS), has published the report<\/a>, written by Abraham Denmark<\/strong> (an Aukus adviser to former US defence secretary Lloyd Austin<\/strong>) and Charles Edel<\/strong> (CSIS\u2019s Australia chair) as Australian defence minister Richard Marles<\/strong> arrives in Washington DC for a series of meetings with Trump administration officials.<\/p>\n The CSIS report argues Aukus is a \u201cstrategic imperative\u201d for all three nations involved \u2013 the US, the UK and Australia \u2013 but the deal is at a \u201ccritical juncture\u201d.<\/p>\n Aukus is currently being reviewed by a senior Trump administration Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby<\/strong>, an avowed Aukus sceptic.<\/p>\n Pillar One of Aukus will provide Australia with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar Two will focus on cooperation between the three militaries in developing new technologies, particularly in AI, quantum technologies and undersea, hypersonic and electronic warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.18 EDT<\/p>\n Marles yet to lock in meeting with Hegseth Richard Marles to meet JD Vance and Marco Rubio in Washington DC this week<\/strong><\/p>\n Richard Marles<\/strong>, the defence minister, will meet the US vice-president, JD Vance<\/strong>, and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio<\/strong>, during his trip to Washington this week.<\/p>\n Stephen Miller<\/strong>, a close adviser to the US president, Donald Trump<\/strong>, will also meet Marles.<\/p>\n Marles is still yet to confirm a meeting with US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth<\/strong>, where the Aukus<\/a> submarine agreement is due to be discussed.<\/p>\n Marles has met with defence industry companies including Austal USA, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, General Dynamics, Boeing Defense and Anduril.<\/p>\n Labor wants the respective industrial bases of the US and Australia to become increasingly seamless.<\/p>\n Defence minister Richard Marles. Photograph: Aaron Favila\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.38 EDT<\/p>\n Queensland\u2019s victims commissioner quits after damning report<\/strong><\/p>\n Queensland\u2019s victims commissioner has stepped down, after government released a damning report into an organisation she previously managed.<\/p>\n Beck O\u2019Connor<\/strong> was appointed in the role last year to represent victims of crime and make recommendations to government.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, the minister for victim support, Laura Gerber<\/strong>, announced in parliament that she had resigned, effective 23 September.<\/p>\n In her time in the role, Ms O\u2019Connor has raised awareness of victims\u2019 rights and ensured victims of crime have had a priority voice at the table. The Crisafulli government is committed to putting victims of crime first.<\/p>\n The office of the victims\u2019 commissioner is critical to identifying systemic issues relating to victims and promoting and advocating for the rights of victims.<\/p>\n Acting arrangements will be in place to ensure continuity of important work from the office of the victims\u2019 commissioner until a new appointment is made.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n O\u2019Connor was CEO of helpline service DVConnect during a period when the government alleges, thousands of phone calls went unanswered.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.01 EDT<\/p>\n Send your political questions to the Back to Back Barries podcast<\/strong><\/p>\n In the wake of parliament resuming this week, do you have any burning political questions?<\/p>\n Back to Back Barries<\/a> is Guardian Australia\u2019s political analysis podcast. Each week veteran journalist Barrie Cassidy<\/strong> joins former Liberal adviser and pollster Tony Barry<\/strong> to pull apart the strategies behind the politics. <\/p>\n And they want to hear from you. Send your politics questions to backtobackbarries@theguardian.com<\/a> and they\u2019ll pick some to answer on this week\u2019s episode, out this Saturday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.49 EDT<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s attack on Gaza hospital \u2018horrific\u2019, Wong says<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s strike on a hospital overnight is \u201chorrific\u201d, says foreign affairs minister Penny Wong<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The strikes killed at least 20 Palestinians including five journalists<\/a>, according to health officials.<\/p>\n Speaking to Channel 7, Wong said the Netanyahu government must agree to a ceasefire.<\/p>\n What we\u2019ve seen overnight with the attack on a hospital is horrific, and what we would say to prime minister Netanyahu is you should heed the call of the world and agree to a ceasefire.<\/p>\n You should take the advice of your own military and agree to a ceasefire.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Cabinet minister Murray Watt<\/strong> told the ABC this morning the strikes were an \u201coutrage\u201d and a \u201cbreach of international law\u201d.<\/p>\n Mourners carry the body of one of five journalists killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during their funeral on 25 August. Photograph: AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.10 EDT<\/p>\n Greens urge Labor to come clean on fossil fuel donations<\/strong><\/p>\n The Greens want Labor to explain how much the party has banked in political donations from fossil fuel companies ahead of the government announcing Australia\u2019s 2035 emissions reduction targets, due between now and September.<\/p>\n The Greens leader, Larissa Waters<\/strong>, said in the most recent data made public, Labor had received about $800,000 from resources companies, including in cash, subscriptions and tickets to party events.<\/p>\n But donations data for the 2024\u201325 financial year, including contributions ahead of the 3 May federal election, won\u2019t be made public until next February. That is due to the reporting lag under election law in Australia.<\/p>\n Waters says we should know the total amount received before the new target is announced.<\/p>\n If Labor wants to show genuine climate leadership, it must open its books now, not bury this information until 2026, otherwise Australians will rightly question who is pulling the strings.<\/p>\n When coal and gas corporations pour big money into politics, they\u2019re effectively given a pen to write our climate and environmental laws. That\u2019s not democracy, that\u2019s capture.<\/p>\n Real climate action should be for people and [the] planet, not private profits.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Greens leader Larissa Waters: \u2018When coal and gas corporations pour big money into politics, they\u2019re effectively given a pen to write our climate and environmental laws.\u2019 Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.36 EDT<\/p>\n Business group urges Labor to commit to ambitious 75% emissions target<\/strong><\/p>\n 350 businesses are piling pressure on the government to go hard with their 2035 emissions reduction target, signing an open letter calling on Labor to commit to a 75% target.<\/p>\n The Business for 75<\/strong> group includes Fortescue, Atlassian, Canva and Ikea. Their open letter comes with new analysis from Deloitte, showing a 75% target could bring with it an increase in Australia\u2019s GDP by $370bn by 2035.<\/p>\n Labor is waiting for the Climate Change Authority to advise on a 2035 target. Last year, the CCA consulted industry and climate groups on a potential target in the range of 65 to 75% emissions reduction on 2005 levels.<\/p>\n The new Deloitte analysis says a 75% target would bring forward investment of up to an additional $20bn a year to 2035 compared to a 65% target, and would increase Australia\u2019s competitiveness overseas. Deloitte Access Economics\u2019 lead partner, Pradeep Philip, <\/strong>says:<\/p>\n Getting these foundations right with a 75% target can drive, in today\u2019s dollars, $190bn more exports by mid-century.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.17 EDT<\/p>\n Liberal senator condemns ‘unacceptable’ targeting of Indian Australians ahead of anti-immigration protest<\/p>\n A Liberal senator has spoken out against a planned anti-immigration protest this Sunday.<\/p>\n Paul Scarr<\/strong>, a Queensland senator, addressed parliament last night, condemning the March for Australia rallies that will take place across the country. There are nine planned protests.<\/p>\n The flyers accuse Labor and the Liberals of being \u201ccomplicit\u201d in mass migration, and singles out an increase in migration from India. Scarr told parliament he stands in solidarity with the Indian community in Australia:<\/p>\n I am compelled to rise in this place at the earliest opportunity to call it out and to condemn it and say that the language and references to Australians of Indian heritage is unacceptable. It is outrageous \u2026 it seeks to divide Australians at a time when we need to unite.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.20 EDT<\/p>\n Fewer children attending childcare provider G8, but company posts $22m profit<\/strong><\/p>\n Childcare giant G8 Education has seen profits pick up despite fewer children attending its centres, which it has blamed on cost-of-living pressures rather than child safety issues across the sector.<\/p>\n Fewer families took up childcare spots across the company\u2019s 399 centres in the first half of 2025 than the same period in 2024, the centre said. Children also attended slightly less frequently, which combined saw revenue slip to $465.4m but also brought down costs, meaning profits soared to $22.5m.<\/p>\n But customer satisfaction was the more important measure, if the comments from G8\u2019s chief executive, Pejman Okhovat<\/strong>, were anything to go by. He started his remarks addressing the sector\u2019s child abuse crisis<\/a> that has seen governments rush to tighten regulation, saying in a statement:<\/p>\n We recognise that safeguarding children is not just a regulatory obligation, it is an ethical and social licence imperative.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Okhovat said satisfaction and employee retention were on the rise while family inquiries for places had remained stable compared to 2024. He told investors some families were delaying starting their children at a centre early in the year.<\/p>\n Childcare giant G8 Education has seen profits pick up despite fewer children attending its centres. Photograph: Carly Earl\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Family satisfaction slipped slightly in April but rose again by May. G8\u2019s annual report, released this morning, read:<\/p>\n [The] impact of [the] Victorian incident on occupancy is localised to the impacted centres thus far, and we are not seeing wider trends across the state or the network.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The chief executive also highlighted that 93.7% of G8\u2019s centres had been rated as \u201cexceeding\u201d or \u201cmeeting\u201d the national quality standard, which is above average. But that implies 25 centres have not achieved either rating, with a further two yet to be rated.<\/p>\n\n
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Patrick Commins<\/p>\n\n
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Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756175715_510_Caitlin_Cassidy,_L.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n\n
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Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Josh_Butler.png\")
Josh Butler<\/p>\nTom McIlroy<\/p>\n\n
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Ben Doherty<\/p>\n\n
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Ben Doherty<\/p>\nTom McIlroy<\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756175717_756_Andrew_Messenger.png\")
Andrew Messenger<\/p>\n\n
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Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n\n
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![\"Luca](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756175717_583_Luca_Ittimani.png\")
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n\n
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