Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to counter the "damaging" notion that democratic systems are failing, especially during a time of widespread global instability.
In his first major address since the centre-left Labor Party's re-election in May, Albanese emphasized Australia's role in promoting regional stability.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, he pointed to the global rise of far-right and far-left populist movements, attributing them to growing public disillusionment, a feeling that economic systems and democratic institutions no longer serve ordinary citizens.
"We are facing a period of major global uncertainty, not only in terms of economic turmoil, but more critically, due to the dangerous belief that governments, politics, and democratic frameworks, including a free press, are no longer capable of rising to today's challenges", Albanese said.
While acknowledging that some actors exploit this distrust for personal gain, he asserted that his government was committed to proving these views wrong.
Albanese also condemned the recent shooting of an Australian journalist with a rubber bullet during protests in Los Angeles, calling it "horrific". He confirmed that the Australian government had formally raised concerns with U.S. authorities, stating the incident was unacceptable.
The prime minister is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time next week at the G7 summit in Canada. Key topics are expected to include trade tariffs and Washington's push for Australia to increase its defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP.
Albanese, however, has refrained from endorsing a specific defence spending figure, emphasizing instead the importance of addressing Australia's specific defence needs, such as boosting local missile production.
"Australia should determine its own defence investments", he stated, highlighting that the country's regional ties, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, are also essential for national security.
He reaffirmed that Australia remains committed to deepening its relationships across Asia amid rising strategic tensions in the region.
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Russia and Ukraine have begun a regional ceasefire to allow the start of a humanitarian effort in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, both sides said on Tuesday, but they continue strikes elsewhere, including the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. warnings about imminent Russian ballistic missile attacks had resumed.
The Pentagon is prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, with sufficient forces already deployed in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.
Jordan said its air force killed more than 20 Islamic State militants in strikes on southern Syria on Monday night.
At least 68 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, in the second deadly rail disaster in less than a year on a major route linking Madrid with the southern Andalusia region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early Wednesday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be arranged soon, while leaving the door open to further U.S. strikes on Iran following next week's midterm elections.
Azerbaijan has called for stronger international cooperation against corruption and cross-border financial crime as senior officials from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Baku on Wednesday, 28 October.
Qatari mediators have presented Iran with a new proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel, with Tehran expected to respond by the end of the week, according to an official briefed on the negotiations.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
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