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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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United Nations (UN) added Israel and Russia to a blacklist of parties suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence on Friday (29 May). The move prompted Israel to announce it would sever ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
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A Canadian man accused of selling sodium nitrite and suicide-related items online to people in multiple countries pleaded guilty on 29 May to aiding the suicides of 14 people in Ontario, after prosecutors said recent legal rulings made murder charges impossible to pursue.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
France will become the first country in the European Union to reimburse anti-obesity drugs through its public healthcare system, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced on Thursday (28 May).
The trial of a 21-year-old accused of planning an Islamist attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna entered its final day on Thursday (28 May), with a verdict expected later in the evening.
Three Latvian climbers have died after falling on Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, authorities and a Latvian climbing organisation have said
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Voting has begun in Malta’s parliamentary election, with opinion polls suggesting the ruling Labour Party is on course to win a fourth consecutive term.
The United Nations (UN) added Israel and Russia to a blacklist of parties suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence on Friday (29 May). The move prompted Israel to announce it would sever ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
A Canadian man accused of selling sodium nitrite and suicide-related items online to people in multiple countries pleaded guilty on 29 May to aiding the suicides of 14 people in Ontario, after prosecutors said recent legal rulings made murder charges impossible to pursue.
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