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.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time bein...
Kazakhstan is considering the Baku-Supsa pipeline as an alternative oil export route after Caspian Pipeline Consortium disruptions cost the country...
Kuwait’s Al-Sayer Group plans to export fresh and dried Afghan fruit to Kuwait and other markets while exploring broader trade and investment...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time being”, Axios reports. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have resumed talks on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 10 prisoners of war each in Belarus, Moscow's Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantratova, has said.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 10 prisoners of war each in Belarus, Moscow's Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantratova, has said.
Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion and make sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram to settle claims that its platforms put children and teenagers at risk.
At least nine people have been killed and hundreds of tourists are missing after a massive landslide triggered catastrophic flooding near Nepal’s Himalayan border with China’s Tibet region.
Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri has acknowledged that few teenagers used Instagram’s “Take a Break” feature before it became a default setting, as Meta faces a major U.S. trial over child safety.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 26th of August, covering the latest developments.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment