Australia ‘calling for de-escalation’ between Israel and Iran, Marles says
Richard Marleswould not be drawn on the Trump administration’s policy on the conflict between Israel and Iran and any potential support Australia may lend to its ally.Speaking with the ABC’s 7.30on Tuesday, the acting prime minister said Australia was “deeply concerned” about the conflict broadening and was “very much calling for de-escalation”.He said the government wanted “to see a move towards diplomacy and dialogue … implied in that, obviously, is a very clear concern that we have about the opposite – about this escalating into some broader conflict”.
When asked whether Australia would support US involvement in the conflict militarily, Marles said:
I’m not going to go down the path of speculating but we’re not a part of this conflict.
In light ofDonald Trump’s early departure from theG7meeting in Canada, Marles said he did not know whether the prime minister had been notified that the president was cancelling Wednesday’s meeting with Albanese before it became public knowledge.In the meantime, he advised Australians to shelter in place in Tehran.He said 650 Australians in Iran and 600 in Israel had sought an assisted departure and that preparations were being made to start departures when airspace opened “in any form”.
For more on this readJordyn Beazley’s interviews with Australian stuck in Iran:
Australians are becoming more comfortable identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, with experts likening it to the sexual revolution of previous decades, Australian Associated Press reports.
Researchers at Charles Darwin University estimated Australia’s LGBTQI population doubled between 2012 and 2020, increasing from 3.3% to 5.8% of adults over 15.
The data came from the Hilda longitudinal survey of 17,000 Australians with responses from participants who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or another sexual identity.
The data was collected in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
During this time period there was a “burst of acceptance” of sexual minorities in Australia, particularly after the 2017 same-sex marriage vote, lead researcherFiona Shalleytold AAP.
If the young adults who participated in the study maintained their sexual minority identities throughout their life, Australia’s LGBTQI population could grow by about 3% each year.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2024 estimated 4.5% – or about one in 20 – Australians aged 16 and over were LGBTI+, based on combined data from multiple household surveys.
German chancellor asks Albanese to wrap up negotiations over EU free trade deal with Australia
The German chancellor,Friedrich Merz,has askedAnthony Albaneseif he can help secure a speedy end to negotiations over a European Union free trade agreement with Australia.
The pair have met on the sidelines of theG7summit in Kananaskis and agreed to do everything they can to finalise long-running negotiations. Progress on a deal stalled in 2023 but have gained new momentum sinceDonald Trumplaunched his tariff war.
Australia has previously offered a possible removal of the luxury car tax, but wants greater access to European markets for lamb and beef exports. Geographic indicators on products such as prosecco and feta cheese also remain a point of conflict from the European side.
“Is there anything that we can do, that I can do to speed it up a little bit?” Merz asked Albanese in their meeting.
Albanese said Australia was “very keen on getting it done quickly”.
He will meet European Commission presidentUrsula von der Leyenlater today, along with European Council bossAntónio Costa.
The two sides are also considering a new defence and security pact which could involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest including foreign interference, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, defence industries and critical technologies.
Anthony Albaneseis at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, meeting with world leaders and talking about renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
The prime minister has joined the traditional leaders family photo and held bilateral meetings with German chancellorFriedrich Merzand Japan’s prime ministerShigeru Ishiba.
He is expected to meet the British prime minister, SirKeir Starmer,later in the afternoon, local time, and has shared a hug with Ukraine’sVolodymyr Zelenskyy.
In one of the main summit sessions, Albanese made an intervention on critical minerals, telling the summit single countries should not be allowed to control supply.
“Critical minerals are the new drivers of energy security,” Albanese said.
“Australia is blessed to have some of the largest critical minerals deposits on Earth.
“But we are increasingly finding that critical minerals markets are concentrated and vulnerable to manipulation. Producers struggle to remain competitive, and supply chains are affected by export bans and controls.”
Albanese told the leaders that Australia remains committed to working with international partners to build new energy industries, ensure regional energy security and advance the energy transition.
He said he was pleased that Australia had signed on to the G7’s critical minerals action plan, “which will support secure, diversified critical minerals supply chains”.
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’mMartin Farrerwith the best of the overnight stories, and then my colleagueNick Visserwill pick up the slack.
Anthony Albanesehas been busy while most of us slept, with bilateral meetings (including a hug with Zelenskyy) and an intervention in a session on critical minerals. All eyes this morning will be on his upcoming chat withKeir Starmer.
Back home,Richard Marlesrefused to be drawn on the Trump administration’s policy on the conflict between Israel and Iran or whether Australia would weigh in on behalf of its ally. He told ABC’s 7.30 last night that Australia was “deeply concerned” about the conflict broadening and was “very much calling for de-escalation”.
Jim Chalmerswill lay out his key priorities for reforming the economy when he speaks at the National Press Club at lunchtime, as he confronts “intensifying pressures” on the economy. He will say his three priorities are boosting productivity, fixing the budget and making Australia more resilient.
More Australians are identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, with experts likening it to the sexual revolution of previous decades. A new study claims the LGBTQI population doubled between 2012 and 2020, increasing from 3.3% to 5.8% of adults over 15.