Anthony Albanese to raise Yang Hengjun's plight with Xi Jinping at ...

40 mins ago – 1.32PM

Julie Bishop says ‘no’ vote will threaten Australia’s reputation

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has warned that Australia’s international reputation will be damaged if the country votes “no” in the looming Voice referendum.

Bishop joined current Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in Perth on Monday for a street walk through the CBD in a bid to spur the Yes campaign in WA.

The former senior Liberal minister said Australia risked sending a negative message about the country’s “openness and empathy” if it voted down an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

“I know that Australia’s international reputation can be affected by a ‘no’ vote, I have no doubt that it will be sending a very negative message about the openness and the empathy and the respect and responsibility that the Australian people have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders,” Bishop said.

“It’s probably more difficult for Penny to say this because she’s out there on the international stage having to promote Australia’s current position, but I would be most concerned at the message this would send the rest of the world if we can’t find it in our hearts to say yes.”

Asked whether she agreed with Bishop’s assessment, Wong said: “Julie, as always, is very eloquent and I’m going to leave it at that.”

43 mins ago – 1.29PM

Ampol reveals plans to build hydrogen service stations

Australia is expected to get more hydrogen service stations after the country’s largest petrol retailer teamed with a US firm specialising in the alternative fuel.

Ampol announced its partnership with OneH2 on Monday, revealing the companies would work together to speed up the use of hydrogen in the Australian market and help to cut emissions from heavy transport.

Ampol said the partnership was an important step in expanding greener transport options in Australia. Justin McManus

The news comes weeks after rival BP opened the first hydrogen refuelling facility at an Australian service station and after a CSIRO report warned the industry needed to ramp up hydrogen investments or risk falling behind progress overseas.

Ampol international and new business executive general manager Brent Merrick said the company’s partnership was an important step in expanding greener transport options in Australia and giving companies the confidence to invest in new vehicles.

“Hydrogen has a key role to play in reducing emissions across Australia’s transport and broader energy sector and offers a unique opportunity to decarbonise hard to abate heavy transport and heavy machinery sectors,” Merrick said.

“We expect early hydrogen adoption within heavier vehicle fleets and operations who will benefit from short refuelling times and longer range compared to current battery electric alternatives.”

OneH2 chief executive Paul Dawson said the company, which has been developing hydrogen transport and on-site generation solutions since 2015, would increase distribution of the new fuel in Australia.

“Hydrogen as a transport fuel is not easy,” he said.

“Our experience in designing, manufacturing and deploying hydrogen equipment across the US over the last eight years will allow us to accelerate its adoption in the Australian market.”

53 mins ago – 1.19PM

Albanese to raise Yang Hengjun’s plight with Xi Jinping at G20

Anthony Albanese says the treatment of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun will be up for discussion when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in New Delhi next month.

“We always raise issues of Australian citizens when either myself or my ministers meet with our international counterparts, including China,” Albanese said.

Hengjun, who has been detained in China since January 2019, fears that he will die in prison after a 10cm cyst was found his kidney.

1 hr ago – 1.10PM

PM says premiers back the Voice

Anthony Albanese says he’s pleased that Liberal NT Premier Jeremy Rockliff and NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman support the Yes case for the Voice to parliament.

“Every state premier and chief minister supports a ‘yes’ vote across the political spectrum,” Albanese said.

“When Dominic Perrottet was a premier of New South Wales, he was a strong supporter as well of a ‘yes’ vote.”

1 hr ago – 1.07PM

PM asked about his relationship with Alan Joyce

The prime minister has been asked how he would characterise his relationship with Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

“He is a retiring CEO of Qantas,” said Anthony Albanese.

“He will go on to another career. I wish the incoming CEO all the best. It is an important Australian company.”

1 hr ago – 1.00PM

Voice campaign will be positive: Albanese

Anthony Albanese says the campaign for an Indigenous Voice to parliament will be a positive one that will encourage Australians to recognise First Nations people in the Constitution.

“This is a positive campaign. This is about recognising First Nations people in our founding document, our Constitution, and it’s about listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so as to get better results.

“That is all this is about.”

1 hr ago – 12.56PM

Fee-free TAFE program exceeds targets: PM

Anthony Albanese says the federal government’s fee-free TAFE initiative has been popular among students around the country, after 214,300 students enrolled in a free course in the first six months of the program.

“It’s been great to be able to talk to the students who are making sure that they will have fulfilling careers and indeed, a very positive life going forward,” Albanese said.

He said the government had aimed to fill 180,000 TAFE places in the program’s first six months.

“Well, I can report today that has been more than fulfilled 214,300 enrolments this year so far, meaning that in Western Australia where the target was some 19,000, there has in fact been 34,500 enrolments.”

1 hr ago – 12.49PM

PM acknowledges three US marines who died

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has begun his press conference in Western Australia by thanking the staff at the Royal Darwin Hospital for treating the American marines who were injured in an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands.

“This is difficult time for the families and friends and indeed all of the US Defence personnel, particularly those who are present in the Northern Territory and around Australia,” Albanese said.

“We have no closer allies than the United States and this incident is indeed tragic, but once again, Australian emergency personnel as well as our defence forces, as well as those people in the medical sector at the Royal Darwin Hospital have shown the best of the Australian character in looking after our American friends.”

1 hr ago – 12.42PM

Still time for Wallabies to find World Cup form: Jones

Eddie Jones insists the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup campaign remains on track despite a fifth straight loss in what was Australia’s worst defeat against France in more than 10 years.

Jones remained upbeat after the 41-17 pummelling in the warm-up Test at Stade de France, where his side will tackle Georgia in their opening pool game on Sunday, September 10 (AEST).

His gamble to rely on Carter Gordon for goal-kicking, when the rookie playmaker isn’t first choice for his Super side, proved costly, as he landed one of five shots.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. David Rogers

He missed adding eight easy points in the first half for the Australians to trail 16-5 at the break.

Penalty goals have always been crucial during the quadrennial tournament, evidenced by referee Luke Pearce blowing 26 penalties – with 14 against Australia.

Jones said 22-year-old Gordon would continue to improve – as would the other youngsters in the side with 12 of the match-day 23 having fewer than 10 Tests to their name.

“All we can do is work with the young kid,” Jones said. “We’ve got young kids in this team. We’re backing them and he’ll get better.”

“Obviously, we’d like to have a better win-loss record, but we’ve destabilised the team, we’ve taken away all the leadership that was there previously, we’ve got a new leadership team in place.”

1 hr ago – 12.20PM

Recovery mission launched after three US marines die in aircraft crash

The Northern Territory Police have launched a recovery mission for the bodies of the three US marines who died in a miliary aircraft accident on the Tiwi Islands near Darwin on Sunday.

NT Police commissioner Michael Murphy offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the United States Marine Corps on behalf of the NT Police, fire and emergency services, following confirmation that three passengers had died and others had been rushed to hospital for treatment.

Three people died and five others were transported to Royal Darwin Hospital after a US military plane crashed off Tiwi Island. Nine

“The mission has now changed from rescue to recovery. The Emergency Operations Centre will now focus on the recovery of the three deceased Marines with dignity,” Murphy said.

He said additional resources, including police and fire crew had now been deployed to the crash site to examine it safely before collecting the “evidentiary material” with Defence’s assistance.