Lowy Institute poll: Australians' trust in US hits record low, China trust rises

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Lowy Institute poll shows Australians have record-low trust in the United States

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By Stephen Dziedzic

Australia's trust in the United States has plunged to a record low under the Trump administration, the latest Lowy Institute poll shows, with only 31 per cent of Australians expressing faith that the US would "act responsibly in the world".

The annual poll is the nation's most high-profile snapshot of how Australians see the world, and is closely tracked by foreign diplomats in Canberra.

This year's survey shows that while Australians remain more suspicious of China than of the United States, the gap between the two great powers has almost entirely vanished, with trust in China rising eight points to 28 per cent.

That narrows the gap with the US to just three points, a vastly different picture from 2022, when 65 per cent of Australians said they trusted the US to act responsibly, and only 12 per cent said they trusted China.

Read more at the link below.

Best way to combat AI cyber threats is with AI, Five Eyes security agencies say

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By Tom Lowrey

Cybersecurity agencies have sounded a warning to government and corporate leaders that the cyber risk posed by artificial intelligence (AI) demands urgent action.

And the Five Eyes agencies, from Australia, the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand, point to AI as also providing the solution, arguing AI tools offer the most effective cyber defence.

In a rare joint statement, the Five Eyes agencies warned leaders must "act swiftly" to address the imminent threat as AI increases the "speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats".

"AI is not a future consideration — it is already here,"

"It lowers barriers for malicious actors and increases the speed and complexity of attacks, shrinking the window between vulnerability discovery and exploitation ever more quickly.

"At the same time, AI offers powerful tools to strengthen defence."

'Out of context': Hanson clarifies stance on paid parental leave

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By Courtney Gould

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has tried to clean up remarks she made about parental leave last week.

Hanson seemed to suggest that woman should not be paid by employers while on parental leave during her appearance at the National Press Club.

Speaking to Seven this morning she said she was "taken completely out of context".

"It's up to companies if they want to to have it in their policy to give it to their workers,"

"So there's no way, shape or form that I am actually saying to get rid of it. I think it's been very beneficial to women to get back into the workforce. So that was totally taken completely out of context.

"There are businesses that cannot afford it. It's okay for government, taxpayers [to] pay for it. You put another pressure on the small businesses, pay for maternity leave, they'll actually fold."

It's not compulsory for businesses to offer paid parental leave but many do as an incentive to attract workers. However, businesses are required to offer 12 months of unpaid leave.

Hanson has no problems with Roberts-Smith's attendance at AWM event

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By Courtney Gould

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also weighed in on Ben Roberts-Smith's invitation to an Australian War Memorial event.

Roberts-Smith is invited to the opening of the $550 million extension to the AWM, as were the other recipients of the Victoria Cross.

The former Special Air Service Regiment soldier faces five counts of war crime murder relating to his deployments in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012 and involving what investigators allege were unarmed Afghan nationals.

He has categorically rejected the allegations and said he plans to fight to clear his name in court.

Hanson told reporters she has no problem with Roberts-Smith attending.

"Why shouldn't he [be there]? He hasn't been convicted. He may have been charged. He's still innocent until he's been proven guilty,"

"I'm hoping to actually catch up with him and say hello to him, to give him my support."

Why would I knock Trump? Hanson asks

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By Courtney Gould

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was stopped by reporters in the halls of Parliament House this morning.

She was asked about a recent survey that suggested Australians' trust in China has grown, while belief in the United States hits a record low, and how she'd deal with the two relationships.

"We do have a working relationship [with China] but we also have an ally in the United States. I'm sure if any problems around the world happen we'd be relying on America to come to our aid,"

On if she trusts Donald Trump, she says that's not up to her but the American people.

But Hanson adds that she is "all for" a number of his policies, including his stance on immigration and restricting transgender rights.

"That's my policies. Why would I knock someone on the same page as me?"

'Not for me': Pocock not joining teal party

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By Courtney Gould

Independent senator David Pocock has ruled himself out of joining a teal-led party.

Pocock set the cat amongst the pigeons last month when he confirmed there were conversations underway to formalise an alliance of the so-called teals. Reports in the Australian Financial Review this week suggest the party could be announced within weeks.

But the independent senator told ABC Radio National Breakfast he wouldn't be joining.

"At this stage, I just don't think it's for me. I'm an independent senator for the ACT, and anything I do would comes from the community here,"

"There are plenty of people who've asked me to do something bigger, but at this stage, I just don't think it's for me. [But] I'm really interested to see how it goes for the independents that are working on that."

Marles 'comfortable' with Ben Roberts-Smith invitation to AWM event

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By Courtney Gould

Ben Roberts-Smith is invited to the opening of a $550 million expansion to the Australian War Memorial later today.

The former Special Air Service Regiment soldier faces five counts of war crime murder relating to his deployments in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012 and involving what investigators allege were unarmed Afghan nationals.

He has categorically rejected the allegations and said he plans to fight to clear his name in court.

Richard Marles says it's appropriate Roberts-Smith, as a Victoria Cross recipient, was invited.

"The Victoria Cross recipients have been invited to this, which is appropriate, I'm comfortable about that,"

"What will be opened, the Australian War Memorial, it's an utterly fantastic extension to what is, I think, the most sacred building in our country.

"We are very much looking forward to that. The prime minister will be there. It's a very significant moment for the nation."

Marles won't say if government considering Greens' push on self-managed super

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By Courtney Gould

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles won't say if we should expect any further changes to the government's plans to wind back the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing.

The government is negotiating with the Greens as it seeks support for the bill in the upper house. Last week, Labor confirmed carve-outs for small business and start-ups.

The Greens want the government to remove the ability to buy investment properties through self-managed superannuation funds to avoid the CGT changes.

Marles tells ABC News Breakfast he's confident the government will "find a pathway" to pass the legislation.

"I don't want to predict the workings of the Senate, we will continue to work with senators and talk about how important it is to pass this budget. And we do this with a sense of confidence and optimism,"

So, does that include conceding a delay in passing an overhaul to the National Disability Insurance Scheme to get the Greens on board?

"I won't speculate on that,"

'Different circumstances': Marles shrugs off comparisons of UK and Australia

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By Courtney Gould

Richard Marles has shrugged off comparisons between Australia and the UK amid a rise of right-wing populist parties Reform and One Nation, rejecting events overnight as an omen for Anthony Albanese.

Keir Starmer was elected as prime minister in a landslide election win in 2024. But after struggling in the polls he confirmed he'd be stepping aside as PM.

Marles is asked by Nine if it all feels a little close to home.

"I think there are different circumstances here,"

"Having lived through this in the earlier part of my career, the way politics plays out is very specific to particular parts of the world. And what we’re seeing happen with what’s playing out in Britain is obviously a matter for them."

Marles says the focus for the government needs to be tackling cost-of-living pressures.

Arrival of H5 bird flu 'not unexpected'

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By Courtney Gould

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has also been out and about this morning, following confirmation a second bird has tested positive to the H5 bird flu.

Speaking with ABC's News Breakfast, she assures Australia is "well prepared" to tackle the arrival of the virus.

"This is obviously concerning but not unexpected,"

"We're still determining whether or not this is widespread in Australian wildlife or whether it is just a few isolated cases at this point in time for migratory birds."

Collins reiterates there is no evidence the H5 strain has made its way into poultry farms after Inghams put their West Australian operations into lockdown yesterday.

"Industry has been developing plans, as have farmers right across the country, in terms of biosecurity and what they would need to do should it become established in Australia,"

"But I would reiterate that at this stage there is no evidence [of the virus] in our poultry or our agricultural systems."

People are looking for 'easy' answers: Rae on rise of right-wing populist parties

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By Courtney Gould

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae has weighed in on Keir Starmer's resignation overnight, calling him a "great friend of Australia".

"The relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom is obviously critically important, has a long history to it, and its representation in the current AUKUS arrangements is critically important,"

"So he's been very important in all of that."

The Labor frontbencher was also asked if what's going on in the UK, with the rise of the Reform Party, mirrors what we're seeing in Australia with One Nation.

Rae says there are similarities but he's focused on delivering "not about driving division".

"We've seen inflation pressures across communities all around the world and [when] those cost of living pressures come to bite people have been looking for easy answers,"

"We have seen a rise in support for these populist right-wing parties around the world."

An early finish for MPs today

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By Nicholas McElroy

Australia's parliament will finish early today so politicians can attend the official opening of a hall that is part of the controversial $550 million extension to the Australian War Memorial (AWM).

The official opening of Anzac Hall, led by an address by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is the latest in several staged openings as part of the extension.

The event is also expected to be attended by Ben Roberts-Smith after his bail conditions over alleged war crime charges were varied in a Sydney court last week.

Parliament's chambers typically adjourn to mark visits by high-level international visitors or to honour the deaths of distinguished figures. In most cases, adjournment must be agreed to by the chamber.

Rush to pass tax overhaul 'farcical', Pocock says

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By Pablo Viñales

An independent senator has labelled the government's rush to legislate its tax overhaul "farcical".

The government is negotiating with the Greens as it seeks support for the bill to wind back the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing.

After a snap two day inquiry into the changes last week, the prime minister announced carve-outs for small businesses and start ups.

But David Pocock, who was on the inquiry, says there are other issues in the bill that requires scrunity.

"It's farcical to think that you can look at a bill this size and actually get it right in two days,"

"The Senate is the house of review and I think we should be doing our jobs.

"We have get it right when it comes to start-ups and capital going into them, and how we actually keep start-ups here in Australia as they grow."