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Albanese hails ‘inclusive trade and investment’ at Apec forum in Peru
Natasha May
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has hailed “inclusive trade and investment” at the Apec forum in Peru where leaders are attempting to push against the protectionist policies favoured by US president-elect Donald Trump.
We’ll hear from the PM on ABC Insiders shortly.
When speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit, which assembles 21 of the world’s largest economies, Albanese said Apec leaders consistently “spoke about the importance of free and fair trade between our economies to lift up the living standards of people throughout this region”.
Albanese also said he had a “friendly” private discussion with the US president, Joe Biden, at the meeting who he said was “in good form”, while Albanese confirmed he did not speak to China’s president, Xi Jinping.
Asked about work to lift trade tariffs with China, Albanese said:
I’m not a commentator … but what I’ve done with China is work in the way that we said we would before the election.
“Whether it’s coal, barley, wine, other products, including seafood and others, people are in employment in Australia today because of our trade.
Key events
Anthony Albanese has renewed election-timing speculation with an off-the-cuff remark declaring it would take place in May next year.
In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Albanese was asked about media reports that he had spoken to the West Australian premier, Roger Cook, about shifting WA’s election date, currently fixed for 8 March.
Describing it as “a completely nothing story”, Albanese initially gave an unclear response, saying the government would “go to an election sometime between May”. He then became definitive:
We have a budget scheduled for March and the election will be in May.
Pressed to confirm the May date, he returned to more generic language.
Well, that’s when it’s due. Or it could be beforehand.
Albanese hails ‘inclusive trade and investment’ at Apec forum in Peru
Natasha May
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has hailed “inclusive trade and investment” at the Apec forum in Peru where leaders are attempting to push against the protectionist policies favoured by US president-elect Donald Trump.
We’ll hear from the PM on ABC Insiders shortly.
When speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit, which assembles 21 of the world’s largest economies, Albanese said Apec leaders consistently “spoke about the importance of free and fair trade between our economies to lift up the living standards of people throughout this region”.
Albanese also said he had a “friendly” private discussion with the US president, Joe Biden, at the meeting who he said was “in good form”, while Albanese confirmed he did not speak to China’s president, Xi Jinping.
Asked about work to lift trade tariffs with China, Albanese said:
I’m not a commentator … but what I’ve done with China is work in the way that we said we would before the election.
“Whether it’s coal, barley, wine, other products, including seafood and others, people are in employment in Australia today because of our trade.
Emergency fire warnings for Victoria’s western district
There are a number of emergency fire warnings in Victoria’s western district this morning after soaring temperatures in the mid-30s on Saturday.
A “watch and act” alert has been issued for those living in Chapple Vale, Crowes, Gellibrand Lower, Johanna, Johanna Heights, Lavers Hill, Stalker, Wangerrip, Wattle Hill, Yuulong and Wattle Hill to the Great Ocean Walk.
Here’s the guidance issued from emergency services just after midnight:
Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
By choosing to stay, you and your family may be at risk of serious injury or death.
A watch and act message has also being issued for the towns of Chetwynd, Connewirricoo, Kadnook:
If you left Chetwynd, Connewirricoo or Kadnook it is Not Safe to Return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
Three killed after plane crashes into paddock
A pilot and two passengers have died after a light plane crashed into a paddock and caught alight, AAP reports.
Emergency services were called to the crash in Tinamba West in Victoria’s East Gippsland on Saturday afternoon.
Police were told the aircraft was circling the area before it crashed and set on fire.
The pilot and two passengers, who were the only occupants onboard and are yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash of the “amateur-built light aircraft” and is calling for witnesses or anyone with photos or video of the crash to come forward.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to another day of the Australia news live blog. Pour yourself a cup of strong coffee, let’s get into it.
A lot of the world’s attention today is in Peru, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) is hosting leaders from around the world. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is there had has been pushing back against protectionist policies. He’ll speak with ABC Insiders this morning.
We’re also keeping a close eye on active bushfire warnings across the west of Victorian, after soaring temperatures on Saturday.
And there’s another big international forum that we’re watching too: the Cop29 UN climate summit in Azerbaijan. Our environment editor, Adam Morton, is there and we will have updates from him this morning.