June 12, 2025 • 48 mins
The PM is spotted having a long lunch with Dan Andrews, and the corruption watchdog clears Brittany Higgins’ $2.4m payout. Plus, should we be worried about the Pentagon's review of the AUKUS agreement.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Peter Krendland Live on Sky News Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Well, good evening and welcome to the show. I'm James
Macpherson filling in for Peter Creedlin. Here's what's coming up
on tonight's program. Nothing to see here, or so says
the corruption watchdog when it comes to Britney Higgins two
point four million.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Dollar Commonwealth aout.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
So is this the end of it? Or will speculation linger?
Was the PM in need of some sage advice or
just a stiff drink when he sat down for a
long lunch with Dan Andrews. We know Andrews has advised
Albinezi before, so what could it be this time? Plus
Live to Los Angeles, where tensions continue to mount as
(00:43):
protests spread and other cities impose curfews.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
And are our years.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Of neglecting defense in this country catching up with us?
The US orders a review of Orcus.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
I think it's a pretty natural step for an incoming
government to take.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
To what extent was there a view triggered by Labour's
failure to fund defense in this country to the level
that the US and other partners think is appropriate.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Well, Dan Andrews can't find a golf course that wants
him as a member, but he's not completely friendless the
form of Victorian Premier. It was spotted yesterday sharing a
very long lunch with the Prime Minister.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Oh to have been a fly on that wall.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Dan Andrews famously coached Anthony Albanesi in the lead up
to the election campaign debates with Peter Dutton, so it
wouldn't surprise if Dan Andrews was now coaching the PM
over an expensive glass of wine, naturally in preparation for
his meeting with Donald Trump next week.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Now, just to be clear.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
When I say Anthony Albaneze has a meeting with the
US President next week, that's purely speculation on my part.
According to reports, nothing is actually locked in at this point.
In fact, there's probably more chance of Elon Musk getting
an audience with Trump right now, which when you think
about it, is pretty astonishing. The ABC reported just last
month that our PM has agreed to meet with Jijiping
(02:04):
in China later this year, and yet we can't say
for sure whether our PM will personally catch up with
the leader of the Free world when they're in the
same location next week. And that should tell you everything
you need to know about where the relationship with our
closest ally is at right now. But one thing is certain,
our Prime minister would want some coaching in the event
(02:25):
that he gets an audience with Donald Trump, because Donald
Trump is not known for suffering fools, and on that score,
Elbaneze has reason to feel. Well, Oh, let Albaneze explain
in his own words.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
We're going to deal with him.
Speaker 6 (02:40):
But that doesn't mean that you're uncritical about it.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
He scares out of me, and Elbow should be scared.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
The US today confirmed a review of the Orchestra Security Pact,
signed by Scott Morrison and trumpeted by the Albanze government
as the guarantee of our national defense, provided of course,
at the Chinese wait a decade or more for our
nuclear subs to be ready before they start doing communesty things.
It's less a case of ready aim fire and more
a case of the Chinese aim and then the Chinese fire,
(03:11):
and then maybe we'll be ready. Still, it's a plan,
which is more than you can say for the government's
housing policy. But now it seems that ORCUS is about
as certain as an Albaneze promise on electricity prices. The
Pentagon says the review of our orcus Pact is to
ensure it's in line with Trump's America First agenda. Specifically,
(03:31):
the Trump administration says it's trying to work out whether
the US has the capacity to build the boats it
needs while still fulfilling an order for an ally that
won't even help itself. Anthony Albenese's stubborn refusal to lift
Australia's defense spending from a measly two percent of GDP
hasn't exactly signaled that we're serious.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
About our own defense.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
And if we don't care about our own defense, well
why should the Americans?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
But what is it?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
The Bible says? Trump helps those who help them sell
something like that. Remember then, that we'd rather spend serious money,
or rather than spend serious money on defense. Our government's
attitude seems to be to hope that Jijingping doesn't cut
the NDIS when he takes over the running of the country.
Cuddle therapy will be in high demand when the CCP
(04:17):
take over this. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore
last month that Australia should be spending three point five
percent of GDP on defense, but Elbanezi who's not afraid
the count out to China would rather leave Australia defenseless
than be.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Seen to Kautao.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
To the Trump administration, well, I think that Australia should
decide what we spend on Australia's defense, simple as that.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
That's my view.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
Now, if others think that that's not the case, then
it's up to them to make that case. Arbitrary figures,
you know, lead to a cul de sac, and we
want to make sure as well, single dollar that if
ED spends, results in actual assets.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
When Chinese warships conducting live fire exercises off the coast
of Sydney are spotted by commercial airline pilots before our
own defense forces, I'd say you're already well and truly
in a cul de sac.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
PM.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Former Ambassador to Washington Joe Hockey went on ABC Radio
today accusing the government of coasting on national defense.
Speaker 7 (05:26):
If we do not care the Virginia Class submarines in
twenty thirty two, we have no options left. We have
no submarines. So this is all or nothing for Australia,
and for the sake of our national security, we need
to make sure that we can at least provide some
deterrent for potential hostile threats to our nation, and the
(05:50):
best way to do that is to partner with the
United States. I don't know when people say, oh, well,
we should be skeptical about joining with the United States.
The US spends more on defense than the next ten
countries combined. So if you're not going to partner with
the United States, who do you partner with? Who do
you think is going to actually be there when we
(06:11):
really need them, and who has the capacity to help
us to defend Australians and Australia.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Well, the Chinese would help us with defense, wouldn't they.
Oh wait a second.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Not only has the Albanezi government shown itself to be
an unreliable partner in defense when it comes to spending,
but its decision to slap sanctions onto Israeli cabinet ministers
won't help the relations with the Trump administration either. For
a government that continually boasts about how methodical and professional
it is when it comes to international diplomacy, this was
(06:42):
amateur hour. A week before Albanesi hopes to secure a
meeting with the US President, Penny Wong goes and jumps
all over a couple of Israeli MPs, as well as
announcing Australia's preference for a two state solution not when
there's peace, but as a way of negotiating peace. Tell
me again, and is the Aubeneze government trying to score
a fireside chat with our American ally or with Hamas,
(07:05):
Because it's honestly hard to tell at this point. Yesterday,
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Australian government's
actions on Israel as counterproductive to peace in the Middle East. Well, indeed,
but they are also counterproductive to convincing the Americans we
should be trusted with their nuclear secrets. Today the Orchis
(07:26):
Pact is being reconsidered coincidence, probably, but still when the
Albenese government is seen to be more passionate about stopping
the retoric of to Israeli MPs than about freeing the
fifty five Israeli hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza,
would you blame the US for asking why are we
providing this mob with nuclear submarines. Defense Minister Richard Marles
(07:50):
said today he was unconcerned by the Pentagon taking a
second look at the Orchist Pact. Males must be the
coolest cucumber in the country. Honestly, does anything concern him?
He was unconcerned when the CCP had fired shots off
the East coast. He was unconcerned when the CCP sent
a surveillance vessel along the South Australian coast, and he
(08:10):
wasn't too concerned when the Russians touted the possibility of
establishing an air force base off the North coast. If
anything concerns the Deputy Prime Minister, I'm yet to find it.
And now he's extremely unconcerned that the Americans are reconsidering Aucust,
despite the fact that if August falls over, Plan B
would seem at this point to be using two percent
(08:32):
of GDP to fund Mandarin lessons. I'm joking, of course,
but seriously, what's Plan B.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
It's a very natural step for the incoming administration to
take in many ways. We did the same thing when
we initiated the Defense Strategic Review, which did look at
our entire defense posture, but UCUS was a fundamentally important
component of that. So I think an incoming government having
a look at this is something that they have a
(09:01):
perfect right to do, and we welcome it and we'll
work with it.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I'm sorry, but the plan seems to be to do
everything we can to upset the Trump administration while expecting
them to do everything they can to take care of us.
At this rate, Australia is going to be about as
friendless as Dan Andrews. Good thing then that, like Dan Andrews,
we've still got Anthony Albanezi. Well, let's head to camber
(09:29):
No now for tonight's political headlines with Sky News political
reporter cam Redden Good Evening.
Speaker 8 (09:35):
The Pentagon is launching a review of Orcis, but the
Albanzi government does not believe it's a cause for concern.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
We've known about the review for some time. It's a
very natural step for the incoming administration.
Speaker 8 (09:49):
Orcas architect Scott Morrison calling for calm.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Incoming governments do reviews.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
Kiss Darma so Kis Starmer did a review and that
resulted in the UK government being even committed to Walcas.
Speaker 8 (10:01):
Ahead of a potential meeting between Anthony Albanezi and Donald
Trump at the G seven, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseeth
sends a message it's only fair.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
That our allies and partners do their part.
Speaker 10 (10:13):
We can't want their security more than they do.
Speaker 11 (10:16):
This is a Team Australia moment and I've always said
will support the government on Team Australia moments.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
For the fourth time in seven years, Tasmanians will head
to the polls in hopes a state election will resolve
its political crisis.
Speaker 12 (10:30):
It has been eleven years of liberals. They've taken Tasmania
from having no net debt to eleven billion dollars worth
of net debt.
Speaker 13 (10:37):
That is all.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
They have a scare campaign.
Speaker 8 (10:40):
What Tasmanians want is a government that is focused on them.
The state election has been set for July nineteen Cameron
Reddin's Sky News Canberra.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
All right, plenty to get across.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So joining me now is media commentator Caroly Katsumbanas and
chief economist and senior Fellow at the Institute of Public
Affairs Adam Crichton.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Welcome to you both.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Adam, I want to start with you and I'm going
to speak with a defense expert shortly about UCUST. But
you've just recently come back from years of reporting in
the United States.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
What do you make of this review?
Speaker 12 (11:20):
Well, actually, I think I was the first Australian journalist
to break the fact that the Elbridge Colby, who's going
to be leading the review in the US. I mean,
he's now a senior Pentagon official, but he told me
back in late twenty twenty two that he was very
skeptical of the benefits of the deal. So his skepticism
has been around for some time. So if I were
the government, I would be somewhat concerned. I think that
(11:41):
there's roughly fifty to fifty chance that the Orcust deal
will be scaled back, which of course will be extremely.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Embarrassing for the Australian government.
Speaker 12 (11:49):
Not just embarrassing, but it basically means that we'll not
really have much of a defense force in a few years.
I think, you know, the problem is we've put all
of our defense eggs in this Aucust basket, and I
think that's been a huge mistake.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Just before we move on, the other question I wanted
to ask you was how much of this reconsideration is
purely to do with America considering their own interests versus
annoyance with the Albanesi government and some of its policy settings.
Speaker 12 (12:19):
Well, probably some of it is some annoyance with the
alban Ezy government. I think culturally they're very different governments.
I think to say the least. I mean ones on
the right, ones on the left. But I think just
apart from that, the US submarine submarine production rate is
just way too low and the world is getting scarier
and scary all the time, whether it's in the Middle.
Speaker 14 (12:37):
East or the situation with Russia.
Speaker 12 (12:39):
You know, you'd think that the you know, the hardheads
at the Pentagon in DC would be you know, wanting
to keep more of their submarines and not to sell
them in the future.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Yeah, fair enough, Keroly.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
I want to move on to the National Anti Corruption
Commission that's found there was no corruption in Britney Higgins
two point four million dollar Commonwealth payout. I know Linda
Reynolds quickly, who lodged the complaint. She quickly expressed what
she called her bitter disappointment with that decision, questioning how
the Commonwealth and I quote, could possibly settle unsubstantiated and
(13:13):
statute barred claims made against me alleging egregious conduct on
my part without taking a single statement from me or speaking.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
To me at all.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I think this issue is a big one for a
lot of people. Do you think this is the end
of things or do you think this is likely to
go on.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
And on.
Speaker 15 (13:33):
Good evening, James and Assa Adam. Unfortunately, I do think
that it will continue on. I think it's important to
realize that while the payment has been found to be
appropriate and correct, Labor did use it for a lot
of political mileage in twenty twenty one and it was
settled pretty quickly once they came to power. At the
end of the day, it was a workplace injury workplace claim.
(13:55):
It was Camber bureaucrats lodging against the.
Speaker 14 (13:58):
Commonwealth for it.
Speaker 15 (13:59):
We know that there is a separate defamation claim before
the court. But I think that what sticks in a
lot of people's minds is the comments that Linda Reynolds
has made. Senator Linda Reynolds has made in The Australian
Today that the then Attorney General, Mister Dreyfuss said threatened
that her legal fees would not be covered even if
she turned up for one day of mediation, and that
(14:22):
no one spoke to her, no one took any statement
from her at all. But regardless of that, you asked,
do I think it will go away? What happened to
Britney Higgins was shocking. We've done this story. We know exactly.
We've followed their life. It's great that she's been able
to move on. She's married, she's lived in France, she's
become a mum, she's now, I believe, working in a
(14:44):
boutique PR.
Speaker 14 (14:45):
Firm as well.
Speaker 15 (14:46):
But I think what happens is people do forget that
Senator Linda Reynolds and the then Chief of Staff Fiona Brown,
their lives have been destroyed as well personally, professionally and politically.
Speaker 14 (15:00):
They'll never work again.
Speaker 15 (15:01):
And I think that when it will, will it.
Speaker 14 (15:05):
Be the end.
Speaker 15 (15:06):
I don't think it will be because we talk about
mental health, we talk about the treatment of women as well.
These are just two other women that are also victims
in this whole saga. And I don't think that it
will go away. But as we know, we have to
abide by what the NACC has found and it.
Speaker 14 (15:26):
Is what it is.
Speaker 15 (15:26):
But there's always going to be disappointment on both sides.
And I just hope that all the parties involved can
try and move on in the future, but also that
the Australian public doesn't forget a lot of the stuff
that went on around that time and how it was
weaponized by labor.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Yeah, the collateral damage from that whole affair is just astounding. Today,
Angus Taylor fronted cameras for the first time since losing
the leadership ballot. It was to address the Orchestra review
in his new Shadow Defense portfolio, but as you'd expect,
he did get a question about future leadership ambitions.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Have listened to what he said.
Speaker 16 (16:03):
Looks like the Liberals have lost Bradfield and a few
Senators who voted won't obviously be here.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
For the upcoming term.
Speaker 16 (16:08):
It was a very tight vote the last time around.
With these numbers changing slightly, does that make it more
tempting to potentially consider going for the leadership sometime in
this term of government.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
Look, my focus, as I said, as I'm doing this
job as defenciate.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Now. Of course, Adam.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
When the ballot was cast for Lee, who won by
four votes, three of them came from outgoing senators and
one from the member who's now lost the Bradfield contest.
So do you think Angus Taylor is biding his time?
Typically when politicians say I'm focused at the job on hand,
they're thinking about the leadership, aren't they.
Speaker 12 (16:44):
Yes, well, look he might be, but I mean I
think you know that question is going to be very
frustrating for the Liberal Party, I think for the next
couple of years, because indeed it was a very close result.
As you point out, look, it wouldn't surprise me if
he has interests in the leadership in the future. I mean,
if you go back to two thousand and I think
the Liberal Party had had three leaders I think Brenda
Nelson and Malcolm Turnbull and an Tony Abbott in quick
(17:06):
succession relatively, so you know, there may be some change,
but I think far more important than the personalities at
the top, I think is the policies and the values
of the Liberal Party. That's what they need to work
out far more urgently than who leads them. And you know,
my personal view is let's just give Susan Lee a
chance to sort that out. You know, she's launched a
few reviews. Let's you know, let's get some values on
the table.
Speaker 14 (17:26):
Well.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Speaking of the Liberal Party, it's also been reported in
the Nine Papers that they're preparing a radical investigation into
the future of the Liberal Party, going beyond the standard
practice post election review. What do you make of this, Kraally,
The Libs have already got a post election review underway.
As I said, they've announced a narrower campaign review and
(17:47):
now in all of party review. How many reviews does
the Liberal Party need.
Speaker 15 (17:54):
It's like the Days of Our Lives, the soap opera,
there's always a review going on. Look, I've got to
say to you, reviews are important, but I really think
the most important task at hand is that this new
shadow cabinet get together.
Speaker 14 (18:05):
They work on their portfolios.
Speaker 15 (18:06):
As Adams said, they work in the direction of the
Liberal Party. I note that a few names have been
thrown around appropriate people to conduct the review, Senator James
McGrath from Queensland.
Speaker 14 (18:17):
There's been Linda Reynolds, Arthurs and Adina's.
Speaker 15 (18:19):
One thing I do have to say is that I
don't think that it's appropriate for a current member of
Parliament or someone who has only been out for a
term to conduct a review. I think someone like the
Federal Executive Director, previous director, Brian Locknane. He's razor sharp
political strategist, He's got the runs on the board, he
knows exactly what is needed. He works quietly behind the
(18:42):
scenes as well. I think he would be ideal to
actually be placed to conduct this review because you need
a certain amount of objectivity. And you also need to
have the guarantee that this is not going to be
run through the nine newspapers or any newspapers, because we
all know very sadly people are well into tension. They
want to give their view as to what went wrong,
(19:02):
and it's leaked.
Speaker 14 (19:03):
It's leaked all the time. This is not serving the party.
Speaker 15 (19:06):
This is serving media interests of being able to sell
more newspapers and more shows than things. And I just
think that you know, a review, do they serve a
purpose in some way? The other one thing I just
wanted to say is that whether you're fifteen or fifty,
no one likes constructive criticism. And five weeks ago, Susan
Lee and the people that were there thought that they
were doing the right thing. Look at the destruction that's
(19:29):
actually happened. Are they able to take the constructive criticism
that needs to be leveled their way as well? I
don't know, but my money would be on Brian Locknain.
I think he is perfect to be able to do
this review.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Well, come on, Caroly.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
The breakup and makeup of the coalition was run through
the newspapers and the review will probably be done likewise,
if they're true to form, just really is Sadly, just
before we go, Adam, I want to talk to about.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
The mess that is the NDIS.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Another story today that despite the government banking on nine
ten billion dollars in NDIS savings in the March budget,
nearly nine billion dollars of that looks in serious doubt
as funding talks between the federal government and the states stagnate.
The state governments are supposed to take over the care
of children with autism, that's the fastest growing cohort on
the NDIS, but they're reluctant to do so without the
(20:19):
federal government committing billions of dollars more to hospital funding.
So it's good the federal government is at least seeing
the light or do you think they are regarding the
need to rein in the NDIS. But is it now
the states who are the obstacle.
Speaker 12 (20:36):
Well, look, I think slowly they are saying the light
because it's been an absolute policy and fiscal disaster. Really,
they're in a situation now where I think about ten
percent of young boys are actually on the NDIS. That
is just remarkable for a scheme that was started up.
I think that was meant for the severely disabled. You know,
certainly ten percent of the country is not severely disabled.
So there was a lot of rauting going on here.
I mean the anecdotes I hear personally about, you know,
(20:58):
people being being paid to play video games, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
With their friends.
Speaker 12 (21:03):
But media needs to uncover more of these stories, so,
you know, so the public opinion can turn against the program.
I think because it has the word disability in it.
You know, quite understandably, we want to know, we want
to take care of the disabled, and so there's a
perception that that's what it's doing. But it's not just
doing that. There's also huge numbers of roughts, so we
need to focus on those, and I think in a
few years, at the current rate, we'll be spending more
on that than on the defense forces, which is completely insane.
(21:26):
And if we don't get it under control, there certainly
won't be any tax reforms.
Speaker 14 (21:29):
So it really is a serious problem.
Speaker 12 (21:31):
Let's hope something happens.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Absolutely, Carole and Adam really appreciate you joining me tonight.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Well, let's go now to the ongoing chaos in Los Angeles,
which is spreading to other cities. Across the United States
joining me live from la is Forced Edition host Peter Stefanovic. Pete,
thanks for joining me. I know you've stayed up late
for this chat. It's pretty early there after midnight. I
believe in the curfew is in effect, but I just
wanted to get your perspective on how things look today.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
It was pretty frenetic for you today, I believe.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Yeah, and followed a trend, really. I mean, things start
off in low numbers when it comes to protesters, and
then they gained traction in the early afternoon once people
start clocking off from work, and then they come down
and gather in large amounts, and then things start to
kick off, particularly as you get closer to that curfew,
and today was no different. It followed that trend where
(22:27):
it started as a small protest, then there was a
march through town and it just gained and gained and gained.
As you know, again people clocked off and came on
down and it got to the point where this was
before the curfew had come into play. It was causing
all kinds of traffic issues. Traffic was backed up in
so many different directions and the LAPD clearly had had
enough of it, and they moved in, and they moved
(22:48):
in with force, and they moved in quickly. They were
on horseback, they were using the flash bombs, they were
firing off rubber bullets to disperse the crowds too, and
the multiple arrests were made. Then the curfew came into place,
and as far as we can tell, it's been in
place for about five hours now. It's after one in
the morning, and the streets here in downtown La are
(23:10):
pretty quiet. The curfew will be lifted in about four
or five hours time from now at six am local time,
and then the mayor, Karen Bass is going to make
a judgment tomorrow and whether or not that curfew will continue.
She says it is now for the foreseeable future, but
there's no closure on that, no end date on that
just yet.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Nancy Pelosi I heard her the other day talk about
it's just some people expressing their exuberance, and AOC said, no,
it's just a bunch of unruly teenagers. And an ABC
TV host said, no, it's just a group of people
having fun watching cars burn. You've seen the crowds or
protesters or rioters, how would you describe them? What sort
(23:52):
of people are causing the trouble there.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
There's a mixture. I have to say that there's people
who are legitimate protesting here and they come down and
they're waving the flags, and you know, they might be
children of migrants or what have you, and they're there legitimately,
But I definitely believe it gets hijacked. It gets hijacked
by people, particularly young kids, who want to fight. They
(24:17):
just want to go out and have a fight. You've
got other protesters who are coming through. Black Lives Matter
flags have been flown. I saw today. You've got Palestinian
flags that are coming in through. So I mean, these
various elements join this latest protest, if you like, in
Los Angeles, to make it bigger and bigger and bigger.
But you know, we're walking in that with that march
(24:39):
today and we could see hooded youths with cans of
spray painting and they were just spray painting the sides
of buildings and the sides of platforms and just there
to cause travel. And I saw it too where people
would go up to police, go up to those front
lines of police and purl all kinds of profanities in
their face. As soon as PU were about to make
(25:00):
a move, the U turn and bolt. So I think
there's an element of people just wanting to have a
lark to cause some trouble, say a few things and
then bolt, which has nothing to do with the protest
at all.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Yeah, well, Pete, thanks for updating us.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
We've seen a number of news crews get caught up
in the violence, so stay safe and again thanks for
your time tonight. Well, coming up after the break, just
how concerned should we be that the US could pull
the pin on the Orchest deal. Michael Schubridge will join me. Plus,
it's not just in LA that people are rioting. Race
riots have gotten worse in Northern Ireland overnight after an
(25:39):
alleged sexual assault by two fourteen year old boys. I'll
get the latest from Sophie Ellsworth who is in the UK.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Welcome back.
Speaker 8 (25:51):
Well.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
As I said at the top of the show, the
Pentagon has launched a review into the Orchest submarine deal
to ensure it aligns with President Trump's America First Agenda.
Defense Minister Richard Miles was asked about this earlier today,
and he says he's not worried at all.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
We've known about the review for some time. We welcome
it and we will engage with it. It's a very
natural step for the incoming administration to take. I do
have a sense of confidence about the way in which
UCAS is playing out under the Trump administration and that
we will meet the pathway that we have committed to.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Joining me now is Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Schubridge.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Michael, do you think we should be worried?
Speaker 13 (26:37):
Yes?
Speaker 10 (26:37):
I do, and I think it's disturbing to hear that
from Richard Miles. I would say the government's really got
to get its story straight on UCAS and the Trump administration.
When Richard Miles met with the Pentagon chief Pete Hesgeth
back in February and handed over a suitcase full of cash,
he came out of the meeting telling us everything was
(26:57):
on track, everything was rock solid. In fact, Donald Trump
was right behind Orcus. And now he's telling us, actually
an American review of AUCUS that says does it meet
America first goals? And are we lifting our collective security weight?
Is entirely normal and expected? You know, what's the right
(27:19):
story here? These are different things.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Yeah, I'm trying to work out whether if I'd put
a five hundred million dollar down payment on something only
for the person to review it. Whether I'd welcome the review,
as Richard Milester said, the US Under Secretary of remember, yeah,
go ahead.
Speaker 10 (27:38):
Remember that suitcase of eight hundred million Australian dollars was
all hand, was handed over without a contract and without
a receipt. That's no strings attached. So no wonder Pete
hasgeth was smiling at the time. But it's a serious thing,
this review because America first, what's that lens look like?
(27:59):
Look at this Aucus deal. Well, however, you look at
the Orcas submarine deal, it means America weakens its own
submarine force to strengthen ours. They're giving us three of
their own submarines from their own navy and they don't
build the numbers back until twenty forty, so they take
about a ten year loss in their own capability. That's
(28:22):
the America first side.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Indeed, now all of this comes as new data reveals
Australia's rank fifteenth in the world when it comes to
spending on defense. Our defense budget is about fifty five
point seven billion dollars, which is less than half that
of the UK, Saudi Arabia, Poland and of course India,
and we're spending ten times less than China on defense.
(28:45):
Do these figures just demonstrate further how urgent it is
for the government to boost spending on defense, as the
Trump administration have been calling for.
Speaker 10 (28:56):
Well, Australia shouldn't be forced by a Merria into investing
enough in our own security. This is a national embarrassment.
And I know the Prime Minister wants to say it's
a source of sovereign pride for us to not invest
enough in defense and free right on America. That's not
how this review is going to see things. The other
(29:18):
part of this review is saying, is Australia stepping up
to meet its collective defense obligations? And that is partly
about how much are we spending? And when the Americans
look at us, telling ourselves and them we can afford
the modern defense force we want plus nuclear submarines for
(29:39):
two to two point three percent of GDP. To quote
that famous Australian movie The Castle, tell them they're dreaming.
You know, America can do mathematics, and they know we're
kidding ourselves and them with the current level of spending.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Just before I let you go, I wanted to ask
you about unfolding events middle East. Donald Trump confirmed today
that non essential staff and their families from US embassies
and military bases in the Middle.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
East have been withdrawn.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
That's as nuclear talks with Iran breakdown. How imminent is
an Israeli attack on Iran and what are the likely
shock waves if and when that occurs.
Speaker 10 (30:20):
Well, gosh, this is something we can't know, and I
think there's no way the US or Israel will say, yes,
we're striking to Iran's nuclear facilities on Monday. But America
withdrawing non essential personnel and families out of the Middle
East is either brinksmanship to bring Iran to the negotiating
(30:43):
table properly. I don't think that'll work. Iran is used
to brinksmanship. Or it's Trump having given a green light
to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to do what the Israelis
want and strike the Iranian facilities. Or Trump has finally
lost patience with the Iranians and feels like he's looked
(31:05):
weak with Putin, He's looked weak on trade with Shijing Ping,
He's even looked weak against the Hoodies. Maybe this is
a time he wants to remind people he and America
need to be taken seriously. So it could be any
one of those things. But to me, a really important
(31:25):
factor is Trump has told everyone his career long that
he's someone who stops wars and doesn't start them.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
What's that old expression, Michael, may you be cursed to
live in interesting times? I think that's our lot in
life right now. I appreciate you joining me tonight. Thank
you so much. Well, let's cross to the UK now,
where rioters have targeted foreign families in the northern Irish
town of Bali Mena. The riots broke out on Monday
following the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl. When
(31:57):
the two fourteen year old boys charged with the assault
in court, the charges were read via a Romanian interpreter.
According to witnesses, masked rioters have shouted out where are
the foreigners while smashing windows and setting houses on fire
all around the town. Joining me now is News Corp
Europe correspondent Sophie Ellsworth.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Sophie, good to catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
These riots were originally targeted at the local Gypsy community,
but now other immigrants have been swept up in the violence.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
What can you tell us?
Speaker 17 (32:30):
Yeah, nice to chat with you, James. Look, this is
very dire for Northern Ireland. These riots have been going
since the beginning of the week and they have been
described as racially motivated riots because of this alleged sexual
assault which was understood to be by Romanian teenagers. Now
(32:53):
it's all in court, so we don't know the full
facts and circumstances of what actually took place, but it's
caused absolute outrage in the community. And it was originally
starting as a peaceful protest predominantly against migration as a
result of this alleged sexual assault, and then it's absolutely
(33:16):
erupted into crazy behavior over there, people throwing rocks, bricks,
police being hurt, so it's really turned into a very
serious situation James. And there's people in the community actually
putting signs in their houses to say where they are
from and know that they shouldn't be targeted. So this
(33:38):
is a very serious time in Northern Ireland.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
I read those reports and just could not believe it.
People hanging the union jack in their window to say
please don't burn our house. For perspective, I believe the
town is about thirty one thousand people and about six
and a half thousand about twenty percent are Romanians, so
it's a real tinderbox there, especially after that alleged sexual assault.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
So well, that's going on in Northern Ireland.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced
plans to bring an end to the costly use of
asylum hotels by twenty twenty nine. According to the most
recent Home Affairs Home Office figures, there's currently around thirty
two thousand asylum seekers housed in UK hotels. Here's Miss
Reeves speaking to GBN News about what will happen to
(34:29):
migrants once they've been evicted.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
I want to deport.
Speaker 18 (34:32):
Anyone who hasn't got a right to be in this country,
and we have increased deportation substantially since we came to
office last year. That is the right thing to do.
If people don't have a right to be in this country,
they should be sent back home now.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
She claims the move will save about a billion pounds,
no doubt will also help them stave off the Reform
political party.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
But how popular will this move be, Sophy?
Speaker 2 (34:58):
I imagine it's going to be very oppler with some
and it's going to create potentially more civil unrest with others.
Speaker 17 (35:05):
Well, it's very interesting, James, because the figures I've been
reading are saying that the removal of this asylum seeker
hotels could save one billion pounds a year, which is
two billion Australian dollars. Those numbers seem eyewatering, but it's interesting.
The Refugee Council here came out and made comments along
the lines of the fact that refugees should not be
(35:28):
housed in hotels and they should be put into the community,
into places where they can mix with the community. But
it's interesting to see that they're taking this step and
saying anyone who's here that shouldn't be is out, and
that is really following in the footsteps of Reform UK's
leader Nigel Farage, who has led the way on this
(35:51):
in recent months and said if he becomes Prime Minister,
anyone who is in the country illegally will be deported
and Labor know this is a hot topic and they
have to be seen to be acting swiftly on this,
and so this is what they have come out and
said this week.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
It's a fascinating situation when you've got Nigel farage potentially
leading the country from opposition. Sophie Ellsworth, always good to
talk to you, Thanks for joining me. We'll stick around
because after the break, the war of words over protecting
women's sport has erupted between a Sky News regular and
Peter fitz Simons. Plus will Donald Trump's military parade go ahead?
(36:29):
And what of the optics given marines already and waiting
in la.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
All of that and more up next.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Well, now to the blistering war of words between social
commentators former Rugby Union star, journalist and author Peter fitz
Simons and broadcaster and journalist Lucy Zelik. It was an
opinion piece this week from FitzSimons urging the public to
ease up on the criticism of trans athletes, particularly at
junior levels, which resulted in a fiery response from Lucy
(37:00):
Zelick accusing him of pretending that biological reality doesn't matter.
I'm pleased to say, Lucy Zelik joins me now, Lucy, welcome.
For people who didn't see Pitter fitz Simon's article, can
you just explain to me what upset you most about
what he wrote?
Speaker 11 (37:19):
Well, first and foremost, I know that everyone is entitled
to their opinion in this respective issue, James, and I
know that mister Fitzsimon's has already had a very clear
position on this and shown his support for the trans community.
I guess from my perspective, the biggest frustration for me
is why that compassion and that support never extends to
the women and girls across sport, and by the way,
(37:40):
this also exceeds the spectrum of sport. Why that compassion
and understanding never extends to the women and girls who
were generally genuinely affected by this. So there was that
level of frustration for me that occurred, but also that
you know that a lot of people are just engaging
in this war of words for sport and for fun,
as though we get a real kick out of being
(38:00):
threatened and abused daily, choosing to raise our heads above
the parapet and enter the conversation surrounding biological reality and
the need to preserve single sex spaces for women and
girls in sport in particular. So those sorts of kind
of sentiments from mister Fitzimon's really irritated me. And knowing
also that he's a former Wallaby and athlete himself, and
(38:24):
that he kind of tries to glaze over the fact
that biological reality does matter and that there are very
clear and distinct differences in physiology and the advantages that
malsa afforded through the androgenization process. I think was really
disappointing to see.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
He accused media personalities such as yourself who campaign for
fairness in women's sports, of being spreaders of hate bait?
Speaker 3 (38:51):
Are you a spreader of hate bait? Lucy No?
Speaker 11 (38:54):
And I really reject this idea, James, that by simply
having this view that women and girls are entitled to
single sex spaces and the female sporting category to be preserved,
that we are somehow bigots and transphobes. That's not the
issue here, and I think it's very frustrating that by
simply by virtue of having that stance, that you are
equated to those really nasty and awful things. I think
(39:17):
it's important to really highlight that both things can be
true at once. So you can have the belief that
biological reality matters and that males should be kept out
of women's sport, and you can also extend your compassion
and understanding to the trans community. I certainly personally have
no ill feelings or any specified hatred towards those in
(39:38):
the trans community. But by virtue of having this position,
I am perceived to have those sorts of feelings, which
is really quite hurtful. And I think it's disappointing because
what it's saying to women is that they aren't entitled
to stand up for their rights, that they aren't entitled
to have a voice on this. And I said earlier
that this is an issue that exceeds the spectrum of sport.
A lot of the people that I speak to, Jane
(40:00):
are women who are rape survivors, those for whom single
sex spaces are really imperative, Those for whom, if they
are in the presence of a male in these female
dedicated spaces, feel very triggered and re traumatized. I speak
to women of faith who unfortunately are no longer able
to compete in particular sporting categories because of their religious beliefs.
(40:20):
So these are other issues that are largely being ignored.
And I don't know about you, James, but I'm really
not comfortable with turning my head away from these women
who really rely on these spaces for their safety and
for their comfort. That just doesn't sit well with me.
And until we change the legislation in this space, I
will not be quiet.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Yeah, well, I'm glad you continue to speak out, Lucy,
because I know you and I know it's nothing to
do with clickbait or spreading hate. It's all about fairness
and safety and more power to you. Well, coming up next,
they say timing is everything in life. So what of
Trump's plans for a military parade in Washington, DC this
weekend while civil unrest spreads across the rest of the country. Plus,
(41:04):
the architect behind the sanctions applied against to Israeli ministers
says the Australian government has it all wrong. Our international
panel coming up in just a moment. Welcome back, Well
now to our weekly panel exploring what's making news around
the world. I'm joined by Sky News contributor Kosher Gata
and former Labour MP Michael Danby.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
Welcome to you both.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
For weeks, President Trump has talked up a military parade
in Washington, d C. Who doesn't love a parade. It's
meant to be held this weekend to celebrate both the
Army's birthday and his own. He says it will be
an unforgettable spectacle with tanks, fireworks and flyovers. But given
the unrest which is spreading from LA, the timing isn't great,
(41:49):
to say the least kosher. How likely is it, given
what's playing out domestically, that Trump might pull the pin
to avoid any.
Speaker 13 (41:57):
Backlash great to be through, James, I think it is
highly unlikely that he will pull the pin, because timing
is everything, Yes, and I think he's looking at it
as the timing of the two hundred and fiftieth birthday
of the Army, as you said, supersedes That's the bigger
argument or the bigger timing that he wants to really
underline and underscore here as opposed to what's happening domestically.
(42:20):
He's also very pro military, and the last large scale
parade of the US military was in nineteen ninety one
after Operation Desert Storm. And while the brand of the
military has diminished and recruitment has been a challenge, he
has turned it around he in his administration, and so
I think he sees this as a very good opportunity,
together with the two hundred and fiftieth birthday, to do this,
and he understands spectacle and creating iconic media better than anybody,
(42:42):
So I think he will charge ahead. He won't be discouraged,
which is what happened in the first term.
Speaker 14 (42:46):
He wanted to do this.
Speaker 13 (42:47):
I think this time he's going to stick with it.
Speaker 3 (42:49):
I hope he does.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
You don't let rioters determine the program for the rest
of the country. Meanwhile, an international survey has revealed most
Australians find Trump arrogantangerous and a threat to the global economy.
The US based Pure Research Centers annual survey of Global
Attitudes actually found only voters in Sweden had stronger anti
(43:10):
Trump views than Australians.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Michael Danby, what do you put that down to.
Speaker 9 (43:16):
It's a problem, James, it's the perception. I think the
media coverage of the Trump administration is almost entirely negative.
You get mixed views here on Sky or in the Australian,
but it's leading to a drift in public sentiments in
both countries. Most Americans don't support illegal immigration, their fifteen
(43:39):
million that Biden led into America and they support these deportations.
But you'd never know that if from the coverage in Australia,
and of course the anti ANDAs the Anti American Alliance
mob clapping their hands and kicking their heels. They're hoping
that the strift in public perceptions will sabotage the submarine
(44:02):
deal between our two great countries.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
Just before we move on, I want to get your thoughts, Kosher.
Are you surprised at the level of antipathy in this
country towards Donald Trump.
Speaker 3 (44:13):
A bit?
Speaker 13 (44:14):
And I think, with all due respect to my Australian friends,
I think that Paul is reflection on Australians as much
as it is on Trump. I think, you know, as
Michael said, it's a reflection of the media coverage. And
I think it's a little bit unfortunate because as an
English speaking country, Australians have access to wide ranging media
from other sources as well. And I hope as media
continues to get more democratized and other voices and channels
(44:36):
get out.
Speaker 14 (44:37):
There, maybe this will improve.
Speaker 13 (44:39):
But Trump arrangement syndrome, as they call it, is a
strong thing, so it's hard to combat once it takes root.
Speaker 3 (44:44):
It certainly is.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Australian companies with business interests in two Israeli departments have
been structed to consider seeking legal advice on whether they're
at risk of facing multi million dollar fines enforced for
breaches of sanctions against the to Israeli government ministers responsible
for those departments. Michael, I'm particularly interested in your view
on this because you, along with the late Kimberly Kitchen,
(45:09):
with the architect of the sanctions or the laws that
allow the sanctions that Pennywong has instituted. But you've come
out pretty strongly today saying this is not the way
those laws were designed to be used. Help me understand
what's going on here in your objection, the.
Speaker 9 (45:26):
Laws were designed to give leverage to people with human
rights or corruption problems in autocracies where they don't have
the rule of law or elections like they do in
Israel or France, or Canada or even Indonesia. So this
is a misuse and an interference in in other countries's elections.
Loudmouth like Smotrich and Ben Giverer should be dealt with
(45:49):
by Israelis in the Israeli courts, in the Knesset, and
in the forthcoming elections where I suspect their support is
going to diminish. But you just have to strapolated James
to Indonesia or France. Imagine missus lapenas elected and we
put a travel ban on her because of her critical
(46:09):
views on immigration, or we don't like some of the
human rights abuses in Indonesia, so we put a ban
on probo. No, this is not the way it was
meant to be done, and Kimber's view was that it
should be done to affect autocracies where people don't have
the same rights that we do have here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (46:31):
I want to go back to the US for a moment.
We witnessed the bromance between Elon Musk and the President
implode last week, with both men having a crack at
each other publicly. But now Musk has backtracked, saying he
went too far with some of his tweets Kosher. The
real story here, though, that I want to hear about
is the role of the Vice President JD. Vance, who
(46:53):
reportedly played a pivotal role in Broker in Peace. He's
positioned himself as both an attack dog for White House
but also a bit of a problem solver. How influential
is Vance shaping up to be not just as Trump's
running mate, but potentially as his ideological.
Speaker 13 (47:10):
Air it All reports seemed to be that he is
the rising star and the party certainly the ideological air
in terms of MAGA and populism. His roots are deep
from there. Everybody knows his story where he's come out
of the working class of Appalachia and had an amazing
personal story, so his bona fides are strong there. He
(47:31):
also has ties to Silicon Valley. He worked there for
a little bit. He can do the tech speak with
the tech right as well as other constituencies. That said,
as we all know, even a week as a lifetime
in politics, let alone three plus years. So the Republican
bench is deep. He will face other challengers in the primary,
I'm sure, but at this point in time his stock
is certainly rising.
Speaker 3 (47:51):
All right, I want to.
Speaker 2 (47:51):
Finish with some sad news the death of Beach Boys
frontman Brian Wilson. He led arguably one of the greatest
bands in the world, certainly was known for creating one
of the best albums ever with Pet Sounds. He's a
little taste of my favorite Beach Boys tune. All right,
(48:16):
we got thirty seconds to get your favorite Beach Boys song, Michael,
I'll start with you.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (48:22):
Surfing Usa and Barbaren They're the two I can still
sing Barbaran. I'm not sure.
Speaker 2 (48:28):
Please don't please don't Michael Kosher very quickly.
Speaker 3 (48:31):
What's your favorite.
Speaker 14 (48:33):
Surf? And the USA?
Speaker 13 (48:34):
Michael took the words out of my mouth.
Speaker 3 (48:36):
We're aligned, very good Kosher Michael.
Speaker 2 (48:39):
Thank you for joining me tonight and thank you for
your company tonight. Peter Creedlin will be back next week,
but right now he's Andrew Bolt with the Bolt Report.
Peter Krendland Live on Sky News Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Well, good evening and welcome to the show. I'm James
Macpherson filling in for Peter Creedlin. Here's what's coming up
on tonight's program. Nothing to see here, or so says
the corruption watchdog when it comes to Britney Higgins two
point four million.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Dollar Commonwealth aout.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
So is this the end of it? Or will speculation linger?
Was the PM in need of some sage advice or
just a stiff drink when he sat down for a
long lunch with Dan Andrews. We know Andrews has advised
Albinezi before, so what could it be this time? Plus
Live to Los Angeles, where tensions continue to mount as
(00:43):
protests spread and other cities impose curfews.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
And are our years.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Of neglecting defense in this country catching up with us?
The US orders a review of Orcus.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
I think it's a pretty natural step for an incoming
government to take.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
To what extent was there a view triggered by Labour's
failure to fund defense in this country to the level
that the US and other partners think is appropriate.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Well, Dan Andrews can't find a golf course that wants
him as a member, but he's not completely friendless the
form of Victorian Premier. It was spotted yesterday sharing a
very long lunch with the Prime Minister.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Oh to have been a fly on that wall.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Dan Andrews famously coached Anthony Albanesi in the lead up
to the election campaign debates with Peter Dutton, so it
wouldn't surprise if Dan Andrews was now coaching the PM
over an expensive glass of wine, naturally in preparation for
his meeting with Donald Trump next week.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Now, just to be clear.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
When I say Anthony Albaneze has a meeting with the
US President next week, that's purely speculation on my part.
According to reports, nothing is actually locked in at this point.
In fact, there's probably more chance of Elon Musk getting
an audience with Trump right now, which when you think
about it, is pretty astonishing. The ABC reported just last
month that our PM has agreed to meet with Jijiping
(02:04):
in China later this year, and yet we can't say
for sure whether our PM will personally catch up with
the leader of the Free world when they're in the
same location next week. And that should tell you everything
you need to know about where the relationship with our
closest ally is at right now. But one thing is certain,
our Prime minister would want some coaching in the event
(02:25):
that he gets an audience with Donald Trump, because Donald
Trump is not known for suffering fools, and on that score,
Elbaneze has reason to feel. Well, Oh, let Albaneze explain
in his own words.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
We're going to deal with him.
Speaker 6 (02:40):
But that doesn't mean that you're uncritical about it.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
He scares out of me, and Elbow should be scared.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
The US today confirmed a review of the Orchestra Security Pact,
signed by Scott Morrison and trumpeted by the Albanze government
as the guarantee of our national defense, provided of course,
at the Chinese wait a decade or more for our
nuclear subs to be ready before they start doing communesty things.
It's less a case of ready aim fire and more
a case of the Chinese aim and then the Chinese fire,
(03:11):
and then maybe we'll be ready. Still, it's a plan,
which is more than you can say for the government's
housing policy. But now it seems that ORCUS is about
as certain as an Albaneze promise on electricity prices. The
Pentagon says the review of our orcus Pact is to
ensure it's in line with Trump's America First agenda. Specifically,
(03:31):
the Trump administration says it's trying to work out whether
the US has the capacity to build the boats it
needs while still fulfilling an order for an ally that
won't even help itself. Anthony Albenese's stubborn refusal to lift
Australia's defense spending from a measly two percent of GDP
hasn't exactly signaled that we're serious.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
About our own defense.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
And if we don't care about our own defense, well
why should the Americans?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
But what is it?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
The Bible says? Trump helps those who help them sell
something like that. Remember then, that we'd rather spend serious money,
or rather than spend serious money on defense. Our government's
attitude seems to be to hope that Jijingping doesn't cut
the NDIS when he takes over the running of the country.
Cuddle therapy will be in high demand when the CCP
(04:17):
take over this. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore
last month that Australia should be spending three point five
percent of GDP on defense, but Elbanezi who's not afraid
the count out to China would rather leave Australia defenseless
than be.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Seen to Kautao.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
To the Trump administration, well, I think that Australia should
decide what we spend on Australia's defense, simple as that.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
That's my view.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
Now, if others think that that's not the case, then
it's up to them to make that case. Arbitrary figures,
you know, lead to a cul de sac, and we
want to make sure as well, single dollar that if
ED spends, results in actual assets.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
When Chinese warships conducting live fire exercises off the coast
of Sydney are spotted by commercial airline pilots before our
own defense forces, I'd say you're already well and truly
in a cul de sac.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
PM.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Former Ambassador to Washington Joe Hockey went on ABC Radio
today accusing the government of coasting on national defense.
Speaker 7 (05:26):
If we do not care the Virginia Class submarines in
twenty thirty two, we have no options left. We have
no submarines. So this is all or nothing for Australia,
and for the sake of our national security, we need
to make sure that we can at least provide some
deterrent for potential hostile threats to our nation, and the
(05:50):
best way to do that is to partner with the
United States. I don't know when people say, oh, well,
we should be skeptical about joining with the United States.
The US spends more on defense than the next ten
countries combined. So if you're not going to partner with
the United States, who do you partner with? Who do
you think is going to actually be there when we
(06:11):
really need them, and who has the capacity to help
us to defend Australians and Australia.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Well, the Chinese would help us with defense, wouldn't they.
Oh wait a second.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Not only has the Albanezi government shown itself to be
an unreliable partner in defense when it comes to spending,
but its decision to slap sanctions onto Israeli cabinet ministers
won't help the relations with the Trump administration either. For
a government that continually boasts about how methodical and professional
it is when it comes to international diplomacy, this was
(06:42):
amateur hour. A week before Albanesi hopes to secure a
meeting with the US President, Penny Wong goes and jumps
all over a couple of Israeli MPs, as well as
announcing Australia's preference for a two state solution not when
there's peace, but as a way of negotiating peace. Tell
me again, and is the Aubeneze government trying to score
a fireside chat with our American ally or with Hamas,
(07:05):
Because it's honestly hard to tell at this point. Yesterday,
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Australian government's
actions on Israel as counterproductive to peace in the Middle East. Well, indeed,
but they are also counterproductive to convincing the Americans we
should be trusted with their nuclear secrets. Today the Orchis
(07:26):
Pact is being reconsidered coincidence, probably, but still when the
Albenese government is seen to be more passionate about stopping
the retoric of to Israeli MPs than about freeing the
fifty five Israeli hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza,
would you blame the US for asking why are we
providing this mob with nuclear submarines. Defense Minister Richard Marles
(07:50):
said today he was unconcerned by the Pentagon taking a
second look at the Orchist Pact. Males must be the
coolest cucumber in the country. Honestly, does anything concern him?
He was unconcerned when the CCP had fired shots off
the East coast. He was unconcerned when the CCP sent
a surveillance vessel along the South Australian coast, and he
(08:10):
wasn't too concerned when the Russians touted the possibility of
establishing an air force base off the North coast. If
anything concerns the Deputy Prime Minister, I'm yet to find it.
And now he's extremely unconcerned that the Americans are reconsidering Aucust,
despite the fact that if August falls over, Plan B
would seem at this point to be using two percent
(08:32):
of GDP to fund Mandarin lessons. I'm joking, of course,
but seriously, what's Plan B.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
It's a very natural step for the incoming administration to
take in many ways. We did the same thing when
we initiated the Defense Strategic Review, which did look at
our entire defense posture, but UCUS was a fundamentally important
component of that. So I think an incoming government having
a look at this is something that they have a
(09:01):
perfect right to do, and we welcome it and we'll
work with it.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I'm sorry, but the plan seems to be to do
everything we can to upset the Trump administration while expecting
them to do everything they can to take care of us.
At this rate, Australia is going to be about as
friendless as Dan Andrews. Good thing then that, like Dan Andrews,
we've still got Anthony Albanezi. Well, let's head to camber
(09:29):
No now for tonight's political headlines with Sky News political
reporter cam Redden Good Evening.
Speaker 8 (09:35):
The Pentagon is launching a review of Orcis, but the
Albanzi government does not believe it's a cause for concern.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
We've known about the review for some time. It's a
very natural step for the incoming administration.
Speaker 8 (09:49):
Orcas architect Scott Morrison calling for calm.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Incoming governments do reviews.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
Kiss Darma so Kis Starmer did a review and that
resulted in the UK government being even committed to Walcas.
Speaker 8 (10:01):
Ahead of a potential meeting between Anthony Albanezi and Donald
Trump at the G seven, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseeth
sends a message it's only fair.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
That our allies and partners do their part.
Speaker 10 (10:13):
We can't want their security more than they do.
Speaker 11 (10:16):
This is a Team Australia moment and I've always said
will support the government on Team Australia moments.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
For the fourth time in seven years, Tasmanians will head
to the polls in hopes a state election will resolve
its political crisis.
Speaker 12 (10:30):
It has been eleven years of liberals. They've taken Tasmania
from having no net debt to eleven billion dollars worth
of net debt.
Speaker 13 (10:37):
That is all.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
They have a scare campaign.
Speaker 8 (10:40):
What Tasmanians want is a government that is focused on them.
The state election has been set for July nineteen Cameron
Reddin's Sky News Canberra.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
All right, plenty to get across.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So joining me now is media commentator Caroly Katsumbanas and
chief economist and senior Fellow at the Institute of Public
Affairs Adam Crichton.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Welcome to you both.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Adam, I want to start with you and I'm going
to speak with a defense expert shortly about UCUST. But
you've just recently come back from years of reporting in
the United States.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
What do you make of this review?
Speaker 12 (11:20):
Well, actually, I think I was the first Australian journalist
to break the fact that the Elbridge Colby, who's going
to be leading the review in the US. I mean,
he's now a senior Pentagon official, but he told me
back in late twenty twenty two that he was very
skeptical of the benefits of the deal. So his skepticism
has been around for some time. So if I were
the government, I would be somewhat concerned. I think that
(11:41):
there's roughly fifty to fifty chance that the Orcust deal
will be scaled back, which of course will be extremely.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Embarrassing for the Australian government.
Speaker 12 (11:49):
Not just embarrassing, but it basically means that we'll not
really have much of a defense force in a few years.
I think, you know, the problem is we've put all
of our defense eggs in this Aucust basket, and I
think that's been a huge mistake.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Just before we move on, the other question I wanted
to ask you was how much of this reconsideration is
purely to do with America considering their own interests versus
annoyance with the Albanesi government and some of its policy settings.
Speaker 12 (12:19):
Well, probably some of it is some annoyance with the
alban Ezy government. I think culturally they're very different governments.
I think to say the least. I mean ones on
the right, ones on the left. But I think just
apart from that, the US submarine submarine production rate is
just way too low and the world is getting scarier
and scary all the time, whether it's in the Middle.
Speaker 14 (12:37):
East or the situation with Russia.
Speaker 12 (12:39):
You know, you'd think that the you know, the hardheads
at the Pentagon in DC would be you know, wanting
to keep more of their submarines and not to sell
them in the future.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Yeah, fair enough, Keroly.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
I want to move on to the National Anti Corruption
Commission that's found there was no corruption in Britney Higgins
two point four million dollar Commonwealth payout. I know Linda
Reynolds quickly, who lodged the complaint. She quickly expressed what
she called her bitter disappointment with that decision, questioning how
the Commonwealth and I quote, could possibly settle unsubstantiated and
(13:13):
statute barred claims made against me alleging egregious conduct on
my part without taking a single statement from me or speaking.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
To me at all.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I think this issue is a big one for a
lot of people. Do you think this is the end
of things or do you think this is likely to
go on.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
And on.
Speaker 15 (13:33):
Good evening, James and Assa Adam. Unfortunately, I do think
that it will continue on. I think it's important to
realize that while the payment has been found to be
appropriate and correct, Labor did use it for a lot
of political mileage in twenty twenty one and it was
settled pretty quickly once they came to power. At the
end of the day, it was a workplace injury workplace claim.
(13:55):
It was Camber bureaucrats lodging against the.
Speaker 14 (13:58):
Commonwealth for it.
Speaker 15 (13:59):
We know that there is a separate defamation claim before
the court. But I think that what sticks in a
lot of people's minds is the comments that Linda Reynolds
has made. Senator Linda Reynolds has made in The Australian
Today that the then Attorney General, Mister Dreyfuss said threatened
that her legal fees would not be covered even if
she turned up for one day of mediation, and that
(14:22):
no one spoke to her, no one took any statement
from her at all. But regardless of that, you asked,
do I think it will go away? What happened to
Britney Higgins was shocking. We've done this story. We know exactly.
We've followed their life. It's great that she's been able
to move on. She's married, she's lived in France, she's
become a mum, she's now, I believe, working in a
(14:44):
boutique PR.
Speaker 14 (14:45):
Firm as well.
Speaker 15 (14:46):
But I think what happens is people do forget that
Senator Linda Reynolds and the then Chief of Staff Fiona Brown,
their lives have been destroyed as well personally, professionally and politically.
Speaker 14 (15:00):
They'll never work again.
Speaker 15 (15:01):
And I think that when it will, will it.
Speaker 14 (15:05):
Be the end.
Speaker 15 (15:06):
I don't think it will be because we talk about
mental health, we talk about the treatment of women as well.
These are just two other women that are also victims
in this whole saga. And I don't think that it
will go away. But as we know, we have to
abide by what the NACC has found and it.
Speaker 14 (15:26):
Is what it is.
Speaker 15 (15:26):
But there's always going to be disappointment on both sides.
And I just hope that all the parties involved can
try and move on in the future, but also that
the Australian public doesn't forget a lot of the stuff
that went on around that time and how it was
weaponized by labor.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Yeah, the collateral damage from that whole affair is just astounding. Today,
Angus Taylor fronted cameras for the first time since losing
the leadership ballot. It was to address the Orchestra review
in his new Shadow Defense portfolio, but as you'd expect,
he did get a question about future leadership ambitions.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Have listened to what he said.
Speaker 16 (16:03):
Looks like the Liberals have lost Bradfield and a few
Senators who voted won't obviously be here.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
For the upcoming term.
Speaker 16 (16:08):
It was a very tight vote the last time around.
With these numbers changing slightly, does that make it more
tempting to potentially consider going for the leadership sometime in
this term of government.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
Look, my focus, as I said, as I'm doing this
job as defenciate.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Now. Of course, Adam.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
When the ballot was cast for Lee, who won by
four votes, three of them came from outgoing senators and
one from the member who's now lost the Bradfield contest.
So do you think Angus Taylor is biding his time?
Typically when politicians say I'm focused at the job on hand,
they're thinking about the leadership, aren't they.
Speaker 12 (16:44):
Yes, well, look he might be, but I mean I
think you know that question is going to be very
frustrating for the Liberal Party, I think for the next
couple of years, because indeed it was a very close result.
As you point out, look, it wouldn't surprise me if
he has interests in the leadership in the future. I mean,
if you go back to two thousand and I think
the Liberal Party had had three leaders I think Brenda
Nelson and Malcolm Turnbull and an Tony Abbott in quick
(17:06):
succession relatively, so you know, there may be some change,
but I think far more important than the personalities at
the top, I think is the policies and the values
of the Liberal Party. That's what they need to work
out far more urgently than who leads them. And you know,
my personal view is let's just give Susan Lee a
chance to sort that out. You know, she's launched a
few reviews. Let's you know, let's get some values on
the table.
Speaker 14 (17:26):
Well.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Speaking of the Liberal Party, it's also been reported in
the Nine Papers that they're preparing a radical investigation into
the future of the Liberal Party, going beyond the standard
practice post election review. What do you make of this, Kraally,
The Libs have already got a post election review underway.
As I said, they've announced a narrower campaign review and
(17:47):
now in all of party review. How many reviews does
the Liberal Party need.
Speaker 15 (17:54):
It's like the Days of Our Lives, the soap opera,
there's always a review going on. Look, I've got to
say to you, reviews are important, but I really think
the most important task at hand is that this new
shadow cabinet get together.
Speaker 14 (18:05):
They work on their portfolios.
Speaker 15 (18:06):
As Adams said, they work in the direction of the
Liberal Party. I note that a few names have been
thrown around appropriate people to conduct the review, Senator James
McGrath from Queensland.
Speaker 14 (18:17):
There's been Linda Reynolds, Arthurs and Adina's.
Speaker 15 (18:19):
One thing I do have to say is that I
don't think that it's appropriate for a current member of
Parliament or someone who has only been out for a
term to conduct a review. I think someone like the
Federal Executive Director, previous director, Brian Locknane. He's razor sharp
political strategist, He's got the runs on the board, he
knows exactly what is needed. He works quietly behind the
(18:42):
scenes as well. I think he would be ideal to
actually be placed to conduct this review because you need
a certain amount of objectivity. And you also need to
have the guarantee that this is not going to be
run through the nine newspapers or any newspapers, because we
all know very sadly people are well into tension. They
want to give their view as to what went wrong,
(19:02):
and it's leaked.
Speaker 14 (19:03):
It's leaked all the time. This is not serving the party.
Speaker 15 (19:06):
This is serving media interests of being able to sell
more newspapers and more shows than things. And I just
think that you know, a review, do they serve a
purpose in some way? The other one thing I just
wanted to say is that whether you're fifteen or fifty,
no one likes constructive criticism. And five weeks ago, Susan
Lee and the people that were there thought that they
were doing the right thing. Look at the destruction that's
(19:29):
actually happened. Are they able to take the constructive criticism
that needs to be leveled their way as well? I
don't know, but my money would be on Brian Locknain.
I think he is perfect to be able to do
this review.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Well, come on, Caroly.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
The breakup and makeup of the coalition was run through
the newspapers and the review will probably be done likewise,
if they're true to form, just really is Sadly, just
before we go, Adam, I want to talk to about.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
The mess that is the NDIS.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Another story today that despite the government banking on nine
ten billion dollars in NDIS savings in the March budget,
nearly nine billion dollars of that looks in serious doubt
as funding talks between the federal government and the states stagnate.
The state governments are supposed to take over the care
of children with autism, that's the fastest growing cohort on
the NDIS, but they're reluctant to do so without the
(20:19):
federal government committing billions of dollars more to hospital funding.
So it's good the federal government is at least seeing
the light or do you think they are regarding the
need to rein in the NDIS. But is it now
the states who are the obstacle.
Speaker 12 (20:36):
Well, look, I think slowly they are saying the light
because it's been an absolute policy and fiscal disaster. Really,
they're in a situation now where I think about ten
percent of young boys are actually on the NDIS. That
is just remarkable for a scheme that was started up.
I think that was meant for the severely disabled. You know,
certainly ten percent of the country is not severely disabled.
So there was a lot of rauting going on here.
I mean the anecdotes I hear personally about, you know,
(20:58):
people being being paid to play video games, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
With their friends.
Speaker 12 (21:03):
But media needs to uncover more of these stories, so,
you know, so the public opinion can turn against the program.
I think because it has the word disability in it.
You know, quite understandably, we want to know, we want
to take care of the disabled, and so there's a
perception that that's what it's doing. But it's not just
doing that. There's also huge numbers of roughts, so we
need to focus on those, and I think in a
few years, at the current rate, we'll be spending more
on that than on the defense forces, which is completely insane.
(21:26):
And if we don't get it under control, there certainly
won't be any tax reforms.
Speaker 14 (21:29):
So it really is a serious problem.
Speaker 12 (21:31):
Let's hope something happens.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Absolutely, Carole and Adam really appreciate you joining me tonight.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Well, let's go now to the ongoing chaos in Los Angeles,
which is spreading to other cities. Across the United States
joining me live from la is Forced Edition host Peter Stefanovic. Pete,
thanks for joining me. I know you've stayed up late
for this chat. It's pretty early there after midnight. I
believe in the curfew is in effect, but I just
wanted to get your perspective on how things look today.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
It was pretty frenetic for you today, I believe.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Yeah, and followed a trend, really. I mean, things start
off in low numbers when it comes to protesters, and
then they gained traction in the early afternoon once people
start clocking off from work, and then they come down
and gather in large amounts, and then things start to
kick off, particularly as you get closer to that curfew,
and today was no different. It followed that trend where
(22:27):
it started as a small protest, then there was a
march through town and it just gained and gained and gained.
As you know, again people clocked off and came on
down and it got to the point where this was
before the curfew had come into play. It was causing
all kinds of traffic issues. Traffic was backed up in
so many different directions and the LAPD clearly had had
enough of it, and they moved in, and they moved
(22:48):
in with force, and they moved in quickly. They were
on horseback, they were using the flash bombs, they were
firing off rubber bullets to disperse the crowds too, and
the multiple arrests were made. Then the curfew came into place,
and as far as we can tell, it's been in
place for about five hours now. It's after one in
the morning, and the streets here in downtown La are
(23:10):
pretty quiet. The curfew will be lifted in about four
or five hours time from now at six am local time,
and then the mayor, Karen Bass is going to make
a judgment tomorrow and whether or not that curfew will continue.
She says it is now for the foreseeable future, but
there's no closure on that, no end date on that
just yet.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Nancy Pelosi I heard her the other day talk about
it's just some people expressing their exuberance, and AOC said, no,
it's just a bunch of unruly teenagers. And an ABC
TV host said, no, it's just a group of people
having fun watching cars burn. You've seen the crowds or
protesters or rioters, how would you describe them? What sort
(23:52):
of people are causing the trouble there.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
There's a mixture. I have to say that there's people
who are legitimate protesting here and they come down and
they're waving the flags, and you know, they might be
children of migrants or what have you, and they're there legitimately,
But I definitely believe it gets hijacked. It gets hijacked
by people, particularly young kids, who want to fight. They
(24:17):
just want to go out and have a fight. You've
got other protesters who are coming through. Black Lives Matter
flags have been flown. I saw today. You've got Palestinian
flags that are coming in through. So I mean, these
various elements join this latest protest, if you like, in
Los Angeles, to make it bigger and bigger and bigger.
But you know, we're walking in that with that march
(24:39):
today and we could see hooded youths with cans of
spray painting and they were just spray painting the sides
of buildings and the sides of platforms and just there
to cause travel. And I saw it too where people
would go up to police, go up to those front
lines of police and purl all kinds of profanities in
their face. As soon as PU were about to make
(25:00):
a move, the U turn and bolt. So I think
there's an element of people just wanting to have a
lark to cause some trouble, say a few things and
then bolt, which has nothing to do with the protest
at all.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Yeah, well, Pete, thanks for updating us.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
We've seen a number of news crews get caught up
in the violence, so stay safe and again thanks for
your time tonight. Well, coming up after the break, just
how concerned should we be that the US could pull
the pin on the Orchest deal. Michael Schubridge will join me. Plus,
it's not just in LA that people are rioting. Race
riots have gotten worse in Northern Ireland overnight after an
(25:39):
alleged sexual assault by two fourteen year old boys. I'll
get the latest from Sophie Ellsworth who is in the UK.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Welcome back.
Speaker 8 (25:51):
Well.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
As I said at the top of the show, the
Pentagon has launched a review into the Orchest submarine deal
to ensure it aligns with President Trump's America First Agenda.
Defense Minister Richard Miles was asked about this earlier today,
and he says he's not worried at all.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
We've known about the review for some time. We welcome
it and we will engage with it. It's a very
natural step for the incoming administration to take. I do
have a sense of confidence about the way in which
UCAS is playing out under the Trump administration and that
we will meet the pathway that we have committed to.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Joining me now is Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Schubridge.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Michael, do you think we should be worried?
Speaker 13 (26:37):
Yes?
Speaker 10 (26:37):
I do, and I think it's disturbing to hear that
from Richard Miles. I would say the government's really got
to get its story straight on UCAS and the Trump administration.
When Richard Miles met with the Pentagon chief Pete Hesgeth
back in February and handed over a suitcase full of cash,
he came out of the meeting telling us everything was
(26:57):
on track, everything was rock solid. In fact, Donald Trump
was right behind Orcus. And now he's telling us, actually
an American review of AUCUS that says does it meet
America first goals? And are we lifting our collective security weight?
Is entirely normal and expected? You know, what's the right
(27:19):
story here? These are different things.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Yeah, I'm trying to work out whether if I'd put
a five hundred million dollar down payment on something only
for the person to review it. Whether I'd welcome the review,
as Richard Milester said, the US Under Secretary of remember, yeah,
go ahead.
Speaker 10 (27:38):
Remember that suitcase of eight hundred million Australian dollars was
all hand, was handed over without a contract and without
a receipt. That's no strings attached. So no wonder Pete
hasgeth was smiling at the time. But it's a serious thing,
this review because America first, what's that lens look like?
(27:59):
Look at this Aucus deal. Well, however, you look at
the Orcas submarine deal, it means America weakens its own
submarine force to strengthen ours. They're giving us three of
their own submarines from their own navy and they don't
build the numbers back until twenty forty, so they take
about a ten year loss in their own capability. That's
(28:22):
the America first side.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Indeed, now all of this comes as new data reveals
Australia's rank fifteenth in the world when it comes to
spending on defense. Our defense budget is about fifty five
point seven billion dollars, which is less than half that
of the UK, Saudi Arabia, Poland and of course India,
and we're spending ten times less than China on defense.
(28:45):
Do these figures just demonstrate further how urgent it is
for the government to boost spending on defense, as the
Trump administration have been calling for.
Speaker 10 (28:56):
Well, Australia shouldn't be forced by a Merria into investing
enough in our own security. This is a national embarrassment.
And I know the Prime Minister wants to say it's
a source of sovereign pride for us to not invest
enough in defense and free right on America. That's not
how this review is going to see things. The other
(29:18):
part of this review is saying, is Australia stepping up
to meet its collective defense obligations? And that is partly
about how much are we spending? And when the Americans
look at us, telling ourselves and them we can afford
the modern defense force we want plus nuclear submarines for
(29:39):
two to two point three percent of GDP. To quote
that famous Australian movie The Castle, tell them they're dreaming.
You know, America can do mathematics, and they know we're
kidding ourselves and them with the current level of spending.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Just before I let you go, I wanted to ask
you about unfolding events middle East. Donald Trump confirmed today
that non essential staff and their families from US embassies
and military bases in the Middle.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
East have been withdrawn.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
That's as nuclear talks with Iran breakdown. How imminent is
an Israeli attack on Iran and what are the likely
shock waves if and when that occurs.
Speaker 10 (30:20):
Well, gosh, this is something we can't know, and I
think there's no way the US or Israel will say, yes,
we're striking to Iran's nuclear facilities on Monday. But America
withdrawing non essential personnel and families out of the Middle
East is either brinksmanship to bring Iran to the negotiating
(30:43):
table properly. I don't think that'll work. Iran is used
to brinksmanship. Or it's Trump having given a green light
to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to do what the Israelis
want and strike the Iranian facilities. Or Trump has finally
lost patience with the Iranians and feels like he's looked
(31:05):
weak with Putin, He's looked weak on trade with Shijing Ping,
He's even looked weak against the Hoodies. Maybe this is
a time he wants to remind people he and America
need to be taken seriously. So it could be any
one of those things. But to me, a really important
(31:25):
factor is Trump has told everyone his career long that
he's someone who stops wars and doesn't start them.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
What's that old expression, Michael, may you be cursed to
live in interesting times? I think that's our lot in
life right now. I appreciate you joining me tonight. Thank
you so much. Well, let's cross to the UK now,
where rioters have targeted foreign families in the northern Irish
town of Bali Mena. The riots broke out on Monday
following the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl. When
(31:57):
the two fourteen year old boys charged with the assault
in court, the charges were read via a Romanian interpreter.
According to witnesses, masked rioters have shouted out where are
the foreigners while smashing windows and setting houses on fire
all around the town. Joining me now is News Corp
Europe correspondent Sophie Ellsworth.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Sophie, good to catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
These riots were originally targeted at the local Gypsy community,
but now other immigrants have been swept up in the violence.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
What can you tell us?
Speaker 17 (32:30):
Yeah, nice to chat with you, James. Look, this is
very dire for Northern Ireland. These riots have been going
since the beginning of the week and they have been
described as racially motivated riots because of this alleged sexual
assault which was understood to be by Romanian teenagers. Now
(32:53):
it's all in court, so we don't know the full
facts and circumstances of what actually took place, but it's
caused absolute outrage in the community. And it was originally
starting as a peaceful protest predominantly against migration as a
result of this alleged sexual assault, and then it's absolutely
(33:16):
erupted into crazy behavior over there, people throwing rocks, bricks,
police being hurt, so it's really turned into a very
serious situation James. And there's people in the community actually
putting signs in their houses to say where they are
from and know that they shouldn't be targeted. So this
(33:38):
is a very serious time in Northern Ireland.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
I read those reports and just could not believe it.
People hanging the union jack in their window to say
please don't burn our house. For perspective, I believe the
town is about thirty one thousand people and about six
and a half thousand about twenty percent are Romanians, so
it's a real tinderbox there, especially after that alleged sexual assault.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
So well, that's going on in Northern Ireland.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced
plans to bring an end to the costly use of
asylum hotels by twenty twenty nine. According to the most
recent Home Affairs Home Office figures, there's currently around thirty
two thousand asylum seekers housed in UK hotels. Here's Miss
Reeves speaking to GBN News about what will happen to
(34:29):
migrants once they've been evicted.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
I want to deport.
Speaker 18 (34:32):
Anyone who hasn't got a right to be in this country,
and we have increased deportation substantially since we came to
office last year. That is the right thing to do.
If people don't have a right to be in this country,
they should be sent back home now.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
She claims the move will save about a billion pounds,
no doubt will also help them stave off the Reform
political party.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
But how popular will this move be, Sophy?
Speaker 2 (34:58):
I imagine it's going to be very oppler with some
and it's going to create potentially more civil unrest with others.
Speaker 17 (35:05):
Well, it's very interesting, James, because the figures I've been
reading are saying that the removal of this asylum seeker
hotels could save one billion pounds a year, which is
two billion Australian dollars. Those numbers seem eyewatering, but it's interesting.
The Refugee Council here came out and made comments along
the lines of the fact that refugees should not be
(35:28):
housed in hotels and they should be put into the community,
into places where they can mix with the community. But
it's interesting to see that they're taking this step and
saying anyone who's here that shouldn't be is out, and
that is really following in the footsteps of Reform UK's
leader Nigel Farage, who has led the way on this
(35:51):
in recent months and said if he becomes Prime Minister,
anyone who is in the country illegally will be deported
and Labor know this is a hot topic and they
have to be seen to be acting swiftly on this,
and so this is what they have come out and
said this week.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
It's a fascinating situation when you've got Nigel farage potentially
leading the country from opposition. Sophie Ellsworth, always good to
talk to you, Thanks for joining me. We'll stick around
because after the break, the war of words over protecting
women's sport has erupted between a Sky News regular and
Peter fitz Simons. Plus will Donald Trump's military parade go ahead?
(36:29):
And what of the optics given marines already and waiting
in la.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
All of that and more up next.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Well, now to the blistering war of words between social
commentators former Rugby Union star, journalist and author Peter fitz
Simons and broadcaster and journalist Lucy Zelik. It was an
opinion piece this week from FitzSimons urging the public to
ease up on the criticism of trans athletes, particularly at
junior levels, which resulted in a fiery response from Lucy
(37:00):
Zelick accusing him of pretending that biological reality doesn't matter.
I'm pleased to say, Lucy Zelik joins me now, Lucy, welcome.
For people who didn't see Pitter fitz Simon's article, can
you just explain to me what upset you most about
what he wrote?
Speaker 11 (37:19):
Well, first and foremost, I know that everyone is entitled
to their opinion in this respective issue, James, and I
know that mister Fitzsimon's has already had a very clear
position on this and shown his support for the trans community.
I guess from my perspective, the biggest frustration for me
is why that compassion and that support never extends to
the women and girls across sport, and by the way,
(37:40):
this also exceeds the spectrum of sport. Why that compassion
and understanding never extends to the women and girls who
were generally genuinely affected by this. So there was that
level of frustration for me that occurred, but also that
you know that a lot of people are just engaging
in this war of words for sport and for fun,
as though we get a real kick out of being
(38:00):
threatened and abused daily, choosing to raise our heads above
the parapet and enter the conversation surrounding biological reality and
the need to preserve single sex spaces for women and
girls in sport in particular. So those sorts of kind
of sentiments from mister Fitzimon's really irritated me. And knowing
also that he's a former Wallaby and athlete himself, and
(38:24):
that he kind of tries to glaze over the fact
that biological reality does matter and that there are very
clear and distinct differences in physiology and the advantages that
malsa afforded through the androgenization process. I think was really
disappointing to see.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
He accused media personalities such as yourself who campaign for
fairness in women's sports, of being spreaders of hate bait?
Speaker 3 (38:51):
Are you a spreader of hate bait? Lucy No?
Speaker 11 (38:54):
And I really reject this idea, James, that by simply
having this view that women and girls are entitled to
single sex spaces and the female sporting category to be preserved,
that we are somehow bigots and transphobes. That's not the
issue here, and I think it's very frustrating that by
simply by virtue of having that stance, that you are
equated to those really nasty and awful things. I think
(39:17):
it's important to really highlight that both things can be
true at once. So you can have the belief that
biological reality matters and that males should be kept out
of women's sport, and you can also extend your compassion
and understanding to the trans community. I certainly personally have
no ill feelings or any specified hatred towards those in
(39:38):
the trans community. But by virtue of having this position,
I am perceived to have those sorts of feelings, which
is really quite hurtful. And I think it's disappointing because
what it's saying to women is that they aren't entitled
to stand up for their rights, that they aren't entitled
to have a voice on this. And I said earlier
that this is an issue that exceeds the spectrum of sport.
A lot of the people that I speak to, Jane
(40:00):
are women who are rape survivors, those for whom single
sex spaces are really imperative, Those for whom, if they
are in the presence of a male in these female
dedicated spaces, feel very triggered and re traumatized. I speak
to women of faith who unfortunately are no longer able
to compete in particular sporting categories because of their religious beliefs.
(40:20):
So these are other issues that are largely being ignored.
And I don't know about you, James, but I'm really
not comfortable with turning my head away from these women
who really rely on these spaces for their safety and
for their comfort. That just doesn't sit well with me.
And until we change the legislation in this space, I
will not be quiet.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Yeah, well, I'm glad you continue to speak out, Lucy,
because I know you and I know it's nothing to
do with clickbait or spreading hate. It's all about fairness
and safety and more power to you. Well, coming up next,
they say timing is everything in life. So what of
Trump's plans for a military parade in Washington, DC this
weekend while civil unrest spreads across the rest of the country. Plus,
(41:04):
the architect behind the sanctions applied against to Israeli ministers
says the Australian government has it all wrong. Our international
panel coming up in just a moment. Welcome back, Well
now to our weekly panel exploring what's making news around
the world. I'm joined by Sky News contributor Kosher Gata
and former Labour MP Michael Danby.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
Welcome to you both.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
For weeks, President Trump has talked up a military parade
in Washington, d C. Who doesn't love a parade. It's
meant to be held this weekend to celebrate both the
Army's birthday and his own. He says it will be
an unforgettable spectacle with tanks, fireworks and flyovers. But given
the unrest which is spreading from LA, the timing isn't great,
(41:49):
to say the least kosher. How likely is it, given
what's playing out domestically, that Trump might pull the pin
to avoid any.
Speaker 13 (41:57):
Backlash great to be through, James, I think it is
highly unlikely that he will pull the pin, because timing
is everything, Yes, and I think he's looking at it
as the timing of the two hundred and fiftieth birthday
of the Army, as you said, supersedes That's the bigger
argument or the bigger timing that he wants to really
underline and underscore here as opposed to what's happening domestically.
(42:20):
He's also very pro military, and the last large scale
parade of the US military was in nineteen ninety one
after Operation Desert Storm. And while the brand of the
military has diminished and recruitment has been a challenge, he
has turned it around he in his administration, and so
I think he sees this as a very good opportunity,
together with the two hundred and fiftieth birthday, to do this,
and he understands spectacle and creating iconic media better than anybody,
(42:42):
So I think he will charge ahead. He won't be discouraged,
which is what happened in the first term.
Speaker 14 (42:46):
He wanted to do this.
Speaker 13 (42:47):
I think this time he's going to stick with it.
Speaker 3 (42:49):
I hope he does.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
You don't let rioters determine the program for the rest
of the country. Meanwhile, an international survey has revealed most
Australians find Trump arrogantangerous and a threat to the global economy.
The US based Pure Research Centers annual survey of Global
Attitudes actually found only voters in Sweden had stronger anti
(43:10):
Trump views than Australians.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Michael Danby, what do you put that down to.
Speaker 9 (43:16):
It's a problem, James, it's the perception. I think the
media coverage of the Trump administration is almost entirely negative.
You get mixed views here on Sky or in the Australian,
but it's leading to a drift in public sentiments in
both countries. Most Americans don't support illegal immigration, their fifteen
(43:39):
million that Biden led into America and they support these deportations.
But you'd never know that if from the coverage in Australia,
and of course the anti ANDAs the Anti American Alliance
mob clapping their hands and kicking their heels. They're hoping
that the strift in public perceptions will sabotage the submarine
(44:02):
deal between our two great countries.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
Just before we move on, I want to get your thoughts, Kosher.
Are you surprised at the level of antipathy in this
country towards Donald Trump.
Speaker 3 (44:13):
A bit?
Speaker 13 (44:14):
And I think, with all due respect to my Australian friends,
I think that Paul is reflection on Australians as much
as it is on Trump. I think, you know, as
Michael said, it's a reflection of the media coverage. And
I think it's a little bit unfortunate because as an
English speaking country, Australians have access to wide ranging media
from other sources as well. And I hope as media
continues to get more democratized and other voices and channels
(44:36):
get out.
Speaker 14 (44:37):
There, maybe this will improve.
Speaker 13 (44:39):
But Trump arrangement syndrome, as they call it, is a
strong thing, so it's hard to combat once it takes root.
Speaker 3 (44:44):
It certainly is.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Australian companies with business interests in two Israeli departments have
been structed to consider seeking legal advice on whether they're
at risk of facing multi million dollar fines enforced for
breaches of sanctions against the to Israeli government ministers responsible
for those departments. Michael, I'm particularly interested in your view
on this because you, along with the late Kimberly Kitchen,
(45:09):
with the architect of the sanctions or the laws that
allow the sanctions that Pennywong has instituted. But you've come
out pretty strongly today saying this is not the way
those laws were designed to be used. Help me understand
what's going on here in your objection, the.
Speaker 9 (45:26):
Laws were designed to give leverage to people with human
rights or corruption problems in autocracies where they don't have
the rule of law or elections like they do in
Israel or France, or Canada or even Indonesia. So this
is a misuse and an interference in in other countries's elections.
Loudmouth like Smotrich and Ben Giverer should be dealt with
(45:49):
by Israelis in the Israeli courts, in the Knesset, and
in the forthcoming elections where I suspect their support is
going to diminish. But you just have to strapolated James
to Indonesia or France. Imagine missus lapenas elected and we
put a travel ban on her because of her critical
(46:09):
views on immigration, or we don't like some of the
human rights abuses in Indonesia, so we put a ban
on probo. No, this is not the way it was
meant to be done, and Kimber's view was that it
should be done to affect autocracies where people don't have
the same rights that we do have here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (46:31):
I want to go back to the US for a moment.
We witnessed the bromance between Elon Musk and the President
implode last week, with both men having a crack at
each other publicly. But now Musk has backtracked, saying he
went too far with some of his tweets Kosher. The
real story here, though, that I want to hear about
is the role of the Vice President JD. Vance, who
(46:53):
reportedly played a pivotal role in Broker in Peace. He's
positioned himself as both an attack dog for White House
but also a bit of a problem solver. How influential
is Vance shaping up to be not just as Trump's
running mate, but potentially as his ideological.
Speaker 13 (47:10):
Air it All reports seemed to be that he is
the rising star and the party certainly the ideological air
in terms of MAGA and populism. His roots are deep
from there. Everybody knows his story where he's come out
of the working class of Appalachia and had an amazing
personal story, so his bona fides are strong there. He
(47:31):
also has ties to Silicon Valley. He worked there for
a little bit. He can do the tech speak with
the tech right as well as other constituencies. That said,
as we all know, even a week as a lifetime
in politics, let alone three plus years. So the Republican
bench is deep. He will face other challengers in the primary,
I'm sure, but at this point in time his stock
is certainly rising.
Speaker 3 (47:51):
All right, I want to.
Speaker 2 (47:51):
Finish with some sad news the death of Beach Boys
frontman Brian Wilson. He led arguably one of the greatest
bands in the world, certainly was known for creating one
of the best albums ever with Pet Sounds. He's a
little taste of my favorite Beach Boys tune. All right,
(48:16):
we got thirty seconds to get your favorite Beach Boys song, Michael,
I'll start with you.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (48:22):
Surfing Usa and Barbaren They're the two I can still
sing Barbaran. I'm not sure.
Speaker 2 (48:28):
Please don't please don't Michael Kosher very quickly.
Speaker 3 (48:31):
What's your favorite.
Speaker 14 (48:33):
Surf? And the USA?
Speaker 13 (48:34):
Michael took the words out of my mouth.
Speaker 3 (48:36):
We're aligned, very good Kosher Michael.
Speaker 2 (48:39):
Thank you for joining me tonight and thank you for
your company tonight. Peter Creedlin will be back next week,
but right now he's Andrew Bolt with the Bolt Report.
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