Albanese to address geopolitics, housing, in Press Club address
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The news: All eyes will be trained on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he addresses the National Press Club of Australia (NPC) on Tuesday, as the PM is expected to tackle issues prompting “global uncertainty,” namely tariffs, ahead of his talks with US President Donald Trump on the G7 sidelines next week.
The context: It will be difficult for the PM to avoid discussing geopolitics during the address, as pressure builds on the government to secure a trade deal with the US as nations push forward with negotiations in the lead up to next week’s G7 summit in Canada. Other nations have already made progress with negotiations; the UK signed a trade deal weeks ago and Canada is reportedly working on finalising an agreement ahead of the G7.
An excerpt of Albanese’s NPC address seen by Capital Brief reads: “We are living in a time of significant global uncertainty - and that reaches beyond just economic instability.”
Defence spending is likely to remain high on the agenda, following Washington’s demand that Australia increase its spending to 3.5% of GDP. Albanese has insisted that Australia will not be dictated to by international allies, asserting that a rise in spending is already part of the government’s medium-term budget plans.
“Our vision is for a society that is a microcosm for the world – where all are respected and valued and our diversity is recognised as a strength. Where our international relationships in the fastest growing region of the world in human history benefit us, but also provide a platform for us to play a positive a stabilising global role in uncertain times. Our Government’s vision and ambition for Australia’s future was never dependent on the size of our majority,” Albanese will state.
“And we are investing in our economic sovereignty, our capacity to make more things here, with our plan for a Future Made in Australia. As I said on election night, this is a time of profound opportunity for our nation,” the Prime Minister will say.
The speech will also touch on Labor’s far-reaching Medicare investment, the party’s $43 billion Homes for Australia plan, education and climate objectives.
Albanese will state that the “same sense of responsibility to future generations [on home ownership] is why we are working to meet the environmental challenges of climate change and seize the economic opportunities of renewable energy. We have legislated our 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 and our commitment to Net Zero by 2050. We are delivering our energy policy – renewables, backed by gas, batteries and hydro.”
The Liberal party has also announced that Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley, will address the National Press Club on 25 June. Ley will be the first female leader of a major party to address the NPC since former Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave her pre-election address in 2013.
Ley is expected to outline a new vision of Liberal leadership which is more consultative and inclusive, as the party grapples with internal turmoil since Labor’s landslide election victory.
Commenting ahead of her address, Ley said: “Addressing the National Press Club is an important opportunity to talk to Australians about the work the Liberal Party will do over the next three years to reflect, respect and represent modern Australia. Aspiration is the thread that connects every single part of Australian society and by focusing on that, the Liberal Party can once again earn the trust of communities across the country.”
The sources: PM speech excerpt, Liberal party press release, Capital Brief
