RSL Australia to Review Welcome to Country Policies
The Returned and Services League (RSL) has announced it will review its guidance regarding welcome to country addresses at Anzac Day services following incidents where Indigenous leaders were booed at three dawn services on Saturday.
RSL national president Peter Tinley told the ABC on Monday that the organisation would reassess its policies on RSL-organised commemorations and "provide guidance to our branches as to how they might attend to this".
Tinley expressed his dismay at the booing during the dawn ceremonies but noted that some of the "anodyne acknowledgments" can become "overworked".
"It can get overworked hellip; so then it becomes a question of how are we going to review this process and make it more relevant. I think theres a real opportunity for the RSL to lead and provide a better expression that is more tailored and appropriate for the commemorative day that it is."
He added that it was "a good thing" for the guidelines and service to be dynamic and reflective of the community.
White House Nominates David Brat as Next Ambassador to Australia
The White House has nominated David Brat, a former Republican member of the US House of Representatives, to serve as the next ambassador to Australia.
Brat represented Virginia in Congress for two terms before being narrowly defeated by a Democrat in 2018. He currently serves as vice-president of business relations at Virginias Liberty University.
Ambassadors require confirmation by the US Senate. The ambassadorial post has been vacant for a year and a half since former ambassador Caroline Kennedy departed in November 2024.
Canavan Details $6bn Plan to Double Fuel Reserves as ‘Reasonable Insurance’
Nationals leader Matt Canavan outlined a Coalition plan to increase Australias fuel reserves to a 60-day supply, including an $800 million investment to construct a new storage facility.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Canavan explained that to meet the doubled reserve target, Australia would require approximately 4.4 billion litres of additional storage capacity, which would be provided through existing infrastructure and private sector contributions. The $800 million figure would be sourced from Export Finance Australia to assist the private sector with loans that would be repaid.
"It wouldnt fund the entire amount of that extra storage, but it would help make a contribution hellip; Obviously, this comes at a cost hellip; But given what were facing right now, we think its a reasonable insurance premium to improve the security of all Australians."
Canavan further stated that the total estimated cost of the project would be closer to $6 billion, which includes storage construction, filling, and maintenance of the reserves. The public funding from Export Finance Australia would only partially cover this amount.
"It was sensible to do a few years ago to get to 30 days. Its helping us now. Given the high risks, its even more sensible to go to 60 days."
John Howard Reflects on Port Arthur Massacre
Former Prime Minister John Howard spoke on RN Breakfast about the Port Arthur massacre, reflecting on the national response and the landmark gun buyback program implemented afterward.
"It rocked the country. Theres no other way of describing it hellip; Id just been elected to a prime minister after a long period in opposition, with a huge majority, and I developed a view pretty quickly that I had to do something significant. Whats the point of having a big majority unless youre prepared to use it? hellip; I was certainly confident that the great majority of Australians supported what we did, but there were pockets of opposition."
Howard praised the cooperation among different political parties in facilitating the buyback, despite challenges leaders faced with their constituencies.
"Without their cooperation, it would have been very, very difficult," Howard said.
Prime Minister Albanese Marks 30 Years Since Port Arthur Massacre
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. He acknowledged the nations resilience and the emergence of humanity amid tragedy.
"We think of everyone whose world was shattered by the loss of those who had been the bright centre of their lives, their love left desperately wrapped around an absence. hellip; We think of Walter Mikac who channelled his devastating loss into a call for national action on gun reform, writing to Prime Minister [John] Howard with a message that echoes through the decades: Be strong, act now."
Albanese noted that Australia is a better place because the Government and Parliament responded to Walter Mikacs call.
Shadow Minister Dismisses Calls for Gas Export Tax, Affirms Fair Share for Australians
Susan McDonald, shadow minister for resources, stated that Australians receive their "fair share" of revenue from gas companies amid increasing calls for a higher gas export tax.
The federal government is expected to address proposals for a new 25% tax on gas exports in the upcoming budget. Progressive politicians, trade unions, and climate groups have advocated for a flat 25% tax on gas export revenue to replace the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT).
Speaking on ABCs 7.30 program on Monday night, Nationals senator McDonald said the PRRT had been reviewed recently in 2023.
"It is a tax that allows companies to recoup the very expensive capital costs for investing in Australia. This has been examined at length by Treasury, by government departments, and over successive governments. I feel confident that we have found the right balance."
Murray Watt Emphasizes Need to Protect Great Barrier Reef
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt is scheduled to deliver a speech outlining Australias efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef ahead of the World Heritage Committee meeting in July.
Watt will highlight global heating as the reefs most significant threat, alongside severe weather events, fishing pressures, outbreaks of coral-eating starfish, and poor water quality linked to land clearing.
At an event hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Watt will state:
"Faced with these challenges, humankind must be at its best. Thats why we are taking up the fight to protect the Great Barrier Reef for future generations."
He will also mention reforms to national environment laws agreed last year, which strengthened approvals required to clear vegetation within 50 metres of watercourses in the reefs catchments.
Consecutive governments have lobbied UNESCO experts for years to prevent the 21-country committee from placing the reef on its "in danger" list. Last year, the government submitted a report by 1 February ahead of this years meeting in South Korea.
Unlike previous years, such as 2023, the government has indicated that the reef will be considered for the "in danger" list at the upcoming meeting.
Taylor and Canavan Advocate for Increased Fuel Storage Capacity
Opposition leader Angus Taylor announced that a Coalition government would double Australias fuel reserves to at least 60 days and invest $800 million to construct a new storage facility.
Announcing the policy alongside Nationals leader Matt Canavan, Taylor urged the Albanese government to increase baseline stockholdings from 1 January next year to approach the 90-day minimum reserves mandated by the International Energy Agency.
"This is a plan the prime minister should pick up today. No excuses, no delays. If fuel stops, Australia stops. Its that simple. Trucks dont move, supermarkets dont stock, businesses shut their doors. We are putting forward a practical plan to make sure that never happens. More fuel in reserve, more storage on the ground and a country that can stand on its own two feet."
The Coalition claims their plan would enable Australia to reach a 60-day fuel supply by the end of this decade.
When Labor proposed a 90-day fuel reserve before the 2019 election, Taylor, then energy minister, criticized the plan for potentially costing "tens of billions of dollars" and called on Labor to clarify funding sources.
Good morning, its Nick Visser here to continue the blog with the latest updates.
