Australian news and politics live: PM denies he’s been snubbed but still vague about Trump meet

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has arrived in Washington, DC, ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ summit, where she says she will discuss regional stability with her US counterpart.

“Looking forward to discussing how we continue to support a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” she wrote on X, alongside a photo with Ambassador Kevin Rudd.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan says she is “sickened” by allegations against childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who has been charged with more than 70 offences over the alleged sexual abuse of eight children.

The premier said the state’s early childhood regulator will launch an immediate investigation into the conduct of the education providers where Mr Brown was employed.

“They are shocking and distressing, and my heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.

Ms Allan acknowledged the wider impact on the early childhood sector and said the actions of one individual should not reflect on the broader workforce.

“I want to make it clear to our early childhood education workforce that I know the alleged actions and allegations of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and carers, and staff who go above and beyond every day to teach and care for our children,” she said.

Australian citizens are beginning to be flown out of Iran, but escape options remain limited amid fears of more Israeli attacks.

Five Australians have left Iran on a commercial flight from Mashhad, in the nation’s north-east, for Dubai with Australian government assistance.

In the week since the fragile truce between Israel and Iran began, airports in Iran’s capital, Tehran, remain closed.

Limited flights out of eastern Iran are opening up, with the Department of Foreign Affairs contacting hundreds of registered travellers to alert them about seats as they become available.

More than 3000 Australians wanting to leave Iran have registered with the department for assistance, and family members in Australia are concerned that options to cross the border into Azerbaijan are unfeasible for vulnerable people.

Read more.

Latika M Bourke writes:

It is obvious Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sees no need for improvement. Instead, he has taken his election win as a gold star endorsement to remain mediocre.

He won a landslide because Peter Dutton was a dud of a political leader and because Donald Trump is liked only above Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, and the ousted opposition leader spent a bit too much time leaning into MAGAism.

Instead of vowing to do better with his reprieve, which, six or seven months ago, was no guarantee, the Prime Minister seems intent on reverting to type, especially when it comes to making key decisions on national security.

This might have been tolerated in ordinary times, such as when former US President Joe Biden was in the White House, but with the world order being junked and re-ordered by our security ally, a no longer benign but radical United States — and our economic partner — authoritarian China, Mr Albanese’s stubborn complacency is becoming dangerous.

Read Latika M Bourke’s opinion piece.

Anthony Albanese says proposed changes to superannuation that would increase earnings tax on balances over $3m are “very modest”.

His comment comes after criticism from former Labor prime minister Paul Keating, the architect of Australia’s superannuation scheme, opposed the plans.

Mr Keating says younger generations on average earnings could reach the $3m mark by the 2050s.

Mr Albanese noted Mr Keating’s support for supeerannuation more broadly.

“Our superannuation guarantee being lifted to 12 per cent is a very good outcome, as is for the first time ever, superannuation being paid on paid parental leave, will make an enormous difference to the retirement incomes of women, in particular,” Mr Albanese said on Sky News.

“That’s been something that’s been a gap in the system: women retire with incomes far less than men as across the board, and that delivers unfairness in the system, and that’s why delivering superannuation on paid parental leave is a productivity outcome.”

The Prime Minister has dismissed suggestions he’s prioritising Australia’s relationship with China over the United States.

Anthony Albanese is slated to travel to China later this month if a meeting with Xi Jinping can be locked in.

Challenged on why he had met the Chinese President more times than he had met US President Donald Trump, Mr Albanese took umbrage.

“Well, Xi Jinping has been in office for some time and the person who had Xi Jinping address our national parliament here was Tony Abbott, just for the record,” Mr Albanese said.

“I’ve met with the US President more than I have met with the President of China since I’ve been the Prime Minister and I’ve travelled five times to the United States and one time to China.”

Read the story.

Continuing his rounds on brekkie TV, the Prime Minister appeared on ABC to spruik a raft of measures that should ease the financial burden on millions of Aussies.

Among them was a 3.5 per cent pay increase for three million people.

“They are people on the minimum wage or on award wages, some of the lowest paid people. That will make a difference. We know people are doing it tough,” Mr Albanese said.

“In addition to that, for people who are thinking about starting a family, the additional two weeks paid parental leave, lifting it up to 24 weeks, 26 weeks will be in the full six months next year will make a difference.

“In addition to that, we are paying superannuation for the first time on paid parental leave.”

For all the July 1 cost-of-livign measures read Nicola Smith’s story.

Anthony Albanese has shot down a report suggesting military chiefs failed for more than two years to provide formal updates to Defence Minister Richard Marles calling it “absurd”.

The Australian Financial Review report revealed a scathing Auditor-General’s audit had raised questions over the relationship between Mr Marles and his department.

“That’s just ridiculous. Frankly, haven’t seen that report, but we sit in the National Security Committee with the chief of the Defence Force. We meet regularly,” he said on Today.

“I certainly have met with heads of all of the armed forces regularly. And, you know, that is just completely incorrect.

“We came to office, we initiated a defence strategic review that outlined what elements we need in the lead up to budget.

“The idea this $57 billion that we’ve added to our defence investment of our capability has come directly after discussions and engagement, obviously, with defence.

“And in the last budget in March, indeed, we brought forward $1 billion of additional spending, bringing to over $10 billion our additional commitments over the forward estimates as well.”

Anthony Albanese has denied a suggestion Donald Trump has snubbed him, the leader of the US’ close ally.

“No, not at all. And we’ve had really constructive discussions,” he said during an appearance on Today.

“They’ve been respectful. I’ve been respectful of the president. And I must say that he’s been respectful of me as well when he rang to congratulate me on the election.

“And that’s a positive thing.

“And I’ve also had, of course, constructive discussions with members of the US administration, as have my ministers.

“But, you know, the president has a view about tariffs. It’s different from Australia’s view. And it must be said that it’s different from past presidents view as well.

“What most economists realise is that free and fair trade is a good thing for the world ans America has benefited from that.

“Now this president has a right to adopt his America First policy, as he calls it. We have a right to represent Australia’s national interests, that’s what I will do.”

Anthony Albanese said he’ll have a “constructive dialogue on tariffs and the AUKUS defence partnership.

“The United States is an important ally of Australia, but Australia contributes to that partnership.

“When you look at some of the coverage, you would think we were this country that just did nothing, contributed nothing to it.

“I will talk Australia up because we are an important ally.

“We contribute so much to peace and security in our own region by investing in our capabilities. But importantly as well, the role that we play in investing in our relationships in the region is absolutely critical.”