Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes interest rates remaining stable despite recorded declines in other countries, PM Albanese choosing ‘friendship’ with Ardern over ‘Australians’ security, developing ties with the Solomon Islands remains a top priority for Australia, bird imports from Australia banned following confirmed cases of bird flu, and Australia’s passport is set to become the most expensive in the world.
Nation
Australia’s passport is set to become the most expensive in the world
The Australian passport is about to become the most expensive in the world, with prices skyrocketing to almost $400, 7 News reported. The Labor Government has announced its second price rise this year, with a total increase of 22.5 per cent since January. Passport prices will increase from the standard $325 at the beginning of the year, to $398 as of July 1. This includes the standard indexation applied in January.
Politics
Prime Minister chose ‘friendship’ with Ardern over ‘Australians’ security
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says Andrew Giles can’t take all the blame for the hurt caused by Direction 99, condemning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for signing the paperwork to keep things “friendly” with New Zealand, Sky News has reported. It follows the Immigration Minister’s announcement that the controversial directive, which enabled several criminals to remain in Australia, will be revoked on June 21 with new guidance being introduced. “Anthony Albanese signed our sovereign security away to New Zealand for a friendship with Jacinda Ardern, rather than standing up for Australia, and protecting Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
Developing ties with the Solomon Islands is a priority for Australia and China
Australia wants deeper ties with the Solomon Islands as China sent its envoy to Honiara to meet new Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Reuters reported. Australia is the Solomon Islands’ biggest development partner. It has sent its second- and third-most senior government members to meet Manele since he was elected last month because it wants to deepen ties. A security pact struck with China in 2022 by the previous pro-Beijing leader Manasseh Sogavare, alarmed Canberra and Washington amid concern over China’s naval ambitions in the region.
Economy
Interest rates at the RBA remain stable as interest rates fall in other countries
Sky News reported that the recent rate cuts seen overseas would not influence the RBA to lower interest rates. This is as Australia braces to be one of the last countries suffering from inflation to begin its descent. Growth has slowed after an aggressive run of rate hikes over the past years with just 0.1 per cent growth in the March quarter. Australia is expected to be one of the last countries to see rates drop with underlying inflation remaining high when stacked up.
Regional trade
Bird imports from Australia banned
The Philippine government has banned the importation of birds from Australia following confirmed cases of bird flu in the southern nation, The Philippine Star reported. The outbreaks were recorded on May 23 in Meredith and May 25 in Terang in the state of Victoria. The infection was confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. The Philippines’ Bureau of Animal Industry suspended the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) for imports from Australia of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.
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