Chinese Ambassador to Australia ready to 'put relations back on track'
Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said diplomats between the two countries were in talks about the next steps for cooperation.
Xiao has recounted a webinar organized by the Institute for Australia-China Relations at the University of Technology Sydney:
We stand ready with the Australian side to get relations back on track.
Xiao noted this month marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said the "difficulty" in relationships he's faced in recent years is unfortunate. He said despite differing views on why and how the difficulties arose, they were not in the interests of either country.
Xiao said last month's bilateral meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali was "very successful". The ambassador described it as positive, constructive and productive, and it set the course for the future development of the relationship.
He said China and Australia were now working to follow up on a bilateral meeting between the leaders. That includes comparing notes between the two sides.
He said diplomats were examining areas where countries could cooperate, areas where they had differences, and concerns from each side, and looking for solutions to the problems.
That day, Wednesday December 7th
We'll leave the live blog there for tonight.
Here's what's in the news today:
The Australian economy expanded at an annualized rate of 5.9% in the September quarter, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics. At the quarterly rate, GDP grew 0.6%.
China's relations with Australia could get back "on the right track", with China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, saying diplomats were in talks about next steps for further cooperation.
Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, has taken over CWP Renewables, expanding the billionaire's clean energy portfolio to 2.4GW.
Uber, the rideshare company, will pay a $21 million fine after admitting it overstated fees for services and advertised possible cancellation fees that were never charged. The court imposed a lower fine than the $26 million the company had originally agreed to pay.
The minister for women, Katy Gallagher, said the commonwealth needs to take the lead in reforming sexual assault laws.
The US will increase its rotational presence of naval and army personnel in Australia. This will see more US air, ground and naval forces in Australia.
Public hospital performance has hit a record low, according to the Australian Medical Association.
We'll be back with you tomorrow with all the updates. Until then, good night.
The former head of the Department of Human Services is continuing evidence in the robodebt investigation
Former Department of Human Services boss Kathryn Campbell told the royal commission she relied on her staff and other departments to make sure what robodebt schemes were legal.
Campbell, who submitted his evidence to a royal commission into the scheme on Wednesday, has faced persistent questions about his role in February 2015 advising former social services minister Scott Morrison on the proposal to become a robodebt.
Under questioning from senior assistant counsel, Justin Greggery KC, Campbell was asked about his involvement in the executive minutes for Morrison that outlined what would become the robodebt scheme, along with other welfare compliance policies.
The former Chinese Ambassador to Australia is also optimistic about relations
As we reported here in a previous blog, the current Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has said at an event that China is ready to work with Australia to get the relationship “back on track”.
Fu Ying, who served as China's ambassador to Australia from 2004 to 2007, has now discussed the same webinar hosted by the Institute of Australia-China Relations at the University of Technology Sydney.
He said he was also optimistic about the trajectory in relations following the meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese.
Fu, who is now vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's 13th National People's Congress, described the discussions as constructive and said the two leaders sent a clear signal of the need to improve relations.
He said China had no intention of forcing Australia to make a choice against any other country.
But he said China also disagreed with the idea of dividing the world into power blocs, saying humanity had not forgotten the trauma of the "hot and cold war".
Fu said while China and Australia needed to adjust to new realities in the world, they had to take a long-term view of power relations. He said it was a point Xi emphasized when he met Albanians last month.
He said it was very important to overcome disagreements and respect each other and seek mutual benefits, arguing this would lead to the steady growth of relations.
The former Chinese Ambassador to Australia is also optimistic about relations
As we reported here in a previous blog, the current Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has said at an event that China is ready to work with Australia to get the relationship “back on track”.
Fu Ying, who served as China's ambassador to Australia from 2004 to 2007, has now discussed the same webinar hosted by the Institute of Australia-China Relations at the University of Technology Sydney.
He said he was also optimistic about the trajectory in relations following the meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese.
Fu, who is now vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's 13th National People's Congress, described the discussions as constructive and said the two leaders sent a clear signal of the need to improve relations.
He said China had no intention of forcing Australia to make a choice against any other country.
But he said China also disagreed with the idea of dividing the world into power blocs, saying humanity had not forgotten the trauma of the "hot and cold war".
Fu said while China and Australia needed to adjust to new realities in the world, they had to take a long-term view of power relations. He said it was a point Xi emphasized when he met Albanians last month.
He said it was very important to overcome disagreements and respect each other and seek mutual benefits, arguing this would lead to the steady growth of relations.
Windfall royalty fees on Queensland coal buoy finances
Queensland has been losing money again after slashing coal exports but wants compensation before agreeing to limit domestic prices, reports AAP.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is reportedly considering demanding Queensland and NSW impose their own price caps on coal to reduce pressure on household and business electricity bills.
It comes as Queensland treasurer Cameron Dick revealed on Wednesday that windfall royalty fees to coal producers would help keep the nation's budget in the dark for three of the next four years.
He forecasts a nearly $5.2 billion surplus in 2022/23 in his mid-year budget update, compared to a $1 billion deficit predicted six months ago.
That's on the back of the nearly $10.7 billion in coal royalty payments flowing into the state coffers; more than double the amount predicted in June when the windfall royalty rate was introduced.
Royalties, along with higher payroll taxes and GST refunds, will keep the balance sheet in the dark above forecasts going forward, barring a $458 million deficit in 2023/24.
The treasurer said that high coal prices would not affect royalty income from exporters but he was wary of the impact on the lucrative publicly owned power plant:
We need to see the final and detailed proposals from the federal government before we can form a view of what that would actually look like in terms of compensation or support for Queensland if we are to do anything that has an impact, financially makes sense, in our country.
Dick estimates it will take $21.5 billion in coal royalties over the next four years, but admits the Treasury's estimates are conservative.
The Queensland Resources Council, a coal mining lobby group, has launched an advertising campaign warning that higher royalty payments will discourage investment.
The Chief Executive of QRC, Ian Macfarlane, claimed that as a result of this policy, "within 10 to 20 years, there will be no more jobs in coal mines".
"They took so many that they killed the golden goose," he said.
“Queensland's resource industries underpin the Queensland economy but have been completely crushed by the Queensland government.”
The treasurer is unapologetic about taking a larger cut from the coal producer, saying it will be used in part to fund decarbonization plans, mining of critical minerals and regional infrastructure.
Coal royalties are worth fighting for; Queenslanders deserve their fair share and they will receive it.
The windfall gains for the coal companies are also wins for the communities that own the mineral resources, the people of Queensland.
While coal prices are expected to decline starting in the second half of 2023, a windfall will bring total coal revenue to nearly $21.55 billion over the next four years.
Estimated net debt has been slashed by $400 million to $110.7 billion for 2022/23 and is expected to peak around $700 million lower to $129.3 billion within four years.
Queensland's economic growth is forecast at around 2.5% through 2023/24.
The state's 4% unemployment rate is expected to rise slightly to 4.25% and the current 5.75% inflation rate is expected to fall to 2.75% in 2023/24.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia ready to 'put relations back on track'
Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said diplomats between the two countries were in talks about the next steps for cooperation.
Xiao has recounted a webinar organized by the Institute for Australia-China Relations at the University of Technology Sydney:
We stand ready with the Australian side to get relations back on track.
Xiao noted this month marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said the "difficulty" in relationships he's faced in recent years is unfortunate. He said despite differing views on why and how the difficulties arose, they were not in the interests of either country.
Xiao said last month's bilateral meeting between Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali was "very successful". The ambassador described it as positive, constructive and productive, and it set the course for the future development of the relationship.
He said China and Australia were now working to follow up on a bilateral meeting between the leaders. That includes comparing notes between the two sides.
He said diplomats were examining areas where countries could cooperate, areas where they had differences, and concerns from each side, and looking for solutions to the problems. This article was written by EDUKASI CAMPUS.