Trump lashes out at Australia over absence of allies against Iran
Donald Trump has listed Australia among the allies he appears to be bitterly disappointed with, for not wanting to get involved with his war against Iran.
In a social media post overnight the US president said his country “has been informed by most of our Nato ‘allies’ that they don’t want to get involved … despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing”.
“I am not surprised by their action,” he said, because he always considered Nato a “one way street – we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need”.
double quotation markBecause of the fact that we have had such military success [against Iran], we no longer ‘need’ or desire the Nato countries’ assistance – we never did!
Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.
In fact, speaking as president of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world, we do not need the help of anyone!
It is unclear whether he has asked for assistance from Australia. On Tuesday the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said Australia had not received any formal request for help in the strait of Hormuz.
US president Donald Trump during the Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol on Tuesday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PAShare
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Chalmers says rate rise not the decision ‘Australians were hoping for’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government would continue to tackle inflation, but said yesterday’s rate rise would increase pressure on Australians already reeling amidst a cost of living crisis.
Chalmers told ABC News this morning:
double quotation markThis is not the decision that a lot of Australians were hoping for, at a time when they were already under significant pressure.
The treasurer said the government was still pushing cost of living relief measures, including upcoming tax cuts, efforts to slash student debt and making medicines cheaper.
double quotation markThere’s a whole range of things that we’re doing in the responsible way that we can.
Chalmers would not comment on any changes to the capital gains tax discount, but said the government was “considering its options on tax reform”.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Good morning, it’s a rainy one over in Sydney. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Let’s get to it.
Updated at 16.14 EDT
Benita Kolovos
Victoria to release final planning controls for inner-Melbourne ‘activity centres’
The Victorian government will today release the final planning controls for the first 25 activity centres near train and tram stations in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs.
The premier, Jacinta Allan, and the planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny, will release the maps for areas including North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham stations along the Sandringham line.
The duo first unveiled the plan in Middle Brighton, leading to a much-publicised protest led by Liberal MP James Newbury.
Five of the 25 maps were released to the media ahead of today’s announcement. These include maps for a large stretch of Sydney Road from Coburg through to Brunswick, where the proposed height limit increased from 16 storeys in the draft to 20 in the final planning controls.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan (right) and planning minister Sonya Kilkenny speaking to media at Parliament House in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
In Middle Brighton, Oakleigh and Kew Junction, the plans are largely unchanged from the drafts.
The government has said it letterboxed from more than 140,000 Victorians and received feedback from 12,500, which “directly shaped the final plans” including changes to height limits.
Allan said in a statement:
double quotation markFor years, some of Melbourne’s best-connected suburbs have been locked up and it’s pushing young people and families out. We’re changing that. These reforms cut delays and give clear rules – so more millennials get into a home faster.
Here’s what we wrote when the drafts were released last year:
Updated at 16.10 EDT
Cyclone Narelle forms in Coral Sea
Adeshola Ore
A tropical low developing in the Coral Sea off Queensland’s coast has been declared a cyclone.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that the area of low pressure, which is heading for the state’s far north coast, had developed into a cyclone called Narelle.
It could intensify to a category four system when it makes landfall later this week.
Narelle could cross Queensland’s Cape York as early as Friday before moving into the Gulf of Carpentaria over the weekend, according to the BoM.
It is then expected to head towards the Northern Territory, which has been hit by record-breaking floods this month.
ShareTrump lashes out at Australia over absence of allies against Iran
Donald Trump has listed Australia among the allies he appears to be bitterly disappointed with, for not wanting to get involved with his war against Iran.
In a social media post overnight the US president said his country “has been informed by most of our Nato ‘allies’ that they don’t want to get involved … despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing”.
“I am not surprised by their action,” he said, because he always considered Nato a “one way street – we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need”.
double quotation markBecause of the fact that we have had such military success [against Iran], we no longer ‘need’ or desire the Nato countries’ assistance – we never did!
Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.
In fact, speaking as president of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world, we do not need the help of anyone!
It is unclear whether he has asked for assistance from Australia. On Tuesday the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said Australia had not received any formal request for help in the strait of Hormuz.
US president Donald Trump during the Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol on Tuesday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PAShareChalmers downplays RBA’s warning of possible recessionAdeshola Ore
Jim Chalmers has sought to downplay the Reserve Bank of Australia’s warning that a recession may be unavoidable after a second consecutive rate rise.
On Tuesday, the RBA increased interest rates to 4.1% amid a global energy shock that threatens to push Australian inflation towards 5%. The RBA governor Michelle Bullock said if the central bank could not bring inflation down it would have to deal with the possibility of a recession.
Speaking to the ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday night, the federal treasurer said:
double quotation markThat’s not something that we’re anticipating or forecasting or expecting.
We’re running a lot of scenarios at the moment as you would expect …. in the numbers we’re running right now we’re not expecting that outcome.
Chalmers said the government would do the “best” it could with available forecasts amid global uncertainty due to the Middle East conflict.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShareWelcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will take the reins.
After a day of grim headlines yesterday, with economists forecasting recession for Australia, Jim Chalmers has come out fighting, telling 7.30 last night “that’s not something that we’re anticipating or forecasting or expecting”. Read more in a moment.
And Donald Trump has named Australia among the allies he appears to be disappointed don’t want to get involved in his war against Iran. On the other hand, he insisted in capital letters, “we do not need the help of anyone!”
More on that soon.
Updated at 15.30 EDT