BoM says the Lachlan River at Euabalong may reach around eight metres with major flooding higher than the 1952 flood. Follow latest updates
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Birmingham says he would like to see an Australian visit to Taiwan – something which the Coalition did not do while it was in government, though Birmingham says “there was discussions about a possible visit just prior to Covid occurring”.
Birmingham has also been challenged over the previous Coalition government’s refusal to engage with the government of Myanmar to secure the release of Professor Sean Turnell. He stands by the Coalition government’s refusal to engage based on the government’s human rights record.
He is also asked whether Australia should target Myanmar with sanctions.
Well, Australia should be looking for how we work with regional partners to increase pressure on Myanmar and sanctions should be on the table, as part of that.
Part of that consideration should be the fact that we’ve seen late in the piece of the previous government.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the thousands of other individuals who are detained in Myanmar, to the abuses occurring across the country, to the oppression of minorities that are happening, to the suppression of democracy, and to the fact that it would appear they are preparing to undertake a sham election next year as an entry to try to, entree to get themselves back into the international acceptance.
There is no change in the bipartisan there. Recognising one-China but not expecting and wishing to see any change to the status quo undertaken in a unilateral way.
My view is to assess all of these matters carefully as things unfold and develop, but we should be prepared for any eventuality, so we will be looking clearly and closely at the Defence strategic review when it is released early next year.
Continue reading…BoM says the Lachlan River at Euabalong may reach around eight metres with major flooding higher than the 1952 flood. Follow latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastBirmingham says he would like to see an Australian visit to Taiwan – something which the Coalition did not do while it was in government, though Birmingham says “there was discussions about a possible visit just prior to Covid occurring”.Birmingham has also been challenged over the previous Coalition government’s refusal to engage with the government of Myanmar to secure the release of Professor Sean Turnell. He stands by the Coalition government’s refusal to engage based on the government’s human rights record.He is also asked whether Australia should target Myanmar with sanctions.Well, Australia should be looking for how we work with regional partners to increase pressure on Myanmar and sanctions should be on the table, as part of that.Part of that consideration should be the fact that we’ve seen late in the piece of the previous government.We cannot turn a blind eye to the thousands of other individuals who are detained in Myanmar, to the abuses occurring across the country, to the oppression of minorities that are happening, to the suppression of democracy, and to the fact that it would appear they are preparing to undertake a sham election next year as an entry to try to, entree to get themselves back into the international acceptance.There is no change in the bipartisan there. Recognising one-China but not expecting and wishing to see any change to the status quo undertaken in a unilateral way.My view is to assess all of these matters carefully as things unfold and develop, but we should be prepared for any eventuality, so we will be looking clearly and closely at the Defence strategic review when it is released early next year. Continue reading…