Labor leader Anthony Albanese has made his first virtual appearance since testing positive to COVID-19, while the security pact between China and Solomon Islands continues to dominate the federal election campaign. naveenjrazik annajhenderson
Opposition foreign affairs minister Penny Wong has lashed out at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's handling of the Solomon Islands' security deal with China, saying he needs to take resonsibility for what she's calling "the worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since the end of World War II".
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference after visiting TAE Aerospace on Day 12 of the 2022 federal election campaign, near Ipswich, east of Brisbane, in the seat of Blair. Friday, April 22, 2022."This has occurred on his watch," Ms Wong said. "He hasn't been upfront with people about what's actually happened ...
But Mr Morrison defended the government's response, saying Australia would not "throw its weight around" and tell other nations what to do. He noted Australia remained Honiara's security partner of choice with defence personnel and federal police on the ground."Barnaby Joyce is saying this is the Cuban missile crisis, you have one position from Scott Morrison, a totally different position from the deputy prime minister of Australia," he said.
He said he's hoping to be back for Labor's Perth campaign launch on May 1st. Meanwhile, Labor frontbenchers will take a more central role over the next seven days after leader Anthony Albanese contracted COVID-19. "I see this as an opportunity ... because not only have we got a better plan, we've got a better team."
Mr Albanese is likely to still conduct press conferences virtually, should he not be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. A re-elected coalition government would establish 14 new Veteran Wellbeing Centres, at a cost of $70 million.They will provide a one-stop shop, in partnership with ex-service and community organisations, to better help connect veterans to support and advocacy services.
Among the identified areas are in greater Sydney, western Sydney, NSW mid-north coast, Newcastle-Hunter, Wagga Wagga, Mackay, Wide-Bay Burnett, Sunshine Coast, southeast Queensland, northern suburbs of Perth, greater Melbourne, Geelong, Mornington Peninsula and the ACT.
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