PM Announces Economic Roundtable to Deal With Inflation

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new economic reform roundtable to be held in August, aiming to bring together key figures from business, unions and industry in what he describes as a “streamlined dialogue” to boost productivity, wages, and economic resilience.

Speaking at the National Press Club on June 10, Albanese said he had tasked Treasurer Jim Chalmers with convening the forum to “support and shape” the government’s productivity agenda.

“The starting point for our government is clear. Our plan for economic growth and productivity is about Australians earning more and keeping more of what they earn,” he said.

He said the government’s goal was for growth, wages, and productivity to rise in unison.

While Labor hosted a broader Jobs and Skills Summit in its first term, this new roundtable will be more targeted. Albanese described it as “a more streamlined dialogue” aimed at addressing “a targeted set of issues.”

Outcomes And Policy Continuity

The prime minister said the government wants “a focused dialogue and constructive debate that leads to concrete and tangible actions,” citing recent reforms such as the crackdown on non-compete clauses and new national standards for occupational licensing.

“In the next three years, we want to expand on this approach. I am optimistic about the progress we can make, because there is substantial agreement on so many of the key priorities,” he said.

These priorities include “driving faster approvals for housing, energy, and infrastructure projects, while ensuring sustainability.”

The announcement drew criticism from Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, who said on X that the government’s attention to productivity comes too late.

“A bit late for the PM to FINALLY focus on productivity after it had fallen by 5.7 percent in his first term. We have never seen anything like this kind of fall in Australian economic history. Why didn’t the PM invite the Productivity Commission to his Jobs and Skills Summit in 2022?” he wrote.

Albanese Flags Journalist Incident with US Administration

Albanese confirmed he had spoken with Nine Network correspondent Lauren Tomasi after footage emerged of her being shot at with a rubber bullet while reporting from the United States.

“She’s going OK. She’s pretty resilient, I’ve got to say. But that footage was horrific. That was the footage of an Australian journalist doing what journalists do at their very best,” he said.

“We have already raised these issues with the U.S. administration. We don’t find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think that the role of the media is particularly important.”

Asked whether he would raise the matter directly with President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 meeting, Albanese demurred.

“That’s the way that I deal with people, diplomatically, appropriately and with respect. So I’ll leave the discussions with the president until they occur, rather than foreshadow them,” he said.

However, he added that the actions were deliberate, saying, “She was wearing a helmet and something that identified her as media.”

However, video of the incident reveals this was not the case.

Earlier in the day, Greens Senator Nick McKim called the incident “completely unacceptable” and urged the government to escalate the issue.

Albanese Responds to Push to Raise Defence Spending

When asked whether he viewed China as a national security threat, Albanese said it was complicated.

“I think that our engagement with the region and the world needs to be diplomatic, needs to be mature, and needs to avoid the attempts to simplify what are a complex set of relationships. And Australian journalists should do the same,” he said.

Pressed again, Albanese added, “We have strategic competition in the region. We have that, we have a defence strategic review, which outlines what Australia’s defence needs are.”

He said it is in Australia’s interest that there is peace and security in the region.

On whether Australia should lift defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, as encouraged by the United States, Albanese said, “I think that Australia should decide what we spend on Australia’s defence. Simple as that. That’s my view.”

While not ruling out future increases, Albanese said defence funding must be guided by actual capability needs rather than arbitrary benchmarks.

“Our capability will always be supported in any submissions by myself as prime minister. Because our first order is to keep us safe,” he said.

Key Bureaucratic Appointments Unveiled

Albanese announced senior leadership changes within the public service, with Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy appointed as the new secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, making him the nation’s top public servant.

Kennedy, a key figure in Australia’s economic response to COVID-19 and architect of the $89 billion JobKeeper program, will be succeeded by his deputy Jenny Wilkinson. She will become the first woman to lead the federal Treasury.