Watch live as Anthony Albanese addresses the UN general assembly
Key events
Tom McIlroy
Albanese told the UN that Australia has a proud record on the advancement of womens’ and girls’ rights.
As one of the world’s oldest democracies – and one of the first where women could vote in elections and stand for parliament, Australia knows societies and economies are stronger when they draw on the talents of all their citizens.
Indeed, it was an Australian, Jessie Street, one of just eight women among the 850 delegates in San Francisco in 1945 who insisted that the UN Charter make specific mention of sexual discrimination.
Because, she said: ‘Where the rules are silent, women are not usually considered’.
That is why Australia proudly works to promote education, economic opportunity and empowerment for women and girls around the world.
Australia will meet its 2030 climate target, Albanese tells UN
Tom McIlroy
Speaking at the UN in New York, Albanese says Australia will meet its 2030 climate targets.
Experts believe the federal government needs to boost investment in wind and solar developments, as well as transmission infrastructure and storage systems, to meet the upcoming climate targets.
Albanese said:
Australia is acting to meet the environmental challenge of climate change while working to seize and share the economic opportunities of renewable energy.
We will meet our 2030 target of 43% emissions reduction on 2005 levels. Last week we set our target for 2035: cutting emissions by 62 to 70%.
Albanese said the government’s target is ambitious, but “importantly it is achievable.”
Tom McIlroy
PM calls for Australia to gain temporary seat on UN security council
Albanese revived Australia’s bid for a temporary seat on the UN security council in 2029-30.
Originally launched by the Turnbull government way back in 2015, the bid would give Australia a vote on the UN’s most powerful body.
The United Nations is much more than an arena for the great powers to veto each other’s ambitions.
This is a platform for middle powers and small nations to voice – and achieve – our aspirations.
Albanese begins major speech at UN general assembly
Tom McIlroy
Anthony Albanese told the UN general assembly that all countries can bring new strength to the organisation’s enduring mission.
We all have a role to play in making sure that the system, which has enabled the rise of new powers, safeguards the rights and aspiration of every nation big and small.
The chamber is about half full for Albanese’s address, which got under way after 8pm, New York time.
For Australia, this means investing in our capabilities and investing in our relationships. Investing in development, in defence and in diplomacy.
To strengthen the security of our region, to support the sovereignty of our neighbours and to contribute to the cause of peace beyond the Indo-Pacific.
Watch live as Anthony Albanese addresses the UN general assembly
Tom McIlroy
Albanese next up at the UN general assembly
Anthony Albanese is about to deliver Australia’s national address to the United Nations general assembly in New York, the last item on the agenda for the first leg of his 11-day overseas trip.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, along with climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, communications minister Annika Wells and Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon are all in the general assembly chamber for the speech.
We expect the speech to go for about 15 minutes, but leaders can speak as long as they like in this address. The longest statement on record was by VK Krishna Menon of India. He spoke for almost eight hours in 1957, over three separate sessions.
Albanese heads to London tomorrow, before a quick visit to the United Arab Emirates on the way back to Australia next week.
Nine Entertainment appoints Peter Tonagh as new chair
Amanda Meade
Peter Tonagh, a former deputy chair of the ABC, has been appointed chair of Nine Entertainment, Australia’s largest media company has told the ASX.
Tonagh replaces Catherine West as chair of Nine, which publishes newspapers including the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald and owns TV, radio and digital assets.
West said:
It has been a privilege to be part of the leadership of this iconic Australian company for almost 10 years, most recently as chair and deputy chair. Nine is part of Australia’s fabric and plays a critical role in preserving our democracy, nurturing our culture and shaping our national identity.
Tonagh’s career has included senior appointments at Foxtel (as CEO), News Corp Australia and REA Group.
Tonagh said:
I will be working closely with the board and management to drive value for all shareholders over the long term.
West replaced former the Liberal treasurer Peter Costello who resigned “effective immediately” days after he was accused of assaulting a News Corp journalist at Canberra airport.
Costello dismissed the allegations at the time, saying “there was no assault” and that the journalist Liam Mendes “fell over an advertising placard”.
Benita Kolovos
Car thefts and retail thefts rise significantly in Victoria
Theft continues to be the fastest growing and most common crime in Victoria.
In the latest Victorian crime stats, theft from motor vehicles increased significantly, with 86,351 offences recorded in the year – a rise of 24,409 offences, or 39.4% on the previous year.
Number plates were the most commonly stolen item, making up almost 40% of all thefts from vehicles, with 32,481 offences – an increase of 10,750 or 49.5%.
Motor vehicle theft also surged, reaching 33,018 offences – an increase of 9,786, or 42.1% – marking the highest level since 2002.
Breaches of family violence orders rose to 64,713 offences, an increase of 9,252, or 16.7%, as Victoria reached a record total of 106,427 family violence incidents – up by 7,617 incidents or 7.7%.
Theft from retail stores continues to rise persistently, with 41,667 offences recorded – an increase of 9,004, or 27.6%.
Theft (other) was the fifth fastest-growing offence category, with 58,593 offences – up by 7,931, or 15.7%. Within this category, petrol was the most commonly stolen item, accounting for 5,891 offences – an increase of 1,188.
Victoria’s crime rate rises by 13.8% as thefts increase
Benita Kolovos
Victoria’s crime rate has increased again – by 13.8% – with theft the biggest driver.
The Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday released data showing 638,640 criminal offences were recorded in Victoria in the 2024/25 financial year – an increase of 86,587 offences or 15.7%. When adjusted for population, the crime rate per 100,000 people was 8,998.9, marking a 13.8% rise.
It is marginally smaller than the increase recorded in the previous quarter of 15.2%, but Victoria police’s deputy commissioner for regional operations, Bob Hill, said it was still unacceptably high:
As a society, we simply cannot allow the level of crime we are seeing to become normalised and accepted – every Victorian deserves to feel safe in their home, within the community and on the roads. Victoria police is tackling these issues head on.
Our members are doing exceptional work to resolve these crimes. But it must be said – the number of arrests we are seeing reflects an unacceptable level of offending.
Tom McIlroy
PM looking forward to meeting Trump next month
Anthony Albanese says he is looking forward to visiting Donald Trump at the White House next month, after the pair met for the first time in New York overnight.
The US president hosted world leaders visiting for the UN general assembly and Albanese took the opportunity to snap a selfie with Trump. The pair did not have a formal meeting in New York, and will instead have a stand-alone bilateral discussion in the Oval Office.
The Aukus nuclear submarines deal, trade tariffs and defence spending will feature heavily in the conversations on 20 October.
“We had a very warm and engaging chat,” Albanese said. “I tend not to broadcast private discussions but it was very welcome, and we look forward to a further discussion in a few weeks.”
Macquarie will pay thousands of members who invested in failed Shield Master Fund
Macquarie Investment Management will pay thousands of members who invested their retirement savings in the failed Shield Master Fund, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (Asic) said this morning.
Macquarie admitted to contravening the Corporations Act, and said it would pay members 100% of the amounts they invested in the Shield fund, minus any amounts they withdrew. As a superannuation trustee, Macquarie oversaw about $321m in super investments into Shield by about 3,000 members between 2022 and 2023.
Sarah Court, the deputy chair of Asic, said in a statement:
This is an important outcome that stems the significant losses that threatened thousands of members’ retirement savings after they used Macquarie’s platform to invest their super in Shield.
Many members thought their funds were safe when they used Macquarie’s super platform to invest in Shield, which had no track record.
Macquarie said the payment will “eliminate the necessity for investors to wait for a likely complex multi-year process as Shield liquidators Alvarez & Marsal continue to pursue recovery of funds”, adding:
Macquarie’s decision to devote resources to achieve this outcome recognises Shield’s unique circumstances, notably the scale of the issue, its material impact on many investors and their limited access to recourse from the many different entities which played a role. The approach of providing immediate certainty and an improved outcome for investors benefits all parties.
Incoming NSW police commissioner hopes to be judged on ‘performance’
Mal Lanyon, the incoming commissioner of New South Wales police, said he hopes to be judged on his performance in his role leading the agency, not by incidents in his past.
Lanyon was named as the successor to Karen Webb yesterday and will begin his role on 1 October. As Guardian Australia’s Jordyn Beazley reports, he faced intense questions yesterday over two incidents: a 2021 episode where he was found collapsed near Goulburn’s “Big Merino” sculpture, after he was reportedly “smashed” and had a run-in with paramedics who were called to help him.
He also recently made an admission, following a complaint to the police watchdog, that he taken his wife and another couple aboard an operational police boat for New Year’s Eve in 2023.
Layton said he had been “as open and honest as I can about those incidents”, telling RN Breakfast:
This is the type of job, because of its prominence, because the community rightly expects to be kept safe, the police commissioner’s role is always one that is appropriately scrutinised. My focus is very much on leading the organisation to make sure we do keep the community safe. That would be my focus.
I would hope to be judged on my performance in that role and the performance of the New South Wales police force going forward.
NSW arts minister says federal government ‘open minded’ on tax reform for creative sector
John Graham, the New South Wales arts minister, spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after government data showed Australia’s cultural and creative industries delivered more than $67bn to the national economy in 2023/2024.
Government and industry leaders are meeting in Sydney today to discuss tax reform for the creative sector to help support the industry. Graham said while there are no guarantees about what could come out of the meeting, it’s good the federal government is “open minded” and recognises there is a need for change.
Graham said:
Even with increased arts funding, because of the actions of other countries we can’t keep up at the moment. It’s a good time to look at these tax settings. I’ve been really encouraged by the fact that the commonwealth’s been open to letting this conversation unfold, and they’re in a position now where they’re looking to the long term. That’s good news for some of these proposals.
It’s difficult to change the tax system, but the good news is if you do make a change, it’s big enough to make a difference and it’s there for the long term. So it will give certainty to some of these organisations.
Former US ambassador says Australia’s recognition of Palestinian state not ‘fatal’ to relationship
Arthur Sinodinos, the former ambassador to the US, said Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state hasn’t been “fatal” to the two countries’ relationship.
Sinodinos spoke to RN Breakfast, saying it was important Anthony Albanese meet with US president Donald Trump to ensure the White House of Australia and its partners of “the essential role we play”. Sinodinos said:
In a sort of era of America first, we have to make sure it’s not America only.
The former ambassador went on to say that there has generally been a “certain ballast” to the relationship between the US and Australia, where “most of the time, it’s in fundamentally good shape”. He added he didn’t believe Albanese’s recognition of a Palestinian state would deeply damage that relationship:
I don’t think that it’s been fatal or anything to the relationship. I mean, any criticisms about this have been from the administration have been aimed – there was one or two at Australia specifically – but most of them have been a general spray at the countries that have done this.
Aldi has lowest home brand grocery prices, Choice survey says
Luca Ittimani
Aldi recorded the lowest prices for home brand groceries and retained its crown as the supermarket with the cheapest staples, while IGA’s home brand goods cost nearly 20% more.
Consumer group Choice’s quarterly supermarket price survey found Coles and Woolworths ranked in between, with the latter’s basket of home brand goods just 10c more expensive.
Woolworths’s basket, though, was 20c costlier, or 45c excluding specials, when shoppers reviewed a broader basket of staples including fresh fruit, milk, chicken breasts and Weet-Bix. The two supermarket giants have tracked very closely on prices throughout Choice’s surveys.
New South Wales shoppers also continued to score the lowest prices, as Choice found in March, with Western Australians paying $57 for a basket priced just $53 in NSW. Victorian shoppers spent just $55.20 at Woolworths
Shoppers in Victoria paid less than other states at Coles and Woolworths, spending $55.20 on the survey basket, while those in New South Wales got the best deal at Aldi, spending just $53.80 on the same basket. Western Australian shoppers spent $57.49 for the same goods at Aldi or nearly $60 at Woolworths and Coles.
As strawberry season returns and punnet prices slip to $3, Choice’s mystery shoppers also found Coles stocked the longest-lasting strawberries. Coles’ strawberries showed no decay after one day in the fridge and less than half of the purchased punnets showed decay within five days.
Home brand products surveyed included spaghetti, soy milk, tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream cheese, thickened cream, puff pastry and frozen berries.
What time is Albanese speaking at the UN general assembly?
Tom McIlroy
Anthony Albanese will deliver Australia’s national statement to the UN general assembly this morning, Australian time.
We expect the prime minister’s speech a bit after about 10am AEST.
It will be Albanese’s first time delivering the set piece speech.
We are told he will speak about Australia’s role as a leader in our region and a middle power in the world as well as the role every nation – big and small – has to play in preserving peace and security.
The speech will also cover Australia’s commitment to action on climate change and how Australia is doing this to create jobs and opportunities for people.
