Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced heckling from offshore wind farm protesters during a visit to the New South Wales south coast. He was in the region to announce the new Labor candidate for Whitlam, the seat soon to be vacated by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones.
The Illawarra region is one of six areas designated for offshore wind farm development, and a small group of protesters, including members of the Responsible Futures group, attended the press conference at Lake Illawarra to express their concerns. One heckler shouted that the prime minister should consider placing the offshore wind turbines near his mansion on the water.
In response, Mr. Albanese engaged with the protesters, explaining that turbines are made from steel, which could benefit the Port Kembla steelworks. The protesters retorted, “Not Illawarra steel.”
Afterward, some of the prime minister’s supporters confronted the protesters, chanting “Albo, Albo, Albo!” and suggesting the opposing group might be funded by mining magnate Gina Rinehart. The protesters, in turn, accused Mr. Albanese of doing nothing for the Illawarra region and encouraged people to “vote for Clive Palmer.”
In other political developments, former Labor leader Bill Shorten used his investiture ceremony as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra to speak out against antisemitism, racism, homophobia, and misogyny on university campuses, stressing the need for respect and safe spaces for all students.
Australia’s Climate Change Ambassador Kristen Tilley also voiced concerns over potential cuts to U.S. development programs in the Pacific under the new administration, noting that Australia would press the U.S. to maintain funding for the region.
Meanwhile, tensions in the South China Sea escalated after a Chinese fighter jet released flares close to an Australian military plane, which Australia’s defense officials have labeled as unsafe and unprofessional. Retired RAAF Group Captain Peter Layton warned that the situation was becoming increasingly risky.
Also, Labor MP Josh Burns is pushing for quicker implementation of recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on campuses, after reports of widespread antisemitism that left Jewish students feeling unsafe. However, many Australian universities have not provided a timeline for these changes before the start of the new semester.
Lastly, Independent MP Helen Haines expressed frustration with recent political reforms, criticizing both major parties for striking a deal on political donations that would benefit them at the expense of minor parties and independents.