This week's political news
PM reports major cyber attacks
On Friday morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison reported that Australian organisations, including the public and private sectors, were being targeted by a “sophisticated state-based cyber actor”. The PM said the attacks were targeting a range of sectors at all levels of government and industry. He urged organisations, particularly those in the health, critical infrastructure and essential services to increase surveillance to thwart cyber activity.
Job figures highlight slumping economy
Australia’s unemployment rate surged to 7.1 per cent in May as almost 228,000 people lost their jobs, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Under COVID-19 restrictions, the unemployment rate has jumped from 5.2 per cent in March, with the loss of 835,000 jobs. The ABS said the underutilisation rate - combining the unemployment and under-employment rates - rose to a new record high of 20.2 per cent. Meanwhile, the participation rate - those working or actively seeking work - fell to a 19-year low of 62.9 per cent. Women continued to be more adversely affected by the employment deterioration than men, and younger workers had also been particularly impacted, the ABS said.
Deregulation push to drive economic and jobs growth
As the unemployment rate soars, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used a business forum to outline his agenda to restore economic and employment growth post COVID-19. In addition to nominating a list of priority infrastructure projects at the CEDA conference, the PM stepped up his drive for stronger deregulation to reduce assessment and approval times for projects. Two areas of focus will be occupational licensing and registration requirements that vary across states and territories, and the use of digital technology for business communications. The Productivity Commission will be charged with informing and developing the Federation-wide deregulation agenda.
Plunging overseas arrivals a bad sign for tourism
Fewer than 20,000 people travelled to Australia in May during COVID-19 border restrictions, highlighting the significant economic challenges confronting the domestic tourism industry. Australia Bureau of Statistics figures showed that a record low 19,400 people arrived in the country - a staggering 99 per cent drop on the 1.59 million arrivals in May 2019. Of last month’s arrival numbers, almost 70 per cent were Australian or New Zealand citizens. In the first three months of 2020, Australia received more than 4.75 million arrivals, underlining the massive dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SA partially lifts travel restrictions
South Australia has become the first state to re-open its interstate borders, albeit only to visitors travelling directly from Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania. Other states have indicated that they will consider lifting travel restrictions in July, subject to national progress in curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Trade Minister promotes emerging export priorities
Amid public debate over trading links with China, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has nominated the emerging economies of Indonesia, India and Vietnam as export opportunities to exploit Australia’s comparative advantages. In an address to the National Press Club, Senator Birmingham cited the market opportunities for export sectors such as education, agriculture, energy and critical minerals. Specifically, he underlined the potential for exporting Australian innovations in food security and agricultural technology, as well as the export of hydrogen and of critical minerals like lithium and rare earths.
Australia joins global forum on artificial intelligence
Industry Minister Karen Andrews has announced that Australia had become a founding member of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, the world’s first multilateral forum dedicated to AI. Other members of the forum include 'Five Eyes' partner nations, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, as well as including Germany, Japan, France and India.