Politics live: Australia always preferred secondhand Aukus submarines, defence secretary says
Senate estimates told it was a ‘joint idea’ to rework the nuclear submarine deal. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Trump’s call opposing planned Israeli attack on Beirut ‘significant’: Wong Penny Wong says she won’t comment on President Donald Trump ’s reportedly colourful call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu , but says that his expression of opposition over plans to bombard or attack Beirut was “significant and important”. I’m not going to comment on what President Trump said, other than to say it was significant and important that the US made clear its opposition to mr. Netanyahu’s plans to bombard or to attack Beirut. We oppose Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. We’ve made our views about Prime Minister Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s agenda quite clear. You saw that prior to the last election, and he had some things to say about us. We have a clear view about in this circumstance about the escalation, which we do not support. I understand individuals will have their views, but obviously I speak as a member of the cabinet and the government, and we believe it is in the best interests of our country for this project to continue to proceed … We believe chopping and changing will only set the country back. Continue reading...