- PM Morrison will use a June 4 summit with Indian President Narendra Modi to cement new agreements developing reliable supply chains in key strategic sectors including medical goods, technology, and critical minerals. (Australian)
- They will also sign a new defence agreement allowing reciprocal access to bases and co-operation on military projects, and a new education partnership regarding universities.
- Chinese officials have drawn up a list of more Australian exports – including seafood, oats, fruit, dairy, and wine – that might be targeted for trade restrictions, according to Bloomberg.
- suggests that they could be subject to stricter quality checks, anti-dumping probes, tariffs, customs delays, or state media encouraged consumer boycotts.
- The World Health Assembly has formally voted for independent inquiry into Covid-19.
- NCCC Chair Nev Power has flagged a gas pipeline from WA, boosted gas production in eastern states, and shifting energy intensive manufacturing west as options under consideration by the NCCC. (AFR)
- Industry Minister Andrews speaks at the National Press Club today (AFR):
- will say that while government might support domestic manufacturing of particular items like PPE, consumers will drive any return to domestic manufacturing.
- will also rule out increasing tax incentives for R&D, and press for better alignment of researchers and industry.
- The Fair Work Commission has advised the government that it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate a wave of JobKeeper disputes. (AFR)
- Most of the complaints centre on businesses denying staff the wage subsidy.
- The Department of Education, Skills and Employment is reviewing employment assistance programmes to ensure that they return employees to work as soon as possible (AFR).
- The UK government has suggested that some countries with good Covid records might skip the two-week incoming quarantine period (meaning, in practice, Australia and NZ and others). (AFR)
