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Albanese and Chinese premier discuss energy security over call
Krishani Dhanji
The prime minister has spoken to Chinese premier, Li Qiang, over the phone to discuss energy security, as the government moves to secure fuel supplies with nations across Asia.
Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday he would be flying to Singapore this week to lock in fuel imports.
The PM’s office said the two leaders spoke on Tuesday and agreed to increase communication and ensure Australia and China are “both working in support of regional energy security”. China is a key exporter of jet fuel to Australia.
The government says engagement with china are “central to a mature, stable and constructive relationship”.
Key events
Ben Roberts-Smith to appear in court this morning
Kelly Burke
Australia’s most decorated living soldier will appear in a Sydney local court today.
Former SAS corporal and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested by the AFP on Tuesday. He has been charged with unlawful killings during Australia’s military campaign in Afghanistan.
He was held at Silverwater correctional centre overnight and designated as a high-profile detainee, so was allotted a single cell, although he was technically not in solitary confinement.
He is expected to apply for bail at the hearing. Roberts-Smith has always denied any wrongdoing in Afghanistan.
The charges against Roberts-Smith, 47, comes after a landmark civil ruling in 2023.
In that defamation case, which Roberts-Smith himself initiated against the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, and the Canberra Times, a federal court judge found to the civil standard of substantial truth that the soldier had been involved in four murders while deployed in Afghanistan.
However, that defamation trial is irrelevant to the criminal proceedings. The standard of proof required for a criminal conviction (beyond reasonable doubt) is far higher than that needed in a civil case (balance of probabilities).
Those findings included the 2009 killing of a handicapped man at a compound known as Whiskey 108 and the 2012 kicking of a handcuffed prisoner, Ali Jan, off a cliff in Darwan.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Nick Visser with the main action.
Anthony Albanese spoke to Chinese premier, Li Qiang, over the phone last night to discuss energy security, as the prime minister prepares to travel to Singapore as part of efforts to secure fuel supplies with nations across Asia. More coming up.
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, will appear at a Sydney local court today charged with five war crime murders. We have more details coming up, and will bring you updates as the story unfolds today.
