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Joe and Albo already talk the same language | ticker VIEWS

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The morning after the election here, President Joe Biden, in Seoul on the first leg of his first major trip to Asia to engage with the US’s principal allies in the Indo-Pacific, was on the phone to Anthony Albanese:

“President Biden spoke with Australian Prime Minister-Designate Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election as Australia’s 31st prime minister. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast commitment to the U.S-Australia alliance and his intent to work closely with the new government to make it stronger still. President Biden expressed deep appreciation for the Prime Minister-Designate’s own early commitment to the alliance, reflected in his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit—a vital opportunity to exchange views and continue to drive practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. President Biden looks forward to a close partnership between our administrations that will benefit the American people, the Australian people, and the world, starting with consequential meetings in Japan this week.”

Bruce Wolpe on ticker NEWS

The foundations of the alliance are exceptionally strong, capped last year with the announcement of the AUKUS strategic partnership.  

AUKUS ALLIANCE

At any summit meeting between leaders, or when they get on a video call, what becomes so important is the resonance, the chemistry between them. 

That deeper personal chemistry has informed the quality of the ties between several prime ministers and presidents:  Bob Hawke and George H W Bush in the first Gulf War to liberate Kuwait; Paul Keating and Bill Clinton to establish APEC; John Howard and George W Bush on 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the US-Australia free trade agreement; Kevin Rudd and Barack Obama to get Australia into the G20;  Julia Gillard and Obama stationing Marines in Darwin and the pivot to Asia; Scott Morrison and Donald Trump in alliance against China and exempting Australia from Trump’s trade wars.  

Tony Abbott and Barack Obama

It has not been all sweetness and light:  Tony Abbott and Barack Obama famously disagreed on global warming, especially on its endangerment of the Great Barrier Reef.  Their discussions were chilly while the globe warmed.

The new PM’s relationship with Biden will have a special dimension.

In Anthony Albanese, Biden will see someone very close to his life experience and values

  • They both come from poorer backgrounds, and they know what it means for families to pull themselves up. 
  • They are both Catholic.
  • They both strongly support unions and good union jobs. Biden is pro-union, pro-worker and pro-manufacturing.  So is Albanese.
  • They are both huge on infrastructure.  It is Biden’s strongest achievement in Congress so far, and Albanese served as Infrastructure Minister for 6 years.  They can talk planes, trains and broadband.
  • Albanese has taken a Biden-style agenda to his campaign.  Biden won office with Build Back Better and Albanese’s hopes are with A Better Future.  
  • They both support policies that have at their core helping working families not only with higher wages and good jobs, but also helping them shoulder the cost of living for childcare, education, medicines, and care for seniors.
  • Labor is simpatico with Biden on climate, electric vehicles and renewable energy.  In fact, an Albanese government can get more enacted on climate than Biden can in this or the next Congress.

Joe and Anthony will find themselves talking the same language.  They already do. When they shake hands, the Prime Minster will say, “Everyone calls me Albo.” And Joe will.

U.S. President Joe Biden hosts a ‘Quad nations’ meeting at the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 24, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein – RC2IWP9759ZQ

At the end of the Tokyo talks, we should expect Biden to invite Albo to Washington, and for the PM to invite the President to come to Australia.  They will want to spend more time together.

Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.

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Resilience and positivity: Emmilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring health journey

Emilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring journey highlights resilience in overcoming life-threatening health challenges and her mission to help others.

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Emmilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring journey highlights resilience in overcoming life-threatening health challenges and her mission to help others.

In Short

Emmilia O’Sullivan, an award-winning author, has faced severe health challenges since childhood but remains resilient and determined to inspire others through her book, podcast and beyond. She emphasises a positive mindset and actively engages with her medical team while supporting her family during her journey.

Emmilia O’Sullivan, an award-winning author, shared her journey through numerous health challenges starting from childhood.

Born with kidney disease, she had a kidney removed by age two and lived on one kidney until major complications arose at seventeen, requiring a bladder reconstruction and a kidney transplant at twenty-one.

However, shortly after her transplant, she faced a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at twenty-two. Following remission, she discovered rare EBV-driven smooth muscle tumors.

Over the years, Emmilia dealt with various medical issues, including a tumour requiring a craniotomy and a severe bout of sepsis that led to a coma.

Despite these obstacles, Emmilia demonstrates remarkable resilience, emphasising a positive mindset and a strong desire to survive. She actively engages with her medical team, focusing on treatments and timelines, determined to keep moving forward.

Her support system includes her husband and family, and she also plays a reassuring role for them despite her struggles.

Emmilia views her health challenges not as defining elements but as aspects of her life alongside her ambition to inspire younger individuals facing similar issues.

Through her book, & podcast she aims to provide guidance and support for others.

You can find her podcast on social media platforms and her website, ammeliaosullivan.com. Emmilia’s story is a testament to fighting spirit and the pursuit of life goals despite adversity.

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Mental health services in Australia face funding and access crisis

Mental health support needs increased funding and resources to combat stigma and ensure affordability in Australia.

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Mental health support needs increased funding and resources to combat stigma and ensure affordability in Australia.

In Short

Demand for mental health support is rising in Australia, hindered by affordability, resource shortages, and stigma. Shehara Fernando, CEO of Crowned Cross Healthcare, calls for equal prioritisation of mental health services and systemic changes to improve access and reduce stigma.

The demand for mental health support continues to rise as affordability, resource shortages, and societal stigma present significant hurdles.

Shehara Fernando, founder and CEO of Crowned Cross Healthcare, highlighted the pressing need to prioritise mental health services on par with physical health care in Australia. High out-of-pocket costs hinder access, with current Medicare rebates often inadequate for ongoing therapy and specialised treatment.

Resource shortages, particularly of psychologists and psychiatrists, must be addressed through increased training of healthcare professionals and the expansion of telehealth options, which can reach rural populations effectively. Fernando emphasised the need for tailored services for diverse groups facing unique mental health challenges.

Overcoming societal stigma, especially among men, remains critical. Statistics reveal only 15% of Australian men with mental health conditions seek help, with a substantial number dropping out of treatment. Fernando urged public figures to speak openly about mental health, fostering an environment where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength.

Crowned Cross Healthcare aims to deliver quality mental health services and encourages individuals to connect through their website and social media for support and resources. More systemic changes and discussions are vital for improving mental health care access.

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Hamas agrees to release Israeli hostages after Trump issues ultimatum amid ceasefire uncertainty

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Trump and Netanyahu warn of renewed conflict if hostages are not freed by deadline.

Hamas has confirmed it will release three more Israeli hostages as originally planned, reversing an earlier threat to delay their release.

The terror group had warned that it would withhold the captives unless Israel provided compensation for what it claimed were unmet entitlements.

However, under mounting international pressure, Hamas has agreed to proceed with the release.

The announcement comes amid growing tensions, as both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have made it clear that a failure to release all remaining hostages by Saturday at noon could result in the collapse of the current ceasefire.

Trump, during a press conference, stated that if the deadline is not met, Israel should “cancel it and … let hell break out.”

Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing that Israel would take decisive action if Hamas did not comply.

In a recent meeting, Trump and Netanyahu also discussed the possibility of resettling Palestinians outside of Gaza and even suggested U.S. control over the region—a proposal that has sparked debate among international leaders.

Josh Hasten a Middle East correspondent for JNS, and the co-host of the JNS podcast “Jerusalem Minute” joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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