Australia news live: Penny Wong tackles Trump climate claims; EU leader ‘inspired’ by Australian social media ban for kids | Australia news
Key events
Tom McIlroy
Von der Leyen said social media platforms are working as intended, “to attract and addict children through manipulative algorithms.”
She said she was establishing a panel of experts to assess the best options for European Union member states and would be guided by the experience of countries like Australia.
“Everyone understands that it is our duty to do our best to equip families with the tools to live as safely as possible, and empowering parents to collectively say ‘no’ to social media to their young children is one of these.”
Robert Abela, the prime minister of Malta, as well as Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji and Aisake Valu Eke of Tonga also attended the event.
Tom McIlroy
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, calling it a bold decision by a country determined to improve online safety.
Von der Leyen and Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a special event hosted by Anthony Albanese at the United Nations in New York overnight, designed to build support for the looming social media age ban, due to come into force from December.
Along with the communications minister, Annika Wells, Albanese made the case for curbing the ability of kids to use social media, up from the existing age of entry at 13.
“I have been inspired by Australia’s example,” von der Leyen said. “You are the first to give this a try.
“We in the EU will be watching and learning from you as you implement your world first and world leading social media ban.
“Our next generation needs us to step up, and to be daring and give this a go.”
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before Nick Visser gets on the case.
Anthony Albanese is attending a special event on climate action convened by the UN secretary general, António Guterres, in New York this morning as he continues his intensive round of diplomacy in the US. It comes as we report exclusively that the climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen appeared with Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdoğan, at a major environment event in New York as negotiations over hosting rights for the COP31 summit come down to the wire.
Albanese also met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen who praised Australia’s efforts to keep children aged under 16 off social media, saying she had been “inspired by Australia’s example”.
Penny Wong, speaking on 7.30 last night, has reiterated that Australia has a “different view” to the Trump administration when it comes to climate change, after the US president’s speech to the UN in which he called climate change a “con job”. More coming up.
Aldi has recorded the lowest prices for home brand groceries and retained its crown as the supermarket with the cheapest staples, while IGA’s home brand goods cost nearly 20% more, according to Choice survey.
