Politics and ‘free media’ can meet demands of moment, Albanese to say, after journalist shot with rubber bullet in US

By Admin

10 Jun, 2025

In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty and division, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a strong message of reassurance during his upcoming address to the National Press Club. His remarks come just a day after an Australian journalist was shot with a rubber bullet while covering street protests in Los Angeles, a stark reminder of the risks facing journalists and the fragility of press freedom.

Albanese will argue that despite growing global challenges and attacks on democratic institutions, including the media, trust can be restored through economic stability and a commitment to promises made. “It is the more corrosive proposition that politics and government and democratic institutions, including a free media, are incapable of meeting the demands of this moment,” his prepared remarks read.

The Prime Minister is expected to highlight his government’s achievements since Labor’s stronger-than-expected victory on 3 May – including improvements to Medicare, a focus on education, and steady economic management. He believes these tangible outcomes are crucial to regaining the public's trust in democracy.

As planning for his second term continues, Albanese has been reshaping his frontbench and visiting disaster-affected regions. He will outline legislative priorities for the return of Parliament on 22 July and is set to share his government’s stance on Trump’s escalating tariff regime.

Ahead of his scheduled visits to the US and Canada for the G7 summit – and possible in-person talks with Donald Trump – Albanese will reaffirm Australia’s strategy for building a stronger, fairer nation. Key areas of focus include advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and addressing “urgent necessities” through enhanced government services.

Acknowledging public frustration with governance, he will admit: “Some of this frustration is drawn from people’s real experience with government – be it failures of service delivery, or falling through the cracks of a particular system.”

Albanese also aims to leverage Australia's critical minerals and rare earths sector in discussions with the US, proposing preferential access in return for exemptions from harsh steel and aluminium tariffs. A similar agreement recently granted the UK exemption from 50% of such tariffs.

Australia’s edge lies in its comparative advantage for hosting space-related operations, refining, processing, specialist manufacturing, and data centers – a strength Albanese is keen to highlight during ongoing G7 sideline negotiations with US officials.

On the domestic front, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will address the Press Club on 25 June, pledging a new era of Liberal party leadership centered on consultation, inclusivity, and collaboration. After Peter Dutton opted out of this traditional forum during his tenure, Ley’s appearance is poised to signal a fresh approach. Her speech will outline how the Coalition plans to recover from electoral defeat and reconnect with communities nationwide. “Aspiration is the thread that connects every single part of Australian society,” Ley noted.

In an environment where both media and political institutions face relentless scrutiny, the role of independent, reader-supported journalism is more critical than ever. As the Guardian notes, only 2.4% of regular readers currently fund its operations. But in countries where press freedom is endangered, supporting independent journalism ensures stories of public interest continue to be told – free from the influence of political or corporate interests.

Now more than ever, the intersection of politics and free media holds the power to shape a more transparent, accountable, and democratic future – exactly what Albanese hopes to convey in his timely speech.