What we learned today, Saturday 11 June
We’re going to wrap things up for the day. Here are today’s key events:
- The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed Australia has agreed to pay €550m (A$830m) in a settlement with Naval Group over the former Morrison government’s decision to scrap the French attack class submarine project.
- The Nadesalingam family has been welcomed back to Biloela and were guests of honour at the town’s Flourish festival. Priya Nadesalingam told a crowd at the festival she will dedicate her life to the Biloela community. Earlier, the prime minister told reporters he sees “no impediment” to permanent residency for the family.
- Australia has recorded another 70 Covid-19 deaths, the highest tally in more than a fortnight.
- Albanese said the government was continuing to push for the release of the Australian economist Sean Turnell, who is to face trial in Myanmar.
Thanks, as always, for joining us. Have a great weekend.
Updated
French defence minister welcomes submarine settlement
The French defence minister has welcomed the $830m settlement the Australian government announced with submarine builder Naval Group, AFP reports.
“It permits us to turn a page in our bilateral relations with Australia and look to the future,” Sebastien Lecornu said this afternoon.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Lecornu said France valued its “friendship” with Australia.
“Just because a government in the past did not keep its word, it does not mean we have to forget our strategic relationship,” he said.
“Australia has a new team in power, we are happy to be able to work with them.”
Announcing the deal earlier today, Anthony Albanese said he would travel to France soon to “reset” a relationship beset by “pretty obvious” tensions.
“I’m looking forward to taking up President Macron’s invitation to me to visit Paris at the earliest opportunity.”
