World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Albanese attends Commonwealth summit as Australian rate decision looms
Anthony Albanese is attending a Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Antigua and Barbuda as a busy stretch of international meetings begins.
He says the gathering lets Australia work with partner countries on climate change, trade, oceans and artificial intelligence.
He plans to promote Australia’s campaign for a UN Security Council seat in 2029-30 and is due to meet leaders from the UK and Canada.
Those talks are also expected to cover fuel security and the rising number of British working holiday-makers in Australia.
Australia’s Reserve Bank will announce its next interest rate decision while Albanese is away, and markets expect a rise to 4.85 per cent.
It would be the fifth rate increase this year, adding pressure as households face high living costs.
Slavery and its continuing legacy are expected to prompt difficult debate at the summit, including calls from Caribbean nations for a British apology and reparations; Britain’s prime minister says he is open to an apology but opposes reparations.
The summit opens a series of overseas meetings for Albanese in the coming weeks.
Anthony Albanese is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda as Australia’s next interest rate decision looms.
The Reserve Bank is due to announce its decision on Tuesday, while markets expect a rise to 4.85%.
Albanese says the summit offers a chance to work with partners on climate change, oceans, trade, investment and artificial intelligence.
He also plans to use the meeting to advance Australia’s campaign for a United Nations Security Council seat in 2029-30.
Debate over slavery’s legacy and calls for Britain to apologise and pay reparations are expected to feature at the summit.
- Who
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending the summit with Commonwealth leaders.
- What
- The summit will address shared issues, including climate change, trade and artificial intelligence. Australia’s interest rate decision is due while Albanese is overseas.
- When
- The meeting begins on Saturday, and the Reserve Bank is due to announce its rate decision on Tuesday.
- Where
- Antigua and Barbuda.
- Why
- Albanese says the meeting is an opportunity to work with partners on shared challenges and advance Australia’s campaign for a UN Security Council seat.
Caribbean nations calling for a British apology and reparations
Andy Burnham
Apology
Caribbean nations calling for a British apology and reparations
Caribbean nations have called for Britain to apologise for its role in selling enslaved people for profit.
Andy Burnham
Burnham said he was open to listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state.
Reparations
Caribbean nations calling for a British apology and reparations
Caribbean nations have called for reparations for slavery.
Andy Burnham
Burnham said he did not believe reparations were the right answer.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey called for greater trade cooperation and bold change in international affairs.
Albanese travelled to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The Reserve Bank is due to announce its next interest rate decision while Albanese is overseas.
- Summit location
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Interest rate decision
- Due Tuesday; markets tip a rise to 4.85%
- UN campaign
- Australia is seeking a Security Council seat for 2029-30
- Commonwealth membership
- Leaders from 56 nations are expected at the meeting
- Working holiday visas
- UK working holiday-makers number about 80,000 per year
3 sources
What people are saying
The Commonwealth heads of government meeting is an important forum
Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them.
I want to express my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people, and to recognise the way it still shapes our world today
I believe passionately in the Commonwealth's potential to benefit its members and their people today and in the future. And that full potential is still untapped.