Albanese warns world leaders of growing threat to democracy after Haines attack

Antigua and Barbuda: Democracies are under increasing danger from violent threats and political polarisation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned in a speech to political leaders at a Commonwealth summit of 56 nations.

Albanese cited the attack on independent MP Helen Haines as an example of the risks to democracies as he prepared to meet leaders to discuss issues ranging from climate change to social media regulation and artificial intelligence.

Dancers perform at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and King Charles at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St John’s, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.Getty ImagesHe will meet UK counterpart Andy Burnham on Tuesday (AEDT) for talks tipped to focus on fuel security, defence and rules for young British visitors to Australia on working holidays.

Another key objective for the prime minister is to gain support from dozens of Commonwealth countries for Australia’s bid for a place on the United Nations Security Council.

The opening day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John’s, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, featured social gatherings with King Charles and Queen Camilla as guests of honour.

A sudden downpour sent royal aides racing for umbrellas.AP“Across the world, political polarisation is reducing social cohesion, placing additional pressures on democratic processes,” Albanese said in an address to leaders at a forum before formal talks on Tuesday.

“Workers in all jobs are feeling this as the emotional temperature of our societies rise.

“Threats against elected representatives are also increasing, especially against women. And inevitably, some of these threats have been followed through.

Anthony Albanese attends the cricket in Antigua and Barbuda.POOL“Serving and former parliamentarians have been injured and even murdered. Just a fortnight ago, an Australian member of the House of Representatives, Dr Helen Haines, was attacked, suffering grievous injuries. She remains in a serious condition.”

Albanese offered to help smaller states in the Commonwealth bolster their democracies, saying he wanted to amplify their voices and work to resolve conflicts.

“This is the approach Australia would bring to the United Nations Security Council, should our candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029-30 be successful,” he said.

The remarks outlined the agenda for Albanese’s participation to CHOGM over five days this week, two years after the Commonwealth last met in Samoa.

The Australian government hopes the Commonwealth can be a united force in calling for an end to wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, although the last CHOGM did not mention Ukraine in its final statement.

“The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are not only taking a tragic toll in human life, they are also having a devastating impact on the global economy,” Albanese said.

“Returning our nations and our world to the path of prosperity and rising living standards requires an end to those wars.

“Australia has been consistent in our calls for Russia to end its illegal invasion of Ukraine, for a Middle East ceasefire, and for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and restore the freedom of navigation and trade.

“Free and fair trade provides the stability all nations need to flourish. It matters toevery one of our economies. And Australia will always strongly support it.”

A debate about slavery has dominated the meeting for Britain, with King Charles expected to address the issue in his speech and Burnham signalling he is open to issuing a formal apology.

The Australian agenda is focused on seeking common positions on climate change, social media and artificial intelligence.

Retired cricketer Sir Viv Richards attended the celebrations.Getty Images“Australia understands that for many member countries, climate change is an existential threat,” Albanese said. “We are playing our part in tackling climate change domestically. Our domestic emissions targets are ambitious, but achievable.”

Albanese joined the King and Queen and other Commonwealth leaders at a cricket match that pitted Caribbean leaders against counterparts from other Commonwealth nations.

Australia was represented by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade assistant secretary James Buttigieg, who opened the bowling.

A sudden downpour sent royal aides racing for umbrellas at an earlier function, an independence day ceremony for Antigua and Barbuda, but other social events went smoothly.

Charles made light of the soaking when speaking later to Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne. “I think I’m about to grow watercress on my suit,” he joked.

The Caribbean team, with legendary West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards as its honorary manager, played a team with former England captain David Gower as honorary manager.

Anthony Albanese and his wife, Jodie Haydon, arriving in Antigua and Barbuda.ABCAustralian borrowers are expected to be hit with another interest rate hike on Tuesday, heaping more pressure on Albanese’s economic credentials as polling continues to show lacklustre support for his government.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor suggested on Monday that Albanese shouldn’t be overseas while having “lost control of the economy”.

“The prime minister doesn’t get this. He needs to get control of our borders here in this country and going and having a talk with the UK prime minister to get him to fix the problem for us, I don’t know where that’s going to land,” Taylor said.

Albanese has targeted backpackers as part of his move to lower Australia’s annual intake of migrants.

Working holidaymaker numbers have risen to record highs under the terms of a Coalition-era free trade agreement, which allowed British backpackers to live in Australia for up to three years without working in the regions.

The influx of British temporary visa holders in the past three years far outnumbers the corresponding flow of Australians to the UK.

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