Albanese calls Putin’s actions ‘abhorrent’ after confirming he’ll attend G20 in Indonesia – As it happened

Marles: successor to Collins submarines ‘No 1 priority’

Marles is about to head to Singapore for several talks, but says Australia has not sought a bilateral with China. He says he will be meeting with his US counterpart.

On submarines, Marles says it is too soon to know whether Australia can get the submarine capability sooner than currently forecast:

Look, it’s early days is the honest answer to that question. I don’t have all the answers to what we need to do in terms of meeting the capability gap that has arisen by the last nine years of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government and its handling of submarines.

What is clear is that the successor submarine to Collins coming into place in the 2040s is too far away. We need to be looking at how we bridge what would evidently be a capability gap, if that’s what we’re talking about.

So I’m very mindful that this is just about the No 1 priority for me, as an incoming defence minister, is to look at how we deal with this question. And it’s important to state upfront that there is no more important platform that Australia has in terms of shaping its strategic circumstances, than having a capable long-range submarine.

It’s why making sure that we have the successor to Collins in place as quickly as possible in a form which is highly capable is critically important. The situation we’ve been left with by the former government is a disgrace.

Deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Updated at 02.45 EDT

Australia to continue to engage in activities in South China Sea

The acting prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, is on ABC News’ Afternoon Briefing.

He’s asked whether the P8 incident over the South China Sea over the weekend will mean more escorts for Defence vessels in the area.

He said:

I think the important point to make is that what occurred was an Australian aircraft that was engaged in a routine maritime surveillance activity in the South China Sea. The sort of activity we’ve been doing for decades. And we will be continuing to do it. And obviously we will do those activities in a way in which protects our servicemen and women.

He says the South China Sea is an important body of water for Australia:

It matters to us because most of Australia’s trade goes through it. And it matters to us therefore that the global rules-based order, particularly the UN convention of the law of the sea, applies to it. That’s what enables freedom of navigation and the freedom of trade through that body of water. That’s why we will continue to engage in the activities that we’ve been engaging in up until now. And it’s really important to make the statement that what has happened will not deter us from doing that.

Updated at 02.28 EDT

Victorian man charged by RSPCA for back yard breeding

A Victorian man faces four charges over back yard breeding and trying to sell kittens in public, AAP reports.

The 59-year-old man from Soldiers Hill, near Ballarat, was charged by the RSPCA with operating an illegal domestic animal business, sale of an animal in a public place, breaching a domestic animal business banning order and advertising of animals for sale.

If all charges are proven, the accused could face fines of up to $79,783 or a maximum of two years’ jail.

In a statement, RSPCA Victoria said the sale of animals in public places such as parks, roadsides and car parks, is illegal.

“Dogs and cats must only be sold from a registered domestic animal business, from a private residence or sold at a place where an animal sale permit is in place,” the statement said.

Members of the public who may have information about any individuals selling animals in public places are urged to contact RSPCA Victoria directly.

Updated at 01.55 EDT

Photograph: Alex Ellinghausen/AAP

Some more information about the bikes the two leaders rode around on.

Updated at 02.23 EDT

Treasurer writes to consumer watchdog over power prices

The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says he has written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expressing “deep concern” about skyrocketing electricity and gas prices.

He said:

While there are a number of factors driving these price increases, the ACCC plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting on developments in the electricity and gas markets and it will be important for the ACCC to ensure that the factors influencing prices in these markets are made fully transparent.

I have asked the ACCC to advise the government of any regulatory changes that may be required to ensure these markets are functioning properly.

I also expect that the ACCC will investigate any concerns about anti-competitive or false and misleading conduct in these markets and take appropriate action.

He said the government is “considering a number of actions” in response to the crisis, and steps will be guided by evidence and expert advice.

Albanese: government will encourage Australian super fund investment in Indonesia

The prime minister says Indonesia is on track to be one of the world’s five largest economies, and revitalising the trade and investment relationship between Australia and Indonesia is a priority of the Albanese government.

He said:

And it’s why we plan to work with Indonesia to realise the potential of the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Our economic ministers will meet regularly and we will continue to secure the backing of business on both sides. The government will work with Australian super fund investors to explore investment opportunities here in Indonesia. And the senior Australian CEOs who are here with me will be at the vanguard of a sustained campaign by Australian government and business to seize these opportunities.

I also look forward to advancing our $200m climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia [to] further my government’s ambitious climate targets … I want better access to affordable, reliable, clean, broad across our region as we transition to a net zero world together.

An office for south-east Asia will be established in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the PM announces.

He says Australia will offer technical expertise to help build a clean green high-tech city, and the government intends to rebuild Australia’s Indonesian language skills, as more Australians speaking Bahasa Indonesian will be “vital to deepening our relationship”.

He ends by saying that he was pleased “we recognised our significant defence and security relationship and all this does to support regional security and stability” and said he looked forward to hosting Widodo at the next annual leaders’ meeting but could not promise the pair would ride bikes around Lake Burley Griffin.

Updated at 01.28 EDT

Albanese speaks in Indonesia

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is making his press statement after meeting with Indonesian prime minister Joko Widodo.

He says Australia’s relationship with Indonesia is one of our most important not just by geography, but with a long history of cooperation both economic and strategic.

He says he will go to the G20 summit in Bali in November:

Today I informed President Widodo that I will attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Bali in November. I did so because the work of the G20 is critical at this time of global economic uncertainty, and by working with it we will be by working with Indonesia.

Updated at 01.22 EDT

We are expecting the joint press statement with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian president Joko Widodo to begin shortly.

Some more data on the Covid cases in Victoria via the state’s health department:

There are 476 Covid-19 cases in hospital in Victoria – with 18 active cases in ICU, including 7 on a ventilator, and an additional 7 cleared cases in ICU.

Sadly, the department was notified of 14 deaths yesterday in people aged in their 50s, 70s, 80s and 90s.