Politics Now, US votes 2024: Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris for US president

The former first couple, who waited for the Democratic Party to unite before backing the Vice-President, said 'she has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands'.

Damon Johnston and Noah Yim

less than 2 min read

July 26, 2024 - 5:05AM

US Vice-President Kamala Harris, US President Joe Biden, and former president Barack Obama. Picture: AFP

Welcome to The Australian's rolling coverage of news from the US, Canberra and around the nation.

Here are the main points from today's news.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris for president
Harris to name deputy by August 7
Harris throws down gauntlet for debate with Donald Trump
Harris meets Benjamin Netanyahu, demands Gaza ceasefire but backs Israel's right to defend itself
Barack Obama to endorse Harris 'soon'
Joe Biden meets Netanyahu at the White House, says Gaza war must end 'soon'.
Barack Obama to endorse Harris 'soon'
Trump discusses 'wiping Iran off the face of the earth'

Updates

Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris

Agency writers

Former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama endorsed Kamala Harris’s presidential bid Friday, lending their support in the most notable sign yet of the Vice-President’s rapid consolidation of the Democratic Party.

The endorsement from the Obamas came at the end of Ms Harris’s first week since becoming the party’s expected nominee in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race against his GOP rival, former president Donald Trump.

In a video released by the campaign, Ms Harris spoke to the Obamas by phone while she was in Indianapolis for an event on Wednesday. Mr Obama said he and the former first lady “couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office".

Michelle Obama added: “This is going to be historic,” a nod to Ms Harris’s potential of becoming the nation’s first woman to win the presidency.

Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in… pic.twitter.com/0UIS0doIbA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 26, 2024

In a statement released by the couple, the Obamas noted that they had known Ms Harris for more than two decades and recalled what they saw as her achievements in California as a prosecutor, an attorney-general, a US senator and as Mr Biden’s Vice-President.

“She has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands. There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people,” the Obamas said in the statement, which will be released as an email to supporters.

The former president was the last major figure in the Democratic Party to give Ms Harris his endorsement. People close to Mr Obama had said he first wanted to see the party united and the nomination settled.

Ms Harris’s rapid ascension against no opposition so far and the endorsements of Democratic elected officials across the party, along with advocacy groups and labor unions, left little doubt that Mr Obama would offer his public support.

Mr Obama remains a popular figure within the party and has been a fundraiser for Democrats up and down the ballot and a proven surrogate. The endorsement comes ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention in Mr Obama’s hometown of Chicago, where he is expected to address delegates.

In election years, Mr Obama typically ramps up his political activity after the Labor Day holiday, headlining rallies and events in battleground states—an approach he is expected to take this year.

– The Wall Street Journal

Albanese, Trudeau and Luxon call for Gaza ceasefire

James Dowling

Anthony Albanese has released a joint statement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon, again appealing for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue,” the statement reads.

“We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror. Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages. We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

“Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end.

“An immediate ceasefire is needed desperately. Civilians must be protected, and a sustained increase in the flow of assistance throughout Gaza is needed to address the humanitarian situation.”

Joint statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. pic.twitter.com/qXUaIk4ch0
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 26, 2024

The statement also noted rising tensions between Israel’s Netanyahu government and Hezbollah, condemning attacks along the Israeli border and the recent drone strike on Tel Aviv.

“This escalation in hostilities only makes a ceasefire in Gaza more urgent,” it reads. “We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate. We support diplomatic efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. A wider scale war would have disastrous consequences for Israel and Lebanon, and for civilians across the region.”

The three world leaders appealed for Israel to “respond substantively” to the International Court of Justice ruling regarding illegal settlement and settler violence in Israel’s West Bank.

Josh Burns responds to teens' vandalism charges

James Dowling

Federal Labor MP Josh Burns. Picture: David Crosling

Labor MP Josh Burns has made a statement after two teenagers were charged over the alleged vandalism of his electoral office, saying the “decisions people make as young people don’t have to define the rest of their lives”.

“My St Kilda office has re-opened following extensive repairs, and we are excited to be able to welcome our community back inside,” Mr Burns said.

“Whilst it has been a distressing period for my team and I, we are all keen to move on and continue our work serving the wonderful people of Macnamara.

"I am aware of the age of those who are charged by police and I wish to make this broad comment. The decisions people make as young people don't have to define the rest of their lives.”

The June 19 vandalism incident, in which the office was smeared with red paint, was widely condemned across the parliament.

“Australia is a wonderful multicultural society and I will always work to ensure our community is a safe place for people regardless of their faith, gender, sexuality or identity,” Mr Burns said.

“As these matters are before the court, and investigations are still ongoing, I won’t be making any further statement at this time.

“We thank the police for their diligence in ensuring the law is upheld, and that our office and the residences above are safe places to be in.”

NT government rejects Jabiluka mine lease renewal

Nick Evans

The Northern Territory government has killed off any hope of an extension of mining at ERA’s Northern Territory uranium mine, refusing to extend the mining lease covering the rich Jabiluka deposit.

ERA, majority owned by Rio Tinto, finished mining at its Ranger deposit some time ago and a multi-billion dollar clean-up operation is now underway.

Rio has long said it would not support the move to open up the Jabiluka deposits for mining in the face of opposition from the Mirrar people, the traditional owners of the area.

But a small group of holdout shareholders – led by fund manager Willy Packer and Singaporean businessman Richard Magides – have been pushing for the company to find a way to exploit the high grade uranium deposit.

ERA’s lease covering the deposit will expire on August 11 and the company had applied for a 10 year renewal over the site.

But Northern Territory Mining Minister Mark Monaghan said on Friday he had rejected the application, based on advice from the federal government.

“The federal government advice, along with the wishes of the Mirarr people, were critical to this process and outcome,” he said.

In March the Territory government slapped a “reserved land” notice over the lease area, which prevents other would-be uranium mine developers from pegging the lease area after ERA’s licence expires.

“Any decision about the future use of the site rests with the federal government, in consultation with key stakeholders,” Mr Monaghan said.

Nationals' Mia Davies makes bid for federal seat of Bullwinkel

James Dowling

Former WA opposition leader Mia Davies. Picture: Colin Murty

Former WA opposition leader Mia Davies is returning to politics with a tilt at the new Perth federal seat of Bullwinkel.

"The emergence of a new federal electorate offers an exciting challenge and the opportunity to ensure WA families, communities and industries have a strong voice in Canberra,” Ms Davies told a press conference.

"In my family we have a saying: if you think you can make a difference, you should. After serious consideration, I believe I can make a difference in Canberra and am putting my hand up to have a go.

"I'm ready to work with federal leader David Littleproud, alongside our team of local champions led by Shane Love, to deliver for Western Australians in Canberra."

In January 2023, Ms Davies stepped down from state leadership of the WA Nationals, saying she did not “have fuel left in the tank to go beyond” the 2025 state election. Ms Davies entered state politics in 2008, and assumed the party leadership in 2017.

While Bullwinkel has no electoral precedent, the ABC classifies it as a likely marginal Labor seat.

Mr Littleproud, the federal Nationals leader, endorsed Ms Davies, citing her “strong track record of standing up for local communities”.

“The people of Bullwinkel need to ask the question — do they feel safer and better off after two years of the Albanese government,” he said.

“The preselection of the National candidate to take up the fight for local families in Bullwinkel will ultimately be a decision for the local WA membership and in Mia Davies we have an experienced and strong contender.”

Senator Bridget McKenzie called Ms Davies a “strong and experienced fighter that WA needs in Canberra”.

The Coalition has made a concerted effort to promote new candidates over the past week, namely through Victoria and NSW. It comes as the Labor party pushes to promote candidates in the Liberal Queensland heartland.

On Saturday the Nationals endorsed NSW MLC Sam Farraway for the seat of Calare, currently held by former Nationals and now independent MP Andrew Gee.

Teens charged with vandalising Burns' electorate office

Damon Johnston

Victoria Police has charged two teenagers with vandalising a Jewish Labor MP's electorate office with anti-Israeli graffiti.

In a statement released on Friday, police revealed an 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old man were charged over the attacks in June and July.

The pair has been charged with burglary and two counts of criminal damage.

Labor MP Josh Burns' Barkly Street electorate office in St Kilda was set on fire, windows were smashed and walls were splashed with red paint around 3.20am on June 19.

Police said the second incident occurred at a building on St Kilda Road in Melbourne at 4.40am on July 17 when it was vandalised with red paint.

Harris to name deputy by August 7

Anne Barrowclough

Kamala Harris is planning to name a running mate by August 7, the New York Times reports.

The unprecedentedly short timeline to name a deputy squeezes the process from months into just three weeks, but means she can go to the Democratic convention with a complete ticket.

On the short list are Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Andy Beshear of Kentucky.

Meanwhile, after Ms Harris said she was ready to debate Donald Trump, the former president has appeared to backpedal on his earlier claims that he wanted to face Ms Harris in a debate.

The Trump campaign has said in a statement “general election debate details cannot be finalised until Democrats formally decide on their nominee,” although Mr Trump debated Mr Biden before either man was confirmed by their parties.

'Stronger action': Spender urges Labor on building industry

Noah Yim

Independent member Allegra Spender says the Albanese government needs to take “stronger action than they’ve currently outlined”, following damning revelations about the CFMEU, and has backed the creation of an industry-specific regulator.

She said Labor needs to cease donations from the CFMEU indefinitely and the Australian Building and Construction Commission – which was scrapped by the Albanese government – made the industry better but “it wasn’t good enough”.

“My message to the government is they need to take stronger action than they’ve currently outlined and it needs to be both the short term – but also, we need to fix this,” Ms Spender told Sky News.

“Because we’ve had how many royal commissions around this issue? And once again, Australia is still in the situation where we have criminal behaviour, we have a waste of public money, and we have corruption that we should not expect in the building industry and so I think this up to saying the political football that the construction industry has been, and the political infighting between the major parties has got us absolutely nowhere.

“It’s up to Labor to lead on this but there's going to be a very strong push on the crossbench to take stronger action and I’m going to be pushing to say: look, it’s time for the major parties to grow up, to get together, and say how collectively are we going to fix this rather than use it as a point scoring exercise against each other?

“Myself and others across the crossbench are writing to the PM about this idea of saying we need some short-term action and we also need a long-term legislative and oversight body that actually sticks, and that actually can provide the significant governance that we need.

“In terms of that short-term action, it is about appointing the administration, but let’s make sure this is robust, that the police are involved, that no federal money goes to state projects without real sense that the states have the issues in the state level under control, and that Labor stops any donations from the CFMEU indefinitely. We should not be expecting any money from them into Labor.

“In terms of the longer term piece, the argument I’m making – and I think others on the crossbench are making – is saying, we do need a body here. It’s clear that the construction industry is different.

"The ABCC [Australian Building and Construction Commission] didn’t solve all the problems but certainly speaking to the construction industry members I’ve spoken to in the last few days, it was better (although) it wasn’t good enough. We need a body that can actually deal with this but also can actually stick.

“To have a body that gets brought in, and then taken out, and then brought in, and then taken out, is completely unproductive and gives a free ride to those people working in the industry because they think, ah well, we can just wait it out.”

Wong to attend summits around Asia

Noah Yim

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong will travel to Asia in the next week to attend various summits.

“Over the next week I will travel to Laos for ASEAN meetings, Japan for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Republic of Korea for a bilateral visit,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

“This year we proudly mark 50 years since Australia became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner. A strong ASEAN underpins regional stability, contributes to prosperity and reinforces the rules and norms that protect us all.

“At the ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos, we will progress outcomes agreed at the Special Summit held earlier this year in Melbourne.”

On the Quad meeting in Japan, Senator Wong said: “In Tokyo, I look forward to meeting my counterparts from Japan, India and the United States at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

“The Quad is working closely with Indo-Pacific countries and institutions to deliver on a positive agenda that responds tangibly to the region’s priorities and most pressing challenges.”

And on her bilateral summit in Korea, Senator Wong said: “The Republic of Korea (ROK) is a close friend and a comprehensive strategic partner. I look forward to meeting Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul to progress implementation of the outcomes from our May 2+2 meeting in Melbourne.

“Australia and the ROK are building on our strategic alignment with expanded bilateral and regional cooperation, including on the energy transition and economic security.”

'Dot Is and Ts': Paterson warns on immigration detention cases

Noah Yim

James Paterson says Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has 'demonstrated colossal incompetence'. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Opposition home affairs spokesperson James Paterson says he “hopes” the government has prepared thoroughly for the immigration detention cases appealed to the High Court, warning of the potential release of a “new cohort of many more dangerous, violent offenders” being released to the community.

The Australian on Friday revealed the Albanese government had sought to avert another round of releases from immigration detention by appealing two cases to the High Court, following the controversy in the aftermath of the NZYQ decision.

“I just really hope that this time the government has dotted their I's and crossed their T's with these legal cases in a way that they failed to do with the NZYQ case,” Senator Paterson told 2GB. “They made a critical concession, factual concession in the pleadings for the NZYQ case.

“The Immigration Minister, Andrew Giles, conceded that there was no reasonable prospect for resettling NZYQ overseas and therefore effectively conceded that his detention was indefinite. And that is why the High Court made the decision it did. The High Court even warned the court in a directions hearing earlier on in the process, that this was a very considerable concession to make and it really led them only down one pathway.

“Now, the problem with that was that after they made this concession to the court, they then tried to resettle this person. They looked for countries around the world who would take him, so clearly his prospects of resettlement were not so hopeless when they were currently in the process of approaching people.

"So I hope that they don’t make those same mistakes again, because if they do make those kinds of legal mistakes again in this case, then we could see a whole new cohort of many more dangerous violent offenders who are not citizens released into our community. And this is just what we've come to expect on the watch of Andrew Giles and [Home Affairs Minister] Clare O'Neil. "

Senator Paterson also addressed speculation that Mr Giles could be placed in the veterans affairs portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle to be announced on Sunday.

“Frankly, haven't our veterans suffered enough?” Senator Paterson asked. “Do they really need Andrew Giles as their responsible minister? Is he someone you want anywhere near a national security portfolio? I mean, he's demonstrated colossal incompetence.

“And I think the only remedy for that is to be sent to the backbench, not to be promoted or sent into another portfolio.”