News and politics live updates: Anthony Albanese reacts to Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister

Leader of the UK Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch has questioned the dragged out timeline for the replacement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after former health secretary and leadership aspirant Wes Streeting has publicly backed Andy Burnham.

Resharing Mr Streeting’s statement to X, which gave Mr Burnham full throated support, Ms Badenoch said “If you’re not running, what are we waiting for?”

Mr Streeting had highlighted Mr Burnham’s strong win at the Makerfield by-election as proof that he was the person to leader the UK Labour party.

After announcing he would leave Downing Street, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined the timeline to replace him.

Nominations will open on July 9 and are expected to be completed “by the summer recess”, which is a week later, on July 16.

The new leader will be in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer break on September 1.

Andy Burnham, who is widely tipped to replace Keir Starmer following his resignation, has issued a statement thanking the outgoing leader for his “leadership and dedication” to the country. The former Manchester mayor and newly elected Makerfield MP said the UK Labour movement needs to look “forward with confidence and purpose” and insisted the “transition” needs to be a “positive process of renewal”.

“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” he said.

“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.

“As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. “People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.”

Post-Brexit Britain will have its seventh prime minister in the ten years since the country voted to leave the European Union, after Keir Starmer has bowed to the inevitable, resigning as leader of the Labour Party on Monday.

Despite having delivered his party government in a massive landslide just two years ago, Britain’s central challenges of low economic growth, higher welfare spending, low-wage economy, the small boats migrant crisis in the English Channel and mounting defence costs, combined with Sir Keir’s dour and robotic style, caused the Government’s standing to crash in the opinion polls.

In a lacklustre and at times emotional resignation speech, Sir Keir said that walking into Downing Street two years ago had been the proudest moment of his life but said his party was now asking itself who was the best leader to lead the party.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first,” he said.

“That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision. I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the 9th of July. And completed by the summer recess.”

Read more.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister.

“I consider Keir Starmer a friend and I’m thinking of him on what must be a very tough day,” he said.

“Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business.

:When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour Party that he led back to Government in 2024.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities we had to work together to strengthen our AUKUS defence and security partnership, support the brave people of Ukraine and keep children safe from the damage that social media can do.

“I wish Keir, Victoria and their children well with everything the future holds.”

Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the UK Labour Party.

He is telling journalists that he has addressed the king and will remain as UK PM until the leadership contest is complete.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support.”

“A new Labour Government ... a page on this country turned after years of despair,” he tells the crowd.

“The journey to that point has not been easy.

“Six years ago I inherited a Labour party that was spiritually and morally bankrupt.”

He says since then they ripped out the poison of anti-Semitism, worked on security and “changed Britain for the better”.

It comes as likely successor Andy Burnham is preparing to farewell staffers in his Mayoral office at Greater Manchester.

A second bird has been confirmed as having the deadly H5 virus that has sparked fears that WA’s wildlife and poultry industry could be decimated.

WA’s chief veterinary officer Michelle Rodan also confirmed that 58 reports of dead or sick birds were made over the weekend between Esperance and Perth.

“There were 42 calls (on Sunday) to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline from multiple locations throughout the State,” Dr Rodan said.

“These reports of dead or unwell birds have been triaged by DPIRD based on risk of H5 bird flu. Importantly, there have been no reports of large-scale mortalities.

“Nine samples were collected for testing, including one report of dead seabirds in the Esperance area.

“On the previous day (Sat 20 June), there were 16 calls to the hotline.”

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said on Monday that there was no evidence of mass deaths in wildlife, with the Australian poultry and agricultural systems remaining free from bird flu.

“We are working to determine whether the H5 bird flu has established in the wildlife or Australia, other than these two isolated birds,” she said.

Read the full story.

Anthony Albanese’s tax backflip was as predictable as Pauline Hanson’s rise in popularity to become the nation’s preferred PM.

Albanese has always been a jellyback on real reform, earning himself the acronym — AACO — Albanese Always Chickens Out.

It’s no wonder that fed up Australians, when faced with a choice between the deception of Albanese and the weakness of Angus Taylor, instead chose the strength of Hanson.

Also predictable is that the relationship between Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers is totally salvageable after this Budget.

Albo had already constantly briefed against Chalmers and publicly chopped him off at the knees.

Snubbing your economic captain from regular Sunday strategy sessions at the Lodge for the sycophantic company of Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher was just one of many slights from the PM to his Treasurer.

Albanese has backflipped, making Chalmers an accomplice to his failure.

Read Cameron Milner’s full opinion piece.

Joint Statement by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Regarding The Conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit, First High-Level Committee Meeting with Participation of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran

The first session of high level talks under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding have concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and the two mediating parties, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.

Building on the MoU, the parties have agreed to the establishment of a High Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the High Level Committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear, sanctions, and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters.

The High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks.

In addition, a communication line between the parties has been formed for the period mentioned in paragraph 5 of the MoU to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Moreover, the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU.

Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues.

The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal.

The State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan express their sincere appreciation to the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The mediating parties further commend brotherly and friendly countries for their continued support and valuable contribution to the ongoing negotiations.

Qatar says the first session of high-level talks between the US and Iran has wrapped up with the involved parties agreeing to a “roadmap” to reach a deal.

“The first session of high level talks under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding have concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and the two mediating parties, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” a statement said.

“The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.”

The statement said a high-level committee would be established and that the committee would work from a roadmap towards “reaching a final day within 60 days”.

“Moreover, the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU,” the statement continued.

“Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues. The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal.”