News and politics live updates: Anthony Albanese brands Liberals, Nationals and One Nation a coalition

Unemployment held steady at 4.4 per cent in June in a sign the Reserve Bank of Australia can still raise interest rates without jeopardising its dual mandate on tackling inflation and maintaining full employment.

The latest labour force data shows 76,300 jobs were created last month.

With inflation at 4 per cent being well above the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target, a steady jobless rate means the Reserve Bank can still raise rates given unemployment is still below the 4.6 per cent level considered to be at the upper end of full employment.

The jobless rate fell in May after hitting a four-year high of 4.5 per cent in April, reaching levels last seen in late 2021 when Sydney and Melbourne were still in COVID lockdowns.

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Anthony Albanese has sworn “for f..k sake” in an awkward escalator incident at Labor’s National Conference in Adelaide.

Before taking to the stage to address more than 2000 people at the milestone event, the PM expressed frustration while riding an escalator at the Adelaide convention centre which had jolted and stopped.

His blow up, captured by Seven cameras, was witnessed by media, Labor members and security.

It comes after the PM was caught grumpily telling a driver off in his parliament court yard during a recent international visit.

Anthony Albanese says Labor will create a “Fair Work Court” to help workers exploited by employers seek justice.

The Prime Minister declared in a speech at the Labor National Conference that it would be a priority for his government as workers continued to be underpaid, overworked and unable to take on the legal fight themselves.

“Australians have been underpaid by hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but simply don’t have the time or the resources to navigate the legal system,” he said.

“Or (workers) are told their case will take months, even years, to resolve, and cost them more than their claim is worth.

“Now, that’s just wrong, and we’re going to fix it today.

“I announce that our government will create the Fair Work Court.

“This will be headed by expert judges working seamlessly with the Fair Work Commission.

“It will resolve disputes faster and at lower costs for both workers and employers, good for workers, good for business, good for the country, and we’re going to deliver.”

Anthony Albanese has told more than 2000 people at Labor’s National Conference to lean into the “fundamental contrast” the party has from the “confusion, conspiracy theories, and candidate chaos” from the conservative side of politics.

The Prime Minister was welcomed into the Adelaide Convention Centre on a Thursday morning for the three-day event with a standing ovation before he outlined his vision for the conference and the country.

He used the address to spruik Labor’s laundry list of social and economic policies to improve Australians ’ lives, work and study while tearing down the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation.

He said they were focused on cutting support for Australians and leaning into “attention-seeking culture wars imported from overseas”.

“None of them have anything new or anything positive to offer our country,” he said.

“This has always been the fundamental contrast between Labor and all our political opponents, and never more so than now.

“Beyond One Nation’s personality clashes, policy confusion, conspiracy theories, and candidate chaos, and regardless of who leads the Liberals to the next election, in every way that matters, the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation are already a coalition.”

Chinese diplomats have reacted furiously to revelations in The Nightly this week that a Taiwanese official has been invited to the ALP’s national conference in Adelaide.

On Tuesday, The Nightly revealed the representative of Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Canberra had been invited by Labor to attend as an observer along with other diplomats.

Australia does not have formal ties with the democratic island claimed by Beijing, as part of its longstanding One China policy.

China’s embassy, which is today hosting celebrations to mark the founding of the People’s Liberation Army has privately expressed fury at the presence of the Taiwan representative at Labor’s national conference.

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South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has mocked Barnaby Joyce and his viral interview yelling at a dog.

The State Labor leader used his brief speech opening Labor’s national conference in Adelaide on Thursday to criticise the opposition and call for Labor “not to be complacent”.

“In an erratic world filled with ill-discipline and division, we’ve been reminded this week of that time-honoured political truth: if you can’t govern your dog, you can’t govern a country,” he told the more than 2000 attendees.

He accused Coalition for being “always grounded in grievance, defined by division”.

“And the Libs, who now live in the desperate fear of being accused of Labor light, are now embracing being Hanson-heavy, which leaves us, the Labor Party.

“We know what a professional political party looks like you can see that here today.

“For all the change, for all the confusion within the anti-labor side of politics, our great movement has endured.

“That’s a responsibility worth taking seriously, because we must recognize the current upending of anti-labor forces does bring with it two clear, omnipresent, and undeniable risks for our part.”

Labor’s new national president Kate Ellis has used her first speech after taking the baton from Wayne Swan to declare that the party needs to be “the best version of ourselves” to counter some people who “see politics as a game or as a sport”.

The former Labor frontbencher had shocked many when she announced her resignation in 2017 but has remained in the background of the party before deciding to take on the central role.

“The people in this room are the ones who work to make this country the best version of ourselves, and to do that, we absolutely need to be our best,” she said.

“We need to be our most united, and our most focused, and our most determined to make the decisions that will improve the lives and the opportunities of the Australian people.

“Some see politics as a game or as a sport.

“We know that when others are in government, people hurt, lives are made harder.

“So my focus will be working to ensure that we are at our best and that we are at our most united.

“We must be well organised, well run, and remain the strongest political party in this country.”

Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in its campaign against commercial shipping in the busy maritime corridor.

The Iran-aligned group said the vessels, identified as Encela and Laylia, were targeted after allegedly violating a recently announced Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

“We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named ENCELA and LAYLIA, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.

Mr Saree added that a “number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones” caused fires onboard the ships, which had forced “nearly ten ships… to abandon their routes, and turn back”.

There has been no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities or the ships’ operators regarding the extent of any damage.

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Economic reform, social investment and national security are key priorities listed in a 39-point foreword authored by Anthony Albanese for Labor’s party’s platform.

The foreword, ​which was made public on Thursday morning​, is expected to be moved by the Prime Minister and seconded by his deputy Richard Marles when Labor’s 50th national conference kicks off at 10am.

Among the points the PM has included are greater standards and protections for AI in Australia and guidelines for AI and data centre constructions, operation and management.

“With the right plan, our nation can ensure that the growth and investment and opportunities of AI and data centres strengthen our energy grid without damaging our environment or dividing communities,” he states.

“We will provide the strongest protection for the creative endeavour of our artists, writers, musicians and journalists.”

Mr Albanese also champions the importance of unity to weather an increasingly hostile international environment and ensuring hatred is stamped out on home soil.

“To meet the challenges of a more volatile world, we are investing in our capabilities and our relationships,” he states.

“We are building our sovereignty in defence, including with landmark investments in our defence industry and a new generation of advanced manufacturing jobs.

“At home, we are working to strengthen the social cohesion and national unity that is fundamental to our national security.

“Working together to confront and defeat the evils of antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism.”

Labor’s National Conference will kick off today with a speech by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese where he’ll announce the government’s plan to expand paid prac placement support.

The measure is aimed to help address skills shortages, with eligible students able to receive $338.60 per week.

Ministers Jason Clare and Mark Butler are expected to speak with students who could benefit from it outside the conference later this morning.

In excerpts of the speech seen by The Nightly ahead of the conference starting at 10am local time on Thursday in Adelaide, the PM describes the move as a key cost of living measure and a boost for the health sector.

“Our focus remains squarely on helping with the cost of living, on the practical measures that matter to people and make a positive difference to their lives,” he is expected to say.

“Because that is how we demonstrate to Australians that their hard work will pay off, that their effort is worth it, that they can plan and build for their future.”