Australia news live: Albanese touches down for Singapore talks; search for missing fisher suspended in NSW

From 36m agoAlbanese lands in SingaporeJosh ButlerAnthony Albanese says Singapore and Australia are “strategically aligned” on fuel and energy, ahead of his meeting with Lawrence Wong later today.But the Australian prime minister said the conflict in the Middle East would have “a long tail”, warning of “a difficult period ahead”. double quotation markThere’s been substantial damage in the Gulf and that will have consequences for a period of at least months ahead. Albanese will meet his Singaporean counterpart for an annual leaders’ meeting and they will hold a joint press conference this afternoon, after Albanese tours petrol refining facilities on Jurong Island.Arriving into Singapore last night, Albanese said the two countries were important partners, with Singapore providing around a quarter of Australia’s refined fuels and Australia providing around a third of Singapore’s LNG. double quotation markWe share values and we share a relationship of trust between each other. And that is why it’s so important that at difficult times in the world we can rely upon each other. It’s unclear whether Albanese’s meeting will directly secure any new fuel supplies for Australia, but he says the meeting is important to bolster the bilateral relationship. double quotation markThis is a relationship of trust and of mutual interest as well. We know that it is in both of our countries’ interests to engage with each other to make sure that we are both reliable suppliers. We have each other’s word and indeed we have each other’s back at this time. Key events33m agoSearch for missing fisher suspended36m agoAlbanese lands in Singapore36m agoWelcomeShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureGreens say coalmine extension risks flouting climate lawsA state Greens MP saying the approval risks breaching climate laws, AAP adds.“The state’s top legal minds are clear that any new coal is inconsistent with the current law,” MP Sue Higginson said. She went on: double quotation markIt is therefore highly likely that if tested, this coal approval would be declared unlawful. I have no doubt that environmental defenders will be considering heading to the courts right now, to uphold the climate and environmental laws of the state. The NSW net zero commission found in December any increase in coal mining activity would leave the state at odds with the climate change act and the Paris agreement.While the mine has been cleared for two extra years of digging, its operator, Delta Power and Energy, did not get everything it was seeking.The commission denied its application to allow coal from the mine to be exported, largely because the increased emissions from trucks transporting the coal to the Port of Newcastle would have too great an impact on residents.NSW gives coalmine green light to operate for two extra yearsA large underground coalmine has been given the green light to keep digging for an extra two years because it will eventually shut down a day before net zero targets kick in, AAP reports.The NSW independent planning commission has approved a proposal to extend the life of the consolidated Chain Valley and Mannering coalmines, south of Newcastle, until the end of 2029.The commission said the extension was necessary to keep supplying the nearby Vales Point power station “during NSW’s transition to renewable energy”.Legislated emissions reduction targets for the state don’t kick in until 2030, meaning none of the coal extracted from the mine will be counted in those assessments, the commission said on Thursday.Nick VisserGood morning, and happy Friday. Nick Visser here to pick up the blog. Let’s get to it.Search for missing fisher suspendedMartin FarrerA search for a fisher who disappeared in waters off Coffs Harbour has been suspended, police said last night.Emergency services were called to Emerald Beach, Coffs Harbour, on Monday following reports that a 32-year-old man had been washed off rocks while fishing.Coffs Harbour water police, assisted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, carried out an extensive search in the past four days but he could not be found and the operation was suspended yesterday afternoon.Water police and other agencies will continue to search the waters off Emerald Beach in the coming days.Albanese lands in SingaporeJosh ButlerAnthony Albanese says Singapore and Australia are “strategically aligned” on fuel and energy, ahead of his meeting with Lawrence Wong later today.But the Australian prime minister said the conflict in the Middle East would have “a long tail”, warning of “a difficult period ahead”. double quotation markThere’s been substantial damage in the Gulf and that will have consequences for a period of at least months ahead. Albanese will meet his Singaporean counterpart for an annual leaders’ meeting and they will hold a joint press conference this afternoon, after Albanese tours petrol refining facilities on Jurong Island.Arriving into Singapore last night, Albanese said the two countries were important partners, with Singapore providing around a quarter of Australia’s refined fuels and Australia providing around a third of Singapore’s LNG. double quotation markWe share values and we share a relationship of trust between each other. And that is why it’s so important that at difficult times in the world we can rely upon each other. It’s unclear whether Albanese’s meeting will directly secure any new fuel supplies for Australia, but he says the meeting is important to bolster the bilateral relationship. double quotation markThis is a relationship of trust and of mutual interest as well. We know that it is in both of our countries’ interests to engage with each other to make sure that we are both reliable suppliers. We have each other’s word and indeed we have each other’s back at this time. WelcomeMartin FarrerGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will take the news reins.Anthony Albanese says Singapore and Australia are “strategically aligned” on fuel and energy, ahead of his meeting with Lawrence Wong later today. More coming up in a minute.And locally, a search for a fisher who disappeared in waters off Coffs Harbour has been suspended, police said last night. More details coming.