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Advocates have raised alarms over detainee treatment at the Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre after a fire incident led to a chaotic response and reports of insufficient healthcare. Questions have emerged regarding the provision of basic services and respect for detainees, with conflicting accounts from both detainees and officials highlighting ongoing concerns.

WA Premier Roger Cook announced that the imposition of sweeping US tariffs on foreign imports will drive Western Australia to intensify its focus on local production and economic diversification. Despite limited immediate impact on WA, concerns remain over long‐term effects, especially through the minerals supply chain, as officials stress the importance of strong local manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, has imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on Australian beef, highlighting long-standing trade obstacles between the two nations. Australian officials have reaffirmed their uncompromising stance on biosecurity, insisting that any negotiations must not weaken safety standards, while both domestic farmers and industry representatives express cautious concern over the economic fallout.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton's first week of the election campaign has been marred by his attempts to appeal to both pro-Trump supporters and the broader electorate, leaving him entangled in a Trump-shaped wedge and under pressure to provide concrete policy details. Labor has capitalized on Dutton's missteps, painting him as a Trump-lite figure.

President Trump unveiled his long-awaited "liberation day" trade policy, imposing tariffs on foreign imports from Saturday. The tariffs vary by country, with some facing higher "reciprocal" rates based on how the Trump administration perceives America has been treated by each individual trading partner.