Albo and Bowen go abroad, while Al Gore touches down

Al Gore is coming to Australia, Anthony Albanese is abroad and Tony Burke is addressing the National Press Club. Welcome to this week in Australian politics.

Prime Minister’s trip abroad first reported by Samantha Maiden of news.com.au yesterday. Although Albanese told reporters that he would take a week off, it was not previously known that he and his fiancée Jodie Haydon would go abroad.

“The Prime Minister’s Office requested, and news.com.au agreed, that Mr Albanese’s location not be disclosed until he returns from overseas,” Maiden’s report said, adding that he was seen taking an economy flight to a “tropical location” at the weekend.

Albanese isn’t the only Labor heavyweight heading abroad: Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will be in China and India this week meetings Minister with his counterparts.

Meanwhile in Canberra, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and UNSW are publishing a report on poverty rates this morning. Findings show number of people living in poverty is increasing in Australia increased to one in seven. For more on Australia’s cost of living situation, read economics reporter Jason Murphy’s thought-provoking piece on grocery prices from late last month.

On Tuesday, another report on inequality will be published, this time on the gender pay gap. The report from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) and Bankwest Curtin Economic Center will be made public on Tuesday morning, according to the AAP.

Later on Tuesday investigative journalist Marian Wilkinson will lead a conversation on “Woodside vs the planet – how a corporation took over a country” at the University of Western Australia Octagon Theatre. Panelists will include Curtin MP Kate Chaney.

On Wednesday, a public forum aimed at “debunking racist myths about immigration” will be held at Canberra’s Copland Conference Theatre. Amy Remeikis from the Australia Institute will speak; wrote an article recently. cricket about the questions should do You, dear readers, were asked for Senate predictions that attracted great attention. Check it out if you haven’t yet.

We will encounter two addresses at the National Press Club. On Wednesday, Australian Industry and Defense Network chief executive Mike Johnson will talk about the “race for dominance” in Australia’s industrial and defense fields. The following day, Home Secretary Tony Burke will outline his and the government’s approach to the portfolio.

On Thursday, the Climate Change Investor Group will kick off its annual summit titled “Decoding the Transition.” According to AAP, former US vice president Al Gore will be among the speakers along with Matt Kean, head of the Climate Change Authority.

If you’re interested in more news about climate change and sustainability, check out my story from last week about Monash University’s plans to close its flagship sustainability institute and staff’s response.

Some of Australia’s major companies, including Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, Origin Energy and Stockland, will hold annual general meetings this week. If you’re wondering which of these companies is on Bernard Keane’s list of Australia’s worst, be sure to check out our coverage. Crikey’s Alan Bond Corporate Misconduct Award.

Finally, a week in Australian politics wouldn’t be complete without some releases from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The ABS will report on construction activity and the country’s workforce on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.