Australia in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
In May 2026 Australia's federal government filed a lawsuit against the US company 3M over contamination from PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals. The claim, announced on 28 May, seeks $1.4 billion and is among the largest environmental legal actions in the country's history. It alleges the company knew about the health and environmental risks for decades. 3M had not yet responded. On the same day Australia's consumer watchdog said it was suing Amazon over the sale of button batteries, alleging safety failures.
Foreign policy was the second main theme. A US court suspended sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, on 14 May, and the US lifted them around 20 and 21 May. On 28 May the US placed her on its sanctions list again. Australia joined international condemnation of Israel's treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling it shocking and unacceptable. Wong also said Australia's contest with China in the Pacific would never be done. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, one year into his second term, said the United States was playing a different role. Australia and Japan signed agreements on energy, defence and critical minerals, and on 30 May US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Australia for stepping up.
Domestic politics centred on the next election. Albanese faced questions over the cost of his childcare plan from the treasurer, and Liberal MP Tim Wilson said voters would punish him over cost-of-living pressures. The Liberal Party named former Prime Minister Tony Abbott as party president on 29 May. One Nation said its next stop was western Sydney, though analysts questioned the strategy. The Bondi massacre inquiry held its first public hearing, where Australian Jews gave testimony.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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