Following his visit to New Zealand, the Chinese Premier has begun his visit to Australia.

Li Qiang was greeted by hundreds of supporters and protestors upon his arrival in Canberra on Sunday, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House.

Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there has been talks of better military communication, as well as extending the offering of visa-free travel to Australians.

She said that Albanese says the bilateral relationship is back on track.

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Following his visit to New Zealand, the Chinese Premier has begun his visit to Australia. 
Li Qiang was greeted by hundreds of supporters and protestors upon his arrival in Canberra on Sunday, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House. 
Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there has been talks of better military communication, as well as extending the offering of visa-free travel to Australians. 
She said that Albanese says the bilateral relationship is back on track. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang

The fast track approvals bill, it's been in the news in the last couple of days.

Fast track - I was thinking fast food, like drive through, how quickly we can get infrastructure done in this country. Something we haven't been able to do very well for a very long time.

Like you would drive into the McDonald's or whatever it is to get your speedy infrastructure done.

What would you like, sir? I'll have a housing development, I'll have a bridge or perhaps I'll have a mine on the west coast.

Drive straight to 3 pay there, Uncle Shane, there's cousin Simeon ready to take your card and then, oh, lo and behold, Chris Bishop gives you a free Sunday, he's on the milkshake machine.

Great. Everybody's happy. Bam, bam, bam and you're straight through.

But no, not anymore. Now they are going to revise it and they're going to take away some of those quick decisions making power.

So the decisions will now be made by, you guessed it, a panel of experts, not ministers.

There's a new process that involves environmental experts, Iwi authority representatives, Māori Development and Te Ao Māori experts extended time frames.

So this is not fast food anymore people, this is like a long lunch for infrastructure construction in New Zealand.

Why can we never just get on and build stuff? Who cares about a bit of corruption, just build it.

The fast track approvals bill, it's been in the news in the last couple of days.
Fast track - I was thinking fast food, like drive through, how quickly we can get infrastructure done in this country. Something we haven't been able to do very well for a very long time.
Like you would drive into the McDonald's or whatever it is to get your speedy infrastructure done.
What would you like, sir? I'll have a housing development, I'll have a bridge or perhaps I'll have a mine on the west coast.
Drive straight to 3 pay there, Uncle Shane, there's cousin Simeon ready to take your card and then, oh, lo and behold, Chris Bishop gives you a free Sunday, he's on the milkshake machine.
Great. Everybody's happy. Bam, bam, bam and you're straight through.
But no, not anymore. Now they are going to revise it and they're going to take away some of those quick decisions making power.
So the decisions will now be made by, you guessed it, a panel of experts, not ministers.
There's a new process that involves environmental experts, Iwi authority representatives, Māori Development and Te Ao Māori experts extended time frames.
So this is not fast food anymore people, this is like a long lunch for infrastructure construction in New Zealand.
Why can we never just get on and build stuff? Who cares about a bit of corruption, just build it.

Ryan Bridge: Fast Track Approvals Bill: this is not fast food anymore people, it's like a long lunch for infrastructure construction

The mining industry wants the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill, to be its last. 

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announced Cabinet will recommend changes to the proposed law, to the Environment Select Committee.

It includes changing who has the final say -  from ministers to an independent panel.

Minerals industry association Straterra calls it a watering-down of the scheme. 

Chief Executive, Josie Vidal told Ryan Bridge she doesn't understand why ministers can't make the decisions, which they are elected for. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The mining industry wants the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill, to be its last.  
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announced Cabinet will recommend changes to the proposed law, to the Environment Select Committee. 
It includes changing who has the final say -  from ministers to an independent panel. 
Minerals industry association Straterra calls it a watering-down of the scheme.  
Chief Executive, Josie Vidal told Ryan Bridge she doesn't understand why ministers can't make the decisions, which they are elected for.  
LISTEN ABOVE

Josie Vidal: On the mining industry wanting the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill to be its last

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire - signalling an escalation in hostilities.

Israel says it pre-emptively destroyed thousands of rocket launchers across Southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel - in the first phase of a retaliatory attack for the killing of its leaders.

Otago University Middle East expert Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge Hezbollah had wanted to wait until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza before acting.

He says the group had been under a lot of pressure to do something over the assassinations.

He says they called the operation Arbaeen which is Arabic for 40 days. 

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire - signalling an escalation in hostilities.
Israel says it pre-emptively destroyed thousands of rocket launchers across Southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel - in the first phase of a retaliatory attack for the killing of its leaders.
Otago University Middle East expert Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge Hezbollah had wanted to wait until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza before acting.
He says the group had been under a lot of pressure to do something over the assassinations.
He says they called the operation Arbaeen which is Arabic for 40 days.

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang

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