‘No plans’ for a Coalition with One Nation says O’Brien
Ted O’Brien, the shadow foreign minister and former deputy leader under Sussan Ley, stated that the Liberal National Coalition will learn from Saturday’s byelection loss but has no intention of forming a coalition with One Nation.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, O’Brien emphasized that the loss was not solely due to leadership changes within the Liberal and National parties. He described One Nation as a “broad movement” that effectively highlights certain issues.
"We have no plans for going into a coalition with One Nation. Again, if we focus on the Australian people, if we focus on developing substantive policy. If we focus on removing this very poor Albanese government, that puts us in good stead. So, you know, I’m personally not looking around at any major structural change, trying to engage with One Nation under some formal coalition."
One Nation has already taken credit for influencing policies such as those of Angus Taylor, particularly on immigration, a key campaign focus for Pauline Hanson since the party’s inception.
Australians on board hantavirus ship in a ‘terrible situation’, says Watt
As reported earlier by Josh Butler, the government is repatriating six individuals—four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealand resident—from Tenerife, who were aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship affected by hantavirus.
The flight is scheduled to arrive in Perth tomorrow.
"It’s obviously a terrible situation that these people are in, going on a cruise, expecting to have a nice holiday, and finding themselves in this situation. We have agreed to repatriate a small number of Australians … Arrangements are being made with the states and territories around the quarantining of those people, but all of that work is now under way."
Cabinet minister Murray Watt spoke to ABC News Breakfast, assuring that the government is coordinating care and quarantine arrangements for the group.
‘Revolving door of leaders does not lead to stability’: Albanese backs Starmer
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended UK Labour leader Keir Starmer following the party’s significant losses in last weekend’s local elections. Despite calls from over 40 MPs for Starmer’s resignation, Albanese expressed hope that Starmer remains in office.
"I hope that Keir Starmer continues to serve as prime minister of the United Kingdom. He was elected a relatively short period of time. I’ve dealt with four prime ministers of Great Britain since I was elected as prime minister and the revolving door of leaders does not lead to stability."
Joyce says ‘not an open door’ to disgruntled Coalition MPs
Following One Nation’s byelection victory, speculation has arisen about potential defections from the Liberal National Coalition to One Nation. Queensland Nationals MP Colin Boyce acknowledged considering such a move.
However, Barnaby Joyce clarified that One Nation will not accept all defectors indiscriminately.
"It’s not just because you jump doesn’t mean we catch you. What does that mean? Well, it’s not an open door that anybody who wishes, just walks into One Nation …
I mean, obviously, the Liberal party really do have to do some soul-searching after the weekend because that was catastrophic. That is almost a signal that things might be over."
‘We’re not a party of government … yet,’ says Joyce
Barnaby Joyce celebrated One Nation’s emphatic byelection win during interviews on radio and television. Speaking on ABC’s RN Breakfast, he declared that the party will pursue government if the Australian public supports it.
"The sort of conceited statement, oh, you’re not a party of government. Well, let’s finish that with a rejoiner, yet."
Joyce indicated One Nation’s ambitions to gain influence in Western Sydney, traditionally a Labor stronghold, warning established politicians to take the party seriously or risk being displaced.
"This is a dynamic change. And talking to people last night in the western suburbs of Sydney, last night, they’re quite at home with the idea of One Nation being a dominant force in western Sydney. Absolutely 100% on board with the idea."
Despite holding two seats in the lower house, One Nation remains far from the 76 seats required to form government.
Albanese defends breaking promise to not touch negative gearing and CGT
Prime Minister Albanese addressed questions regarding the government’s upcoming budget reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax (CGT), acknowledging the need to address intergenerational inequality.
When asked by host Sally Sara if this represented a broken promise and contributed to public frustration with major parties, Albanese refrained from confirming specific policy changes but emphasized housing as a priority.
"We know people are under pressure. And the easy path is to say, oh, well, we’ll just sit back and watch that occur. The difficult decision, but the right decision is to do the right thing with the right policies to deliver. And clearly, people are frustrated. Issues like intergenerational equity. People are worried that younger Australians are never going to get a crack at home ownership … too many young people are close to giving up on the opportunity of owning their own home.
If we do change our position on any policy, we will explain why it is that that is occurring."
Coalition ‘legitimised’ One Nation, says Albanese
Anthony Albanese described the Farrer byelection as “devastating” for Angus Taylor and the Coalition, criticizing the Liberal and National parties for adopting policies similar to One Nation’s and preferencing their candidate.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Albanese asserted that Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan effectively legitimized One Nation.
"I think the Liberal party and National party made a big mistake legitimising One Nation and saying, in adopting many of their policies, but a lighter version of them, and then following that up by giving them preferences, they were saying effectively that it was OK to vote for One Nation rather than the traditional conservative party.
[One Nation] are a political party led by someone who’s promoted grievance rather than solutions. And I understand, though, a protest vote will be cast. In this case, it was a devastating result, I think, for Angus Taylor and the Liberal party."
Albanese, along with Senator Jane Hume, noted that public disappointment has been heightened by two recent Coalition breakups.
‘We’ve heard the message loud and clear,’ says Hume on byelection loss
Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume addressed the party’s significant loss to One Nation, acknowledging the erosion of public trust following two Coalition splits.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, Hume emphasized the need to rebuild a strong policy platform and regain community confidence.
"The community were feeling disillusioned. We’ve heard the message loud and clear. We need to rebuild trust.
It’s only been 10 weeks that Angus Taylor has been the leader, and fewer than that that Matt Canavan has been a leader of the National party. I think that the breaking up of the Coalition twice just in the last 12 months alone has been a pretty devastating breach of trust for the Australian people. They expect a united and strong coalition. That’s what is in place now, but we pay the price for that breach of trust at the Farrer byelection."
When asked about the possibility of welcoming One Nation members into the Coalition, Hume described it as a “massive hypothetical” but congratulated One Nation on their historic win.
Barnaby Joyce says no to One Nation joining the Coalition
Barnaby Joyce, after defecting to One Nation late last year, declared the party’s upward trajectory and ambition to form government. However, he ruled out One Nation joining the Coalition, preferring to offer supply and confidence without ministerial involvement.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Joyce stated:
"We’ll offer supply and confidence on policy outcomes … and that is not a Coalition. We don’t want your ministries, keep your ministries and your salaries.
You’ve got all the prizes, but you will deliver policy outcomes because we are not going to be constricted by cabinet solidarity that has done over the Australian people and the conservative side of balance of power so badly."
Joyce’s reference to cabinet solidarity implies a desire to maintain independent policy positions without adhering strictly to Coalition party lines.
One Nation win in Farrer, not a ‘protest vote’ says Farley
David Farley, the incoming One Nation MP for Farrer, expressed humility and excitement over his byelection victory, which followed Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s resignation.
In an interview with , Farley rejected the notion that the win was a protest vote against major parties.
"I don’t think it’s actually a protest vote. It was a vote of relief, someone seeking a better future."
Farley’s stance on immigration is somewhat nuanced compared to Pauline Hanson’s. Given Farrer’s significant migrant workforce, he pledged to continue advocating for skilled visas and related programs.
"I will definitely continue to fight for skilled visas into Farrer. We are a big user of skilled labour, immigration labour, the Palm plan, the skilled aged care nursing plan, all those programs are still there."
Government repatriating passengers from hantavirus ship
The federal government is arranging a charter flight to repatriate six individuals from Tenerife who were aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship affected by hantavirus.
A government spokesperson confirmed that four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealand citizen will be repatriated on a flight departing today. None of the passengers exhibit symptoms of the virus. They reside in New South Wales and Queensland.
"The Australian Government is working closely with state authorities to coordinate arrival, health and transport arrangements. Quarantine and health arrangements are managed by states in accordance with their public health requirements."
The flight is expected to land in Perth on Tuesday, with quarantine arrangements being finalized. Passengers will be transferred directly to quarantine facilities upon arrival. Multiple government agencies, including the Communicable Diseases Network and the National Emergency Management Agency’s Crisis Coordination Team, are involved in the operation.
Chalmers talks up faster approvals processes as productivity boost
Ahead of delivering the fifth federal budget tomorrow night, Treasurer Jim Chalmers highlighted government initiatives to fast-track approvals for priority projects as a key productivity measure.
"Our big productivity push is all about getting compliance costs down and cutting red tape, making it easier and faster to build, and making Australia a more attractive place to invest and that’s what we’re doing through the EPBC.
We’re fast-tracking approvals to build more homes for Australians.
More efficient approvals mean projects get off the ground quicker and Australians get into homes sooner."
Budget to include $500m for faster environmental approvals
The upcoming federal budget will allocate $500 million to accelerate environmental approvals for housing, energy, and critical minerals projects, as part of reforms to national environment laws.
Funding will also support states and territories in expediting environmental assessments nationwide.
Approximately $105.9 million will be invested over four years to improve access to environmental data, including the use of artificial intelligence.
Labor’s major amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act last year identified slow approval times as a significant economic bottleneck. Environment Minister Murray Watt commented:
"Now, this new funding will put those laws to work, unlocking major projects and helping proponents get a faster yes or a faster no.
That’s a win-win for our economy and our precious natural environment."
Good morning from Krishani Dhanji
It is budget week, arriving swiftly with several final government announcements ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget delivery tomorrow. These include funding to accelerate environmental approvals to enhance productivity. Major policy reforms on capital gains tax, negative gearing, and trusts have been public knowledge for weeks.
Saturday’s byelection has generated significant political repercussions in Canberra, and further analysis and reactions are expected throughout the day.
Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage.
