Dan Tehan says Liberals ‘not entertaining’ idea of coalition with One Nation
Senior opposition figure Dan Tehan spoke on the ABC’s Insiders program regarding the possibility of a coalition between the Liberals and One Nation. After persistent questioning, he stated that the Liberals are “not entertaining” any coalition with One Nation, the right-wing party currently polling ahead of the Liberals. He said:
“It’s a no – we are Coalition Liberal party-National party. It is not even being talked about.”
Pro-Palestine protest and walkout during PM’s NSW Labor conference speech
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech at the NSW Labor conference was marked by silent pro-Palestine protests but otherwise proceeded without incident.
As NSW Premier Chris Minns entered Sydney’s Town Hall main chamber to deliver his address, two men unfurled a Palestinian flag from a balcony. NSW police quickly removed them.
On the following day, two protesters stood and draped a flag reading “Stop Arming Genocide. Free Palestine” along with a keffiyeh over a balcony near the stage as the prime minister approached to speak. Unlike the previous day, police did not remove them. After discussions with security, the protesters sat down, and the flag remained displayed throughout the speech.
Later during the speech, a woman wrapped in a Palestinian flag stood up on the delegates level and walked out of the conference hall.
Potentially sensitive discussions regarding Palestine and the Aukus agreement were unlikely at the conference, as the “Australia and the World” committee report was scheduled last on the agenda despite frequent mentions of these issues.
Earlier, Labor left-wing delegates briefly took control of the conference to attempt to force debate on motions to repeal anti-protest laws, which critics argue are intended to suppress debate. A motion to advance this discussion was rejected by the right faction-controlled conference.
Wong announces new diplomatic postings for Australia
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced several new diplomatic appointments, including ambassadors to Mexico City, Nauru, and Bangkok.
In her statement, Wong named the following appointments:
- Glenn Morrison as Australia’s next ambassador to Croatia
- Keara Shaw as Australia’s next high commissioner to Ghana
- Sanchi Davis as Australia’s next consul general in Makassar, Indonesia
- Amanda Riethmuller as Australia’s next ambassador to Kuwait
- Crispin Conroy AM as Australia’s next ambassador to Mexico
- Lisa White as Australia’s next high commissioner to Nauru
- Pablo Kang as Australia’s next ambassador to Thailand
- Jeremy Green as Australia’s next ambassador for APEC
“Australia’s diplomatic network enables us to promote our interests in peace, security, trade, investment and other areas of cooperation. Australia takes the world as it is and seeks to shape it for the better – these diplomatic appointments will deepen Australia’s connections abroad and increase our ability to influence where it matters.”
Exclusion zones in place after suspected space debris found near Townsville
The Australian Space Agency confirmed that “suspected space debris” containing hazardous chemicals was located north of Townsville.
Queensland police reported that four objects were found on Friday and Saturday in the Forrest Beach area, with 50-metre exclusion zones established around each object.
Authorities believe the objects contain hazardous chemicals but stated there is “no danger to the local community” and that police are not investigating the incident.
The Queensland Fire Department rendered the objects safe, according to a police statement.
A spokesperson for the Australian Space Agency, collaborating with police and the National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the objects were likely space debris.
Separately, Seven News promoted the incident with a “space junk snack box.”
Two charged after imitation pistol allegedly pointed at synagogue
Two men have been charged following an incident in New South Wales where an imitation pistol was allegedly pointed at a Sydney synagogue.
Police responded to reports at the Double Bay place of worship on Saturday lunchtime that occupants of a vehicle were seen pointing a firearm towards the building.
During a search of an SUV, police seized an imitation pistol and arrested two men.
A 22-year-old man was charged with possessing and using an offensive weapon and intimidation offences, while a 25-year-old was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol.
National committee recommends ‘heightened flock biosecurity’ as sixth bird-flu case confirmed
Authorities have allowed poultry operations with free-range birds to bring them indoors as Australia confirms its sixth case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu.
Acting Australian Chief Veterinarian Dr. Sam Hamilton stated that the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) met to discuss appropriate response activities. He said:
“CCEAD discussed practical precautionary measures, given the suspect detections in new locations in NSW and WA and endorsed an approach at this time involving heightened flock biosecurity. This includes options for states and territories to utilise non-mandatory measures including advising commercial poultry producers to house free-range birds where practical while maintaining animal welfare.”
Hamilton emphasized that there have been no detections in poultry, agricultural systems, or wild birds.
Australia has six confirmed cases, including the first for NSW confirmed the previous night, and a seventh bird found in Western Australia is undergoing testing.
All cases have involved migratory seabirds likely originating from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.
UN advisers on Great Barrier Reef say government's climate targets are falling short
United Nations advisers expressed “utmost concern” about the future of the Great Barrier Reef, stating that the government’s climate targets do not align with the 1.5°C global heating goal.
UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature submitted advice to the 21-country World Heritage Committee, which will convene in South Korea later this month.
The reef has suffered multiple coral bleaching events in recent years, compounded by ongoing issues with pollution and nutrient runoff from the land. The UNESCO advice stated:
“Whilst the resilience of the Reef remains evident, its capacity to tolerate and recover from such events is increasingly compromised, and this is of utmost concern.”
The advisers urged the government to improve its climate targets, noting they “still fall short of being 1.5°C-aligned.” Australia is required to report progress to the committee in 2028.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt and Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell welcomed the recommendations. Watt said:
“Australia is doing more than ever to better protect and manage the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef. Our efforts are making a difference – but we know there is more work to do.”
Conservationists noted that the global community is watching Australia’s response, emphasizing that water quality and climate targets remain critical issues.
Dan Tehan claims new coal plants would ‘drive down emissions’ – but they won’t
On the ABC’s Insiders program, Dan Tehan was asked if a Coalition government would support building new coal-fired power plants.
Responding to host David Speers, Tehan said:
“Well, if there is a want from the private sector to invest in that, then there is no reason why we shouldn’t do that, because, David – and let me finish, it’s a very important point – the new technology drives down emissions, compared to the existing.”
While new coal-fired power plants, known as ultra super-critical plants, have lower emissions than current Australian plants, they do not “drive down emissions.” Instead, they slightly reduce the rate of emissions increase but continue to emit high levels of CO2 that will remain in the atmosphere for centuries.
NSW confirms first H5N1 birdflu case
A giant petrel found on the New South Wales coast at Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, has been confirmed as the state’s first case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
This positive test marks the sixth confirmed case in Australia.
Samples from a seventh bird, another giant petrel found at Mullaloo Beach in Western Australia, are undergoing testing at CSIRO laboratories.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty confirmed the positive test and stated there has been no spread to wild birds or commercial poultry. She said:
“The NSW Government has been preparing for a positive result for some time and there is a clear plan in place to support industry and the community. At this stage the result is limited to a single migratory seabird and has not impacted our poultry sector or domestic wildlife.”
Surveillance in high-risk areas has been increased using drones and personnel on the ground, and poultry producers have been advised to enhance biosecurity measures.
PM defends tax changes as conference motions call for further action
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will defend the federal government’s negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms at the NSW Labor conference, amid calls from some local branches for further changes.
In his speech, the prime minister is expected to state:
“In all the conversations I’ve had and the interviews and press conferences I’ve held, no one has argued that the housing market was working fine the way it was. No one has been able to say that the status quo was fair or reasonable or sustainable for the future. And once you get to that point, once everyone acknowledges that the system is broken. Then the choice for a party of government is very clear. If you don’t have the ticker, you can kick the can down the road and leave the problem to a future generation. Or you can do the hard thing, the right thing – and fix it. That is the choice we have made.”
Some local branch motions, including one from the Glebe branch calling for removal of grandfathering arrangements for investors on rental properties, have received support from the NSW party’s economics committee and are expected to be referred to the federal party.
While the Labor leadership seeks to present unity ahead of next year’s state election, tensions between left and right delegates may arise during the conference.
A committee report on Australia’s role in the world, which addresses the Middle East and endorses the Aukus agreement, will not be debated during the conference, according to Labor sources. However, Labor left faction members are negotiating for motions regarding the state government’s policies to be debated later.
Albanese to criticise rightwing ‘axis of grievance’ at NSW Labor conference
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use his speech on the second day of the NSW Labor conference to criticise what he describes as a right-wing “axis of grievance” involving the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation.
One Nation was a prominent topic on the first day of the 2026 NSW Labor conference, with Premier Chris Minns warning the party faces a significant challenge to remain in power amid the rising threat from Pauline Hanson’s party at next year’s state election.
Responding to a federal Liberal frontbencher’s recent comment suggesting the party might need to reconsider its approach, Albanese is expected to tell Labor delegates:
“The problem is not their [the Liberals] brand – it is their product. It is not their sales pitch – it is their policies. It is not what they call themselves – it is who they are. It is the race to the bottom that all three rightwing parties are caught up in. They are the axis of grievance. Each trying to be more anti-fairness, more anti-worker, more anti-aspiration. This is why, for all the shifts in the landscape over the years, the fundamental contrast in Australian politics remains the same. Our opponents only ever define themselves by who and what they are against. We are defined by what we are for. By our enduring Australian values of fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all. And by what we do to give those values life and weight and meaning for all Australians.”
Welcome to Sunday
Good morning and thank you for joining us. Graham Readfearn here.
First, news that New South Wales has recorded its first confirmed case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in a giant petrel found north of Newcastle at Hawks Nest.
We also have the second day of the annual NSW Labor party conference underway.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use his speech today to describe a right-wing “axis of grievance” forming between the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation.
Yesterday, Premier Chris Minns stated that the government would need to “climb Everest” to remain in power.
