Penny Wong says Israel’s visa revocations ‘unjustified’
Penny Wong has responded to Israel’s decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, calling it “unjustified”.
In a statement released early this morning, Wong said:
At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution.
This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine. We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.
Australia welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other’s humanity and for each other’s right to live in peace.
We safeguard our communities and protect all Australians from hate and harm.
The Australian government will always take decisive action against antisemitism.
Key events
Tasmanian Greens say conversations with Labor went nowhere in attempt to form minority government
The Tasmanian Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff, said Labor leader Dean Winter “refused” to make any compromises, explaining her party’s decision not to back another vote of no-confidence in Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff as parliament returns today.
Woodruff spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying she had been talking seriously with Labor as Winter sought to form a minority government with the crossbench after the state’s snap election. But she said her conversations with Rockliff allowed the Greens to talk about “the problems we’d had with him and his government over the last 11 years and the deep concerns that we still have about what the Liberals have been doing to the budget and to the environment in Tasmania.” She went on:
We have had some sit-down, long conversations multiple times with Dean Winter and really tried to get some policy changes from them, some compromises really. … We were looking for some way forward, some changes at all.
But Dean Winter and Labor refused to make any compromises on their policy positions before going back to parliament. …That wasn’t good enough. We tried really hard in good faith, but Dean Winter hasn’t shown any capacity or ability or intention to make any changes for the people who voted for us. …
Coalition open to Australia contributing non-combat peacekeepers to Ukraine
James Paterson, the shadow finance minister, said the Coalition would be open to a contribution to a peacekeeping effort to Ukraine, a shift from a stance from the former opposition leader Peter Dutton who described any involvement as a “thought bubble by the prime minister”.
Paterson spoke to ABC News as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Washington to meet with Donald Trump:
It’s very clear if there’s to be a durable peace, that security guarantees for Ukraine are going to be necessary. Now, that would have to be led by the United States and European partners. But if Australia is invited to play a role in, that then we should consider whether we can make a constructive contribution to that.
Paterson was asked about the potential for Australian peacekeepers to be sent to the region in a non-combat role. He said:
We are clearly not a central player in this conflict but we do have a very strong interest in making sure this isn’t just a pause in Vladimir Putin’s war that’s resumed at a later date. We want it to be long-lasting. So we should consider any request from our allies and friends in Europe as to if we can make a symbolic contribution towards this.
Very clearly the heavy lifting would be done by Nato in this instance. But we are a partner of Nato and if we’re asked to make a contribution, we should consider it.
Tom McIlroy
Lone opposition member at the round table says he will be constructive and critical
The opposition’s sole representative at the economic reform round table, the shadow treasurer, Ted O’Brien, lashed Labor for being too slow to act on falling living standards in Australia.
Speaking before the summit began on Tuesday, O’Brien said Chalmers needs to do more to help households:
He has set himself the biggest test since he has entered parliament. He has made it very clear to the Australian people that he will turn the stats around on living standards. Australia has experienced the biggest decline in living standards of all developed nations as a direct consequence of this government’s actions.
I see my role as representing the 27 million Australians who have been struggling under this Albanese government. I will, of course, be constructive where I can, and critical where I must.
Patrick Commins
Chalmers tells attendees we need to do ‘more’ ‘better’ in call for ‘good ideas’
Jim Chalmers addressed attendees on the first day of the three-day economic reform round table, riffing on how well the economy is going under Labor: a rate cut last week, inflation down, unemployment low and real wages growing. But, naturally, our hyperactive treasurer is not satisfied:
Australia’s performance, in many ways, does set us apart, but we’re not satisfied with that. We need to do more, and we need to do better, and we will do better, and that’s what this is all about.
He repeats his “three days to inform three budgets” line, which is his new favourite, alongside old faves like “churn and change”.
Speaking to the people in the room he said: “Now to make the most of this opportunity, we need your concrete ideas”.
We need you to be specific. We need you to suggest ways to pay for them so that good ideas are also affordable ideas. We need you to be willing to test your ideas with others in the room.
We need you to be able to find common ground and recognise that sometimes that involves compromises, because this is all about building consensus, and it’s all about building momentum, which means going beyond our own narrower sectional or commercial interests and serving the national economic interest.
Labor’s economic round table begins
Tom McIlroy
Anthony Albanese has officially opened the government’s economic reform round table in Canberra in the past few minutes. There’s about 30 people squashed into the cabinet room for the start of the three-day summit, set to be overseen by the treasurer, Jim Chalmers.
Albanese says some of the proposals coming out of the summit could be considered for this year’s mid-year budget update, due in December, and next May’s federal budget.
The prime minister said some of the agenda items for the summit – including AI – won’t be solved immediately:
Even though this won’t be broadcast live, [because of] the nature of the cabinet room, the ideas that have been generated already will be the subject of the discussions.
One of the things I’ve said is that we are focused on delivery and getting things done, but how things are done are also important.
Albanese said the national interest should override sectional interest during the discussions.
“My government is focused on looking after people on the economic journey,” he said.
Josh Butler
Some scenes from Canberra with the productivity round table about to begin
The economic reform summit is about to begin, and while parliament house isn’t exactly abuzz, there is a quiet hum going through the building.
With all the formal activities happening in private in the cabinet room and therefore off-limits to your humble correspondent (aside from a few selected remarks from the prime minister and treasurer to be broadcast on TV), we’re reduced to loitering around outside the ministerial wing.
Sadly there no bunting, flags or paraphernalia for the summit that we can see – a quick wander past the cabinet room area earlier showed a few privacy screens and some information signs, but little else in the way of journalistic colour.
The Nationals senator Matt Canavan was drinking a coffee at Aussies cafe earlier, in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “energy prices are the real productivity issue”. He joked to us that he was holding his own round table later today.
Sydney delivery rider hospitalised after allegedly being stabbed with screwdriver
A delivery rider in inner Sydney was hospitalised last night after he was allegedly knocked off his bike and stabbed multiple times with a screwdriver, police say.
NSW police said the man, 24, was riding through the Sydney suburb of Ultimo near the CBD around 9.15pm on Monday night. On arrival, police were told the rider was allegedly pushed to the ground by an unknown man, who later walked away after the alleged assault.
The 24-year-old rider was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers have established a crime scene and begun an investigation.
Opposition says visa tit-for-tat reflects worst Australia-Israel relations since the second world war
The shadow finance minister, James Paterson, told the ABC this morning he believes the visa episode demonstrates “Australia’s bilateral relationship with Israel is the worst it has ever been since the creation of the state of Israel”.
Paterson said he was not familiar with “all” of the views of far-right politician Simcha Rothman, who was denied a visa yesterday, but said barring any visiting lawmaker was a major decision. He questioned the move by the government in an interview on ABC News:
It is a very big call to block the visa of a visiting member of parliament from other country. My question is did Tony Burke discuss the diplomatic implications of that visit with the foreign minister, Penny Wong? Did he discuss it with the prime minister? …
This is not a decision to be taken lightly and the all the implications should have been considered and its not clear that occurred.
Finance minister says government disappointed, but ‘not surprised’ after Israel revokes visas
Finance minister Katy Gallagher said the government is disappointed after Israel revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority overnight. Gallagher said the Labor government was not surprised by the move, which came after Anthony Albanese said Australia would recognise a Palestinian state and after the country refused a visa yesterday for a far-right member of Israeli parliament.
But Gallagher told RN Breakfast the episode reflected the need for more diplomacy between Australia and Israel:
At a time when we need more diplomacy and more dialogue between countries, it is a disappointing decision. We’re not surprised necessarily by it. We saw similar steps taken against other countries …
But certainly our view is this is unjustified and we need more talk, more diplomacy, more channels in for discussion than we’ve needed before.
Tory Shepherd
Grim statistics on suicide attempts amongst younger people
Young people have attempted suicide without any previous suicidal ideation or planning, the Australian Institute of Family Sudies (AIFS) has found.
“[That] can understandably be a shock for their families and friends,” AIFS’ senior survey manager, Agatha Faulkner, said.
Data from the institute’s Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, which has tracked 10,000 children since 2004, was released on Tuesday. It shows 38% of females studied have suicidal thoughts and behaviours, compared to 31% of males.
About one in eight males attempt suicide without ideation or planning when they are 14 or 15 years old, and about one in 10 females at 16 or 17 years old. Parental separation, financial stress, disability, depression and anxiety symptoms, and both being bullied and bullying others all had an effect.
Suicide Prevention Australia’s chief executive officer, Nieves Murray, said:
This research is a stark reminder that suicidal distress among young people can emerge suddenly and without warning. We must move beyond crisis-only responses and ensure support starts early, is consistent, and involves the whole community.
Liberals set to govern as Tasmanian parliament returns
Josh Taylor
A no-confidence motion from Labor against the Tasmanian Liberal premier, Jeremy Rockliff, is set to fail when parliament returns one month since the state election today.
Rockliff was recommissioned as premier but the Labor leader, Dean Winter, planned to test his numbers in the parliament on Tuesday with a no-confidence motion.
Neither the Liberals (14) or Labor (10) hold the required 18 seats for a majority, and there have been weeks of negotiations with the Greens and independent members to gain their support.
Winter’s motion is set to fail with the Greens (holding 5 seats) announcing on Monday they were unable to back Winter after he refused to make policy concessions to the crossbench and repeatedly ruled out “doing a deal” with the Greens. The Greens stated their decision not to back Winter’s motion was not an endorsement of the Liberal government.
The Liberals made policy concessions including a review of salmon farming and a ban on greyhound racing by 2029.
Independent Kristie Johnston on Monday also said she was unable to support an “uncompromising” Labor. Fellow independent and former Labor leader David O’Byrne on Sunday threw his support behind Rockliff as premier.
– with AAP
Nick Visser
Good morning, and happy Tuesday. Nick Visser here to take over for Martin Farrer. Let’s get into it.
Shadow treasurer enters economic summit seeking to ‘stop the spending spree’
Josh Taylor
The shadow treasurer, Ted O’Brien, said the Coalition would enter this week’s economic reform roundtable seeking ideas to “stop the spending spree” and “growing the economic pie”.
O’Brien will be one of the over two dozen to attend the roundtable this week and told ABC’s 7.30 program he saw his role as listening to the ideas put forward, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers intended to do, rather than put any forward, but said those two points were what the Coalition would go in for.
Repeatedly pressed on whether a future Coalition government would raise the GST, O’Brien did not answer directly. On how the Coalition would pay for the proposed $21bn increase in defence spending over the next five years, O’Brien said he wasn’t announcing policy.
He said the Coalition will approach the roundtable constructively where it can, and critical where it must. But the prism he views the proposals would be very different to that of the treasurer, he said.
When it comes to tax reform, if the government is genuinely interested in dealing with the Coalition on tax reform to drive more efficiency into the system, then we’re up for that conversation. And so, happy to have that conversation.
O’Brien would not say where any potential savings would come from, but pointed to the electric vehicle fringe benefit tax exemption, which the Coalition promised to axe at the last election amid Treasury forecasts it could cost half a billion dollars per year.
Chalmers opens economic round table to build ‘a new generation of prosperity’
Patrick Commins
Jim Chalmers has declared his “ambitious government” is ready to meet the great economic challenges of our time as he urged attendees at the opening of the three-day reform round table to set aside factional interests and work in the national interest.
In draft speaking notes provided to Guardian Australia, the treasurer said it was incumbent on politicians, interest groups, unions, and experts to help build “a new generation of prosperity”.
After 900 submissions and dozens of ministerial mini-roundtables over the past six weeks, Chalmers said “broadly, we’re looking to build consensus around three types of outcomes”.
“Clear reform directions – areas where there’s momentum and broad agreement on the direction of travel even if unanimity isn’t there yet.
“Specific reforms – the handful of changes we could all agree on now.
“And ongoing priorities – where there’s appetite in the room for further work.”
The first day will focus on “resilience” and will be opened by Anthony Albanese, who will deliver a brief address, followed by Chalmers and then the Reserve Bank’s governor, Michele Bullock.
Today’s three sessions will take place behind closed doors in the cabinet room in parliament house and will cover issues such as international trade opportunities and how to develop and attract skilled workers and investment.
Days two and three will be about productivity and budget resilience, respectively.
Penny Wong says Israel’s visa revocations ‘unjustified’
Penny Wong has responded to Israel’s decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, calling it “unjustified”.
In a statement released early this morning, Wong said:
At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution.
This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine. We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.
Australia welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other’s humanity and for each other’s right to live in peace.
We safeguard our communities and protect all Australians from hate and harm.
The Australian government will always take decisive action against antisemitism.
Palestinian Authority condemns Israel visa revocations
The Palestinian Authority has condemned Israel’s move. In a post to social media, it said:
The foreign ministry condemns the arbitrary decision of the occupation against Australian diplomats… considering it illegal and in contradiction with the Geneva conventions, international law, and international legitimacy resolutions that do not grant the occupying authority such powers.
The ministry affirms that the state of Palestine does not recognise this decision and deals with Australian diplomats as representatives accredited to the state of Palestine, and stresses that such measures reflect Israeli arrogance and a state of political imbalance, and that they will only increase Australia’s and other countries’ determination to adhere to international law, the two-state solution, and the recognition of the state of Palestine to achieve peace.
‘To be continued’: Israeli foreign minister threatens Australia with more diplomatic action
Relations between Australia and Israel have taken another turn for the worse amid a tit-for-tat diplomatic spat over visas.
A week after Australia said it would recognise Palestinian statehood, the Albanese government yesterday refused a visa for a far-right member of Israel’s ruling coalition.
Israel responded last night when the foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, announced that he revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, citing Australia’s “unjustified refusal” to grant visas to Israeli figures and its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Having announced his decision via X, Sa’ar then followed that up with a Hebrew-language video message released by his office, according to the Times of Israel. In it, the minister said that “Australia is acting against Israel, Australia is persecuting Israel,” and that its move to bar individuals “must be understood in this context”.
“And we will take additional measures,” Sa’ar adds. “To be continued.” More here:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Nick Visser with the main action.
The Albanese government risks becoming embroiled in a worsening war of words with Israel after the government in Tel Aviv revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority in response to Canberra refusing a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. The Israeli foreign minister called Australia’s decision shameful and said more action would follow. We have more coming up, including the reaction of the Palestinian Authority which condemned the move as “arbitrary” and arrogant.
Plus: it’s the first day of the government’s much-sizzled economic reform summit in Canberra, and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens. Stay tuned!
