Australia election 2025 live: Albanese and Dutton gear up for campaign launches; judge resigns from Hong Kong court
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Good morning and welcome to our live blog of the election campaign as we enter day 16. I'm Martin Farrer, bringing you some of the best of the overnight stories and then it will be Nino Bucci with the main action.
Although we're more than two weeks in, this weekend will see the two major parties officially launch their election campaigns – expected tomorrow. Anthony Albanese will be in Perth and we'll be there with him to bring you the latest, while Peter Dutton will make his announcement in western Sydney.
We're looking at what's gone wrong with the Coalition campaign this morning, specifically of course how Peter Dutton has gone from leading Anthony Albanese in the polls to trailing. Veteran Canberra observer Malcolm Farr is on the case.
And we also have an essay by Paul Daley about the prime minister and how 3 May will define his legacy.
We have an exclusive news story about how the Liberal candidate for Bruce co-authored a parliamentary submission suggesting the Hazara community in Afghanistan was not persecuted on the basis of its ethnicity, contradicting the Australian government and drawing rebuke from international human rights groups. More coming up.
An Australian judge has become the latest foreigner to resign from Hong Kong's highest court before the end of his term on Friday as a security crackdown fans international criticism of a perceived erosion of the rule of law in the financial hub. More to come. Share
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Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
'How do I know my mum isn't dead in a ditch after Israel arrested her?'
Seren Murphy, 43, was relaxing at home on a Saturday night when she got a message on the WhatsApp family group chat from her mum. She'd been arrested by Israel. Seren's mum, Máire Ní Mhurchú, 70, flew to the occupied West Bank in early May to do what she has done for 20 years – help Palestinians. But no one heard from the mum-of-three, grandmother-of-eight and great-grandmother-of-two for days after she was detained and threatened with deportation on Saturday, an order she is fighting in the courts. Seren, a librarian in Swansea, told Metro: 'How do I know she's not dead in a ditch somewhere? 'When you look at what's happening in Gaza, the fact that they have murdered aid workers and medical staff, what's to stop them from bumping off a little old lady?' As much as Seren's phone has been 'red-hot' recently from her frantically checking it, she knows her mum will be fine. She said: 'My mum is my hero. She's got the biggest heart of anybody I've ever met – Palestine is part of her life and soul.' Almost every autumn, Mhurchú, who goes by D Murphy, goes to the West Bank to help pick olives off the terraced hillsides. But the olives were unharvested when she landed last month. Seren said: 'The joy is disappearing. They're living in fear… Some of the villages she's been to have been bulldozed to the ground. Some people she knows are dead.' One village is Khalet Al-Daba'a in Masafer Yatt, home to 14 families before Israeli forces demolished 90% of the homes and infrastructure. Murphy, from Douglas in Cork, was joined by her friend Susanne Björk on May 28 to volunteer for the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Björk, 48, told Metro Israeli settlers she filmed 'terrorising' Palestinian villagers stole her phone on May 30. She reported them to the police. But at 6.30am the next day, masked soldiers kicked down their door and gave them 10 seconds to get out. Israeli settlers serving as reservists reportedly told them to leave as they were in a 'military area' before police arrested them. Björk said: 'But the police and soldiers the day before had not mentioned this. How are we to know we were not supposed to be there?' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Inside the station, they saw two Palestinian boys, aged about 13. Björk recalled: 'An officer told me: 'These are terrorists. If we don't zip-tie them, they'll run.' We were in the middle of an illegal settlement. There was nowhere for them to go.' Israel has classified the area as a military zone since the 1980s, complicating residents' ability to remain. Khalet Al-Daba'a is inactive, according to a 2022 map. At a Sunday hearing in Tel Aviv, the court accused them of being in a military zone and threatening soldiers and police. Björk said: 'Which is a ridiculous thing to say because these are heavily armed people and I'm a 48-year-old woman with a 70-year-old.' After agreeing to board the next available flight, Björk was deported. Murphy is in Givon Prison and was denied counsel on Wednesday, ISM said. Björk said: 'I fear for D. She's a 70-year-old woman in detention – we had to fight to use the toilet.' On Wednesday, Seren's aunt received a call – it was Murphy, saying she had not spoken with her lawyer since Monday. Seren said: 'I'm reassured knowing she's still alive. It's surreal to think that way about your mum. 'But alongside those feelings is also anger at the fact we're in this situation and what is happening every day in Palestine.' Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 people hostage. Israel has killed nearly 54,700 Palestinians, mainly women and children. ISM told Metro: 'Israel labels indigenous Palestinians, their supporters and those who tell the truth about the genocide unfolding in occupied Palestine as criminals, uses force to silence and remove them from occupied Palestine.' More Trending Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Metro officials are providing consular assistance. It said: 'As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.' The IDF, the Israel Police and Sweden's Ministry for Foreign Affairs have been approached for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ireland has a US border — it could help travellers nervous about Trump's America MORE: I spent 48 hours in Ireland's rebel city — it's in the midst of a revolution MORE: US suggests Palestinian state should be in the French Riviera
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor's BKFC faces ban as Australian leader slams 'brutal' sport
The Irishman was confirmed as a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship last year, but not everyone seems to be onboard with the promotion Conor McGregor has been dealt a huge blow after an Australian politician revealed he is leading calls for bare knuckle fighting to be permanently banned in the country. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, co-owned by McGregor, was set to make its Australian debut in Perth this July. However, the WA Combat Sports Commission has rejected the application. In response to this development, Australian Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas is urging the State Government to completely outlaw the sport, asserting it has no place in Western Australia. "It was very clear that a significant majority of Western Australians did not want this brutal sport to be coming to Perth," He continued: "It should not have taken this long, and there are still lots of questions," said Zempilas. He further added: "We don't know what criteria was not met, or how the decision was reached. We don't know whether there were discussions between the Minister and the Commission, and it would appear the door is still open." Zempilas is convinced that a ban is the only appropriate measure to prevent future applications. "That's what we want. Clearly that's what the people of Western Australia want," the 53-year-old said. "It sets a bad example, there is very little demand. And it took the long way and a confusing way to get there, but I'm pleased that the common sense decision was ultimately reached." Last year, the former dual-weight UFC champion and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" became part-owners of BKFC, which has since seen a stunning growth, staging events worldwide with McGregor often in attendance. However, not everyone is thrilled about the bare-knuckle fighting promotion. However, not everyone appears to be onboard with the promotion. Zempilas' comments were echoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Speaking to Triple M, Albanese said: "A bit of common sense - you've got to look after people's health a bit and maybe save people from themselves. I just think we've got to be much more conscious about health issues." When asked directly about bare knuckle fighting, the Prime Minister replied: "It's a bit crazy!" BKFC President David Feldman had previously insisted that the event would still go ahead. The lineup was set to feature ex-UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell against Aussie powerhouse Alex 'Godly Strong' Simon, and 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings slated to face Jade event was set to take place at RAC Arena on July 19, but with calls for a ban heating up, it seems very likely that the BKFC will struggle to host an event in Australia. Recently, McGregor vowed to compete in BKFC despite the controversy. "Yes. Yes. The warrior spirit burns strong inside me," he said at a BKFC press conference in Italy earlier this year. "For sure. If you think I'm up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle and I won't step in there myself, think again. For sure. Conor McGregor will fight in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – mark my words." "I would wish to be the Bare Knuckle world champion. That is a significant belt to hold in your career. Nobody from boxing to mixed martial arts can speak nothing bad on a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship world champion. So for sure, I'd be coming in looking for the world title. "There are many bouts, showcase bouts you could say. Michael Perry, Mike Perry. You could say Jeremy Stephens. You could say a rematch against Eddie Alvarez. You could say many matches. But the lightweight title, who is the champion right now, lightweight or welterweight? Let's see. I'm open. We'll see when it comes."
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Albanese must tread a fine line when he meets Trump. He can't bow to him but he can't alienate the US either
Things were tense as John Gorton prepared to meet Lyndon Johnson at the White House in May 1968. In office just a few months, the Australian prime minister had criticised the US president for a lack of consultation over America's military plans for the Vietnam war in the lead up to the important visit. In a briefing note uncovered by the historian James Curran, Gorton was described to his hosts as having a crumpled nose 'like an ex-prize fighter'. Worse, Washington was warned that the Australian leader was a 'conclusion jumper' and lacked experience in foreign affairs. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Despite meetings at the White House and a visit to the famed LBJ ranch in Texas, Gorton left America feeling uneasy about his relationship with Johnson and how the trip would play to the domestic audience at home. Anthony Albanese could be forgiven for a similar feeling. The Labor leader is expected to have his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Calgary, Canada. Since Trump emerged as the lightning rod third candidate in the federal election campaign, Albanese has struggled to get his counterpart on the phone to plead Australia's case for an exemption to the president's growing roster of trade tariffs. Albanese described the decision by Australia's most important ally as an act of economic self-harm and not the actions of a friend, but he also weaponised the spectre of Trump-style politics in his demolition of Peter Dutton on 3 May. Once in the room, Albanese is expected to talk up Australia's supply of rare earths and critical minerals as he fights for exemptions from the 50% tariff now applied to steel and aluminium imports, and Australia's inclusion in the 10% baseline rate Trump imposed back in April. China dominates global supplies of critical minerals, required for specialist manufacturing, and a reliable ally able to balance the ledger should be helpful for the US, especially in the event of a conflict with Beijing. Albanese said on Friday he was not prepared to give ground on one longstanding American gripe. He said any move to weaken a biosecurity ban on some beef imports from the US in exchange for more favourable tariff treatment was a non-starter. Bans have existed since a 2003 mad cow disease outbreak, with cattle raised in Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the US still barred under 2019 rules. Other irritants include the decades-long fight by America's pharma companies to kill off Australia's Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme, and the news media bargaining code, viewed in the White House as unfairly targeting American social media companies. If a meeting between the two leaders is locked in over coming days, Albanese will undoubtedly be trying to avoid an ambush like those endured by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office. Trump's treatment of then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in their infamous phone call back in January 2017 is still front of mind for Australian diplomats as well. Albanese said on Friday he would seek to continue cordial conversations with Trump, even if relations between the pair deteriorated. 'I deal with people, whoever they are, in the same respectful way. I expect respect back,' Albanese told ABC radio in Melbourne. 'I'm the prime minister of Australia. We don't have a subservient relationship to any nation. We're a sovereign nation that stands on our own two feet.' Albanese seems to have charmed the capricious commander-in-chief – so far, at least. Last month Trump said he had a very good relationship with his Australian counterpart, telling reporters on the White House lawn Albanese had been 'very, very nice' and 'very respectful' to him. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In reality, the pair have little in common. A reality TV star turned politician, Trump lived a gilded lifestyle in Manhattan before entering politics, rolling around the city as a playboy property developer, married three times and courting tabloid reporters to boast about his exploits. A Democrat and donor to Hillary Clinton before joining the Republican party to run for president, Trump's loyalties are transactional at best. Albanese was raised by a single mother in public housing in Sydney. His mentor and father figure was the Labor great Tom Uren. A former prisoner of war and minister in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, Uren taught his protege the spirit of collectivism, caring for vulnerable people and using political power to improve people's lives. Recent meetings offer a diplomatic playbook. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, used his Oval Office audience this week to paper over differences on foreign policy and the war in Ukraine, sitting back as Trump criticised his one-time ally in Tesla boss, Elon Musk, as well as Germany's former leader Angela Merkel in a 30-minute rant to waiting media. Having prepared for the meeting by speaking with other world leaders about how to handle Trump one on one, Merz presented him with a gold-framed birth certificate of his grandfather, Friedrich Trump, who migrated from Germany to the US in 1885. The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, a friend of Albanese, performed similarly well back in February, taking an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit to the UK and eventually securing a tariff exemption through agreement on framework for a new trade deal. The visit is expected to take place in Scotland, the country of Trump's mother's birth and where he is planning to open a luxury golf course. The stakes are high for Albanese. Tariffs aside, the US is Australia's key defence and security partner and the personal relationship with the president is usually a key test of Australian prime ministers on the world stage. While Trump is disliked by many Australian voters – 64% of respondents to the Lowy Institute's annual poll in April said they didn't have faith in him to act responsibly – Albanese needs Trump to stick to the Aukus nuclear submarines agreement and to pushback on China's expansionist approach to the Indo-Pacific region. The same poll found 80% strongly want the US alliance to stay in place, evidence of Albanese's delicate balancing act – don't bow to Trump, but don't lose the US either. A dressing-down from a US president, even one not beloved by Australians, would probably play badly for a prime minister showing signs of growing confidence on the world stage. Even if he managed a successful visit with LBJ back in 1968, John Gorton returned to Australia exhausted and downcast. He said Johnson was too demanding in private and had failed to give any security guarantees on the situation in Asia. Like Gorton before him, Albanese might do well to stroke Trump's ego, remain a diplomatic small target and make it home in one piece.
