Anthony Albanese addresses Labor caucus before commencement of parliament
Mr Albanese said his government must 'repay the faith' that has been shown by the Australian people.
'And I know from campaigning every one of you, that is the determination which is there.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
8 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Gareth Ward faces historic expulsion from NSW Parliament after rape conviction, with vote expected Wednesday as legal challenge looms
Convicted MP Gareth Ward is facing the prospect of being expelled from the NSW Parliament, with the Labor government set to move a formal motion this week following his recent conviction for multiple sexual offences. Ward, an independent member for Kiama, was found guilty in July of three counts of assault with act of indecency against an 18-year-old man in 2013, and one count of sexual intercourse without consent involving a 24-year-old man in 2015. He has been taken into custody on remand and is due to be sentenced on September 19. The 44-year-old has confirmed he intends to appeal the conviction, maintaining his innocence since being charged in 2022. 'I am absolutely shattered with the result of the trial and have taken the opportunity over the last few days to spend time with those I love following the verdict,' Ward said in a statement last week. 'I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity.' The NSW Constitution allows for the automatic removal of an MP only after sentencing of more than 12 months has been handed down and all appeals are exhausted. However, under Standing Order 254, Parliament may expel a member for conduct deemed 'unworthy' of the house, a power not used since 1917. The motion is expected to be moved in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday and debated on Wednesday, following a delay after Ward's lawyers raised concerns about procedural fairness. Leader of the House Ron Hoenig confirmed that Ward had been invited to provide any statement or material for consideration ahead of the vote. While the full details of the legal correspondence have not been made public, it's understood Parliament will still proceed with the motion. Labor has confirmed it will back the expulsion. Premier Chris Minns said it was untenable for Ward to remain in Parliament following his conviction. 'It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious offences and stay as a member of parliament,' Mr Minns said on Monday. 'I haven't spoken to all of my colleagues, and I haven't spoken to the crossbench or the opposition about it, but it would seem ridiculous that he would continue as a member of parliament.' Opposition Leader Mark Speakman added: 'If he won't resign, parliament has to take every available legal step to remove him.' Despite widespread calls for his resignation, Ward has made no move to step down. 'The punitive measure is up to the NSW court. It's not up to parliament,' Mr Minns said. 'They'll make the decision about what punishment is applied, not us.' If expelled, a by-election will be triggered in the seat of Kiama, which Ward held as an independent at the 2023 state election despite a swing of more than 11 per cent against him. Ward left the Liberal Party after being charged in 2022. He was previously suspended from cabinet in 2021 when the allegations first surfaced.
West Australian
8 minutes ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Australia has ‘clear- eyed' approach toward China amid foreign interference
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stated that the Australian government remains 'very clear-eyed' about China in light of recent events involving foreign interference. This comment comes after a Chinese national and Australian permanent resident was charged in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday. The woman is accused of being tasked by the People's Republic of China to investigate a Buddhist religious group operating in Australia. While Senator Wong declined to comment specifically on the case and when repeatedly asked if she trusted China following these reports, Ms Wong responded with, 'I can't comment on this specific case that's before the courts. But good try,' she told Nine on Tuesday morning. She went on to clarify Australia's position regarding China: 'I think we all are very clear eyed about China and its interests. We've made that clear. The question is, how do we manage that? And dialogue and engagement is part of it. It doesn't eliminate differences, but it does enable us to put our views.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: Burke vows to protect Australians from Middle East tension; Trump to hike tariffs on India amid Russia links
Latest posts Latest posts 6.47am Trump to hike tariffs on India for buying Russian oil By Michael Koziol US President Donald Trump says he will hike tariffs on India from their already-high level of 25 per cent due to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian oil amid the war against Ukraine. In a sign of the strained relations between the two countries, India quickly branded Trump's move 'unjustified and unreasonable', and said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its economic security. The threat, which has not yet been acted on, underlines Trump's preference for using tariffs for geopolitical leverage, and comes as his deadline looms for commitments from Russia's Vladimir Putin on ending the war, which has now raged for three-and-a-half years. There have been mixed reports about India's intentions over the past week as the US stepped up pressure on the world's most populous nation to back away from its reliance on Russian crude oil, which now accounts for about a third of India's supplies. 6.44am Tesla grants Musk $46 billion stock award Tesla approved an interim stock award worth about $US30 billion ($46 billion) for chief executive officer Elon Musk, a massive payout meant to keep the billionaire's attention on the automaker as a legal fight over a 2018 pay package drags on. The new agreement includes 96 million shares of the automaker that will vest if Musk continues to serve in the top post for another two years, the company said in a regulatory filing. The restricted stock has an exercise price of $US23.34, equal to the price in the prior compensation plan. The move underscores Musk's grip on the company, even as it struggles with falling electric vehicle sales and a slumping stock price. The world's richest person has said he wants a greater stake in Tesla as he reorients it around futuristic pursuits including artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles. 6.39am What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has vowed to protect Australians from the 'tinderbox' of tension stemming from debate about the Middle East, saying he was blocking visas for potentially divisive visitors at an unprecedented rate. In an interview with this masthead, Burke said he 'did not care' if he was accused of stymying debate about controversial issues in favour of protecting social cohesion. US President Donald Trump says he will hike tariffs on India from their already-high level of 25 per cent due to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian oil amid the war against Ukraine. India quickly branded Trump's move, a threat that has not yet been acted on, 'unjustified and unreasonable', and said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its economic security. The Australian sharemarket is set to grow on Tuesday, after Wall Street recovered much of the sharp losses incurred following Trump's latest tariff announcement last week. Trump has been critical of the US Federal Reserve, which has kept interest rates unchanged amid concerns about the impact of Trump's tariff agenda on prices for American households.
