Optimism is the name of the game, but can the teals cause further upset in WA?
They're flushed with Climate 200 cash and inundated with hundreds of eager volunteers hoping to help take advantage of growing disillusionment with the major parties.
But this election, the teal independent challenge goes far beyond the traditional inner-city blue-ribbon upset that saw Kate Chaney voted into power in 2022.
In Forrest, surgeon Sue Chapman is trying to take advantage of the retirement of long-time MP Nola Marino to pry the South West seat the Liberal Party, which has held it since 1972.
In Fremantle, Kate Hulett is hoping to carry over her surprise near-win at the state election to the federal seat of the same name in a bid to unseat Labor's Josh Wilson.
In Moore, the presence of psychologist and former army reservist Nathan Barton could jumble preference flows further as Liberal Vince Connelly tries to win the seat back from incumbent Liberal-turned-independent Ian Goodenough.
Hulett, Chaney and Chapman were all 'optimistic' about their chances on election night.
Redbridge director and poll analyst Kos Samaras said that optimism wasn't misplaced, but it was likely only one of them that will be celebrating on Saturday night.
'They're seats to watch just to see how big that vote is, but I don't think they will have the same momentum that Chaney had in Curtin,' he said.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Australia plays down US review of AUKUS submarine deal
Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Landmark weapons search laws made permanent
Landmark police search powers have become permanent in a crime-hit state, allowing officers to scan people for weapons in public places. Queensland's Liberal National government passed changes to make 'Jack's Law' permanent during a late-night sitting on Wednesday, fulfilling an election promise. "Jack's Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing," Police Minister Dan Purdie said. Jack's Law had been on trial until 2026 after being introduced by the former state Labor government, allowing police to randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant. It was introduced after the fatal stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast drew national attention. NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory adopted similar laws after six people were fatally stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre. Tasmania passed laws to allowing wanding in April while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers. Queensland's amended laws mean police can use handheld metal detectors to seize concealed weapons in "relevant places," including shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and rail lines. The state opposition had proposed the laws be expanded to ban the sale of machetes unless a person has a permit, following in Victoria's footsteps, however, that was shut down by the state government. Previously, the laws were trialled to allow police to wand in a "safe night precinct" in the Gold Coast before it was expanded to include 14 other nightlife areas and public transport stations across the state. Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of over 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges. The laws have resulted in 1126 deadly weapons removed from the state's streets. "Jack Beasley's legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live," Mr Purdie said. Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws to prevent what happened to their son from happening to anyone else. "Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack," Mr Beasley said. But the expansion and permanency of the laws has given the pair some peace. "Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength," Mr Beasley said. "Today is not just about making new laws, it's about protecting people and we're proud that Jack's legacy is about making Queensland safer." Landmark police search powers have become permanent in a crime-hit state, allowing officers to scan people for weapons in public places. Queensland's Liberal National government passed changes to make 'Jack's Law' permanent during a late-night sitting on Wednesday, fulfilling an election promise. "Jack's Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing," Police Minister Dan Purdie said. Jack's Law had been on trial until 2026 after being introduced by the former state Labor government, allowing police to randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant. It was introduced after the fatal stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast drew national attention. NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory adopted similar laws after six people were fatally stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre. Tasmania passed laws to allowing wanding in April while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers. Queensland's amended laws mean police can use handheld metal detectors to seize concealed weapons in "relevant places," including shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and rail lines. The state opposition had proposed the laws be expanded to ban the sale of machetes unless a person has a permit, following in Victoria's footsteps, however, that was shut down by the state government. Previously, the laws were trialled to allow police to wand in a "safe night precinct" in the Gold Coast before it was expanded to include 14 other nightlife areas and public transport stations across the state. Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of over 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges. The laws have resulted in 1126 deadly weapons removed from the state's streets. "Jack Beasley's legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live," Mr Purdie said. Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws to prevent what happened to their son from happening to anyone else. "Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack," Mr Beasley said. But the expansion and permanency of the laws has given the pair some peace. "Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength," Mr Beasley said. "Today is not just about making new laws, it's about protecting people and we're proud that Jack's legacy is about making Queensland safer." Landmark police search powers have become permanent in a crime-hit state, allowing officers to scan people for weapons in public places. Queensland's Liberal National government passed changes to make 'Jack's Law' permanent during a late-night sitting on Wednesday, fulfilling an election promise. "Jack's Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing," Police Minister Dan Purdie said. Jack's Law had been on trial until 2026 after being introduced by the former state Labor government, allowing police to randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant. It was introduced after the fatal stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast drew national attention. NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory adopted similar laws after six people were fatally stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre. Tasmania passed laws to allowing wanding in April while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers. Queensland's amended laws mean police can use handheld metal detectors to seize concealed weapons in "relevant places," including shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and rail lines. The state opposition had proposed the laws be expanded to ban the sale of machetes unless a person has a permit, following in Victoria's footsteps, however, that was shut down by the state government. Previously, the laws were trialled to allow police to wand in a "safe night precinct" in the Gold Coast before it was expanded to include 14 other nightlife areas and public transport stations across the state. Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of over 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges. The laws have resulted in 1126 deadly weapons removed from the state's streets. "Jack Beasley's legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live," Mr Purdie said. Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws to prevent what happened to their son from happening to anyone else. "Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack," Mr Beasley said. But the expansion and permanency of the laws has given the pair some peace. "Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength," Mr Beasley said. "Today is not just about making new laws, it's about protecting people and we're proud that Jack's legacy is about making Queensland safer." Landmark police search powers have become permanent in a crime-hit state, allowing officers to scan people for weapons in public places. Queensland's Liberal National government passed changes to make 'Jack's Law' permanent during a late-night sitting on Wednesday, fulfilling an election promise. "Jack's Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing," Police Minister Dan Purdie said. Jack's Law had been on trial until 2026 after being introduced by the former state Labor government, allowing police to randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant. It was introduced after the fatal stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast drew national attention. NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory adopted similar laws after six people were fatally stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre. Tasmania passed laws to allowing wanding in April while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers. Queensland's amended laws mean police can use handheld metal detectors to seize concealed weapons in "relevant places," including shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and rail lines. The state opposition had proposed the laws be expanded to ban the sale of machetes unless a person has a permit, following in Victoria's footsteps, however, that was shut down by the state government. Previously, the laws were trialled to allow police to wand in a "safe night precinct" in the Gold Coast before it was expanded to include 14 other nightlife areas and public transport stations across the state. Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of over 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges. The laws have resulted in 1126 deadly weapons removed from the state's streets. "Jack Beasley's legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live," Mr Purdie said. Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws to prevent what happened to their son from happening to anyone else. "Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack," Mr Beasley said. But the expansion and permanency of the laws has given the pair some peace. "Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength," Mr Beasley said. "Today is not just about making new laws, it's about protecting people and we're proud that Jack's legacy is about making Queensland safer."
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Richard Marles says Government warned about Pentagon AUKUS review
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has suggested it is time for the Australian Government to 'wake up' as both the UK and the US 'review' the AUKUS deal. 'The UK is conducting a review of AUKUS,' he said on X. 'The US DoD is conducting a review of AUKUS. 'But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. 'Our Parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed. Time to wake up?' Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says it's 'natural' that the Trump Adminstation would want to review the AUKUS agreement after the Pentagon launched an inquiery to ensure it met US President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. 'We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review. The United States advised Australia and the UK of the review. 'It is natural that the Administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery, just as the UK Government recently concluded an AUKUS review and reaffirmed its support including through the appointment of Sir Stephen Lovegrove as its AUKUS Adviser. 'There is bipartisan support in the United States with the passage of important provisions in the National Defence Authorization Act in 2023 to enable the transfer of US Virginia class submarines to Australia, and to enable Australians to work on maintenance activities of US Virginia class submarines.' 'Our engagement with the Trump Administration and across the full political spectrum in the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS. 'We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the Trump Administration on this historic project.' Read the full story.
