Latest news with #Cash
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Hamas chooses to prolong this war': Claims terrorist group is taking aid from civilians
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash says Hamas 'chooses to prolong this war' in Gaza. 'The moral obligation here lies directly at the foot of the terrorists, Hamas,' Ms Cash told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio. 'They started this war when they butchered and slaughtered 1,200 Israelis." Ms Cash says Hamas is 'taking' the aid Israel is providing.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Michaelia Cash urges government to launch independent review into repeal of US beef ban as Albanese and Farrell remain at odds
Shadow foreign affairs minister Michaelia Cash has called for an immediate review into the Albanese government's decision to lift the long-standing ban on US beef imports after Trade Minister Don Farrell's "extraordinary" Sky News interview. It was revealed on Thursday Australian officials had notified their US counterparts that restrictions on the importation of US beef would be lifted following a ten-year scientific review of the biosecurity risks. The Albanese government was urged by the Coalition to explain its sudden backflip after the Prime Minister previously insisted Labor would not 'compromise' on biosecurity. In a major development to the ongoing saga, Mr Farrell revealed on Sky News' Sunday Agenda that Donald Trump had raised the issue with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following claims the decision was made to appease the President. Ms Cash said Mr Farrell's responses showed there were "even more questions to answer". 'We now urgently need an independent review into this decision, it is very clear now we did not know about this phone call that Minister Farrell has referred to," Ms Cash told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. Mr Farrell was later caught out after Mr Albanese told ABC Insiders the US President had not directly raised the matter of Australian biosecurity rules on US beef during their phone conversations. "Did Donald Trump raise this with you directly?' Mr Albanese was asked by host David Speers, to which he responded, 'no.' 'Donald Trump did raise it at the so-called Liberation Day, of course, he raised it publicly,' Mr Albanese said. Ms Cash said the fresh revelations reinforced the need to investigate whether the Labor government had 'traded away our strict biosecurity standards' to secure a meeting between the Prime Minister and the US President which has still not occurred. 'The question all Australians need answered from Minister Farrell when he was telling us that 'everything is going to be ok' is why hasn't the Albanese government released the strict protocols, because the protocols need to be released so that the Australian public can satisfy themselves," Ms Cash said. Meanwhile, Mr Farrell swatted away assertions the move was made to satisfy the US administration while also stating he had no hand in the call and that rather the decision was made by Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. Ms Cash said she was 'astounded' by Mr Farrell's interview and that it was "incredibly important that we get the department in front of us very, very quickly". 'It became quite confusing; who made this decision, who was involved in the decision, was it the Agriculture Minister, the Trade Minister, the Prime Minister, who we now know held a phone call with President Trump, which Mr Albanese has since denied," she said. 'It is now incredibly urgent that if a Senate inquiry was put forward Labor should agree to that, and we bring the department and relevant ministers in front of us as quickly as possible.' Senator Cash also rejected Mr Farrell's claims that Nationals Leader David Littleproud was politicising the issue, and that he was raising concerns in relation to the lifting of the ban due to leadership tensions with Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce. 'I completely disagree and the responses you just got show that even Minister Farrell doesn't know what has happened in relation to this announcement, David Littleproud is right to pose these questions,' Ms Cash said. Responding to the reports on Thursday, Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie said the decision could pose a risk to Australia's beef industry while Mr Littleproud said he was 'gobsmacked' by the move.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Lib rebukes ‘feel good' Welcome to Country
Senior Liberal senator Michaelia Cash has given a strong take-down of the 'tokenistic' use of Welcome to Country ceremonies being conducted at official events, stating they make people 'feel good' while turning a 'blind eye to the realities faced' by First Nations people. The view, which differs from the position held by Sussan Ley, comes as the contentious motion was debated at the WA Liberal Party council on Saturday. State members called on the Opposition Leader to state that 'Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments should not hold official status as they are tokenistic at best and do nothing to improve the lives of our most disadvantaged Australians'. Practically, this means the rituals would not be performed during sporting matches, and official functions like Anzac Day Dawn Services and the opening of parliament. A second motion also called on the federal party to only give 'formal Commonwealth recognition' to the Australian national, and state flags. Senator Michaelia Cash said Welcome to Country ceremonies are 'tokenistic'. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Overdone' Speaking to Sky, Senator Cash stood by her strong support of the motions, stating its been her 'fundamental belief for a very long time'. 'They have now become so overdone, they are tokenistic. But more than this, as a Western Australian, and we live in a big state and there are large Indigenous communities, the one thing I want Australians focused on is not tokenistic gestures that make us feel good whilst we turn and a blind eye to the realities faced in Indigenous communities on the ground.' She said she 'stood with' Indigenous Country Liberal Party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and would do so 'any day of the week,' and called for 'practical' policies. 'We want to see all Australians unite and focus on the practical policy outcomes that will make a difference … in the lives of the most disadvantaged in this country,' she said. 'The one thing we should unite under is making a practical difference, a positive difference in their lives. It's my focus … I can be judged for that.' Senator Cash said she 'stood with' Indigenous Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who has also been critical of Welcome to Country ceremonies. Thomas Lisson/ NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia On Tuesday, One Nation senators fuelled debate after Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten and Warwick Stacey turned their backs on the chamber during a Welcome to Country ceremony. Later speaking to Sky, Senator Hanson said she 'had a gutful' of the rituals. 'I have had enough, and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she said. Minister for Indigenous Australias Malarndirri McCarthy said the act was 'disrespectful' and 'unacceptable' given senators 'represent millions of Australians and that includes First Nations people'. While she said it was improper parliamentary conduct, Senator McCarthy acknowledged that there will 'always be differing opinions' on the matter. 'I expect that people will bring their own personal opinions and views into it, but it really was about the conduct of the Senate and senators, and it was important that we put on the record that all senators in there are there to represent Australians and to do so with dignity and respect,' she told the ABC.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man who illegally entered 88-year-old's home leaving him in fear has jail term doubled after failed appeal
The appeal court heard that Gerry Cash (33) with an address at Tombrack, Ferns, Co Wexford left the vulnerable pensioner, who has short term memory loss, in a distressed state after entering his Co Kildare house. Cash was convicted in the District Court of trespassing on a building in a manner that causes or is likely to cause fear in another person contrary to section 13 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. He was sentenced to nine months in custody with the final six months suspended and later lodged an appeal against his conviction. However his defence counsel, Asma Saleh BL, yesterday informed the court that the case would proceed by appealing the severity of sentence only and the prosecuting garda's evidence was not contested. Garda Padraig Murphy told the District Court Appeals Court that gardai got a report on February 22, 2023 from the daughter of the injured party. He said that a neighbour alerted her that they saw a white van outside her father's house and that a man knocked on the window and the door of the house. Garda Murphy said that the man was heard shouting 'I've got you that' before entering the house. He said that the neighbour saw the man in the sitting room and he later left the property in his van. Gda Murphy said that the victim was left 'very shaken and pale' after the incident. Garda Murphy said that the man was in the care of his daughters, who left him alone for one hour a day. He said this had never happened to the man before and he had no memory of the incident due to his memory loss difficulties. Garda Murphy said that CCTV was obtained and shared with gardai allowing Cash to be identified, arrested and detained. He said that in the interview, Cash admitted to being at the scene and leaving a calling card. He was charged with trespassing and was convicted in the District Court. Ms Saleh said that Cash is 'extremely remorseful' for his actions and that he is aware it was bad behaviour. ADVERTISEMENT She said that her client's doctor reports that he suffers from anxiety, depression and low mood swings. She also said that his wife is currently pregnant after a long time in IVF treatment. The daughter of the injured party gave a victim impact statement, telling the court that she is her father's full time carer and that he used to have one hour on his own. She said when she came into her father's house that day he didn't know what had happened and was very pale. She said that he shook as she showered him and he was very upset. She said: 'that man took every bit of independence from my father'. She said that her father worked all of his life and he 'didn't deserve for that to happen to him'. Judge Dara Hayes said that the court had the power to increase the appellant's jail sentence as well as decreasing it on appeal. He said that the original sentence of nine months in custody with the final six months suspended was 'lenient under the circumstances'. He said that it was clear from the injured party's reaction that he was put in a position of some distress. The judge said that whatever independence the man had was taken away and that the injured party was entitled to be unmolested in his own home. Judge Hayes decided to keep the sentence of the District Court of nine months in custody but only suspended the final three months. This represents an increase from an effective three months in custody in the original sentencing, to six months in custody after appeal. He said that he would suspend the final three months for the period of 12 months on the condition that Cash keeps the peace and does not contact the injured party or his family again. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'
A senior Liberal Party figure has backed calls for leader Sussan Ley to not use the Indigenous flag and dump 'tokenistic' Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments before official events. The two motions will be debated at Saturday's WA Liberal Party council, and has been supported by the Coalition's foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash, after an explosive Senate debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies. On flag recognition, the motion 'calls on the Ley Opposition to adopt a policy that in addition to the Australian national flag, only flags representing official jurisdictions (such as states and territories) or government institutions (such as the armed forces) be given formal Commonwealth recognition'. Another motion will call on the federal Liberal Party to state that 'Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments should not hold official status as they are tokenistic at best and do nothing to improve the lives of our most disadvantaged Australians'. Senator Cash said she supported both motions and 'welcome them being debated at the WA State Liberal Party Council'. 'It has been my long held belief and I am on the public record saying that there is one national flag and we should all unite under it,' she said. 'On the Welcome to Country issue my long held position, that is again on the public record, is consistent with the motion.' The motions and Senator Cash's comments also split with the stance taken by the Opposition Leader who said that, while 'we should unite under the one Australian flag,' she was 'happy to stand in front of the Aboriginal flag'. Camera Icon Cash has repeatedly spoken in favour of removing the Indigenous flag and Welcome to Country ceremonies from official proceedings. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Had a gutful' Debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies intensified on the first day of the new parliament after One Nation senators Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten and Warwick Stacey turned their backs on the chamber on Tuesday. While their actions were condemned by Labor and the Greens, party leader Senator Hanson said she had 'had a gutful' of the process. 'I have had enough, and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she said. Senator Cash delivered an explosive spray at Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing the Labor senator of demeaning Indigenous Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price, who said she was 'sick to death' of being 'objectified' and used as 'political tokens'. Earlier, Senator Wong urged Senator Price to follow Ms Ley's comments for the party to 'recommit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunities for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'. Firing back, Senator Cash defended Senator Price. 'Do not ever demean anybody. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Her mother's story — Bess Price — I suggest you all read it. A woman walking through the desert was her mother,' Ms Cash said. 'I suggest you read the story of Bess Price before you ever come in here and cast aspersions or tell us, Senator Wong, to respect other words. 'I will stand by and respect Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who every day has lived and breathed reconciliation in this country. Her father is white, her mother is black. 'Don't ever come into this place again and pontificate to us like you've just done.' Camera Icon Senator Wong clashed with Senator Cash over Welcome to Country ceremonies and their place within Australian parliamentary procedure. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy also questioned the Liberal Party's splintered view on Indigenous affairs. 'It was interesting because Sussan Ley sat next to Aunty Violet with the opening of the parliament and with the Prime Minister, and wanted to reset the direction for the Coalition,' she told the ABC on Thursday. While Senator McCarthy said people would bring their 'own personal opinions' into the debate around Welcome to Country ceremonies, she urged senators to be respectful. 'I don't think it will ever be settled because there will always be differing opinions,' she said. 'What was important was to remind Senators that we have a duty to the Senate to uphold, as Senator Wong said this week, to uphold democracy and the institutions of democracy in this country. And if we as Senators don't do it, then why are we there?'
