Latest news with #Entsch
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Disturbing audio of gunshots firing allegedly sent to LNP federal election candidate Jeremy Neal
A chilling audio message with the sounds of gunshots ringing out has reportedly been sent to the phone of LNP Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal. The unverified five-minute message, heard by NewsWire, features multiple loud gunshots. A loud gunshot is heard, and then a smaller echo rings out. The sound of gunfire continues for the remainder of the message. No words are spoken. Mr Neal said he received the message last week from a number he did not recognise. NewsWire understands a similar message was also sent to Annette Swaine, the Coalition's candidate for the seat of Kennedy. Both messages have been reported to the police. 'This was a very disturbing message to receive and my immediate response was to check on the safety of my family, before reporting it to the police,' Mr Neal said. 'It's a sad fact that criminal activity has become all too normal in our region, where youth crime in particular is frankly out of control. 'As a paramedic, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of this and as a candidate, it's an issue that is raised with me time and time again by locals. 'This incident, while disturbing, is a good reminder of why we need strong leadership and strong laws to tackle this significant issue.' The Donald Trump-aligned candidate is competing for the far north Queensland seat in the May 3 election following the retirement of long-serving LNP representative Warren Entsch. The seat is held by the Coalition on a 3.4 per cent margin and is a key Labor target. Mr Neal is going up against Labor candidate Matt Smith. Phillip Musumeci is competing for the Greens, Greg Dowling for the Trumpet of Patriots, Les Searle for Family First, Daniel Collins for Katter's Australian Party, Lloyd Russell for Libertarian and Robert Hicks for One Nation. The 148,559 sqkm electorate stretches from Cairns in the south to cover the northern tip of the state and the Torres Strait islands. In the 2022 contest, Mr Entsch secured 36.7 per cent of the primary vote, while Labor challenger Elida Faith secured 27.6 per cent. Mr Entsch won the seat with 53.4 per cent of the vote after preferences. The audio message is not the first form of harassment Mr Neal has suffered on the campaign trail. A campaign corflute featuring his face has been defaced with the term 'fascist'.
ABC News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
The meeting in a pub that inspired Warren Entsch's fight for same-sex marriage
It's the 1980s and Warren Entsch is in the bar of the Purple Pub in remote Normanton, drinking with a friend. It would become a turning point that forever changed a humble bull catcher from the Gulf Country and would later transform the whole nation. It was a place he frequented when working in the bush, and would make the trek into town every six weeks or so for a night out with friends. Often one of his friend's cousins would join them, but they had suddenly stopped attending the nights out over Christmas. Months had passed before Entsch found himself sitting face-to-face with his drinking buddy at the Purple Pub. The Purple Pub in Normanton, Queensland. ( Supplied: The Purple Pub ) "Next thing, this little bird come [sic] flitting through in a boob tube and short shorts," he says. "And I said, 'who the hell is that?'" His friend said the woman in question had recently returned from interstate after undergoing gender affirmation surgery. Furthermore, they were the person Entsch had shared many a beer with. "I was gobsmacked," Entsch recalls. "I was totally naive, but at the same time I thought how hard it must have been living like that. "You know, it must be so bloody impossible for them." It got him thinking, then planning, and acting. A young Warren Entsch worked as a crocodile wrangler before getting into politics. ( Supplied ) A long-fought-for legacy Warren Entsch has fought and won the seat of Leichhardt nine times for the Coalition. But back in 1996, the cattleman, bull catcher and crocodile farmer took his first steps in the unfamiliar crisp Canberra air as a politician. And when he did he was accompanied by that unforgettable memory. Queer and LGBTQIA+ community support services: on 1800 650 890 Emergency services on triple-0 if you need immediate care It was the start of a journey that would become a defining legacy — the passing of Australia's same-sex marriage legislation on December 9, 2017. The historic moment was the culmination of years of unwavering advocacy by Entsch inside the Liberal Party. When Entsch returned to parliament in 2010 after a short-lived retirement, he says he had "unfinished business" — including legalising same-sex marriage — but being named the Coalition's party whip meant he had to pause his advocacy. "I couldn't do anything for three years because Tony [Abbott] made me the chief whip," Entsch says. "I said to Tony when I got back in 2010, 'I'm going to respect the decision you've made, but don't do it again in 2013, otherwise I'll go against you'. And to his credit, he said he wouldn't and he didn't." Entsch and Tony Abbott had different views on same-sex marriage. ( AAP: Paul Miller ) Evidence of Entsch's respect of his party leader's decision was clear in September 2010, when he said he didn't consider same-sex marriage an important issue, and again two years later when he voted against a private member's bill introduced by then-Labor backbencher Stephen Jones that would have legalised same-sex marriage. In August 2015, Entsch introduced a private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage, an act of defiance against then-prime minister Abbott, who had denied Coalition MPs and senators a conscience vote on the issue a week earlier. Entsch introduced his same-sex marriage bill in the House of Representatives on August 17, 2015. ( AAP: Mick Tsikas ) Entsch's bill was never voted on, but during the 2016 federal election, the Coalition committed to consult Australians on same-sex marriage through a plebiscite. That Coalition government, led by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, failed to garner support in the parliament for a plebiscite, and instead held a voluntary postal survey in 2017. Almost 13 million people completed the survey, with 61.6 per cent of participants voting "yes" to the question: Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry? The Marriage Act was amended in the House of Representatives on December 7, 2017, became law the next day, and came into effect the day after. Entsch walked out of the House of Representatives with fellow Coalition MP Trent Zimmerman after the same-sex marriage bill passed. ( ABC News: Marco Catalano ) 'Changed people's lives' The momentous result of his long battle still fills Entsch with pride. "I was quite emotional," he recalls, his eyes misty with the memory. "It gives me huge pride, huge pride. "I've been invited to a number of weddings. I've had some wonderful messages from people that have had the opportunity, now, to express their love in the way they wanted to." In the moments after the vote, a man he had never seen before approached him and gave him a big hug. "You suddenly realise, you've made a difference. You've changed people's lives," he says. Liberal MP Warren Entsch lifted up Labor MP Linda Burney to celebrate the passing of the same-sex marriage bill. ( AAP: Lukas Coch ) Utterly exhausted, Entsch retreated to his office after the vote. Sitting alone, the conservative rural Queenslander reflected on the social revolution he had driven and now achieved. He believes the change in the law has saved lives. "The cemetery is full of a lot of people that could never come to terms with their sexuality," Entsch says. "Why would we make their lives any more difficult than what it is?" As he relays the story, there are tears rolling down the 74-year-old's cheeks. Now nearly eight years later, the drama, the elation and for some, the fury of that moment, is history. But it may have never happened. Entsch still gets emotional when he reflects on the social revolution he was a part of. ( ABC News: Richard Mockler ) Swimming against the tide Fighting for same-sex marriage was not always easy for Entsch and throughout his long push some figures on his side of politics wanted him sacked over his stance. "I had been threatened with disendorsement, some of the hierarchy within my own party in Queensland were not happy with it," he says. Entsch believes the religious beliefs of some politicians negatively influenced their views on same-sex marriage. "A lot of it was based on religion," he says. "They just felt that their religion meant that it just couldn't happen. I'd be reluctant to say it was homophobia." Warren Entsch says he was considered by some as an outsider in his own political party for his views. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts ) Entsch recalls a moment in the party room in 2007 when he stood up and berated his colleagues. "You guys have got to take your mind out of the gutter," he told them. "You're thinking too much about the sex. You're not thinking about the relationship." Entsch says that was a turning point. "One of my colleagues stood up and said, 'I support Entschy on this, he's doing the right thing'," he recalls. Asked who it was, Entsch delivered a surprising answer. "Barnaby Joyce." 7.30 made several attempts to contact Mr Joyce, who ultimately abstained from the vote on same-sex marriage, about the party meeting but did not receive a response. A young Barnaby Joyce allegedly supported Entsch's stance in a heated party room meeting in 2007. ( AAP: Alan Porritt ) Feeling 'safe' and 'seen' If you or anyone you know needs help: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line While the passing of same-sex marriage into law was the ultimate victory, for Entsch, the memories of those he helped along the way remain important, as do the relationships forged. In 2012 he sensed something was wrong with a journalist who had come to interview him. At the end of their discussions, the veteran MP got up and closed the door and asked the journalist if there was anything she wanted to share. It all came pouring out. In a highly emotional state, the journalist confided that she wanted to become a woman, and feared being rejected by her family. When she turned to leave, she went to shake Entsch's hand. "I said, 'give me a hug'. And it still makes me emotional," he says. "I felt a tremor, [she] absolutely trembled, and as [she] was leaving, I gave [her] a kiss on the cheek. "And as [she] was walking out, I was thinking, 'God, it's going to be a hard road for you'." Warren Entsch's office had been a safe space for vulnerable conversations. ( ABC News ) Some time later, Entsch got a phone call from the journalist — his now-friend, Kate. "She's very emotional, teary, and she says 'you're not going to believe it'. And I said 'what'?" "'Dad's called me Kate,'" she replied. Almost thirteen years later, Kate Doak still credits Entsch with saving her life. "Warren soon noticed during the interview that I was struggling with something major," she told 7.30. "I felt safe telling my own story fully for the first time, while also truly believing subconsciously that I had a future. "While I entered Warren's office presenting as Colin, leaving it feeling seen as Kate ultimately changed my world. " For Warren to have done this unexpectedly ... is a testament to who he is as both a person and as an ally of the LGBTIQ+ community. " Journalist Kate Doak credits Entsch with saving her life. ( Supplied ) A new fight Entsch may be stepping away from politics, but he is still a passionate supporter of gender and identity matters, especially for transgender people. He supports the right of young people to be given puberty blockers as part of their gender transition, but the issue is controversial — especially in his home state of Queensland. In January, the Victoria's Health minister Tim Nicholls said that the Queensland Children's Gender Service would still offer all other clinical support to adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria, including "psychiatric and psychological treatment, counselling, and other clinically recommended medical interventions". The review, commissioned by the David Crisafulli-led LNP government, The Queensland Children's Hospital is one of the state's public hospitals that provides specialist care for trans and gender diverse children. ( ABC News: Marc Smith ) It also follows a Entsch believes it's a decision that transgender people need to feel confident in making, with a network of supporters behind them. "As long as it's the person and the family and the doctors and everybody does it, I think there's no issue with it, in my view," he says. He thinks back to people like Kate, and how their quality of life has been enriched by living as their true selves. "They've grown up into beautiful young women. They've had the support of their family, their community, their school, and it's been fantastic," Entsch says. Entsch's support for the LGBTQIA+ community is front and centre in this portrait. ( Supplied ) A life outside of politics Entsch is not short of things to do post politics. He's got a farm to run, and he's on the boards of organisations here in Australia and internationally. But occasionally he finds himself at a loose end. You get the sense he's not lost, but not yet fully found. However his journey to here has taught him valuable lessons. "Don't be too bloody judgemental," he says. "Listen to [people's] stories and have a little empathy and don't be afraid to speak out." Warren Entsch encourages people to be more empathetic and less judgemental. ( ABC News: Richard Mockler ) And he has something that can inspire and reinvigorate him when the personal attacks get him down. It's a letter that he had laminated from the woman who so profoundly changed his life. The person who opened his eyes to the pain and potential of humans whatever their sexuality or situation. She thanked him for supporting her all those years ago. And for what that meant for her journey. Her name is Alana. After that encounter at the Normanton pub, she went back to school and then university. She's now a doctor and a cattle farmer working in Far North Queensland. Although she's been a feature in many of Entsch's speeches and interviews over the years, she has never spoken publicly — until now. "It seems surreal now that this meeting [at the pub] had such an impact or that it was to contribute to changing Australian law and history decades down the track," Alana, who asked for her surname to be withheld, told 7.30. "Growing up in a small country town for much of my life up until then without television, I had no idea that other people feeling like me even existed. "What Warren represents and advocates [for] is that everyone deserves a 'fair go' and an equal opportunity regardless if it is the LGBTIQ community or rural and remote communities in general." And the man whose life she changed could not be prouder of her. "Why would we … decide we're going to judge somebody, and put them in an early grave?" he says wistfully. "That's just how I feel." Watch , Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on and ABC TV Contact 7.30 Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Australia in discussions to avoid ‘devastating consequences' of US aid cuts for Pacific nations
The Australian government is consulting Pacific nations to assess the 'devastating consequences' of the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid and considering what additional support it can provide ahead of next week's federal budget. In a letter to a Liberal MP concerned the freeze could cause 'irreversible' damage to Pacific communities, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said Australian diplomats were discussing its impact with US government officials. 'We are working with our country, regional and global partners to understand the potential impact of the US administration's decision to pause its foreign aid,' Wong said in a letter to Liberal MP Warren Entsch earlier this month. '[We] will continue to engage with the US on key issues as it conducts its review. 'The Australian government, including through its diplomatic network, is also engaging with countries in our region to determine how we can help them manage impacts from the pause.' Entsch wrote to Wong in February warning the 90-day freeze was undermining global efforts to fight tuberculosis, which have been heavily reliant on US funding. 'The stop work order is already having devastating consequences with active case finding efforts, contact tracing and treatment support suspended in multiple high tuberculosis burdened countries,' Entsch said in the letter. 'Organisations are already laying off hundreds of trained, dedicated staff members because they are unable to make payroll this month without US funding. The current interruptions to tuberculosis services therefore not only halt further progress, but actively undermine progress to date. 'Some of the damage will be irreversible.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Entsch, who is the co-chair of the Australian Tuberculosis Caucus, a bipartisan group of politicians who raise awareness of the disease and its impact, urged Australian diplomats to 'show the new US administration that investing in health aligns with their goals of enhancing American safety and prosperity'. Wong said Australia was determined to be a 'partner of choice for our neighbours' and stressed this was 'fundamental to our region's prosperity, stability and security'. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, criticised the Trump administration's decision to pause foreign aid after an address to the Lowy Institute on Thursday. 'I think it is detrimental to the collective interests in the region and I hope that there can be a discussion between our governments about a sensible pathway forward in that regard,' Dutton said. Last year, a Lowy Institute report found China had renewed its efforts to curry favour with Pacific island nations after charting a 'resurgence' in Beijing-backed aid and infrastructure funding. 'Beijing has emerged from a pandemic-induced lull with a more competitive, politically targeted model of aid engagement,' the thinktank said in the November report. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Tim Costello, the chief executive of Micah Australia, a coalition of church groups advocating for development projects, said allowing China to address the shortfall in US aid would be a strategic 'disaster' for Australia. 'We have a kneejerk reaction to increase defence spending when China sends warships down our coast, but it's just as scary to say: 'let's let China fill the US aid vacuum',' Costello said. Analysis by Micah Australia found increasing foreign aid from 0.68% of the federal budget to 1% would help immunise another 6.6 million people in our region, enrol 164,100 children in local schools, and provide '164,500 services to women and girl victims/survivors of violence'. 'In a time of rising defence spending, a stronger aid program is not a luxury – it's a smart, strategic investment in a stable and secure region, which is ultimately in Australia's national interest,' said Micah Australia's director, Matt Darvas. Cameron Hill, a senior researcher specialising in foreign aid at the Australian National University, said there was scope to increase funding given 'large cuts to aid under the previous Coalition governments'. 'The only countries that have seen an increase to aid over the last decade are those in the Pacific and Timor-Leste,' Hill said. 'So, there's not much left to cut beyond our immediate neighbourhood. 'I can't see either major party cutting aid to these countries any time soon given the anxieties about China.'
