Latest news with #Liberal
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Sussan Ley defends Jane Hume's cabinet demotion
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley denies Liberal Senator Jane Hume has been made a scapegoat for the Coalition's thumping election defeat. Ms Ley has defended demoting several conservative women from the cabinet. Jane Hume was one of the demotions, losing her role as shadow finance minister. She now does not have a position in the shadow cabinet.
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Carney's straightforward response after Trump offers Golden Dome membership for free as the 51st state
Prime Minister Mark Carney offered a simple statement regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's US$61 billion (CAD$83 billion) offer for Canada to join his vaunted Golden Dome defence system or gain membership for free by becoming the 51st state. Article content 'Never negotiate in public,' he said as he whisked past reporters parked outside a Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday. Article content Article content Article content Nova Scotia MP Darren Fisher said Trump's 'got to give that stuff up,' adding it's 'never going to happen.' Article content Winnipeg MP Doug Eyolfson called it 'outrageous.' Article content 'A bribe is a bribe. That's just not acceptable. We're not going to bribe Canadians into becoming a 51st state. We're Canadians. This is Canada, and we're a sovereign nation and becoming part of the States is not an option.' Article content The Prime Minister's office didn't say whether it received the purported $61-billion offer when contacted by National Post, but said discussions on NORAD and the Golden Dome have been part of 'wide-ranging and constructive discussions' Carney and his ministers have had with U.S. counterparts. Article content But while acting on his citizen-driven mandate to establish a new relationship with the U.S., his office said, 'the Prime Minister has been clear at every opportunity, including in his conversations with President Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one.' Article content Article content National Defence Minister David McGuinty said when it came to Trump's stated price tag of $61 billion, he said he was not 'in a position to evaluate the numbers.' Article content 'I learnt a long time ago, when it comes to managing relationships with other countries, you can only control what you can control, and what we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security,' he said prior to the caucus meeting. Article content Article content He said more would be revealed when the Liberal government tables its budget in the fall. Article content McGuinty also pointed to Canada's modernization initiative for NORAD and Carney's recent announcement of putting $6 billion towards bolstering early warning detection over the Arctic. Article content Article content 'We're going to continue to do what's right for Canadians, and that includes making sure that we are secure, that we are sovereign.' Article content Article content He said not only is Canada focused on its relationship with the U.S., when it comes to security, but also the European Union. Article content Within five hours of Canada's sovereignty being made abundantly clear by King Charles III in a historic and symbolic speech from the throne in the nation's capital, he posted on Truth Social that Canada would have to pay if it chose to remain 'a separate but unequal, Nation.'
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's ‘strongest possible frontbench' claim tested by fallout from shadow cabinet cuts
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has defended her reshaped shadow cabinet amid mounting criticism from within the Liberal and National parties. Ms Ley told Sky News her frontbench reflected the 'strongest possible team' after senior figures—Jane Hume, Sarah Henderson and Jacinta Price—were demoted. Factional allies, including Andrew Bragg, Julian Leeser and Alex Hawke, were subsequently promoted in Ms Ley's frontbench. 'Look, I don't want to reflect on individuals and individual appointments, except to say everyone remains important,' Ms Ley said on Thursday. 'And the women that you've mentioned are talented and will continue to contribute incredibly well. 'Ultimately, this is not about who we choose for what seat at the table. It's about bringing the strongest possible team onto the field.' The reshuffle has triggered internal tensions from Liberal and National Party figures who blame the demotions on "politics and personality" rather than merit. Among the most notable omissions was former shadow finance minister Jane Hume who was a prominent media performer in the previous term of parliament. Ms Ley denied that Ms Hume had been made a scapegoat for recent policy missteps, including her maligned public service return-to-office policy. 'There are no scapegoats. Jane is a terrific and talented Senator for Victoria, and of course remains that,' Ms Ley said. 'The team that I announced yesterday includes new faces because we are bringing a fresh approach.' Senator Sarah Henderson, formerly shadow education minister, also lost her frontbench role. Ms Henderson expressed disappointment at being excluded and criticised some of the choices made by Ms Ley. 'I regret that a number of high performing Liberal women have been overlooked or demoted in the new ministry,' she said in a statement on Wednesday. 'I am very disappointed not to be reappointed to shadow cabinet or included in the ministry. 'Today, I am more determined than ever to fight for Australian women which must start with a comprehensive policy platform.' Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price retained a position in the outer ministry but was stripped of the Indigenous affairs portfolio and instead appointed the shadow defence industry minister. Her reduced role follows growing tension between her and Nationals leader David Littleproud, after she defected from the party after the election. 'I have no doubt that there are some of my colleagues who are feeling upset about the decisions that have been made,' she told Sky News on Wednesday. 'I'll be honest to say that there are some appointments that have not been predicated on experience or merit, but this is the team we have to work with going forward.' Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, left on the backbench, rejected Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud's claims that the reshuffle was about renewal. He claimed instead that internal politicking—particularly his role in negotiating a new Coalition agreement with Ms Ley—led to his exclusion. 'Maybe that's why we (were dropped). I don't know. Look, as I say, it's a prerogative of the leader,' Mr Joyce told Channel Nine. 'It's not about generational change. There are people who are older than me now. I'm 58, I'm not 103.' Mr Joyce listed multiple shadow cabinet members older than himself, including Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan. 'So it's not generational change. It's politics and personalities.' The reshuffle follows the Nationals' decision to rejoin the Coalition after temporarily walking out over policy disputes. Following the split, the Liberal Party agreed to four key policy demands from the Nationals, and the Nationals agreed to cabinet solidarity. After a Nationals partyroom meeting on Wednesday morning, Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud officially reached the new agreement. 'This is a new term in parliament, it's a new leader, and we are going to do things differently,' Ms Ley said.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Labor member Trish Cook vows to support Bullwinkel sheep farmers in the wake of the live export ban
Labor's Trish Cook has vowed not to forget her rural constituents as she begins her role as the first Member for Bullwinkel. Bullwinkel is a new seat stretching from Perth's metropolitan fringe out to the Wheatbelt, with 15 per cent of constituents falling outside of the metropolitan region. The shires of Beverley, Northam, Toodyay and York fall within the hybrid urban-rural seat where they once fell in O'Connor and Durack — typically seats held by the Liberal party. Parts of the cities of Armadale, Gosnells, Kalamunda and Swan, and the Shire of Mundaring also fall within the 9508sqkm area. Ms Cook said her first message to all her constituents was one of gratitude. 'Thank you for electing me as the first ever member for Bullwinkel,' she said. 'I appreciate it's a great honour and privilege to do this and I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running and getting stuck into it.' The vastness of the electorate has seen a wide range of issues affecting voters, from suburban families to primary producers and farmers. Ms Cook said the needs of her regional voters were familiar to her, having served as a councillor for the Shire of Mundaring for six years, as deputy shire president in 2023 and as a nurse in Northam. 'I appreciate the trust and support that's been given to me, and I know that it's probably a first time there's a Labor MP for those areas and I don't take that lightly,' she said. 'I've travelled around the electorate, especially the country towns . . . they're not new to me — this is an area I know reasonably well and I intend to advocate for the people there. 'I know the unique challenges of living in the regions and I want to deliver results for the farmers out there and their communities.' Labor's laws phasing out live sheep exports by sea have been a key issue facing rural communities — the plan has been heavily protested by farming groups, culminating in the Keep the Sheep campaign. Ms Cook said she wants to support Bullwinkel farmers in the wake of the live sheep export phase out. 'I want those farmers to farm sheep, I want those sheep to be processed in WA and I want those jobs to stay here,' she said. 'I'll be doing everything I can to make sure that the $1.39 million transition package is wisely spent and goes towards supporting the farmers of Bullwinkel. 'I've already asked my staff to set up a meeting with the transition advocate and I've been liaising with Jackie Jarvis, the State Minister for Agriculture, and Julie Collins' office, and I really want to hit the ground running on this issue and do what I can to help the farmers of the district to adapt. 'I spoke to a lot of people on pre-poll, including the Keep the Sheep people. I've been out to Toodyay and speaking to farmers there. I want to do my best as a MP to support farmers because they do have specific issues in their industry and I will prioritise them.' Ms Cook said she intends to deliver on all Labor's election commitments. These include a new urgent care clinic in Mundaring, a mental health centre in Kalamunda, and a $5m childcare centre in Mundaring. Other commitments include battery backup power for the 23 mobile phone towers within the Perth hills to assist in emergencies, various funding commitments across six volunteer fire brigades, and the joint commitment of the State and Federal governments with $355m for Midland Hospital. 'They're commitments I really want to see and — this is being supported by Anthony Albanese — is that we will spend, the first year particularly, delivering on those commitments,' Ms Cook said. On top of these, Ms Cook said she intends to advocate for quality healthcare and cost of living measures, as well as improvements to housing infrastructure, roads, bridges and telecommunications. 'I trust the councils and the shires in those regional areas, as well as the people we door knocked and have spoken to — they told me what they need and I will certainly go in to bat for them.'
Epoch Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
‘Falun Dafa Will Prevail': Canadian MPs Mark 33rd Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill
Over a dozen MPs gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28 to mark the anniversary of Falun Dafa, a Chinese meditation practice first introduced to the public more than three decades ago. MPs from both major political parties delivered speeches in front of hundreds of Falun Dafa practitioners and other attendees who gathered on Parliament Hill to mark the occasion. The event included live music and dance performances, as well as demonstrations of the practice's meditative exercises. Falun Gong practitioners perform meditative exercises during an event to celebrate the World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Liberal MP Judy Sgro welcomed the practitioners on behalf of the newly elected prime minister and his government and commended Falun Dafa's moral teachings and values. 'It's wonderful for us to be here on this beautiful, sunny day that clearly, God is shining down on all of us, especially those of you who are celebrating the 33rd anniversary today,' Sgro, co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, told the crowd. Classical Chinese dance was performed as part of events to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Referring to the guiding principles of Falun Dafa—truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, or forbearance—Sgro said the whole word is in need of these tenets. 'Everywhere we look today, we've got conflicts,' she said. 'If we could just get everybody into believing in the basic words of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, I think the world … would be a much better place.' Related Stories 5/13/2025 5/13/2025 Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman noted the benefits that Falun Dafa brings to the community, and said her party would stand with the practitioners in the face of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Every single day, I'm always proud to add my voice to yours. I'm proud to stand with you,' she said. 'I know that the Falun Dafa movement, everything that you are a part of, adds to each and every one of our communities, not only with volunteerism, … but by the tolerance and the benevolence and the forbearance that you preach.' Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a traditional Chinese discipline combining slow-moving exercises and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Introduced in China on May 13, 1992, an Although the discipline is currently practised in more than 100 countries worldwide, it is banned in communist China, where practitioners have faced severe persecution for more than 25 years, with reports of torture, forced labour, killings, and even live forced organ The persecution campaign was started in 1999 by then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin who saw the spiritual discipline's growing popularity and moral teachings as not being aligned with the CCP's atheistic doctrines. Young Falun Gong practitioners perform a classical Chinese dance piece as part of events to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'An Inspiration' Conservative MP Scott Reid praised Falun Dafa practitioners, calling them 'such amazing people who do such amazing work.' 'You're an inspiration in ways that are profound,' he said in his speech. 'You're addressing universal values, but you're addressing them in a way that is key to bringing China and its amazing ancient culture, its values, into the world system for the benefit of China itself and its people, for the benefit of the rest of the world.' He also noted that at the same time, he is sad that the persecution is continuing in China. 'The Communist Party continues a completely senseless campaign against a fundamentally non-political movement. It makes no sense to me,' Reid said. Conservative MP Scott Reid speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times But, he noted, through practitioners' 'extraordinary commitment to forbearance and compassion,' the persecution will end one day. He said the effort that the practitioners are displaying while incorporating their 'amazing set of values into the culture of the world' is the 'great work perhaps of our century.' 'Stand Together in Solidarity' Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, also a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, noted the peaceful nature of the practice, while adding that under the Communist Party in China, it has been subject to 'some of the worst persecution that we have seen.' 'We have to stand together in solidarity for truth and justice and stand against the threats to world peace and to universal human dignity that are presented by the CCP,' he said. Genius said the work he did to pass legislation in the previous sessions of Parliament will make it harder for the CCP to continue its forced organ harvesting of Falun Dafa prisoners of conscience, as it enables Ottawa to Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'But the work is not done on that. We can work with partners around the world to have similar legislation adopted in some other jurisdictions, and work with provincial and territorial leaders to ensure the full implementation of measures to prevent any kind of Canadian complicity in forced organ harvesting and trafficking,' he said. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux noted how important Falun Dafa practitioners are not only to Ottawa and his constituency in Winnipeg, but 'around the world.' He said the practitioners do important work to ensure 'the spiritual well-being' of the world, and to raise awareness about the persecution in China. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Falun Dafa Will Prevail' Mike Duggan, a city councillor in Gatineau, just across the river from Parliament Hill, said the scene created by the Falun Dafa practitioners on May 28 was 'the nicest I've seen in this place in quite a while.' 'Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, offers millions a path to personal growth, health, and inner peace through meditation and moral teachings,' Duggan said. 'In over 100 countries, practitioners gather in parks and public spaces such as this one, sharing their beliefs and exercises freely, contributing to cultural diversity and mutual understanding.' Mike Duggan, a Gatineau city councillor, speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Duggan noted the importance of the freedom of thought and to be able to practice one's faith, and how that is cherished in Canada. 'I support Falun Dafa practitioners in their peaceful pursuit of faith, hoping that their example … inspires greater compassion and respect for diversity everywhere, among all humans around the world,' he said. Conservative MP Michael Cooper said Falun Dafa's tenets are the 'antithesis of everything' that the CCP stands for. 'In fact, there is one word that sums up the Beijing-based communist regime, and that is: evil,' he said. And it's important to stand up to this evil, Cooper added. Conservative MP Michael Cooper speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'As a member of Parliament, I will go–as I have for years–into that chamber to stand up and speak out in support of the Falun Dafa,' he said. 'Good will prevail, Falun Dafa will prevail.' Ending the Persecution Liberal MP Yvan Baker said more people need to be made aware of the persecution Falun Gong practitioners experience in China, saying that he is an 'ally' in working to end the persecution. 'It's important that Canadians know about the persecution of … the followers of Falun Dafa, and that we do all we can to support them,' he said. Liberal MP Yvan Baker speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall said Falun Dafa has been a source of 'mental, moral, and physical enrichment' for millions of people, although it faces persecution in China, and even interference attempts by the CCP abroad. 'For most of the 33 years, Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the highest-levels of Beijing communist regime in China and abroad,' Wagantall said. 'It's no wonder why Beijing works so tirelessly to suppress followers at Falun Dafa. Its main tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance stand antithetical to what the communist regime stands for.' Wagantall added she stands with Falun Dafa practitioners 'today, and every day.' Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'The True North Strong and Free' Conservative MP James Bezan said the three principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance practised by Falun Dafa is 'really all about the principles of us Canadians.' 'We're going to continue to celebrate Falun Dafa Day every year,' he told the practitioners on Parliament Hill. 'And I know that each and every one of you, whether you're born a Canadian or you have come here to become a Canadian, I thank you for making Canada the True North Strong and Free.' Bezan also noted the work he did to pass the ' Conservative MP James Bezan speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'There is no reason why those bureaucrats, doctors, corrupt businesspeople should be able to bring their families and their wealth to Canada and use us as a safe haven when they have really benefited from the torture and the atrocities against Falun Dafa,' he said. 'I'll continue to use my voice as a member of Parliament to stand up and speak out for Falun Gong practitioners.' Conservative MP Dan Muys noted that he attends the Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Ottawa every year, and thanked practitioners for holding the event. Conservative MP Dan Muys speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Thank you for coming here and [for the] peaceful demonstration each year to extol the virtues of truth, compassion and forbearance, which are virtues that the world needs more of,' he said. 'A Powerful Reminder' Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld said the World Falun Dafa Day celebration is a 'powerful reminder of the universal values that unite us: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.' Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'These principles not only form the foundation of Falun Dafa, but also inspire peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across communities across Canada and beyond,' Vandenbeld said. 'I commend the resilience and dedication of Falun Dafa practitioners in promoting peace, wellness, and human dignity, often in the face of profound adversity.' Conservative MP Costas Menegakis speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Conservative MP Costas Menegakis noted that he last joined the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2015 before he left politics, but had a chance to join again this year after being re-elected in the April 28 general election. 'It's beautiful to see so many people from Montreal, from Ottawa, from Toronto gathering here to celebrate this, the 33rd Falun Dafa Day, right here … in the nation's capital,' he said. Conservative MP Rhonda Kirkland speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Newly elected Conservative MP Rhonda Kirlkand also wished the attendees a 'happy Falun Dafa Day,' adding that she was 'excited' to be part of the event. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin, who was also newly elected in the recent election, wished the attendees a 'Happy Falun Dafa Day,' and said it's important to stand to support the practitioners in the face of the CCP's persecution. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'It's an honour to stand on the side of truth and justice and to support our friends in the community, and [I'm] proud that our party has stood up for human rights, especially with all the issues going on with the CCP,' Guglielmin said.
