Latest news with #NewSouthWales
ABC News
an hour ago
- General
- ABC News
One Nation picks up surprise spot in NSW senate
One Nation's Warwick Stacey has been elected as the sixth senator in New South Wales, taking the party's seats in the upper house to four.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- Business
- The Guardian
One Nation picks up surprise NSW Senate seat for former British soldier Warwick Stacey
One Nation has gained an unexpected Senate seat in New South Wales, taking Pauline Hanson's party to four members in the upper house – equalling its best-ever result in a federal election. Warwick Stacey – a former member of the British army – has snagged the sixth Senate seat in NSW, and will join fellow new senator Tyron Whitten who was yesterday elected in Western Australia. Labor and Liberal each won two seats in NSW, in the results announced on Friday morning, alongside Mehreen Faruqi for the Greens. Labor's Tony Sheldon was elected first, alongside colleague and industry, innovation and science minister Tim Ayres, while Andrew Bragg was elected second ahead of fellow Liberal Jess Collins. Faruqi was elected in position five, with Stacey in the sixth and final spot. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Stacey will join Hanson, Whitten, and the re-elected Malcolm Roberts in Queensland, taking the One Nation contingent to four in the Senate. That equals the party's best result in the 2016 double dissolution election – where the amount of votes to win a Senate quota is lower– when they had four senators elected: Hanson, Roberts, Brian Burston and Rod Culleton. Burston and Culleton would later quit One Nation over disputes with Hanson and the party. Stacey's bio on the One Nation website states he has a 'lifetime of experience outside the political bubble', citing policy priorities including limiting migration, supporting coal and nuclear energy, rejecting the net zero emissions target, and boosting local manufacturing. A bio posted on social media by Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, the prominent monarchist group which endorsed him for the Senate, said Stacey had joined the British army and was later commissioned into the British army's parachute regiment, later serving as as a troop commander with the Special Air Service Regiment. The description states Stacey later served 10 years in the Australian Army Reserve, before working as a military consultant in the Middle East and India, including advising on ransom, kidnap and crisis events. Information published on the Australian Army Research Centre states Stacey advised on more than 40 kidnap, extortion, piracy and related life-threatening incidents, and case managed dozens more. An alumni bio on the Sydney Grammar School website that appears to be written by Stacey says he speaks French, Arabic, Farsi, German and Spanish, and that his crisis management work had included dealing with kidnappings in Latin America. The information about Stacey's military record is not listed in his One Nation biography, but was corroborated by him on a podcast in March. He said he was born in Sydney, brought up in Victoria, and travelled to Europe 'because of my interest in languages'. 'While I was there, I fell into the British army. So effectively, I spent eight years as a professional soldier in the British Army. I was commissioned into the parachute regiment, and I later served with 22 SAS,' Stacey told the podcast. 'After I left the army, I worked in the Middle East as a military contractor, and doing that was very interesting work.' Stacey said he later started his own business in crisis management, which he claimed included work responding to extortion attempts as well as 'Somali piracy'. 'I was a kidnap for ransom response consultant and advising clients on how to successfully resolve a kidnap, how to negotiate a ransom and to get the return of the victim,' he said. Guardian Australia attempted to contact Stacey for comment. A One Nation source, who said Stacey was currently overseas for personal reasons, confirmed he had spent time in the British military and was involved in crisis management, but did not confirm the particulars. Guardian Australia spoke to Stacey last month, at the ballot draw for the NSW Senate. 'Australia needs people to stand up, not to complain. If you complain, stand up. And I complain and I'm standing up. I love the challenge. It's hard work, but I enjoy hard work,' he said. Despite being drawn sixth on the ballot, Stacey said: 'We are going to win anyway. I think the state of the nation and the sentiment and temper of the people are looking at a change.' Additional reporting by Sarah Basford Canales and Luca Ittimani
ABC News
2 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Pauline Hanson's One Nation doubles its Senate representation following federal election
Surprise Senate results will see Pauline Hanson's One Nation double its representation in the next parliament. Labor looked set to win a third Senate seat in both Western Australia and New South Wales but fell short with One Nation collecting each state's final seat in the upper house. It means One Nation will return to the record heights it reached after the 2016 double dissolution election. But, given Labor's victories in other states, the government will only need the Greens to pass legislation if it doesn't strike an agreement with the Coalition. With four senators, One Nation will have the same representation as the Nationals in the upper house. The final results see Labor increasing its fortunes in the Senate. The government will hold 28 seats, one more than the Coalition. The Greens retained 11 senators. The crossbench will have four One Nation senators, along with the ACT's David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie and Tammy Tyrrell from Tasmania, Victoria's Lidia Thorpe, and Ralph Babet and Fatima Payman from WA. For legislation to pass in the Senate, 39 votes are required. It means Labor and the Greens have the slimmest margin to pass bills. If Labor or the Greens were to lose a senator, the government would need support from a crossbencher, if the Coalition was opposing the legislation. Senator Hanson and Malcolm Roberts were the party's only senators in the last term. On Friday, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) declared Warwick Stacey had won NSW's final seat in the Senate. A day earlier, One Nation's Tyron Whitten won the final WA seat. In both cases, Labor was ahead in earlier counting and on track to win up to 30 seats. The last time One Nation had four senators, infighting and the citizenship saga led to the loss of members of the party besides Senator Hanson.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sarah Togatuki: State of Origin star who was already reeling from her brother's suicide stuns teammates with incredible act just days after her sister died
They may have lost the match, but New South Wales star Sarah Togatuki showed incredible bravery just to play in Thursday night's Origin clash in Newcastle. The Blues forward showed unbelievable to take the field just days after the sudden death of her sister Jean, which followed the tragic death of her brother Junior, who took his own life in February. Jean passed away on Saturday following a brief hospital stay, leaving the Togatuki family devastated. Despite her grief, Sarah played in Thursday night's match against Queensland, contributing 42 metres in a 14-minute stint before a head knock forced her off the field. At fulltime, she was visibly emotional, surrounded by loved ones who had come to support her in Newcastle. The Blues team wore black armbands in Jean's memory, standing in solidarity with their grieving teammate. Coach John Strange praised Togatuki's courage, expressing doubt that any other player could have matched her strength in such circumstances. 'I don't know if I could have done that [after] losing a sister on Saturday,' he said after the game. 'I had a chat to her about spending time with her family, but it was also really important to her and her family that she came out and represented them. 'So to show the strength of character to do that, is a real testament to who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game that she plays. 'She's certainly not underestimated by any of us for what she does. Outstanding player and even better person.' Captain Isabelle Kelly, a longtime NRLW teammate, said the squad had supported Togatuki through the tragedy. 'When you know Sala, she's an infectious type of person. She wasn't in camp with us for a bit and we missed her, we missed her presence,' Kelly said. 'She puts everyone before herself and she's just really inspiring. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Togatuki (@salatogatuki) Sarah let all the emotion flow out at fulltime after climbing into the stands to be with her family The extended family all travelled to Newcastle to support Sarah with a sign saying that Jean was her #1 supporter 'A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she has done this week. 'She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game and I know she would have done her family so proud, even though she came off, she's done all of us proud with the strength that she has. 'I feel really honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her.' Jean has been honoured with an outpouring of tributes on social media, including from her daughter. 'I never thought I had to say this speech so young but I promise to fulfill the dream you and I shared I promise to do you proud I will live in your name loud and proud,' she wrote. 'The stadiums have been quiet without and also the house hold , you've made a massive impact on many lives and I am glad to be named your daughter mum I love you deeper than the sea could ever get.' Sarah herself posted a lengthy tribute to her 'best friend' and also revealed it came after the loss of her brother. 'In the blink of an eye, our family's world changed. My beautiful big sister gained her wings and has gone to be with our brother JNR,' she posted. The tributes flowed on social media including a heartbreaking post from Jean's daughter 'It still doesn't feel real. She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago, and now she's gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies. 'She wasn't just my sister. She was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the quiet glue that held our family together. 'After losing our brother, she vowed to protect us all, and she truly lived that promise. She always showed up. Always put others before herself. Always stood on loyalty and love. 'I'm numb. Still struggling to find the words. My sister carried a light that touched so many. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. If she loved you, you felt it deeply. 'She was a mother figure to many and a steady anchor in every phase of life she walked through.'
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Aircraft makes hard landing at Tauranga Airport
New South Wales win State of Origin series opener in Brisbane A dominant first half propelled New South Wales to an 18-6 victory over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. Video / Sky Sport
