Latest news with #TheKennyReport
Sky News AU
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
PM Anthony Albanese urged by Jewish leaders to visit Israel instead of 'throwing mud or criticising through words'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being encouraged to visit Israel to see what is unfolding in the region and to work closely with the nation again amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Israel's President Isaac Herzog spoke to Australian media on Thursday about how he hoped the Labor leader would fly over to see the issues the unstable region faced. Mr Albanese has this week been stern towards Israel amid its conflict with Gaza, claiming the nation's "excuses and explanations" for blocking aid from entering the enclave were "unacceptable". Some of the 2.3 million displaced and hungry Palestinians on Wednesday rushed to the city of Rafah where aid was being distributed by a US-backed group approved by Israel. Israeli soldiers were forced to fire warning shots due to the sudden influx of immense crowds. Executive Manager at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Joel Burnie, said Mr Albanese should visit Israel first before "throwing mud or criticising through words". "So we've had the recent comments by the Prime Minster, which again continue the perceived one-sided criticism of what used to be a very close friend of Australia's," he said to Danica Di Giorgio hosting The Kenny Report on Thursday. "And essentially what the President is saying, (is) 'if you are so concerned about what is on here, how about you come and you visit' instead of throwing mud or criticising through words, how about you come here with your actions, see how things are going, see what's happening on the ground here and come up with practical solutions." Mr Burnie conceded he "highly doubted" the PM would fly over for the trip. Thousands of Israelis rallied in streets on Wednesday, calling for the release of the remaining hostages who have been held by Hamas militants for 600 days. There was potential movement for a ceasefire after Hamas agreed to 60-day truce in Gaza and the release of 10 captives, according to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera. The US, however, denied that report. Mr Burnie stressed Australia has to work closely with Israel again. "At the end of the day, we hear these comments from the Prime Minister, we see these comments (from) so-called allies of Israel. All of this conflict could come to an end if Hamas would lay down their arms and hand over the hostages," he told Sky News. "It's a simple demand to ask of them. Instead of criticising Israel, we should be working together with all of our allies just to do those two simple things. "That will bring an immediate end to this war." Mr Albanese previously told President Herzog that Israel blocking humanitarian aid from entering the enclave was "completely untenable and without credibility". The pair had spoken on the sidelines of Pope Leo's inauguration in Rome, Italy. Earlier this month Foreign Minister Penny Wong was also outspoken, releasing a joint statement condemning Israel for "blocking humanitarian aid for over two months". "Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza's people must receive the aid they desperately need," it read. "Prior to the aid block, the UN (United Nations) and humanitarian NGOs (non-government organisations) delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel." Senator Wong also called on Israel's government to "allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity." The foreign ministers of 24 nations also put pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages and allow aid distribution "without interference". Israel had approved the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to build hubs to distribute aid, bypassing the need to rely on international organisations who have been helping for months. On Tuesday it said officials had handed out about 462,000 meals, since Israel eased an 11-week-long blockade amid mounting pressure from the international community. There have been heartbreaking scenes with Palestinians seen running and scrambling in hopes of getting their hands on some of the 8,000 food packages to feed their families. Israel had also accused Hamas of diverting and seizing aid supplies. The terror group denied it was stealing aid. -with Reuters
Sky News AU
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Pauline Hanson tells re-formed Coalition to 'start working together' on 'good' policies and 'conservative values' if it wants to beat Labor Party next federal election
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has advised the Coalition to start thinking about the Australian people after it re-formed on Tuesday following a temporary split. The Nationals walked away from the decades-long alliance with the Liberals last week in disagreement over four policies it wanted to remain after the election loss. The Liberals eventually agreed to keep nuclear power, the Regional Australia Future Fund, break-up powers targeting supermarkets and better mobile coverage in the bush. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud on Tuesday confirmed they had reached an agreement following a partyroom meeting. Speaking to Sky News, Senator Hanson said it was likely the Coalition remains together given there has been backlash from conservative voters over the disharmony. She then took a swipe at the opposition, claiming there was a lack of "pushback" on Labor over Medicare, immigration and cost of living during the election campaign. "I thought it was a very poor election by the Coalition, government - both sides - and they parked Barnaby Joyce and Jacinta Price on the sidelines. They never had them out there pushing policies," she told host Danica Di Giorgio on The Kenny Report. "I don't think their policies were good enough for the people to vote for them." Senator Hanson highlighted Labor were returned for a second term with just under 35 per cent of the primary vote, while the Liberals registered just over 20 per cent. The firebrand politician then offered some direct advice to the Coalition, saying the parties must start working together to win back voters ahead of the 2028 election. "It's not about them. They've now gone back, get some decent policies going, put your case forward before the people," Senator Hanson said. "I believe if they put good policies out there, go back to their core, conservative values, I think they do have a chance to get rid of Albanese at the next election." The Coalition on Tuesday also confirmed its shadow cabinet , with the big takeaways being senior figures Jane Hume and Barnaby Joyce excluded from the frontbench. Deputy Liberal leader Ted O'Brien is shadow treasurer, James Paterson takes on finance, Angus Taylor moves to defence, and Michaelia Cash is on foreign affairs. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price - who defected from the Nationals to the Liberals prior to the Coalition's split - was demoted and given shadow defence industry and personnel. Asked if Senator Price's party switch was a "waste of time", Senator Hanson said she suspects the defector is looking for a lower house seat at the next election. Senator Price gained support and notoriety from Australians in the lead-up to the Voice to Parliament vote as she strongly voiced her opposition to an advisory body. However, Senator Hanson said it was not just Senator Price who did not support it and flagged the Northern Territory politician must do more to "prove her worth" to voters. "She has only been in parliament for three years. What is her credentials? Aboriginal Affairs. I thought they should have kept her there," she said. "She knows her stuff, she should have been there, not to put her in defence. She's got to get some stripes up and she has to prove her worth to the Australian people." Senator Hanson also believes Ms Ley will be replaced before the next federal poll. She was also hesitant about Mr Littleproud's leadership, saying there are "rumblings still going on" and "disquiet within" the Nationals, but suggested he could be safe if he focused and kept "pushing for the rural and regional areas". "I hope they actually get their act together because I do not want to see the Albanese Labor government, Greens government, in there for another two terms," she said. "Hopefully if we can all work together, the conservative side of politics, and get rid of the Albanese government, because they're destroying this country. "I'm just gobsmacked. The number of people out there who actually voted for the Labor government this last election, they're in for a lot of hurt and pain. "I warn the Australian people now - it's only just the start of it."
Sky News AU
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Political commentator says Donald Trump's 'America First' message did not resonate with voters and led to Peter Dutton's defeat
A political commentator has insisted the "Donald Trump factor" played a major impact on the Australian federal election which saw Liberal Peter Dutton voted out. The Coalition suffered a crushing defeat, with Labor winning a comfortable majority, however, the final make up of parliament is to be determined with counting still going. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the ALP has 88 seats while the LNP sit on 40. With the dust settling, the Liberals are trying to figure out what went wrong in the campaign which led to one of the worst losses for the party in modern history. Sky News contributor Kristin Tate believes President Trump was part of the reason. Speaking to host Chris Kenny, she said the Coalition's loss "definitely mirrors" the result in the Canadian election last week which saw the centre-left Liberals victorious. "You had this once struggling left-leaning party that just soared to victory thanks to an anti-Trump inspired popularity boost," she said on The Kenny Report on Tuesday. "The way I see it, Trump's America First message doesn't resonate with a lot of people around the globe who see the kind of emergence of this more self-serving America that's been evolving and getting stronger. And without a doubt that hurt Dutton." Some of President Trump's "America First" priorities included a tough stance on immigration, ending "climate extremism" and the return of federal workers to the office. Labor, the Greens and Teal independents all seized on the Liberals' policies and Mr Dutton being compared to President Trump throughout the 35-day election campaign. The Coalition early on introduced a policy to end work from home arrangements and plans to sack 41,000 public service employees which he later walked back on. The plan proved unpopular particularly for female voters who are mostly mothers juggling their young families while being able to earn a living from home. The party also wanted to adopt the Trump administration's department of government efficiency, appointing Senator Jacinta Price to take charge if the LNP was elected. It was also forced to water down a Trump-like phrase from Senator Price who had told a campaign rally in Perth she wanted to "make Australia great again". "We don't have to adopt all of America's policies," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in one of the many press conferences during Labor's campaign. Kenny questioned whether there would be any concerns from President Trump and the "exaggeration in attacks" linking politicians to the leader of the free world. Ms Tate believes it would not "trouble" the Republican. "I think he's solely concerned with America. He ran on America First. And I will say that I suspect that the anti-Trump sentiment in these other countries has a lot more to do with Trump's personality than his policies," she said on The Kenny Report. "You have the media around the world, the left-wing media that is constantly insisting Trump was this fascist dictator. So I suspect that's what it's all about. And you know, Trump was very kind to Albanese. He loves being on the side of the winner. "And I suspect that we (the United States) will continue to have a very strong relationship with Australia moving forward."
Sky News AU
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Labor MP Andrew Charlton captured filming Liberal campaign volunteers in his electorate while asking what religion they worship
A Labor MP has been filmed asking to know the religion of Liberal Party volunteers in his own electorate. In exclusive footage obtained by Sky News, member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton, with a phone in hand, approaches the person who is filming before asking: "Are you a member of the exclusive Brethren? Are you?" The person filming then asked what the Parramatta incumbent would do if he were elected. After delivering an answer, Mr Charlton was then asked what religion had to do with volunteering. "Are you going to answer my question?" the MP asked. The man responded: "Are you going to answer mine?" before Mr Charlton replied: "I'll take that as a no, see you later", and the video cut off. Mr Charlton's question was in reference to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church - previously known as the Exclusive Brethren, which has about 15,000 members in Australia, some of which abstain from voting on religious grounds. The group was discussed in the election campaign on Tuesday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked if there was a quid pro quo between the Liberal Party and members of the religious sect. 'Where are all these people coming from? Why are they campaigning?' Mr Albanese asked. 'They don't vote, by the way, but they all of a sudden have found this enthusiasm in their hundreds to travel around the country to hand out how-to-vote cards. 'What's the quid pro quo? What is going on there?' Pictures also obtained by Sky News showed Mr Charlton approaching and appearing to film or take photos of several Liberal volunteers in Parramatta. Sky News host Chris Kenny was left stunned by the MP's forthright questioning of volunteers, suggesting it was "odd" or potentially even "harassing" behaviour from the politician. "What business is it of Charlton's to ask people about their religion. Why is it relevant?" Kenny asked on Tuesday night. The host reached out to the MP and sent him questions about the incident, which had been ignored by the time The Kenny Report aired. "The answer to Charlton's intrusion can be found in the attention that Labor is focusing on the Christian religious group, the Brethren," Kenny said. "Is Anthony Albanese opposed to Christians? What business is it of his or Charlton's, what religion any single campaigner happens to be. "I really reckon that Albanese and Charlton and Labor more generally, ought to show a bit more respect for religious freedom in this country, and stop interrogating people about what religious groups they may or may not belong to." Opposition Leader Peter Dutton denied the Liberal Party had recruited volunteers from particular religions and took a dig at the Prime Minister's questioning of their involvement. 'The Prime Minister says that he hates Tories, Tory supporters etc – that's an issue for him,' he said. 'We're not discriminating against anybody on the basis of their religion. We have people, I suspect, every religious type, supporting us.'
