Australian news and politics live: Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg won’t rule out return to politics
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Key Events
Kingmaker? Pauline Hanson pumped about One Nation resurgence
With support for One Nation rising in the polls, Pauline Hanson is confident the controversial minor party will help decide the federal election outcome.
As recent polls showed an uptick in primary support, Senator Hanson said the right-wing minor party would hold considerable influence.
“People are not happy with either of the major political parties, and that reflects the policies we have put out,” she told AAP.
“People are looking at that and they want honesty .. and fighting for Australians and Australian values.
“The majors have forgotten about this, and the biggest thing affecting people is housing and the cost of living.”
The latest YouGov poll showed One Nation had a 10.5 per cent primary vote, more than double the amount it received at the 2022 poll.
- via AAP
EXCLUSIVE: Peter Dutton talks Donald Trump and DOGE
The man who wants to be Australia’s next prime minister has given his take on Donald Trump and DOGE in an exclusive interview with Latika M Bourke.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the US President is no conservative and has rejected assertions that his homegrown proposal for a government efficiency department was mimicking billionaire Elon Musk’s DOGE drive.
Asked if he viewed the Mr Trump as a conservative, the Liberal leader said “No. No. I don’t.”
“I think the American politic is obviously very different than it is here,” he said.
Listen to the latest Newsworthy podcast
In today’s episode of Newsworthy, Ben O’Shea reveals the top five biggest LIES told this election, plus Peter Dutton’s dream revealed - it’s not what you think - and a dummy’s guide to minority government.
Frydenberg slams Wong, Greens over Israel and anti-Semitism
Josh Frydenberg did not hold back in his comments about Australia’s foreign minister on Israel.
In an unscripted speech, the former treasurer said Penny Wong failed Israel when it needed our support most.
“In fact, the first words from Penny Wong on October the 7th were calling for Israel’s restraint, weeks before Israel had even responded, when the blood wasn’t even dry,” he said.
“What goes into your head as a Foreign Minister of this country to say that? (It’s) a very warped view of the world.”
Josh Frydenberg won’t rule out return to Parliament
Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will not rule out a return to Parliament.
The West Australian’s editor-in-chief Christopher Dore asked the former Liberal Treasurer at Tuesday’s Leadership Matters event in Perth if he wanted to be a future Prime Minister.
“I don’t think ambition’s a crime,” Mr Fydenberg said.
He also wouldn’t rule out a return to Parliament.
“I’m not rushing back. Life is good on the other side,” he said.
“Never say never.”
On the current Federal election, Mr Frydenberg said a potential minority parliament would be “inherently challenging”.
“People are voting increasingly for minor parties,” he said.
“During the 2004 election, out of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, 89 were decided by first party preferences.”
He said that first party preference level dropped to 15 seats at the last election.
“It’s going to create a real challenge for us (the Liberals) going forward,”
he said.
“I think that’s inherently challenging”
AEC to investigate Teal volunteers’ alleged CCP links
From Katina Curtis:
Teal MP Monique Ryan has referred allegations of foreign interference by her own volunteers — reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party — to the electoral watchdog.
A video posted on social media reportedly showed two volunteers saying they were told to vote for the MP by the president of the Hubei Association Ji Jianmin. The video has since been deleted.
The Association has been accused of working with the United Front Department, an opaque arm of the Chinese Communist Party that seeks to advance Beijing’s interests abroad.
Dr Ryan said she had personally contacted authorities after the questions about possible foreign interference.
What Albo and Dutton are promising to do for your health
Healthcare has emerged as a key battleground in the federal election campaign, with both sides pledging record funding for Medicare.
The Albanese government has had to convince voters it can restore slumped bulk-billing rates, which has led to working Australians skipping GP appointments because of out-of-pocket costs.
Meanwhile, the opposition has had to convince voters it would not repeat the cost-cutting measures of previous Coalition governments that experts credit with causing the bulk-billing crisis.
When it comes to who is doing what to help Australians stay healthy, here is what both major parties are pledging.
- via NCA
Dutton blames Greens and Teals for protest ‘stunt’
Peter Dutton has blamed the Greens and the Teals for a protest at a junior sporting club fcaility this morning.
“It made no difference to me in terms of protest activity, but it disrupted an event where we wanted to talk about helping kids play junior rugby,” Mr Dutton said.
“We wanted to talk about an upgrade in the change room facilities so young girls didn’t have to go into the canteen to get changed into their footy gear.
“And the teals and Greens always pull all sorts of stunts.”
Is the Liberal party recruiting members of a religious sect?
Mr Dutton has been asked about stories circulating that the Liberal party has recruited members of a religious sect to work on polling stations.
“Exclusive Brethren have been flocking to seats volunteering in support of Liberal Party. How have the Liberal Party recruited members of a religious sect?”, one journalist asks.
“The Liberal Party has not recruited people from particular religions. We’re a volunteer-based organisation. People can volunteer and provide support to their local Liberal National Party candidate and I’d encourage them to do that,” Mr Dutton replied.
“The Prime Minister says he hates Tories and Tory supporters etc. That’s an issue for him. We’re not discriminating against anybody on the basis of their religion.
“We have people of I suspect every religion supporting us and I’ll make sure that we have the ability to get our message out, which we do through our volunteers, because there are many Australians in their millions who can’t afford three more years of this Labor government.”
Opposition leader reacts to office ‘vandalism’ and ‘intimidation’
Peter Dutton has been asked for a reaction to the vandalism of his office in the electorate of Dickson this morning and if he knows what the inflation rate is.
The answer was stern and to the point.
“I want to make sure that we have disagreements, and we can have disagreements, that’s fine,” Mr Dutton said.
“But we need to do it better than we have at the moment and to see Greens supporters and others out there shooting at booths, you know, we employ security guards now at booths because ETU workers and CFMEU workers intimidate older ladies.
“And you see the vandalism, that is outrageous.
“So I just want to make sure ... we want to support our democratic processes, but I don’t want to see a situation where we’ve got people who are being intimidated.
And to the inflation rate question.
“2.7 per cent is the answer to your question,” Mr Dutton added quickly.
