Australia news and politics live: Dan Andrews breaks silence over attendance at Victory Parade in China

Liberal Senator Jane Hume says former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ decision to attend the Chinese military parade was an “extraordinary lack of judgment”.

Mr Andrews was photographed alongside Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“It was clearly a sign of military might, a display of military might quite threatening in its intentions. And there he was, standing alongside some of the most unsavoury characters,” she told Channel Nine.

Senator Hume said she was “astounded” that the Prime Minister didn’t advise Mr Andrews not to attend. “It’s not actually doing Australia’s reputation any good,” she added.

Australia’s former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr was also in Beijing at the time of the parade, which was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, but did not attend.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume says she would introduce a bill to Parliament that tackles the “motherhood penalty” and addresses the systemic issues within Australia’s superannuation system.

Senator Hume said that women retire with up to 25 per cent less super than men.

She says the bill, which would be “entirely voluntary,” would allow spouses to split their superannuation.

“That recognises unpaid work, that taking time off work to look after children, the motherhood penalty that affects women’s superannuation balances,” she told Channel Nine.

“It certainly will help older Australians that have quite different superannuation balances between husband and wife to help plan their retirement better and more effectively.”

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has renewed calls to criminalise the destruction of the Australian national flag, following the circulation of online videos showing protesters setting the flag alight.

“I find that it’s a betrayal to burn our flag. Our soldiers — when we lose them, when our diggers pass away — their coffins are draped in the Australian flag. It is the ultimate disrespect to our nation,” she told Sunrise.

Senator Price urged the Albanese Government to introduce legislation that would make it a criminal offence to burn or desecrate the national flag.

She also criticised Mr Albanese for “dividing” the nation by standing in front of three flags.

“I find that our Prime Minister standing in front of three flags divides us, divides us into three people, when we are one people,” she said.

“We need to reinstate pride in who we are as a country, because we are a remarkable country that should be celebrated, not denigrated.”

Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley has welcomed the Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 20,000 additional home care packages for elderly Australians by the end of the year.

Ms Ley described the expanded home care program as a “real win” for older Australians who want to remain safe and independent in their own homes.

However, she was quick to point out that the long delays in accessing care remain unacceptable.

“If you’re 97 years old, and you’re worried and unsafe and living at home...to be told that it is okay to wait several months, if not over a year for your package is not good enough.”

Calling the move a “defeat” for the Prime Minister, Ms Ley said the Coalition will keep pushing to make sure the Government delivers on its promise and meets the needs of older Australians.

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Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley says she agrees with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that there were “good people” attending the anti-immigration marches on the weekend.

“Many Australians were there in good will,” she told ABC News Breakfast. “I say as a migrant to this country, I love what Australia has offered me....And you are forever grateful for the country that you live in,” she continued.

While acknowledging Mr Albanese’s comment, Ms Ley shifted focus to what she sees as a failure of Government planning.

“The Government, however, does have to address issues such as bringing millions of migrants into Australia in the first two years without a plan to house them.

“It’s a Government policy failing here, not migrants themselves that are failing.”

“The Government is not explaining to Australians how they are going to deliver the services, manage the pressure, deal with the infrastructure, which in many cases in our cities doesn’t exist at all.”