Australian news and politics live: South African in neo-nazi rally detained in Sydney, faces visa cancellation

Max Corstorphan
The Nightly
A South African man who took part in a neo-Nazi anti-Jewish rally outside NSW Parliament House is now in immigration detention.
A South African man who took part in a neo-Nazi anti-Jewish rally outside NSW Parliament House is now in immigration detention. Credit: The Nightly

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Max Corstorphan

Battin, Wilson prepare for leadership showdown

Less than a year after Brad Battin was chosen to head the party, the Opposition Leader could face a partyroom spill as soon as 8.30am on Tuesday morning, with a challenge expected from Kew MP Jess Wilson, a former staffer to ex-federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Mr Battin was visited by a delegation of Liberal MPs who told him he had lost partyroom support, with others then calling him to deliver the same message.

Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth said Mr Battin “absolutely” remained leader when asked by Channel Nine on Monday night, but that “only time will tell” if he would continue in the top job.

Mr Groth’s position would also be opened to a vote if the leadership is spilled.

The Victorian Opposition has slipped in recent polls despite the three-term Labor Government grappling with soaring crime and state debt.

Read the full story.

Max Corstorphan

Welcome to day 4007 of Victoria Labor rule

Controversial Premier Daniel Andrews won the Victoria State election in 2014, starting an era of Labor stronghold in Victoria.

After Liberal Leader Denis Napthine was defeated, the party has struggled to find someone who could convince Victorians that Labor was the wrong choice.

Matthew Guy, Michael O’Brien, Matthew Guy again, John Pesutto, and then Brad Battin have led the party over the 11 years of Andrews and Allan Labor Governments, with the Liberals failing to secure support in 2018 and 2022.

With 2026 bringing another chance for the Victorian Liberal Party to win back power, something they have not held since late 2014, a leadership spill could see the party taken in a new direction.

The options? Current Victoria Opposition Leader, Mr Battin, or Liberal MP Jess Wilson.

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