Australian news and politics live: Ley proclaims she’s a ‘coalitionist’, attempts to cool leadership concerns

NSW Police have warned that anyone who does not comply with police direction will be arrested, as pro-Palestine and anti-AUKUS protests disrupt a defence expo in Sydney.

In an update, NSW Police confirmed 10 people have been arrested since 6.30am.

“Police are at the location to ensure the safety and security of delegates at the venue and the wider community,” a statement said.

“Anyone not complying with police directions, or found to be breaching the peace, will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.”

Liberal backbencher Andrew Hastie has praised the Albanese government’s decision to bankroll an NRL team from Papua New Guinea, as his colleagues continue to field questions about the party’s leadership.

In a speech on Monday night, Mr Hastie told Parliament, “I am glad that we are starting the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028”, referencing last year’s decision to expand the NRL competition to include Australia’s closest neighbour.

“No doubt it will have its challenges, and it’s a big financial investment—$600 million over a decade—for the Australian people. But, if we do this well, we can build a new institution with the Papuan people and deepen our partnership as neighbours.”

The West Australian MP said using “national power and influence” to deepen partnerships was “an urgent priority”, saying “we cannot risk a Chinese deep-water port to our north”.

On Tuesday, the Coalition party room is meeting in Canberra as Opposition MPs continue to field questions about the future of Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has told reporters, “I don’t give a stuff” about upsetting colleagues in Canberra, after pushing on with his agenda against net zero.

The maverick MP on Tuesday skipped another joint-party room in favour of media interviews, but insisted he’s fairly “engaging in a policy debate”.

When asked if he was concerned that infighting was a bad look for the Coalition, Mr Joyce claimed it was just part and parcel of the process.

“It’s a very poor excuse if you’re going to say that’s my reason to not engage in a policy debate,” he said.

Mr Joyce added he didn’t care if his position made people upset or awkward.

“I know down here (in Canberra), it’s always the way. You know how awkward you’ve made Charlie feel? And Betty, she’s really upset with you. I don’t give us stuff — irrelevant. It’s looking after you people at home — that’s what you do.”

The joint Liberal-National party room meeting is in progress now, so we will see if expectations that net zero is raised produce fireworks or a damp squib.

Moderate Liberals had wanted Sussan Ley to hold a Liberals-only meeting earlier this morning, before joining with the Coalition colleagues, but the leader wouldn’t do it.

This would have given them an opportunity alone to discuss the fallout from the Nationals’ decision to abandon net zero and push to instead tie Australia’s rate of emissions cuts to the significantly slower OECD average.

But without that chance, they’ll only get to air their thoughts in the room with the Nationals.

The Liberals typically only meet as a single party room in the first week of a sitting fortnight – this is the second week – while the joint parties meet every sitting Tuesday.

Protestors who have clashed with police in Sydney have been urged to respect Australian Defence Force members and those who work in the defence sector.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has made the comments while attending the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition at Darling Harbour, where police have made several arrests this morning.

“We live in a vibrant democracy, and everyone has the right to protest as long as they’re peaceful, but what I’m calling for is respect for the ADF and respect for the 100,000 Australians who work in the Australian defence industry”.

“These people get up each day and produce equipment and parts to support the ADF, to contribute to our sovereignty and self-reliance and to make Australia safer,” Mr Conroy said.

“So people have a right to protest, but they should respect the fact that Australians are getting up, helping make Australia safer while putting food on their families’ table.”

Eight people have now been arrested in Sydney as intense clashes between NSW Police and pro-Palestine protesters disrupt a defence expo and morning traffic.

NSW Premier Chris Minns defended the event.

“They’re not selling nuclear weapons … we want to see the industry grow,” Mr Minns told ABC Radio Sydney.

“Defence industries, particularly the maritime sector, is responsible for a massive part of our economy... and in every single plan that I have seen in terms of jobs transitions in the Hunter, particularly, as we move away from coal extraction and export, defence industries are a massive part of the future plan.”

Mr Hawke credited The Nationals for some “good work” within their policy direction, but said ultimately the Liberals will act independently on the various options put before them.

He suggested that net zero could be discussed at the joint-partyroom meeting on Tuesday but wouldn’t reveal if it had been raised at a Liberal leadership meeting earlier in the morning.

“Oh, it certainly could be discussed at any party room,” Mr Hawke said.

“Our liberal process is continuing. It’s coming to a conclusion.

“Like the Nationals, we’ve prepared our own policy options. We have several of those ready.”

“They’ve done some pretty good work in relation to elements of emissions reduction that we’ll consider as well when formulating our policy. We’ll have our own process.”

Sussan Ley’s top lieutenant, Alex Hawke insists her leadership isn’t being questioned within the party amid Coalition division over their energy policy.

In the wake of the Coalition’s primary vote plunging to a historic low of 24 per cent and internal divisions in the party on Monday, Mr Hawke played down media speculation about her leadership.

“Inside the party room, it’s not being discussed,” the Liberal frontbencher said on Tuesday.

“It’s because I think when you’re heavily defeated and the polls are very bad, Australians back their choices.

“They made a clear choice just a few months ago, they’re not going to turn on the government straight away.”

He added that the Liberals were going to march to the beat of their own drum on energy policy regardless of The Nationals’ decision to formally abandon a commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 at the weekend.

A welcome from Defence Minister Richard Marles on the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition event’s website describes it as “one of the world’s premier international maritime expositions”.

“It showcases the close co-operation between the Australian Defence Force, defence industry, international partners and other agencies.

“All working toward the shared goal of maritime security and a peaceful, prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

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NSW Police have put protesters on notice as early morning arrests are made outside a NSW Government-sponsored defence expo in Sydney.

“A police operation is currently underway in Sydney’s CBD as two planned protests take place at Darling Harbour,” a NSW Police spokesperson told The Nightly.

“There is no impact to traffic in the area. Four people have been arrested.

“Police will have a presence at the assemblies and will work with protestors to ensure there are no breaches of the peace and there is minimal impact to the community.”