Australian news and politics recap: Albo meeting with Trump at G7 critical after US AUKUS review announcement

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser has warned the sanctioning of two senior members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could set a dangerous precedent.

Mr Leeser told ABC radio on Thursday that it raised questions over whether the threshold for applying sanctions under the Magnitsky Act had been lowered to public comments by international players.

“This is a very serious step. (Penny Wong) used a regime – the Magnitsky-style sanctioned regime – which was established to deal with issues like human rights abuses, and terrorist acts,” he said.

“And when you read the government’s statement, it suggests that it’s actually lowered the threshold for applying sanctions.

“Because these sanctions are being applied because of public comments of the two Israeli ministers and the big question here is whether this is a new standard that will be applied to the public comments of officials from other countries.”

Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie has called for the Albanese Government to explain how the sanctioning of two Israeli ministers aligns with the global Magnitsky sanction regime.

The Magnitsky legislation allows governments to impose targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans, on foreign individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses or corruption.

Speaking on Sky News on Thursday Ms McKenzie questioned why Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had met the Act’s threshold.

“We want to understand more deeply the rationale behind the government’s decision making,” she said.

“I think these sanctions do go against the intent of the Magnitsky sanction regime.”

Deputy PM Richard Marles says despite Australia’s sanctioning of two senior Israeli ministers he hopes the two nations “continue our friendship”.

He said the sanctioning of the politicians, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over public comments on the Gaza conflict was “carefully considered”.

“I mean we want to continue our friendship with Israel, let me be clear about that,” he said.

“But we want to see an end to the conflict in the Middle East.

“We’ve worked very carefully in relation to taking this step over a period of time.

“We’ve done this in combination with the United Kingdom in combination with Canada and with other nations.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has said the unfolding chaos in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Texas and elsewhere was “concerning and unsettling”.

“How this is ultimately managed is ultimately a matter for the US Administration and I’ll leave it to them,” he told Sky on Thursday.

“Clearly, what we are seeing unfold on our TV screens is … concerning and unsettling and our thoughts are very much about the people of America in respect of this.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has suggested the Coalition needs to “take a breath” after the US launched a review into AUKUS.

Mr Marles accused shadow defence minister Angus Taylor of getting worked up at a “breathless press conference” in Canberra on Thursday and called for a dial-down.

“I think actually he (Angus Taylor) and the Coalition really need to take a deep breath,” he said.

“This is a pretty normal and natural step that the American Administration is taking.

“It’s utterly consistent with what we did, as a new government, what the Starmer (UK) government did as a new government.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles has said the United States’ review to “look under the hood” of AUKUS is “totally understandable” for a new administration.

“We get it together and we’ll work with them on it,” he told Sky News on Thursday.

Mr Marles stressed the financial funnel Australia delivers to the US under the security pact was “hugely beneficial” to Americans.

“This issue is such a benefit to the United States. That is deeply helpful to the US,” he said.

“This is really important for the US and I think that’s something that is understood.”

Former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey says rising tensions over defence spending likely triggered the Pentagon’s review of the AUKUS pact, pointing to ex-Trump official and AUKUS sceptic Elbridge Colby as the driving force.

“He would have seen the opportunity in the disagreement between Secretary Hegseth and Prime Minister Albanese,” Mr Hockey told ABC RN.

Mr Hockey warned Australia is “coasting along” on defence investment and urged faster action, especially on submarine readiness.

“If we do not get the Virginia class submarines in 2032, we have no submarines,” he said.

He dismissed local scepticism about partnering with the US, calling the alliance essential to Australia’s national security.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has dismissed suggestions that recent diplomatic strains between Australia and the United States triggered the Pentagon’s review of the AUKUS pact, saying the focus lies squarely on America’s industrial capacity.

Speaking to Sky News, Morrison, who helped negotiate the trilateral agreement, said he was confident the review wasn’t a reaction to Australia’s behaviour.

“It’s not about, from (Elbridge Colby’s) perspective, I’m quite certain, about anything with Australia,” he said.

“I’ve known Elbridge for some years… He’s a pretty straight shooter. He’s always been very supportive of the Australian alliance and deeply appreciative of it.”

Mr Morrison said the review was more likely about how the US could lift its own defence production to meet AUKUS obligations.

“That’s really what this is about,” he added.

The national corruption watchdog has found no evidence of corruption in a settlement paid by the Commonwealth to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins after her alleged parliament house rape.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission conducted an “extensive” preliminary investigation into the settlement Ms Higgins was paid over the alleged sexual assault by former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann.

The Commission said it issued notices, producing documents from relevant departments and legal representatives and “analysed thousands of documents tracking the claims and negotiation of the settlement”.

In a media release, the Commission said the information it obtained showed the settlement was calculated based on “advice from independent external solicitors and experienced senior and junior counsel”.

Ms Higgins received a $2.445 million settlement from the Commonwealth to finalise her complaint over the alleged sexual assault.

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Defence Minister Richard Marles has been forced to pour cold water on fears over a new Pentagon inquiry into AUKUS, insisting the Government was “very confident” the $368 billion nuclear-powered submarine program would go ahead.

The review to ensure the trilateral agreement with Australia and the UK fits with the priorities of the new Trump administration will be led by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, viewed as an AUKUS sceptic.

“We are reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President’s America First agenda,” a US official said of the decision.

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