News and politics live updates: PM pressed on melon remarks as Minns intervenes, Senate forces letter release

The government is facing mounting pressure for answers after 147 drone breaches were recorded at Australian Defence Force bases across the country in just one year.

Department of Defence data shows incursions have surged from 21 in 2022/23 to 60 in 2023/24 and 147 in the 2024/25 financial year.

The dramatic increase was exposed after multiple unidentified drones entered restricted airspace above RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, between July 11 and 13.

The base houses many of Australia’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, among the most advanced military aircraft in the world.

Defence personnel reportedly observed a swarm near the facility’s northern gate, but the drones were not shot down, and authorities have not publicly identified who was operating them.

Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Personnel Phillip Thompson OAM called for an urgent investigation on Sunrise on Thursday, warning Australia’s military facilities are being “treated like a playground” by unidentified drone operators.

“We’re not talking about one drone overhead. We’re talking about a swarm. So, upwards of 20 drones over the top of our military bases around the country, taking photos, videoing, and sending it back to... who?” Thompson said.

“That’s why it needs to be exposed, and an investigation must occur, because this isn’t just about national security of equipment. National security is our people, and we’ve got these drones filming them and taking photos; it’s not good.”

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A Coalition frontbencher has refused to say if Opposition Leader Angus Taylor approved of a key speech where he freelanced on tax and immigration policy.

Andrew Bragg, the Opposition’s shadow minister for housing, on Thursday declined to confirm if his boss approved of his National Press Club speech.

“Well, I’m not going into personal interactions with colleagues. I don’t think you would expect me to,” he told ABC Radio National.

On Wednesday, Senator Bragg called for the top marginal tax rate to be cut from 45 per cent to at least 39 per cent, and suggested annual net overseas migration needed to be cut to 180,000, down from 301,000 last year.

“The top tax rates for individuals are too high and should have a 3 in front of them, just as the taxes on small businesses are too high,” he told the National Press Club in Canberra.

“Assuming Labor sticks to this Budget profile, it means the specific shortfall relating to housing created under Labor can be closed over the Budget forward estimates period by averaging a NOM of under 180,000.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has again been grilled over the “Melongate” saga and the hand gesture he used during his controversial podcast appearance, insisting he had already addressed the issue and pointing to his relationship with Japan’s Prime Minister.

“I’ve answered this question many times. The fact is, the fact is that the Japanese Prime Minister and I have a very good relationship. The Japanese ambassador has made very clear statements about how warm our dinner was.”

But NSW Premier Chris Minns quickly jumped in as reporters continued to press Mr Albanese, urging them to focus instead on the $2.5 billion Tomago announcement.

“Mate, go and ask a thousand workers what they care about. This is the biggest announcement for this region in a generation - can we talk about that for five minutes?”

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used questions over the $2.5 billion Tomago deal to take aim at Australia’s history of buying major infrastructure from overseas, arguing the country has already learned the hard way what can happen when manufacturing is sent offshore.

He pointed to ferries purchased under the former NSW Liberal government, joking that, “if they went down the Parramatta River and people were standing on top they would be decapitated by the bridges”, as well as trains and light rail plagued by problems.

Mr Albanese said those failures, combined with the supply chain shocks experienced during COVID and more recently in the Strait of Hormuz, strengthened the case for keeping critical production onshore.

“We need to make things here, in Australia. That is the lesson of COVID, and in so many areas, and my government has a strong agenda for a future made in Australia.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has declared Labor will “never turn its back on the town that built Australia” as he backed the $2.5 billion deal to secure the future of the Tomago aluminium smelter.

“This is too important for our state, too important for Australia and today’s announcement is a shot in the arm when it comes to confidence in this region,” Mr Minns said, arguing keeping the facility open was critical for manufacturing, sovereign capability and thousands of jobs.

“If we’re serious and with a straight face are making the claim that Australia is a place that builds things, Tomago has to remain open,” he said.

Mr Minns said the smelter generated more than $2 billion in economic value, including $800 million locally, adding, “This region has a proud history and brighter future. That is secured with today’s announcement.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking at Tomago, declaring the $2.5 billion government rescue package will secure the future of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter and protect thousands of jobs across the Hunter.

“At the end of last year I came here and said ‘We have got your back’ to the workers at this facility. We have worked with the Minns Labor Government here in New South Wales to make sure that this facility has a future that is not only it being able to survive but it thriving into the future.”

Mr Albanese said the funding, split equally between the Federal and NSW governments, would support 1000 direct and 5000 indirect jobs while helping deliver additional clean energy.

“We cannot afford to be at the end of supply chains. We need to be a country that makes things and there is nowhere better in Australia that has a history of making things than the Newcastle and Hunter regions.”

Tasmania has recorded its first case of H5 bird flu after a brown skua collected by Biosecurity Tasmania at Rocky Cape on the state’s north-west coast returned a positive result.

Federal MP Gavin Pearce said authorities were prepared to respond, with surveillance, biosecurity planning and work with the poultry industry already underway.

“It is important that we are clear there is no evidence - there is no evidence of an outbreak and there is no detection in commercial poultry in Tasmania at this time.”

Mr Pearce stressed the risk to humans remained low and urged Tasmanians not to touch sick or dead wildlife.

“Human infection of H5 bird flu is extremely rare. It doesn’t spread easily from animals to people but illness can occur if people are not careful.”

He urged anyone who spots a sick bird or other wildlife to “avoid it”, record the species and location and report the sighting to authorities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed workers at the Tomago aluminium smelter after the Federal and NSW governments committed billions to secure the future of Australia’s largest aluminium facility.

Mr Albanese said the agreement would protect 1000 direct jobs and another 5000 indirect jobs across the Hunter.

“This announcement today secures the future of this facility. An example as well of governments working with the private sector to make sure that we are not at the end of supply chains, making sure there is a future made right here in Australia and a future made right here in the Hunter.”

Mr Albanese thanked workers for their contribution and said keeping aluminium production in Australia was critical to the country’s future.

“Aluminium is an essential product and will be more important into the future,” he said.

“But most importantly, you make our nation stronger. Thank you for what you do.”

The Prime Minister is expected to front a press conference from Tomago later this morning; stay with us for live updates.

US President Donald Trump has declared that America has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested the United States could keep its grip on the critical shipping route as he unleashed a blistering attack on Iran.

In a fiery Truth Social post, Mr Trump claimed the US naval blockade had become a “WALL OF STEEL” that Tehran was powerless to overcome, while painting a dire picture of Iran’s military, economy and leadership.

“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Mr Trump wrote.

“Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, ‘A WALL OF STEEL,’ and there is nothing Iran can do about it.”

The President went on to claim Iran had been left without an effective navy or air force and that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been decimated.

“They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, their remaining soldiers are unpaid, the IRGC is decimated and fleeing, and their ‘Leadership’ is uncertain, at best!” he wrote.

Mr Trump also took aim at Iran’s economy, claiming the country had “No Money” and was battling soaring inflation.

“Their country is ‘shot.’ All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse!”

The Strait of Hormuz has been at the centre of escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the strategically important waterway serving as a crucial route for global energy supplies.

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Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has rejected comments from failed South Australian One Nation candidate Parminder Singh, who claimed gay Australians had a mental illness, while arguing some members of the community were turning towards the Coalition.

“I’m not going to comment on One Nation members or candidates, only to say that Australia’s gay community is not mentally ill as this One Nation candidate purports. You know, the gay community is politically diverse,” Senator McKenzie told Today.

“Many are joining the National Party and the Liberal Party because they’re sick of a very, very bad Labor government. But I think for many in the gay community, they are joining the National Party because they, like we, are very concerned about Islamic extremism and the impact it has on their daily lives. I think that is why political movements like the Nationals and the Liberals have a plan to deport hate preachers, if we get the great opportunity to come to government.”

Her comments come after One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also distanced himself from Mr Singh’s remarks on Wednesday, claiming the minor party was “one of the gayest parties in Australia”.

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