News and politics recap: Hanson praises Trump’s deportation plan as ‘great way of doing it’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing pressure from his own Labor backbenchers to extend fuel tax relief that expires in less than a fortnight with petrol and diesel prices rising again as tensions flare in the Middle East.

The 16-cent-a-litre cut to excise and the GST expires on August 2, having been extended this month at a halved rate of relief that’s already contributed to higher fuel prices.

The Brent price of crude oil has now surged to $US91 a barrel ($130), the highest price since June 11, in the days before the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that has since collapsed, leading to ships being stranded again in the Strait of Hormuz.

Labor backbencher Rob Mitchell, who represents the regional electorate of McEwen north of Melbourne, said many of his constituents wanted the relief to continue as US President Donald Trump ramped up his war with Iran.

“No one’s ever going to argue for higher fuel prices,” he told The Nightly.

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Female leaders are authentic, optimistic and thoroughly modern, the Governor-General has told a London audience, as she publicly backed quotas to install more women into senior roles.

Sam Mostyn said it was these qualities that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had asked her to showcase in appointing her to be a “visible” Governor-General in 2024.

“Certainly, when I was appointed, I felt the full glare of those who did not think a woman should be appointed Governor-General,” she said.

She said it was the job of women like herself to step in.

“I do as my Prime Minister asked me to do in appointing me, which was to be modern, visible and optimistic, and I think women bring a certain series of characteristics to leadership roles. I think we are authentic, I think we are naturally optimistic, and I think we’re thoroughly modern.”

But when asked by The Nightly why women populist leaders such as One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and France’s Marine Le Pen were resonating, despite campaigning as nostalgic politicians on predominantly grievance issues, Ms Mostyn said the community was crying out for courage and compassion, not grievance.

“I’m not going to comment on the two individuals,” she said.

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She was asked by The West Australian editor-in-chief Christopher Dore about calls for mass deportations and whether it would be akin to scenes out of the United States.

“Trump said, ‘OK, all those that are in the country illegally, I’ll actually give you a one-way ticket out of the country’,” she said.

“He said then you can apply to come back in some time later but if you don’t go and we find you, you will never get back to the country again.

“Over two million took that runway ticket and 600,000 they had round up. I think that’s a great way of doing it.”

Pauline Hanson was forced to defend a One Nation candidate after he was questioned over a deleted social media video that appeared to show him speeding, using a Perth press conference to ask him directly whether police had taken any action.

The exchange came after the One Nation leader addressed The West Australian’s Leadership Matters event before fronting reporters alongside WA Secret Harbour by-election candidate Luke Herdegen.

“Let me ask you a question. Did you get pulled up and get a speeding ticket?” Senator Hanson asked Herdegen.

“I have before been pulled up and got a speeding ticket,” he replied. Hanson then clarified: “No, this video clip?”

When Mr Herdegen answered, “No,” Senator Hanson concluded: “Oh, ok so no problem.”

Pauline Hanson has announced she will embark on a national listening tour for the remainder of 2026, saying One Nation’s next election policies will be shaped by the concerns Australians raise along the way.

Speaking at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters event in Perth on Tuesday, the One Nation leader said she would travel the country asking people a single question, “What’s holding you back?”

“We will be asking one question. What’s holding you back? You. Your business. Your family. Our country. After that, we will take these answers and One Nation will put forward its full plan of policies for the next election. Built on what Australians actually told us,” she said.

Senator Hanson said she wanted to help return Australia to a nation that “makes things, builds things, and rewards the people who take a risk”, adding, “We can hand our kids a better deal than we got, instead of the other way around. That’s what’s happening now, for the first time in our history. The country is heading in the wrong direction. This Labor government is making us poorer, weaker and less safe. It’s time to fix that. Now it’s your turn to talk. What’s holding you back?”

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Perth venue during the address, with a heavy police presence surrounding the event.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has come to Barnaby Joyce’s defence after the veteran MP’s on-air interview was interrupted by his barking dog, prompting him to yell “sit down” during a live appearance on the ABC’s 7.30.

The moment quickly went viral, with Mr Joyce apologising moments later before continuing the interview.

Senator Hanson brushed off the incident on social media, sharing the clip with a light-hearted response.

“You have to love live TV from home,” she wrote.

“Poor Barnaby had to put up with his dog distracting him, during an already hostile ABC interview.”

The Federal Government has announced a $25 million support package for Gaza, aimed at helping rebuild the territory while strengthening Palestinian institutions as part of broader international recovery efforts. The funding includes $15 million for the UN Horizon Fund alongside France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as $10 million for the World Bank’s Palestinian Fund for Reconstruction and Development to bolster the Palestinian Authority’s financial management.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the package was focused on long-term recovery and governance.

“This package demonstrates Australia’s practical commitment to Palestinian recovery, reform and institution-building. Hamas can play no role in the State of Palestine,” she said.

“A lasting peace requires legitimate governance, economic opportunity and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has ruled out any prospect of a merger between the South Australian Liberals and One Nation, dismissing speculation sparked by reports that Liberal senator Alex Antic was pushing for closer ties between the parties.

Speaking at a press conference in Paradise Point, Queensland, Mr Taylor said the Liberal Party would remain independent in South Australia.

“I can assure you of that. The Liberal Party is strong in South Australia and will remain strong in South Australia, and there won’t be any kind of coalition,” Mr Taylor said.

Asked whether he would speak to Senator Antic about the reports, Mr Taylor said he had already made his position clear, reiterating that a merger “won’t be happening.”

Barnaby Joyce says he does not know whether mining magnate Gina Rinehart paid for Pauline Hanson’s recent trip to Sicily, insisting he has no interest in finding out.

Speaking to the ABC’s 7.30 from Tamworth, Mr Joyce said any sponsored travel would ultimately be disclosed through the appropriate parliamentary processes.

“I don’t know whether that’s the case,” Mr Joyce said.

“I suggested that it probably is, but I don’t know, Sarah. So I haven’t confirmed it. Maybe she paid for it all herself. I don’t occupy my day worrying about what Pauline has paid for or hasn’t paid for. If she hasn’t paid for it, you’ll be able to see it, Sarah. It’ll be on the declaration of interest like everything else is.”

Asked what Ms Rinehart gained from her relationship with One Nation, Mr Joyce replied, “She doesn’t get anything. She’s never asked me for anything. I’ve never offered her anything.”

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy has defended the government’s decision to reserve accommodation for a pre-COP31 climate meeting in Fiji, dismissing criticism over the multimillion-dollar bookings as a “beat-up”.

He said the hotel rooms had simply been reserved for international delegates and that most of the costs would ultimately be recovered from the foreign governments attending the summit.

“Most of the costs will be recovered from foreign leaders and their delegations coming to those hotels and paying for their rooms. We’ve just reserved as you do when you organise these conferences,” Mr Conroy said.

He also argued the meeting was strategically important for Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, adding, “Other countries like China are trying to become good friends with the Pacific. If we’re not seen to be taking strong action on climate change, we cede ground to other countries, we cede influence and that makes Australia less safe.”