Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson has said he would “never, ever, ever” support a coalition government with One Nation, walking back previous comments that left the door open to such an arrangement. Urging the Liberals to “get on with” setting out what they stand for, Wilson joined other senior party figures in rejecting any partnership with the rightwing populist party.
Political Fallout
After One Nation’s resounding victory in the Farrer byelection, where it easily won a seat held for 77 years by the Coalition and consigned the Liberals to 12% of the primary vote, focus has sharpened on how the Angus Taylor-led party will hold off threats on both its right and left flanks. On Sunday, Wilson raised the possibility of forming government with One Nation but on Monday he and other senior Liberal figures rejected joining forces, despite the conservative vote in Australia splintering and One Nation’s consistent outpolling of the Coalition spelling an existential threat to its survival.
AFL Racism Response
The AFL has announced it will plough funds into addressing racism as the league grapples with a drop-off in Indigenous participation. The move comes amid ongoing concerns about cultural safety and representation in Australian rules football.
Cycling Boom
Learn-to-cycle courses are booming in Australia as adults saddle up for the ‘golden age’ of biking. Whether they are rusty riders or complete beginners, more people are keen to navigate life on two wheels, including 67-year-old Jane, who had not ridden a bike since Covid lockdowns. She took part in a cycling refresher course, held for women over 50 by Stonnington council and instructors from Bike it Better.
Other News
- Jim Chalmers’ federal budget 2026: what we know so far about tax, housing, fuel and broken promises
- Australians repatriated from hantavirus-infected cruise ship to be quarantined for three weeks near Perth
- Council staff dubbed the ‘Pink Ops’ allegedly promoted friends, NSW anti-corruption watchdog hears
- Antony Catalano: media mogul accused of assaulting wife excused from attending court due to fears over press scrutiny
- Australian women accused of slavery in Islamic State territory in Syria face Melbourne court
Fashion Week
On the eve of Australian fashion week, First Nations Fashion and Design staged their first runway show in four years. Titled “Reclamation”, the collective featured the work of six Indigenous brands and designers with an all-Indigenous cast of models, closing Sunday’s show with performances from rapper Barkaa and poet Luke Currie-Richardson.
Sunday Read
Guardian Australia columnist Paul Daley takes his first holiday driving an electric vehicle, learning something beautiful along the way despite fuel insecurity due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
Comedy Spotlight
Robby Hoffman has suddenly become one of the world’s most successful comedians, with a hit Netflix special, an Emmy-nominated role in Hacks and another opposite Steve Carell. But many of her jokes raise hackles, sparking debate over whether she is a genius or an edgelord.
