The Coalition has announced it will support a One Nation bill to prevent Australian citizens linked to overseas terrorist groups from returning to Australia. The decision, revealed on Wednesday, marks a significant policy shift for the opposition, which had previously pledged to fight Pauline Hanson's insurgent rightwing movement.
Coalition backs One Nation policy
Nationals leader Matt Canavan and opposition leader Angus Taylor confirmed their support for the bill, which would bar Australians with terror links from returning home. The move aligns the Coalition with One Nation's stance on national security, a topic that has gained prominence in Australian politics.
According to reports, the Coalition's backing comes despite earlier promises to counter Hanson's political influence. The bill is expected to be introduced in parliament, where it will likely face debate over its implications for civil liberties and national security.
Syrian court sentences Assad to death
In international news, a Syrian court has sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the country's 14-year civil war. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, marks a symbolic step in holding the regime accountable for its actions.
The court's decision follows years of conflict that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. Assad, who was ousted from power, remains outside Syria, and the sentence is unlikely to be enforced immediately.
RBA holds rates, signals caution
Domestically, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held interest rates at 4.35% on Tuesday, with governor Michele Bullock stating that 'inflation remains too high.' The decision was widely expected, but analysts are interpreting the RBA's messaging as a signal that future rate hikes may be on the table.
Patrick Commins, writing for Guardian Australia, compared the RBA's approach to parents making threats to get their kids to behave, hoping they won't have to follow through. The central bank's stance suggests it is prepared to act if inflation does not moderate.
Other key developments
In other news, delivery drivers in Australia will receive a minimum rate of $31.30 per hour and be insured for injuries under a landmark agreement approved by the industrial umpire. The deal aims to provide an 'industry-wide safety net' for gig economy workers.
Meanwhile, a lobbyist under investigation by the NSW corruption watchdog has admitted to commissioning a 'shit sheet' on a former Liberal MP to discredit them. The admission came during Icac hearings, highlighting ongoing concerns about political integrity.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected calls to apologise to Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, over a joke about her gift of melons, amid accusations of sexual innuendo. The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions, but Albanese maintains no apology is needed.
Global and cultural updates
Colombian rescue workers are racing to find survivors after the country's deadliest earthquake this century killed at least 240 people and left at least 3,000 missing. The disaster has prompted a massive search and rescue operation, with officials emphasising that 'every minute counts'.
In the United States, Donald Trump reportedly hid in an airport catering container to board a secret flight in Turkey last month due to an Iranian threat, according to US media reports. The elaborate ruse underscores ongoing security concerns for the former president.
In entertainment, The Office actor Lucy Davis, 53, revealed she has incurable stage-four breast cancer, but says humour is helping her cope. Music streaming platform Spotify will label 'AI persona' artists and exclude them from algorithm recommendations as part of a crackdown on fake performers.
In Australian music, dozens of women who worked for Ralph Carr Management have accused the convicted rapist of verbally abusive and intimidating behaviour dating back to the 1990s. Some accuse him of sexual harassment, though Carr denies the claims and maintains his innocence regarding his rape conviction.
Finally, Australian singer-songwriter Grace Cummings is returning with a new album, Bloodhorse!, which deals with themes of identity, gaslighting, manipulation, and betrayal. The release follows a period of 'incredible pain and change' for the artist.
