Australia news LIVE: Labor supports Coalition’s criminal deportation plans; total COVID-19 cases continue to grow across the nation
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Key posts
- Labor votes with Scott Morrison on laws to deport criminals
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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Former diplomats, spy chiefs warn against politicising China debate
Some of Australia’s most experienced former diplomats and national security practitioners have criticised the federal government for claiming Labor would “appease” China in government, warning against the creation of artificial differences on the key national security challenge.
The head of Australia’s counter-espionage agency, ASIO, also raised concern about the politicisation of national security last night, saying it was “not helpful”.
The Coalition has ramped up its attacks on Labor over the past week, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison claiming that Labor leader Anthony Albanese would “appease” China and accusing the Opposition of being weak on national security.
More on this issue here.
Labor leader needs to ‘lead by example’ and call out sexist behaviour: outgoing Liberal MP
In case you missed it, retiring South Australian Liberal MP Nicole Flint delivered a blistering farewell speech in federal Parliament yesterday.
She took aim at left-wing men for what she described as “repetitive, sickening, sexist and misogynistic abuse” during her time in politics and called on Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese to do more to stamp out the behaviour.
Ms Flint echoed those sentiments on Seven’s breakfast show Sunrise earlier this morning.
We need bipartisan leadership. The Prime Minister is providing that leadership.
We have the trolling bill before Parliament today which I will be speaking on. We are already doing a lot of things [to tackle sexist comments and abuse].
The PM has said we need to do more. But what we really need to see is bipartisan support from the Labor Party to make sure all women are safe.
Ballarat in the running to host Commonwealth Games athletics in 2026
Ballarat is likely to be home to the athletics events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the state government began exclusive negotiations to host the event across regional Victoria, with Premier Daniel Andrews predicting the Games would be a “massive boost to growth”.
If an agreement is reached, the Games would probably be held in March, to avoid significant clashes with the AFL season.
“Ultimately, the way in which we repair the state’s finances is we get the place growing – this event would be a massive boost to growth,” Mr Andrews said yesterday.
“When these Games were held [on the] Gold Coast in 2018, they estimated there’d be about a $2 billion net economic benefit – that came in at $2.5 billion. So this makes sense.”
The state opposition and regional mayors welcomed the bid, and said the event would be a chance to show the world what Victoria has to offer.
More on the Commonwealth Games bid here.
Sydney records first fatal shark attack since 1963
Several Sydney beaches will be closed today after the city’s first fatal shark attack in almost 60 years.
A swimmer died on Wednesday afternoon after they were attacked by a shark off the rocks of Little Bay, south east of the CBD, about 4.30pm.
Police, paramedics and surf lifesavers attended and located human remains in the water.
“Unfortunately this person had suffered catastrophic injuries and there wasn’t a lot paramedics could do when we arrived,” a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said.
Labor votes with Scott Morrison on laws to deport criminals
Labor has given ground in a long fight with Prime Minister Scott Morrison over draft laws to deport convicted criminals after days of political claims in Parliament that the Opposition is weak on crime.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese voted in the House of Representatives with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to pass the changes to immigration law despite calls from the crossbench to block the bill.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese voting with the government to support changes to deportation laws.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The vote came at 7.30pm yesterday after Labor home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally confirmed hours earlier that the Opposition had decided not to vote against the bill when it was put to the lower house.
Mr Albanese and senior frontbenchers decided on Wednesday morning to abandon a position taken last year when the party opposed the government bill in part because it would inflame relations with New Zealand.
Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie and Greens leader Adam Bandt voted against the bill’s passage.
Read the full story here.
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning and thanks for your company.
It’s Thursday, February 17. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started.
- Labor has voted to support the Coalition’s draft criminal deportation laws in the House of Representatives (which could be passed by the upper house as soon as today but, as David Crowe writes, it’s more likely they’ll front the Senate after the election). It comes after the Morrison government accused the Opposition of being weak on crime. The laws will make it easier for the government of the day to deport criminals.
- Sydney has recorded its first fatal shark attack in almost 60 years. And Gladys Berejiklian’s former state seat remains too close to call. NSW yesterday reported 10,463 cases of COVID-19 and 27 deaths.
- In Victoria, the regional city of Ballarat is likely to host the athletics events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Andrews government revealed it has begun exclusive negotiations with organisers. Yesterday, Victoria reported 8149 cases of COVID-19 and 18 deaths.
- Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that COVID-related hotel quarantine in her state has come to an end. The state yesterday reported 6596 infections and 12 additional deaths.
- And in international news, the United States and NATO have rejected Russia’s claims that it has pulled troops back from the border.
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