What we learned today, Saturday 24 June
We’re wrapping up the live blog now.
Here’s what made the news today:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said Russia should withdraw from Ukraine amid reports the Wagner chief has called for a mutiny on Russia’s military.
Australia has sanctioned three men involved in the downing of MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. The sanctions target Russian Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko, and a Russian colonel, Sergey Muchkaev, whose brigade supplied the missile which hit the plane.
Pro-Russia protesters have marched on Kirribilli House over the decision to block a new Russian embassy from being built near Parliament House in Canberra. The AFP is monitoring a Russian diplomat squatting in a shed on the site, but cannot arrest him due to diplomatic immunity.
The Midnight Oil frontman and former Labor cabinet minister Peter Garrett has again condemned Australia’s security deal with the US and UK, calling the $368bn Aukus agreement costly and risky.
Until tomorrow, enjoy your evening.
Updated
NSW Liberal leader aims to attract younger voters after election loss
The NSW Liberal leader, Mark Speakman, attended the first major meeting of state party members since losing the March election on Saturday, AAP reports.
Speakman told over 500 attendees at the NSW Liberal council in Sydney that the party aims to attract younger voters and reclaim government in 2027.
“It is a challenge for our party to attract younger voters, and that’s exactly what I intend to do,” Speakman said.
The Liberals currently have six MPs under the age of 35, while Labor has none, which Speakman said should give his cohort an advantage.
“We want to be listening, engaging with young people to get their ideas to make sure that we’re responsive to their concerns,” he said.
The NSW opposition will put cost of living pressures high on its agenda as it seeks to hold the government accountable, with Speakman slamming a decision to scrap the First Home Buyer Choice from 1 July.
Updated
