What we learned: Friday 13 February
We will wrap up the live blog here for the evening.
This is what made the news:
Angus Taylor has been elected the new leader of the Liberal party, defeating Sussan Ley in a partyroom ballot.
Jane Hume was elected deputy, defeating incumbent deputy Ted O’Brien.
Ley announced she would retire from politics, triggering a by-election in her seat of Farrer.
It will likely be a hotly-contested byelection, with One Nation, the independent from the last election, and Nats all likely to run against the Liberals.
In his first speech as leader, Taylor signalled the Liberal party would focus on lowering the rate of immigration and said if “someone doesn’t subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut”.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said people describe Taylor as “the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met”.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, said of the leadership change that it was the “different jockey, same dead horse.”
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said there is no room for complacency on closing the gap.
NSW’s independent police oversight body says it will conduct an investigation into the operation at a protest against Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit at Sydney town hall on Monday, including “alleged misconduct”.
The destruction of Australian war graves by Israeli Defense Force bulldozers in Gaza will be investigated by the Israeli government, the country’s president has promised.
New South Wales police charged a 45-year-old man for allegedly following Herzog across Sydney this week.
Five reptiles, one marsupial, a fish, an insect, a mollusc and twenty-five plants (including a seaweed) have been added to Australia’s threatened species list.
Until next time.
Updated
Taylor has a mandate, Liberal MP says
Liberal MP Andrew Wallace is next up on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing. He was a Sussan Ley supporter, but said he hopes the party can draw a line under the leadership now.
As a result of today, the results were an emphatic outcome, a very supportive outcome and Jane Hume and [Angus Taylor] now have a mandate. He has a licence to put his stamp of approval on new policies to take us forward and I look to being part of that team.
Wallace said he walked in with Ley as he is a loyal person, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He said he believes Ley is the best person for the job and wanted to demonstrate that.
The party room has spoken and, you know, I support the leader.
He said he hasn’t spoken to Taylor about keeping the shadow attorney general role, and said it was up to Taylor.
He’s got bigger fish to fry at the moment, Olivia. I’ll give him space and if Angus sees a future for in whatever he sees appropriate then, you know, I’ll accept that. But that’s a matter entirely for Angus and I respect the outcome.
Updated
Hogan says potential Nationals candidate in Farrer ‘not unhealthy’
Hogan says a decision on whether the Nationals will run a candidate in Farrer against the Liberals is a decision to be made by the NSW Nationals, but he said it would be a healthy contest if they do.
I don’t think it’s unhealthy that we run three-cornered candidates where we run both Nationals and Liberals candidates.
[Ley’s retirement] means the seat is open for both parties to run. We obviously preference each other and that, in some cases can be helpful. I’ll for the New South Wales state division to make that decision [that] wouldn’t rule out a three-cornered contest and in some cases, that can be helpful.
Updated
Smoother relationship for Coalition, Nats deputy says
The National’s deputy leader, Kevin Hogan, said the Nationals are looking forward to working with new Liberal leader Angus Taylor and deputy Jane Hume. He told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing:
I know Angus, [a] very exceptionally impressive work history before politics. He’s a very smart guy, has a lot of capacity. We are looking forward to work[ing with] Angus …
As a Nat, I’ve learned a long time ago, I do not comment [on] the Liberal party’s choices about who is the best candidate in leadership. We respect [their] decision. We respect their decision today and [look forward] very much to working with both Angus and with Jane.
He said it will be a smoother ride from here for the Coalition, following codifying issues around legislation following the hate speech laws.
The relationship, I think, is going to be much smoother going forward, albeit we are two distinct parties and there will always times and issues and things that are problematic for us to deal with. We have codified the process which means the relationship will be smooth going forward, I believe.
Updated
Joyce on potential One Nation addition to Coalition: it would depend on policy
Joyce says One Nation has many who are asking to be put up as candidates. He said Pauline Hanson will work with the local branch members for candidates.
Joyce asked about Angus Taylor’s comments on immigration, he said Taylor did not quantify how much immigration should be reduced, and what standards should be put on immigration.
Asked whether One Nation could be in Coalition with the Liberal party, it will come down to a discussion on policy, focusing on One Nation voters and members.
He said Peter Dutton’s style of politics failed at the last election because he appeared amorphous, which seemed similar to Labor:
We don’t set out for them to not like us but people have a strong opinion about One Nation because they know exactly what we stand for and that’s why the vote is growing. And because people want you to be electorally honest with them as to exactly who you are. That’s what One Nation does.
Updated
Liberal change a reaction to One Nation, Joyce says
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce says the change in leadership of the Liberal party is a reaction to One Nation’s rise in the polls. He tells ABC’s Afternoon Briefing that there has been a rise in One Nation support due to “One Nation’s clarity, its unity”.
He congratulated Angus Taylor and wished Sussan Ley the best, noting she had been given a poisoned chalice in being leader after the election loss.
On Taylor’s speech, he said Taylor did not define what the values and principles of the party are, and said Taylor should define “what is a wrong immigrant”. He said there were “motherhood statements”.
I understand they don’t want to make a mistake on the presser but they’re going to judged by the details of the policy, not the overarching placat[ing of] people’s feelings, because people aren’t that stupid. They’re going to look down at the details.
He said the Farrer byelection would be interesting for any implications for the Murray-Darling plan, and noted it would coincide with the SA election. He said it will also mean policies on the plan from both the Nationals and the Liberals.
Updated
Watt rejects calls to declare Maugean skate critically endangered
The environment minister, Murray Watt, has rejected calls for the conservation status of the Maugean skate to be upgraded to critically endangered and said the skate would retain its existing endangered listing.
The skate is an ancient ray-like species found only in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, where salmon farming is the main threat to its survival.
Watt announced the decision on Friday as political attention in Canberra was focused on the Coalition’s leadership change.
Watt said his decision was informed by advice from the independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which advises the government on listings decisions. The reassessment followed a public nomination for the species to be uplisted.
Watt said the International Union for the Conservation of Nature had used similar assessment criteria for its international red list of species and late last year also determined the skate should retain a listing of endangered:
The Australian government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the Maugean skate does not go extinct on our watch.
This decision does not change the need to undertake critical actions for the Maugean skate and its home in Macquarie Harbour.
Watt’s decision sits against a backdrop of criticism of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour and a legal challenge to legislation passed last year that prevented the impact of salmon farming on the skate from being assessed under national environmental laws.
Updated
Here’s the video of the outgoing opposition leader, Sussan Ley, speaking earlier today.
Updated
Independent who lost to Ley to contest seat of Farrer
Michelle Milthorpe, who ran against Sussan Ley at the last election recording a two-party preferred vote of just over 43%, has said she will stand as an independent candidate in the byelection triggered by Ley’s resignation from politics.
She said:
For too long, the people of Farrer have been left wanting.
Party politics too often gets in the way of practical outcomes. Our communities deserve a reliable and relatable representative; someone who listens, understands our regional context, and is prepared to do the work in Canberra to make policy better reflect life in rural and regional Australia.
She acknowledged Ley’s contribution to public life, but said the undermining of Ley’s leadership meant the Coalition had sidelined regional communities while focusing on itself.
As a rural, remote and regional electorate, we feel the burden of floods, fires and droughts first - and hardest. We live with the consequences of water mismanagement and infrastructure neglect.
We need strong, principled leadership that advocates fiercely for practical solutions that reflect the needs of regional and rural communities, and delivers outcomes that make a real difference in people’s lives. I am that person.
Updated
Israel promises to investigate destruction of Australian war graves in Gaza
The destruction of Australian war graves by Israeli Defense Force bulldozers in Gaza will be investigated by the Israeli government, the country’s president has promised, after Australia’s prime minister raised the issue with him in meetings.
The Guardian last week reported that most of the graves destroyed by Israeli military earthmoving in the middle of the last year were those holding the remains of Australian soldiers killed during WWII.
The Gaza Commonwealth War Cemetery, in the Tuffah area of Gaza city, has been extensively damaged by shelling, but also by Israeli forces bulldozing headstones, and building an earthen berm through the middle of the cemetery.
Descendants of Australian diggers buried there said they were outraged by the desecration and the government inaction in protecting Australia’s war dead.
Updated
Hanson promises more polices pre-election
Ending the press conference, Pauline Hanson says more policies will come before the election. She also expresses a preference to do away with full preferential voting, and would not say how many people had signed up to be members of One Nation in recent months except for “a lot”.
Updated
Hanson says there will be process to determine One Nation candidate in Farrer byelection
On One Nation’s chances in the Farrer by-election caused by Sussan Ley’s pending exit from parliament, Pauline Hanson says there have been a lot of expressions of interest from people wanting to run for One Nation but there will be a process.
The branch in Farrer is the second-largest in [the] country that we have. So I want the branch to be involved in want to see as their candidate.
She said the party had grown since the last election in polling but the real test will be the day of voting.
It’s going to be a test for the Liberal party as well, whether they hold that seat. And if you look at Angus Taylor, [as] he mentioned in his conference, know, about Farrer, about the real issues.
But it’s the water issues, the Murray-Darling, the farmers can’t get access to water. You know communities. Communities rely on the water. Plus also they rely on the farming sector which brings money to the towns. So these are very important.
Updated
Hanson says Liberal or National defectors won’t ‘automatically get a foot in the door’
Hanson said she has not heard from Liberal MPs or senators wanting to defect to One Nation, but she said:
You’d think they would because the Liberal party [is] down 15%, they’d be very concerned.
She said it was “a little too little, too late” in putting in Angus Taylor as the Liberal leader.
People may want to come across to One Nation. If they do approach me, they won’t automatically get a foot in the door. I’m going to look their past record … what they’ve fought for, what they’ve said on the floor of parliament. Are they going for the communities? Do they have the Australian values at heart or are they just career politicians that just want to make sure they don’t lose their seats?
Similarly Hanson said other Nats or LNP MPs other than Barnaby Joyce haven’t queried about defecting. Hanson said Joyce was sidelined by the Nats and “he felt worthless” but now he was a “different person”.
He’s got a spring in his step. He’s enjoying being a member of parliament again and he’s enjoying being with the party that he can have a voice on the real issues that matter to him.
Updated
Hanson on Liberal spill: 'different jockey, same dead horse'
The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, is speaking in Brisbane following the Liberal leadership change.
Hanson is asked whether now the Liberal party has a more conservative leader, if she is worried it will cost her votes. She says:
They’ve changed the leader, but they’re still on a dead horse.
And when I hear all the time from Sussan Ley and as I’m hearing from Angus Taylor is motherhood statements … the people have had enough. They are hurting and they want strong leadership.
Hanson says people who were Liberal party members for years and decades are coming to her and saying ‘no more’, with the biggest issue being migration.
And you’ve got nearly 70% plus of people want lower immigration and nothing’s been done about it. So like I said, different jockey, same dead horse.
Updated
34 species added to threatened species list
Five reptiles, one marsupial, a fish, an insect, a mollusc and twenty-five plants (including a seaweed) have been added to Australia’s threatened species list.
The new listings include the lemuroid ringtail possum (endangered), the glossy grass skink (vulnerable), which has declined due to clearing of its habitat in north-east Tasmania, and the Mt Donna Buang wingless stonefly, which is found in a single square kilometre area on Mt Donna Buang, east of Melbourne. It is the only Australian stonefly that hatches in the snow and is highly vulnerable to a heating climate.
Sixteen of the plants, including the Myall Creek wattle, entered the list at critically endangered, the most urgent status before extinction.
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s Jess Abrahams said:
Australia has so many unusual and amazing species, yet an increasing number are threatened with extinction.
Updated
Students for Palestine back LECC investigation
Students for Palestine has backed the announcement an independent inquiry will investigate reports of police brutality at a Sydney protest against Isaac Herzog’s visit as the “first step” to hold the force accountable for alleged violence.
But its Sydney co-convenor, Shovan Bhattarai, said responsibility should also be laid at the feet of those who ordered an authorised the operation, including the premier, Chris Minns, the minister for police, Yasmine Catley and the police commissioner, Mal Lanyon.
“ICE-style police brutality is steadily being normalised under the Minns Labor government, where protest is treated as a crime while Israel’s genocide in Gaza is not. We have a right and a responsibility to stand up and protest against the perpetrators of genocide. The police who brutalised activists on Monday must be charged, and the ministers who gave the authorisation must resign.”
Taylor says ‘we need to put faith in Australians to invest in the future of their businesses’
Rounding out the press conference, Hume was asked whether she would seek the shadow treasury portfolio but she said she would not say until she had spoken to Taylor in the coming days.
Taylor was also asked why he thought the populist nationalist, anti-globalisation approach would not work for his party. He said:
The starting point for me on this is that we need to put faith in Australia, Australians to invest in the future of their businesses, and in doing that, they invest in their communities, and they invest in this country, and in the process, they employ people, they serve customers, they pay suppliers.
And we are all better off [for] that, but that can only come if we give the freedom and confidence to our businesses, small and large in this country. Big government is not the answer here. That’s been Anthony Albanese’s answer, and it’s failed. We see it everywhere we go.
We can do better, and I am confident that by putting faith back in the hands or putting faith in Australians, we can have a strong economy where standards of living are rising, our incomes are rising. We can pay our bills, we can pay our mortgages, and we can own homes. That’s what I want to say.
Updated
Taylor dodges question on how he will test whether people coming to Australia hate the country
Asked how he will test whether people coming to Australia hate the country, Taylor said coming to Australia is “one of the greatest gifts a human being could have ever received”:
This is the greatest country on Earth, and for someone to come here, it is an enormous gift, and I am absolutely sure that the vast majority of people who come to this country understand it, that if people want to come to this country who don’t believe in democracy, don’t believe in the rule of law and don’t believe in our basic freedoms, that is a problem, and it is unacceptable.
The truth is that some people do not want to change in order to fit with our core values. And those core values are pretty simple. They’re pretty fundamental, and they have stood the test of time for a great nation.
On the timing of the challenge around the apology anniversary breakfast, and meeting on the day of Katie Allen’s funeral, Taylor said no one wanted the Liberal party in its current position:
The reality is, there’s always a lot going on, some very important things going on every day in this place and around the country, but the decision was made by my colleagues, and it was clear that it was time for a reset. I’m humbled that that resulted in me becoming a leader. I’m sure I know Jane feels the same way about becoming a deputy leader, and we respect those important events that have been happening over recent days.
Updated
Taylor says he has ‘seen what good immigration can do’ but ‘standards have been too low’
On how the Liberal party might outflank One Nation, Taylor said he always believed migration is good for the country:
I grew up in a town not far south here, which was a migrant town, and I saw what it brought to the country. We had the first great cappuccinos in this country, and it was a wonderful, wonderful thing south of here.
So I’ve seen what good immigration can do, but we don’t want that. It has, as I said earlier, it’s been too high, the numbers and the standards have been too low, and that must change.
Hume was asked about her comments regarding “Chinese spies” handing out for Labor at the last election. Hume said those comments were “out of line”:
The comments that I made two days before the election were out of line. They were … look at the breakfast TV program where I said a throwaway line regarding foreign interference, or reported foreign interference in the Labor party during an election, they have been taken massively out of context.
Labor did a great job recognising that against us, and I have, in fact, apologised to those that were offended by that they were ill-considered remarks.
Of course, we are going to build relations with everything, because let’s face it, the Liberal party’s for all Australians, not a sectional interest like the other parties.
We’re not a party of reactionary responses, the way that One Nation is. We’re a party that responds, listens and responds, but doesn’t react.
Updated
Taylor laughs off Well Done Angus meme
Taylor is asked about the infamous “well done Angus” meme that has resurfaced this week around his leadership challenge.
Taylor said:
Look, I have passed mugs around the press gallery with that on it. People want to congratulate me, as they seem to like doing.
Updated
Asked whether the Liberal party was at risk of becoming “One Nation-lite” Taylor said he wasn’t seeking that.
He said:
Well, you know we are not seeking to be One Nation-lite, absolutely not, but we respect the fact that those voters who might be thinking about one nation have reasons for wanting to do so, and we have to restore their confidence in us.
We do need to focus on protecting Australia’s way of life, but we also need to focus on what we know works in an economy, which is, if you put faith in Australians to invest in the future of our country, they will do it, and they will do it.
Taylor said releasing the election review was a matter for the party. On the Farrer by-election, he said it “will be tough” and there is a need to restore confidence in the party.
Asked whether this would take the party right, Taylor and Hume tried not to get labelled on left, right or centre. Hume said:
We’re going to take the Liberal party forward, not left, not right.
Taylor says he will not announce shadow ministry positions today
On whether Ted O’Brien would remain shadow treasurer, Taylor said he would not announce shadow ministry positions today.
But I will say that Ted is that is a marvellous contributor to our team.
Hume was also asked about the end of working-from-home policy at the last election. She said it was also acknowledged that opposing the policy was a mistake at the time, and it was a position the party abandoned before the election.
On whether he has a message for One Nation, Taylor said he speaks to people who have or may be thinking of shifting their vote to One Nation:
We understand and you’re disappointed with us, we understand that we need to do better to restore your confidence in us. We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that you see those core liberal values, those core liberal priorities, back front and centre in what we talk about every day, and that includes restoring Australian standard of living and protecting their way of life, because that’s what I think Australians want to see.
Updated
Taylor repeats ‘Australians first’ line as he says immigration policy will be for ‘lower numbers and higher standards’
Asked about immigration policy, Taylor said the immigration numbers are “too high and standards have been too low”:
And our policy will be for lower numbers and for higher standards. But, crucially - and is policy will also be about putting Australians first.
Asked whether Australians are less free – as he has said before – he talked about new regulations on businesses.
Taylor admits he made a “mistake” as shadow treasurer at the last election in not supporting personal income tax cuts.
Well, can I say, I think what we’ve learned, I said this earlier, is that we need to be the party of lower taxes, including lower personal income taxes. I think that was a mistake. I made that point some time back.
Updated
Asked whether Taylor had fallen into the “Malcolm Turnbull” trap by focusing on polling – which ultimately worked against him – Taylor said he had “great respect for the pollsters” but speaking to Australians in his electorate or around the country, there was a need for a reset.
On whether toppling the Liberal party’s first female leader will cost votes with women, Taylor said his focus is on bringing back people who didn’t vote for the Liberals last time – male or female.
We have lost voters across the board, all age groups. It’s up to us and my job, and the team’s job, to roll up the sleeves and get hard on delivering to and holding this rotten Labor government to account.
Taylor says first priority ‘restoring Australian’s standard of living’
We have now moved to questions. Taylor is asked what his number one priority is, and whether he white-anted Sussan Ley’s leadership. Taylor said his first priority is restoring Australia’s standard of living, which he said “has collapsed under a rotten Labor government”
They do not know how to manage this economy, [the] result is Australians are getting poorer, their standard of living [is] going backwards - not just in absolute terms, but relative to peer countries around the world. And this has been an economic disaster [for] Australians.
The second is “protecting our way of life”.
On Ley, he said he had supported Ley’s leadership.
Updated
New deputy leader Hume says Liberal party will be ‘party for all Australians’
Turning to the deputy leader, Jane Hume, she says it will be her mission to ensure a bright future for the Liberal party.
The Liberal party is a party of hope, and it is party of aspiration. But most importantly, it is a party for all Australians. Together with Angus as our leader, we will be talking about that every day and taking that message across the country.
Hume says every family will know a young person who has lost hope, and says Labor has “failed Australians”:
Under Angus Taylor, Australians will see a Liberal party that focuses on them - a party that listens and responds to the issues that matter. And I know this because I know Angus. He is smart, he dedicated, and he … never gives up.
Updated
The full quote from Angus Taylor
Just circling back earlier, here is the full quote from Taylor on immigration:
We’ll stand for an immigration policy that puts the interests of Australians first and puts Australian values at the centre of that policy. If someone doesn’t subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut. If someone was to import the hatred and violence of another place to Australia, the door must be shut.
Updated
New opposition leader says if 'someone doesn't subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut'
Rounding out his speech, Taylor says the Liberals will stand for an immigration policy “that puts the interests of Australians first, and puts Australian values at the centre of our policy”. He said:
If someone doesn’t subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut.
He said Liberals will stand for lower inflation, lower interest rates, and lower taxes. Stating the party will “fight Labor’s bad taxes … on our children’s future”.
We know that government must live within its means, so Australians have the means to live. Moreover, our goal is to grow the economy so that it delivers for you - and that means giving confidence Australian businesses to invest.
He singles out “net-zero ideology” and says the Coalition will “get rid of Labor’s bad carbon taxes on the family vehicle, on manufacturing” and electricity.
Under my leadership, the Liberals will nurture national confidence and love for our country. We’ll focus things the unite us - family, community, and nation. And that revitalisation starts today.
His message to the PM is that the Liberals will fight on “every bad tax, every reckless spending policy that drives up inflation and keeps interest rates higher for longer”:
The Liberal party is under new leadership, and with that leadership will come change, because our country needs change for better.
Updated
Taylor signals Liberal party will focus on immigration and claims Labor has ‘failed to protect our way of life’
Taylor firstly acknowledged the error in not backing personal income tax cuts at the last election. He said the Liberal party is running out of time and he knows that “supporters are angry”.
We’re in this position because we didn’t stay true to our core values - because we stopped listening to Australians, because we were attracted to the politics of convenience rather than focusing on the politics of conviction. That ends today.
He said the Liberal party will change and signals the party will focus on immigration. He said:
Our borders have been open to people who hate our way of life.
We’ve had the worst terrorist attack on our soil in our history. Our soil, by Islamist extremists. And as Australians, we’re less free. [It] shouldn’t be this way. Labor has undermined our standard of living, and has failed to protect our [way of] life.
He said his first priority for the party is to “restore our standard of living and protect our way of life. Government isn’t the solution to Australia’s problems, Australians are the solution to Australia’s problems.”
He says Australia should “unapologetically defend Australian values”.
Updated
Angus Taylor press conference begins
The new Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, begins his press conference expressing his honour at being elected leader by his party.
He said:
Good afternoon, all. It [is the] greatest honour of my life to be elected as the leader of the Liberal party. Today, I am [thankful to my] great parents, who taught me and my three brothers from a very early that two of the most important attributes in life were courage and service. and that’s why I’m absolutely determined to fight for our nation. I thank [you for] this opportunity to take up the fight.
Taylor congratulated his deputy, Jane Hume, who is standing beside him, and acknowledged the former leader Sussan Ley. He said:
She took on an incredibly difficult task after a humbling election defeat back in May last year. Her work ethic has been absolutely relentless, and her commitment to the Liberal party and this has extended over a long period of time as governments and, of course, as opposition leader over the last eight months. I thank her for her gracious remarks as well. She is a great person, a great Liberal.
Updated
PM congratulates Ley for ‘grace and dignity’
In a post on X, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has congratulated former Liberal leader Sussan Ley “for the grace and the dignity she has shown on a very difficult day.”
He said:
She can take pride in the years of dedicated service she has given to her community, our parliament and our nation.
I have spoken with Sussan to wish her the best for her future.
Growing optimism for Australia-EU FTA
There is growing optimism Australia and the European Union could be close to signing a major new free trade deal. The trade minister, Don Farrell, is in Brussels this week for negotiations – restarted this month after two aborted attempts, most recently in 2023.
Farrell travelled to meet his EU counterparts, the trade and economic security commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, and the agriculture and food commissioner, Christophe Hansen.
Word from the Australian side is the negotiations were tough but up-front, with key sensitivities raised by both sides. There are more talks planned for tomorrow, Brussels time, and we’re told progress is being made.
As a bloc, the EU is Australia’s third-largest trading partner, with two way trade worth A$109.7bn in 2024-25. An EU trade deal would help unlock a high-income market of 450 million consumers, with a GDP of about $31tn.
The EU commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to visit Australia in the coming months.
Updated
NSW Council of Civil Liberties welcomes LECC Herzog protest probe
The NSW Council of Civil Liberties has welcomed the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission investigation into police conduct at the Sydney protest on Monday night.
NSWCCL president, Timothy Roberts, said:
The seriousness of police violence towards members of the public means an independent investigation is absolutely necessary.
Independence, transparency and accountability of the investigation are essential to working towards restoring the broken public trust and confidence in policing. The Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Crime Commission should have sole oversight of the investigation, and this process needs to be as transparent and visible to the community as possible to restore community confidence after the shocking acts of violence we have seen perpetrated by officers on Monday.
Roberts said it was lamentable that it took pressure from civil society to bring the investigation about, stating the premier and police minister should have referred it immediately.
This is a very serious time for NSW. We call on the police minister to take steps to distance herself from this investigation and, if she is unable to do so, she should resign.
Dietitians peak body welcomes food ministers mandating health star rating
Dietitians Australia has commended the food ministers’ decision to mandate the health star rating on all packaged foods
The government-led front-of-pack nutrition label was introduced in 2014 as a simple way to compare the overall nutritional quality of products on the shelf, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Dietitians Australia’s president, Dr Fiona Willer, said mandating the labelling was a “critical step” towards supporting better health outcomes for all Australians.
We welcome this progress and look forward to supporting strengthening the system over time, ensuring it is in alignment with the latest evidence and aligned with the Australian dietary guidelines.
We continue to push for a comprehensive approach to nutrition in this country, through a national nutrition policy and action plan.
Updated
Stamp price hike needed yet again, Australia Post says
The cost of snail mail could rise again as Australia Post says it wants stamps priced 70% higher than they were four years ago, AAP reports.
The post office asked the consumer watchdog today to consider allowing the cost of stamps to rise 8.8% – from $1.70 to $1.85 – bringing prices closer in line with comparative countries.
Large letters up to 125 grams would increase from $3.40 to $3.70 and letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise from $5.10 to $5.55.
Plummeting mail volumes are being blamed for the need to hike lift prices. Outside of last year’s federal election, letter numbers dropped more than 11% in the last financial year to levels not seen since the 1930s.
Updated
Police appeal for information after suspected home-made explosive detonated on ACT oval
Police in the ACT are seeking witnesses after the detonation of a possible home-made explosive device on Holder Oval on Thursday morning.
Police say members of the public reported hearing an explosion near the oval at 5am on Thursday. At 9.45am a member of the public discovered an item on the oval that was identified as a possible home-made explosive.
The AFP bomb team attended and confirmed the item not to be dangerous. Forensic specialists have seized the item for further investigation.
Anyone who noticed suspicious activity near Holder Oval around 5am yesterday morning has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Updated
Pro-Palestine group welcomes independent police probe
The Palestine Action Group (PAG) has backed the NSW police oversight body’s announcement it will investigate the force’s response to a Sydney protest against Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit.
The law enforcement conduct commission said an investigation was in the public interest and would probe “alleged misconduct.”
In a statement, Amal Naser from PAG said:
The police operation bore all the hallmarks of a police riot, targeting peaceful demonstrators who gathered to oppose the visit of President Isaac Herzog.
Under the Minns Labor government, civil liberties in New South Wales have been steadily eroded. The events on Monday marked a dangerous escalation, with people young and old subjected to force for exercising their democratic right to protest.
PAG said accountability was needed beyond a review process and called on the NSW premier, Chris Minns, the state’s police minister, Yasmin Catley, and police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, to “take responsibility” and resign for overseeing the operation.
NSW police have said a lack of communication between officers contributed to the violent disruption of a group of Muslim men praying at the protest.
Updated
Could an independent take Ley’s seat?
On the independent front for the pending by-election in Farrer, it’s interesting to take a look at the results from the federal election in May last year.
Ley held the seat with a healthy 56% on a 2-party preferred (2PP) basis but recorded an 8% swing against her. It wasn’t a Liberal v Labor contest, either: independent Michelle Milthorpe, off a primary of 19.96%, achieved a 2PP vote of just over 43%.
It seems Milthorpe is still actively campaigning since the election on the ground in Farrer. In January she posted on LinkedIn:
Though I didn’t win I will keep showing up, I will keep listening, and I will keep fighting to make sure our stories, our challenges, and our needs are heard…loud and clear.
It will be one to watch if she puts her hat in the ring.
Election analyst Antony Green has also pointed out that under the Coalition agreement, the Nationals agreed not to contest Ley’s seat, but with Ley out the door, the Nats can run a candidate against the Liberals.
That’s in addition to One Nation already confirming they would run a candidate.
Green noted it was unlikely Labor would run in the by-election, given the party had not reached a quarter of the primary vote since 2007.
More likely Labor would sit out the contest and leave the field free for a conservative slugfest.
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Haines wishes Ley well on departure
The independent MP Helen Haines, whose electorate neighbours Farrer, has wished outgoing Liberal Sussan Ley well.
Haines praised her 25-year tenure, making Ley one of the longest-serving female members of parliament.
Her career from shearer’s cook to leader of the Liberal party has been diverse and is a remarkable achievement.
As she leaves parliament, I thank her for her service and wish her and her family well.
Voters in Farrer will soon face a choice at a byelection. They will have the opportunity to send a message to the major parties.
Indi has demonstrated that independent representation delivers both local impact and national influence, regardless of who is in government.
Updated
After a hectic morning, Krishani Dhanji has stepped away from the live blog. Josh Taylor here to take over as we wait for Angus Taylor (no relation) to hold his first press conference as leader of the Liberal party.
Updated
Thank you all for following along on the blog today. The brilliant Josh Taylor will take over the coverage for the afternoon.
We’re still waiting for Angus Taylor stand up and make his first remarks to the media as the new leader alongside deputy Jane Hume.
Stay with us!
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Turnbull says people call Taylor ‘the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met’
The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the new Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, must immediately rebuild the party’s credibility on the economy.
Labor passed the Coalition in opinion polling on effective management of the economy under former leader Peter Dutton, when Taylor was the shadow treasurer.
Turnbull told ABC TV people call Taylor “the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met”.
He said Taylor should get out of the rightwing media bubble, led by Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News.
If you’re the Liberal party and you’ve got business reform, tax reform, efficiency reform that you want to propose, you’ve got to get some backers from the business community, from third party endorsements, and they lack that.
They’ve got to stop living in this right wing populist bubble and get back and sound like serious business people wanting to get a better outcome for Australia.
Turnbull said the Liberals should fight for the centre, and not go up against One Nation and Pauline Hanson chasing votes on the right.
If you think you are going to win back people who have gone to Hanson by showing yourself to be even more tough, more anti-immigration than her, that’s a game you can’t win.
They’ve got to get out of that bottle.
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NSW police oversight body to investigate response to anti-Herzog Sydney protest
NSW’s independent police oversight body says it will conduct an investigation into the operation at a protest against Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit at Sydney town hall on Monday, including “alleged misconduct”.
The police response, which included allegedly grabbing a group of Muslim men while they were praying, has come under heavy criticism in recent days. The state’s police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has offered a qualified apology, saying the move-on direction was not targeting any religion.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said it had received a significant number of complaints and decided it was in the public interest to launch the investigation:
The Commission will utilise its investigatory powers under Part 6 of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016 to investigate the lawfulness and appropriateness of the conduct of the NSW Police Force and individual officers.
The commission will hold hearings and obtain and review video footage, documents and other information held by NSW police, a statement said.
The commission will complete a report to NSW state parliament about its investigation.
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Farrer byelection will be a ‘test’ for Taylor, moderate says
The moderate Liberal Melissa Price, who walked in and out of the party room meeting with Sussan Ley, and nominated for the deputy position, says the byelection for Ley’s seat will be a test for Taylor.
She believes the Liberals will be able to win the seat, which Ley won with a 6.2% margin at the last election. But Ley already suffered a huge swing of more than 10% against her at the last election from an independent candidate.
Price says the Liberals will likely face another independent challenge. Independent Helen Haines has already held the neighbouring seat of Indi since 2019. Price says:
Preferences will be super important. But, you know, this is a test, you know, is the results of all this polling, is that going to hold up? But, you know, the Liberals will run a very, very good campaign. I’m quite sure of that. I think we’ll be victorious.
Price is also asked whether Tim Wilson would make a good treasurer, and Price lands quite the blow on him.
He’s certainly got the energy and does he have the credentials? I’m not sure about that, but you know, he’s a hard worker, Tim, he’s a good communicator. But I also think Ted O’Brien’s done a good job as well.
Updated
One Nation will contest Farrer byelection
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has confirmed it will contest the byelection in Farrer, setting up an immediate challenge for new opposition leader Angus Taylor.
Hanson said she wished dumped Liberal leader Sussan Ley well on life outside politics.
“9 wins and 25 years in politics is a sign of her resilience in this tough environment,” she wrote.
“One Nation will be contesting the by election in Farrer with a strong candidate that represents regional NSW, the rural sector, and someone who understands the issues of the Murray Darling and water.
“Our rural communities have long been forgotten by both major parties and are suffering at the hands of Net Zero, increased power prices, a lack of housing and services, immigration, and the decimation of prime agricultural land by city centric policies.”
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Angus Taylor says it’s an ‘immense honour’ to be elected Liberal leader
Angus Taylor has released his first social media post as leader, posting a photo with the new deputy, Jane Hume.
We’re still waiting for Taylor to address the media this morning.
He writes, “it’s an immense honour to be elected leader of the Liberal party”.
It’s an immense honour to be elected as leader of the Liberal Party.
— Angus Taylor MP (@AngusTaylorMP) February 13, 2026
I am looking forward to working with my deputy, Jane Hume to serve the Australian people.#auspol pic.twitter.com/nV0cF33coc
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‘I’m not planning on going anywhere mate’: O’Brien
Ted O’Brien says he has no plans to leave parliament, telling ABC TV “of course” there’s disappointment in not winning, but that he has to trust the judgment of the whole party room.
He’s asked whether a woman should be preselected to replace Sussan Ley who has announced she will leave politics. O’Brien says there should be more women in the party, but won’t endorse choosing a woman specifically for preselection.
While that would be nice, I’m also a creature of the Liberal party, where each rank and file party member has franchise, and so it’ll be up to the local members. I don’t pretend to know who the best candidates might be, whether it be a male or female.
To journalists in the corridor after his interview, O’Brien says he’d like to remain shadow treasurer, but ultimately it’s up to the leader.
He also backs in Jane Hume as the deputy:
I think Jane Hume will be enormously effective and I think we have a depth of talent … I’m actually really proud of her, and she’ll certainly have my support and loyalty as well.
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Ley says politics been 'tough, at times’ but she will go forward with ‘punk’ spirit
Sussan Ley doesn’t take any questions from the media, after just announcing that she will leave politics for good.
She says she will spend a few weeks in her electorate before she hands in her resignation to the Speaker, which will trigger a byelection.
She says she’s proud of the party landing its energy policy and the pressure she put on the government to announce a royal commission into the Bondi tragedy.
There is no doubt that it has been a challenging time to leave the party after we suffered the worst defeat in 81 years. It has been tough, at times, very tough, but every sleepless night, every intractable problem, indeed, every personal challenge, has always been put in perspective by my understanding of the burdens that so many ordinary Australians face quietly and without fuss every day.
She also takes a bit of a stab at her colleagues:
It is important that the new leader gets clear air, something that is not always afforded to leaders, but which in the present moment is more important than ever.
But Ley ends on a more upbeat note:
I was part of the early punk rock movement in Canberra, I will continue to find wisdom in one of punk’s defining themes, a fearless and honest belief in yourself.
Updated
Sussan Ley announces she will quit politics within weeks
Ley thanks her family, her supporters, her staff and her deputy, Ted O’Brien, who also lost his position today.
She says she’ll spend the next couple of weeks thanking the people in her electorate of Farrer, before she leaves.
I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrer and expressing my gratitude to them for the honour of representing them for 25 years.
Shortly thereafter, I will be tendering my resignation to the Speaker. I’m not sure what comes next for me. I look forward to stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life.
When I came here in 2001 my children were eight, 10 and 12. They are now in their 30s with children of their own. They are my greatest gift, and the six little Australians, my grandchildren, remind me that everything we do in this place should always be about the next generation.
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Sussan Ley addresses media after loss, ‘don’t dwell on the disappointment’
Sussan Ley says she feels gratitude to the Liberal party, and thanks those who voted for her in the party room today. She adds that for those who didn’t she doesn’t have hard feelings.
On Angus Taylor, she congratulates the new leader:
When I came to the leadership of the Liberal Party nine months ago, my mother had just died, one of the things she said was, when something ends in sadness, don’t dwell on the disappointment. Be grateful that you had it at all.
I wish Angus Taylor well. I know he has experience, energy and drive. I know the whole team will have what it takes to fight this awful Labor government. I will be cheering them on.
Updated
Former Liberal rips into Taylor, saying he has a ‘lack of conviction’
The former Liberal senator Hollie Hughes has not minced her words on Angus Taylor, who is now the opposition leader.
I’d normally describe it as a lack of conviction. There’d be plenty of policy areas where most people can’t tell you, including those in the party room, where Angus stands.
Hughes has beef with Taylor, and has publicly criticised him in the past. Hughes laid blame on Taylor when was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket at the last election, after Taylor backed conservative Jess Collins for the winnable spot.
Speaking to Triple J’s Hack program last night, Hughes went even further saying it was “the end of the Liberal party”.
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Dan Tehan says Liberals ‘need a serious political manifesto’
After being defeated for the deputy leadership, Dan Tehan pops up on ABC TV and congratulates Angus Taylor and Jane Hume.
On what Taylor will do differently (which is the question on everyone’s lips), Tehan says it’s important for Taylor to have strong “political manifesto” with clear cut policies.
I think we need a serious political manifesto, which is, you know, true to our values, which clearly articulates where we want to take the nation … I have no doubt that anyone who stands for leader of the Liberal party has a very good vision for where they want to take this nation. And I’m not going to get ahead of Angus and Jane.
Tehan, who says he voted for Taylor, says now that the party needs to be united, and pays tribute to Ley’s work as leader:
[I want] to thank Sussan for the herculean task that she undertook and the way that she went about it until the very last end, incredibly dignified. Did it in an incredibly respectful way.
Updated
Tony Abbott says next election ‘winnable’ with Taylor
Tony Abbott is no doubt having a good day with close ally Angus Taylor winning the leadership ballot.
Speaking to ABC News following the ballot, Abbott said Taylor was the best person for the job and could win the next election.
On what he thought Taylor would do better, Abbott is somewhat vague and said Taylor had two priorities, one two improve the standard of living, and two to improve the Australian way of life.
The first is that he’s the best person for the job. Second is that everyone should get behind him, because we need to win and be a strong opposition. The Liberal Party remains the best hope and better government in this country. The third point, very important, the next election is winnable.
Labor launches attack ads in response to Taylor’s win: ‘He’s just another Liberal’
Safe to say Labor aren’t complaining that Angus Taylor won the ballot, and Anthony Albanese’s office have immediately released two attack ads against him.
Taylor has had his share of controversies so Labor has a dirt file ready to go.
One of the ads calls him a “left over from the [Scott] Morrison government” and goes:
Taylor was the architect of Liberal policies for higher taxes, bigger deficits, getting rid of work from home, sacking of tens of thousands of frontline workers and a $600bn taxpayer funded nuclear scheme. And Taylor worked from day one to undermine the Liberals’ first female leader.
Updated
‘Democracy in action’, Liberals say
Liberals are filing out of the party room now. Angus Taylor, the new Liberal leader, walked out of the room and straight across the hall into his parliament office.
Dean Smith said it was an “excellent result”; Andrew McLachlan said it was “democracy in action”. Andrew Bragg would only say “we’re here to help Australians”. McLachlan and Bragg both walked in with Ley and were key backers until the end, and are probably somewhat disappointed by the result.
Many other Liberals are remaining silent on their way out. Ted O’Brien, defeated for the deputy leadership, said he’d have more to say later.
Updated
Ley walks out of meeting with her loyal backers
With a similar crew to who she walked in with, Sussan Ley exits the party room flanked by a small group colleagues.
Tim Wilson walks out by himself and tells everyone to get to the Korumburra Agricultural Show, which he says is the “hottest ticket”.
He said the same thing on X a moment ago.
Aaron Violi and Wendy Askew also come back out and clarify again the results of the spill, 34 votes to 17 in Taylor’s favour.
Updated
Taylor has ‘zero credibility on the economy’, Chalmers says
Treasurer Jim Chalmers hasn’t wasted any time getting stuck into the new opposition leader, Angus Taylor.
Chalmers says Taylor was shambolic when the pair were opposite each other before the last election. Chalmers says:
His appointment as leader of the opposition shows the Coalition could not care less about the cost of living or the economy.
He was the architect of their plan for higher taxes for every taxpayer and he went to the election promising bigger deficits and more debt.
Angus has zero credibility on the economy and neither does the bin fire that is the Coalition.
Updated
Liberals start trickling out of party room
We’re still holding outside the Liberal party room, while the Liberals start trickling out of the room and give us comment on the result.
We’re told Sussan Ley will give some short comments before long, after being defeated in the vote. We also expect Angus Taylor will speak shortly.
Inside the party room, we heard a round of applause shortly after the result was confirmed.
The Liberal MP Tim Wilson is giving us a vibe from inside. Just now he’s posted on X:
In the Party Room. Voting who the next Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. All [Liberal MP] Mary Aldred can talk about is getting to the Korumburra Agricultural Show. Clearly we ALL need to get to it.
Aldred, the new MP for Monash, made the same comment to us on the way into the building this morning.
Updated
Jane Hume wins Liberal deputy leadership
Jane Hume wins 30 votes to 20 against Ted O’Brien with one person again voting informally.
Aaron Violi and Wendy Askew the chief whip and deputy whip announce the results.
Violi says:
This morning, there was a spill motion for the leadership of the Liberal party of Australia. That motion was successful. A ballot was conducted for the leadership. There was two candidates, Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor. And Angus Taylor was successful, 33 votes to 17, and is now the leader.
Violi quickly clarifies that the result was 34 to 17.
Askew adds:
And further to that, I leadership was also declared vacant. We had four candidates, and Senator Jane Hume has been victorious. Thank you very much.
Updated
Things are moving fast this morning, but here’s a look back at some of those Liberals walking into the special party room this morning.
Updated
It’s now Ted O’Brien v Jane Hume in the deputy leadership ballot
Jane Hume leads the voting again in the second round with 21 votes, with Ted O’Brien on 18.
Dan Tehan received 11 votes, meaning he’ll now also be knocked out. There was one informal vote.
Updated
Hume leads first round of deputy votes
Jane Hume leads the first round of voting for the deputy leadership. Ted O’Brien and Dan Tehan trail her with 16 votes and 13 votes respectively.
Melissa Price received just two votes, which means she’ll be knocked out, and there will be another round.
Four nominees for deputy
Now that the leadership has been declared, there’s a vote on the deputy leadership.
There are four nominees: Jane Hume, Dan Tehan, Ted O’Brien and Melissa Price.
No real surprises there – Hume and Tehan had both said they would run and had been canvassing colleagues. O’Brien is the current deputy and Price had told Perth media yesterday she’d also put her hand up and have a go.
Breaking: Angus Taylor wins the Liberal leadership 34 to 17
Angus Taylor has won the Liberal party leadership.
He won 34 votes to 17 against Sussan Ley. It’s taken just 19 minutes.
Now there will be nominations and votes on the deputy leadership.
Updated
It’s Ley v Taylor for the leadership
We’re getting information in drips and drabs as the special party room meeting continues.
Despite all the speculation, it’s just Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor that are contesting for the leadership.
We’ll give you the final vote count as soon as we get it.
Updated
Liberal leadership vote to go ahead after spill motion passes
I’ve just been told the spill motion has been voted on 33 votes to 17. There was one informal vote.
That means now that the ballot on the leadership will go ahead.
Updated
ASX to fall after Wall Street sell-off
Australian shares are set to fall when markets open today after a sharp sell-off on Wall Street overnight.
The S&P/ASX 200 will drop by about 0.85% to the 8,950 point mark, according to futures pricing, with the anticipated fall wiping about $28bn from the broader Australian share market.
The local market has suffered several sharp selldowns and recoveries in recent weeks after being pulled around by large moves in US equities.
Global shares and commodities came under intense selling pressure overnight.
Chris Strazzeri, dealing manager at investment platform Moomoo, said investors remain cautious over artificial intelligence, both the massive spending going into the sector and how AI will impact other businesses such as software. Strazzeri said:
For the ASX, the setup today points to a defensive and sector-driven session, with likely pressure on technology and resource stocks, as investors brace for continued volatility.
One of Australia’s big banks, Westpac, reported a $1.9bn quarterly profit this morning, up 6% from the average profit generated over the previous two quarters.
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The feeling outside the party room on ‘big day’ for Liberals
To give you a sense of what it’s like waiting outside the Liberal party room, we’re waiting for the vote and watching opposition MPs filing in. The Parliament House security has put all the waiting media in a small holding pen behind bollards, to keep the corridors clear.
Tim Wilson arrived solo, wearing a pale pink shirt. “On Fridays we wear pink,” he joked to cameras.
Senator Sarah Henderson, who has called for change, would only say “big day” as she entered.
We could hear a loud round of applause exploding from Ley’s office, just up the hall from our position, as she walked in, flanked by her close colleagues.
We’ll expect a result soon after 9am, and bring you that ASAP.
Updated
Sussan Ley walks in with a strong force behind her
As the clock chimes 9am – all the Liberals are in and get ready to start voting.
She’s with moderates Melissa Price, Andrew Bragg, Tim Wilson, Paul Scarr, Andrew McLachlan, Anne Ruston, Richard Colbeck, Melissa McIntosh, Maria Kovacic, and Andrew Wallace.
Just before her, Angus Taylor has walked into the special party room meeting alone.
Both Dan Tehan and current deputy Ted O’Brien walk in separately shortly after.
So far we have a few pics of those who have walked in so far.
Updated
Liberals file into the partyroom – but who’s walking with who?
The Liberals are starting to file into their party room.
We’ve seen Angie Bell, a moderate, walk into the room by herself. And a short time later Tim Wilson has also walks in solo (after announcing this morning he wouldn’t be running for the deputy leadership).
Scott Buchholz (wearing a black T-shirt and cream blazer – an interesting sartorial choice) comes in along by himself too.
Ben Small, Garth Hamilton and Henry Pike have walked in together (this isn’t a surprise, the three conservatives are close backers of Andrew Hastie).
Hastie walks in a few moments later with Jonno Duniam, Tony Pasin and Matt O’Sullivan.
Meanwhile Jane Hume walks closely in front of Sarah Henderson and Jacinta Price. Hume is of course going for the deputy, while Henderson and Price are hoping for a return to the frontbench.
Dean Smith, who resigned from the frontbench last night, also comes in alone.
Updated
Albanese says ‘no room for complacency’ on Closing the Gap
While the Liberals head towards their leadership showdown, the prime minister was this morning addressing the a breakfast for the 18th Anniversary National Apology to the Stolen Generation at Parliament House.
The address is after the government handed down the annual report, which found that just four of the 19 targets are on track, four a going backwards, and six are improving.
Addressing the breakfast, the prime minister said, as he did to the chamber yesterday, that the national apology to the Stolen Generations was one his “proudest day as a parliamentarian”.
There are just five years to go on the current Closing the Gap agreement which will expire in 2031.
Closing the Gap is a national mission and a moral imperative. And it is the work of generations. We measure tangible outcomes that change peoples’ lives for the better.
As we see results, we draw encouragement from every single reminder that difficult does not mean impossible. However, we cannot close our eyes to the reality that there are areas where progress has stalled. It is starkly clear that we have no room for complacency.
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‘Nine months is a long time, and I think we should get policy on the table’
Just going back to Phil Thompson’s doorstop earlier, because he had a few interesting rebuttals to make.
Asked whether Sussan Ley had been given enough time to succeed, having only been in the job for nine months, he responded: “Nine months is a long time, and I think we should get policy on the table.”
Asked if Angus Taylor would be a better leader to fight not only Labor but the rising One Nation threat to Liberal votes, Thompson said he believed the member for Hume would present a better alternative.
What we will do is not be another ‘Labor-lite’. We won’t be ‘One Nation-lite’. We will be the Liberal party, and we will have our policies that will go forward, and we will put our best foot forward to win government.
Thompson was critical that Ley’s leadership hadn’t seen more Liberal policy being formulated and released. When a journalist noted that a migration policy was reportedly nearly finished late last year, and had been delayed only due to the Bondi antisemitic massacre, Thompson said: “do you have it [the policy] on you?”
I haven’t seen it. I was in the shadow executive, I’ve been in the party room, I haven’t seen it.
Updated
T-minus 25 minutes until Liberal spill vote begins
The cameras and the journos are hovering by the Liberal party room with just T-minus 25 minutes before the meeting begins.
We know that Philip Thompson and Jess Collins – both Taylor supporters – will put forward and second the spill motion.
The winner will need a majority of votes in the party room.
We’ll bring you the results and spill the tea (get it?!) from inside the room as soon as we get it.
Updated
‘I simply don’t think she’s had a reasonable opportunity to succeed’
The LNP MP Andrew Wallace sounds how I feel right now which is very out of breath, as he walks through the parliament house doors.
He briefly stops to talk to reporters in active wear, probably after a run – he’s also backing Sussan Ley to the end.
He says, as he did yesterday, that Ley hasn’t had enough time to “succeed”, only having been given nine months, and faced two Coalition splits spearheaded by the Nationals.
He also says what I’m feeling right now which is that he wants to “get it over and done with”.
I simply don’t think she’s had a reasonable opportunity to succeed. Look at the end of the day I’m keen to get it over and done with today because what the Australian people are looking for from its opposition is unity.
He adds that Australians are “very, very angry” at the government and want a unified opposition.
Updated
Hume says Taylor is ‘one of the greatest intellects’ in the Liberal party
Jane Hume says she believes Angus Taylor has the numbers to win the party room ballot today (which for those of you who might be just joining us will go down at 9am).
Speaking to Sunrise earlier, Hume defended Taylor, who she worked closely with at the last election as shadow finance minister while he was shadow treasurer.
Both copped some blame from the election result.
But Hume says Taylor is “one of the greatest intellects” and asked if he can cut through the Labor party she says it’s important he’s given the “opportunity” to deliver policies
Having worked very closely with Angus Taylor, I know that he’s one of the greatest intellects and biggest policy brains that exists in the Liberal party. And the most important thing now is that we let him have an opportunity to develop the policies that he knows he wants to deliver for the Australian people.
Updated
Where does Sussan Ley sit in the ranking of shortest serving opposition leaders?
The good news for Sussan Ley is that if she is rolled today, she will not be the shortest serving Liberal opposition leader.
That gong goes to Alexander Downer, the former Liberal foreign minister who served briefly as opposition leader for eight months and eight days.
Ley was elected to the top job on 13 May 2025, meaning she’s held the position for exactly nine months to the day.
Unfortunately for Ley, she was this close to pipping Brendan Nelson who held it for nine months and 13 days.
Updated
Phil Thompson says people in electorate don’t raise gender, ‘they raise incompetency’
They’re turning up to the doors thick and fast now, and Phil Thompson, an Angus Taylor ally who took the spill motion request to Sussan Ley yesterday, denies that there’s a gender issue in dumping the party’s first female leader.
Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Thompson says Ley had enough time in the job and that the party needs to form policy.
The people that talk to me in Townsville don’t raise a gender issue, they raise incompetency. And they want to see strong leadership. They want to see us take up the fight to Labor.
He also tries to deflect saying that people should remember how the Labor party treated former prime minister Julia Gillard.
It’s understood Ley had a migration policy that was delayed due to the Bondi terror attack, but Thompson says he never saw it.
Asked how quickly Taylor will have to start making policy announcements, Thompson says:
I think Angus’ feet are under the desk. He’s been in this place for a while. He understands what it takes to lead. He’s been in senior positions in government. He’s held senior positions in opposition. I think he’ll move quite quickly.
Updated
‘I’m standing loyally by Sussan’
The Queensland senator Paul Scarr remains a loyal soldier to the embattled Sussan Ley, appearing on ABC News Breakfast this morning and saying again that she wasn’t given enough time.
He agrees with Jane Hume though that no matter what the outcome the party must unite behind whoever is elected as leader.
Asked whether it’s a fait accompli for Angus Taylor, Scarr says somewhat solemnly:
I think it’s going to be a very close result today.
I’m standing loyally by Sussan, and I will continue to do so. I think she’s earned that support, and she’ll continue to have that support from me up to the party room
He’s also asked what impact the decision to roll the Liberal party’s first female leader will have on female voters. He doesn’t directly answer the question but does say he wants to see more women and more multicultural voters in the party:
I think we need more women standing as candidates for the Liberal party. We need more people from our multicultural communities standing up for the Liberal party and for the values of the Liberal party.
Updated
Man charged with stalking for allegedly following Isaac Herzog in Sydney
New South Wales police have charged a 45-year-old man for allegedly following Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, across Sydney this week.
In a statement, NSW police said the man will face court next month, charged with stalking and other offences, after allegedly following a foreign leader. Guardian Australia understands the leader is Israeli president Herzog.
Officers patrolling Herzog’s visit observed a grey Mercedes station wagon travelling on Darling Drive, Haymarket on Monday, a statement said.
Police allege the male driver pulled over and allegedly filmed Herzog while using offensive language towards him before leaving the area.
It is alleged the man also drove past a childhood education centre on Tuesday repeatedly before filming and using offensive language towards a security guard.
Updated
Liberals need to be ‘united’ after spill: Hume
Some are definitely more keen to speak than others today at the Parliament House doors (where reporters are eagerly waiting to stick a microphone in their faces).
Jane Hume, who says she will be nominating for the deputy leadership today (but not on a ticket with Angus Taylor), is definitely keen and stops to chat, saying “time is running out” for the Liberal party to turn its fate around.
She says the party is at a “critical juncture”, and warns that once the vote is over, the first thing that needs to be done is for the party to once again be united.
The Liberal party is crying out for change. We’re at a critical juncture right now. Sussan Ley has been a diligent, hardworking servant to our party and to the country, but unfortunately, we’re simply not cutting through now.
The most important thing that we can do today is to make sure that the Liberal party, after this leadership spill, comes together and makes sure that we are a united team. That’s what Australians want to see. And the next thing we need to do is make sure that we develop that policy suite and articulate it to present a genuine alternative to this terrible Labor government.
Liberals are trying to soften their tone on Ley today. Hume says the move “is not a reflection on Sussan Ley as a person. She is a very good person.”
Updated
Tim Wilson 'not interested' in deputy role as Liberals prepare for leadership spill
So far we know that Jane Hume and Dan Tehan will run for the deputy, but there are other names that are being floated.
One of those was Tim Wilson (who’s often made light of one day leading the party), but he ruled himself out this morning.
He says despite the speculation, he has “no interest” in the position.
Morning Australia! Having read a lot of speculation, I have advised colleagues that I have no interest in the Deputy Leadership. I love Australia, and I want a nation built on respect, where hard work pays off and Australians have more control over their lives. pic.twitter.com/CBGBpRIdNu
— Tim Wilson (@TimWilsonMP) February 12, 2026
Updated
Sarah Henderson confident Taylor will win: ‘We’ve got to turn this ship around’
Senator Sarah Henderson has joined Sky News this morning, confident her ally Angus Taylor will win the ballot this morning, and says her party will need to quickly release “meaty” policies to win the public back.
She’s less critical of Sussan Ley today, and says she “did feel for her” yesterday as colleagues lined up to resign.
It brings none of us any joy to challenge Sussan. She has tried her very best. She has a very long and successful political career. As I say, this very difficult times, and I really did feel for her yesterday … I’m not going to engage in disparagement of Sussan this morning, I’ve spoken before about the fact that we were not traveling well, and things have gone from bad to worse. We’re simply not competitive.
I’m really hoping that under Angus leadership, we will move very quickly to show what we stand for in terms of our migration policy, housing and of course, education.
Asked whether she should be returned to the frontbench, she says she “hopes” so, and says her colleagues Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Andrew Hastie should also be promoted. She calls them the “best people in the field”.
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Multimillion dollar boost for support services for Stolen Generations
Members of the Stolen Generations will receive a multimillion dollar boost in support services, as the anniversary of the national apology is commemorated, Australian Associated Press reports.
Today marks the 18th anniversary of former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd delivering the apology to the Stolen Generations in federal parliament.
Survivors will be able to access $87m of support services over the next four years, which will include family tracing and reunification efforts.
The anniversary of the apology will be marked with a commemorative breakfast at Parliament House, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, giving an address.
Albanese will say the apology was an important step forward, but not the end of action.
The apology didn’t just look to the past – it was a call to action for the future. A call that was, at its heart, deeply patriotic, true to our abiding instincts for better, fairer, stronger Australia.
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Jacinta Nampijinpa Price ‘champing at the bit’ for return to frontbench
Conservatives are getting excited by the prospect of Angus Taylor becoming leader again.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price who was sent to the backbench after not endorsing Sussan Ley’s leadership and making hurtful comments about Indian Australians, and Sarah Henderson, who was booted from the shadow ministry after the election, are both hoping to feel the air in their hair from the frontbenches under Taylor.
Last night, Nampijinpa Price told Sky News she was “champing at the bit” for a return. She added that Taylor would bring the energy back to the party.
We need to have a sense of feeling like we’ve got some chutzpah.
Henderson, who’s become markedly louder in recent days to rally for Taylor, will also be popping up again in the media today.
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Good morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you, thanks to Martin Farrer for getting us started.
Happy spill day! And may I also remind you, it’s Friday the 13th (make of that what you will).
There’s just one big story in the big House on the hill today and that’s the showdown between Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor. Though it seems less of a showdown at this point, with the numbers pointing in Taylor’s favour.
There’s plenty to get through, so let’s get cracking.
UNSW economics professor appointed to RBA interest-rate setting board
UNSW economics professor Bruce Preston has been appointed to the Reserve Bank’s interest-rate setting board, starting his five-year term in March.
Preston will replace Alison Watkins, a former boss of Coca-Cola Amatil who also sits on the Business Council of Australia’s board.
Watkins has been an RBA board member since December 2020.
Jim Chalmers announced the appointment to the nine-member monetary policy board on Thursday evening, saying Preston “is one of the most highly respected and experienced macroeconomists and he will do an excellent job”.
In addition to a couple of decades in academia, Preston has worked in the Reserve Bank and later as a senior adviser at the central bank and at Treasury.
Preston is seen as an uncontroversial appointment, especially after the sweeping review of the RBA’s operations and governance recommended more technical expertise on the monetary policy board.
He will get his first chance to cast his interest rate vote during the bank’s next two-day meeting from 16 March.
For the record, financial markets are pricing in only a 16% rate hike in March but that jumps to over 80% by the May meeting.
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Isaac Herzog to leave Australia
The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, is preparing to leave Australia after thousands took to the streets in a final wave of protests marking the end of a controversial week, AAP reports.
Herzog concluded his final closely guarded four-day visit in Melbourne yesterday where he met senior politicians and community leaders.
Despite the president declaring there was “hope in the air” in his final speech, about 10,000 people gathered on the steps of Flinders Street Station in defiance, saying he was not welcome.
The demonstrators remained largely peaceful, despite a small scuffle breaking out as Palestinian organiser Tasnim Sammak addressed the crowd.
Victoria police said special powers granted for the event were not used.
Among the speakers was Palestinian activist Muayad Ali, who criticised the prime minister’s decision to host the president in Australia.
“I never swear, but this is not diplomacy,” he said.
The protest was a far cry from the scenes witnessed in Sydney, where at least nine people were charged and 27 arrested after protesters were punched and pushed by police when an anti-Herzog rally turned violent.
Herzog said his visit to Melbourne had ignited a renewed sense of hope.
“I must tell you that we return to Israel feeling empowered because we have seen first-hand the beauty and resilience of this community,” he said.
Herzog said discussions with the Australian leadership to address “vile rhetoric, misinformation and shameful antisemitism” were conducted with candour, open-mindedness and a great deal of mutual respect.
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The leadership spill is the culmination of a string of disasters in the recent weeks, writes Josh Butler this morning, which revealed fundamental disunity in Coaltion ranks.
These included the Nationals splitting from the Coalition (again) on the Bondi day of mourning, Ley’s critics were seen meeting in Melbourne on the day of Liberal MP Katie Allen’s funeral, Taylor’s resignation overshadowed the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog, and rolling resignations came as the political classes were supposed to be showing solidarity on the day of the annual Closing The Gap statement.
As the spill was set for today, Josh writes:
The oposition as a whole looked more despondent, distracted and dishevelled than usual. Frontbenchers gazed around the room, texted on their phones; we saw one person whose name had been mentioned as a potential deputy leadership candidate (we won’t rumble who) literally twiddling their thumbs. Ley was quiet.
Read the whole piece here:
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Liberal leadership ballot to start at 9am
All eyes will be on the Liberal party room this morning with the leadership ballot set to begin at 9am.
After a string of frontbenchers announced they would be backing him, Angus Taylor’s backers are confident he has the numbers to unseat Sussan Ley after only nine months in post.
Here’s our latest news story so you can get up to speed:
And there’s also the crucial question of who would be Taylor’s deputy as he tries to bring the more moderate wing of the party into his tent.
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Krishani Dhanji will take the reins.
It might be a bit early in the day for popcorn but there is great political theatre to enjoy this morning as the Liberal leadership vote starts at 9am with Angus Taylor reportedly on track to oust Sussan Ley after only nine months in the job. We will be building up to the vote before then and will bring the best coverage as soon as it happens.
Meanwhile, it’s the 18th anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations and there will be speeches to mark it, with the PM expected to give an address.
The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, is preparing to leave Australia after thousands took to the streets of Melbourne in a final wave of protests marking the end of a controversial week. Herzog had been wrapping up his visit by meeting Jewish groups in the city but – in contrast to the scenes in Sydney earlier this week – the protests remained largely peaceful. More coming up.
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