What we learned: Wednesday 23 July
With that, we will wrap up the blog for this evening. I hope you have a great night. Here were today’s top stories:
The 48th federal parliament began today, with commotion in the Nationals party. Senator Bridget McKenzie rubbished suggestions that the junior Coalition partner is in “disarray”. This was after the former Nationals leader, Michael McCormack, hinted at leadership ambitions and backed his colleague – and occasional foe – Barnaby Joyce in support of his bill to repeal the net zero by 2050 policy.
The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi was sanctioned after the upper house agreed her decision to protest during the governor general’s address to parliament by raising a Gaza protest sign was “utterly disrespectful”.
The government confirmed Australia has made a second $800m payment to America’s shipbuilding industry, despite the Trump administration placing the Aukus agreement under review.
Labor will make domestic spy agency Asio’s powers for compulsory questioning permanent and expand offences covered by the rules, ignoring warnings from human rights advocates.
An independent review into an anti-racism conference at Queensland University of Technology found allegations of antisemitism were unfounded, while questioning the future purpose of the institute which presented it.
All children tested so far for sexually transmitted infections in the case of accused childcare paedophile Joshua Dale Brown have tested negative, the Victorian deputy premier, Ben Carroll, told reporters.
Also in Victoria, the first hearing of the parliamentary inquiry into the practices of cults and organised fringe groups was held.
And a leading doctor told the National Press Club a “slip, slop, slap”-style preventive campaign is needed for dementia, as new research shows cases of the disease could be delayed with no added cost.
Updated
Bridget McKenzie rubbishes suggestion Nationals in ‘disarray’
Circling back to Afternoon Briefing, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has rubbished suggestions that the junior Coalition partner is in “disarray”.
The first day of the 48th federal parliament was partially consumed by commotion within the Nationals party.
It began with a front-page story in The Australia, in which the former Nationals leader, Michael McCormack, got behind his colleague – and occasional foe – Barnaby Joyce in support of his bill to repeal the opposition’s net zero by 2050 policy.
McCormack also hinted at a potential tilt at returning to the Nationals leadership, before the backbencher sought to quell those whispers on Sky News this afternoon.
David Littleproud is the leader … David, as he said this morning, will do what the party wants as the leader, and that is his obligation and duty. And I support David.
Other Nationals stayed mum when asked about their support for net zero by 2050 in a group press conference earlier this afternoon, with Matt Canavan saying he was “still thinking about it”.
McKenzie was asked about the day’s events as she was interviewed on the ABC, saying that Joyce was “fine to bring on whatever” bill he likes.
I will be the last person to tell senators and members they cannot stand up in Australian parliament for the things they believe in.
But to make too much of it, to suggest the National party are in disarray, the Coalition has issues around energy policy, it does extend the argument a bit too far.
She was also coy when asked for her view on net zero, and whether the policy was “dead” in the Nationals party room.
Both the Liberals and the Nationals are undertaking a review on their climate and emissions reduction policies following the Coalition’s crushing election defeat.
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