What we learned, Monday 2 March
That’s a wrap for today’s live news coverage. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy:
The Senate voted to censure Pauline Hanson after her racist comments about Muslim people. Hanson called the motion “a joke” – while the Coalition did not support the move. An emotional Penny Wong shared her views on the subject.
The government was pushed on whether Australia would send troops over to the Middle East if conflict escalates.
With fast-moving developments unfolding in the Middle East, Richard Marles confirmed the government was not told of the strikes before they happened.
The new shadow defence minister, James Paterson said the Coalition would support the government militarily in Iran if it was in the national interest.
Anne Aly said she did not think anyone in Australia “feels any sadness” over the death of Iran’s supreme leader.
In Question Time, the opposition put pressure on the government over a group of women and children in a Syrian detention camp. Jonathan Duniam was asked whether the mothers and children of the group should be split, and just the children returned. Here’s the TL;DR version of the whole of QT.
Finally, Chris Minns signalled he would leave the role of premier of New South Wales before 2032.
Thank you, as ever, for joining us. We’ll be back bright and early with tomorrow’s news.
Updated
NSW opposition leader says Minns has ‘given up’ by suggesting he will not still be premier in 2032
Chris Minns has signalled he will leave the role of premier of New South Wales before 2032.
Speaking to reporters today about future plans for the city and his vision for 2032, Minns, who has been premier since 2023, said: “Well, I won’t be here, at least in this role”.
Kellie Sloane used the moment as an opportunity to blast the premier for “giving up” on the people of NSW:
It’s now clear why the Minns Labor Government has no long-term vision or plan for future infrastructure, like new Metros, because Chris Minns won’t be in the job for much longer.
While the Premier has made his future clear the future of NSW under Labor is mired in uncertainty.
Updated
