Josh Butler

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied paying far-right influencers or coordinating volunteers to disrupt Labor’s 2025 federal election campaign and support Liberal candidates. Director Lloyd Grimshaw called Nine newspapers’ allegations a “complete lie,” while acknowledging that church members volunteered independently and may have coordinated among themselves. He also rejected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s description of the church as a cult. An electoral matters committee report described third-party political influence, including from the Brethren church and the right-wing group Advance, as a threat to democracy and proposed a campaigner code of conduct. Nationals leader Matt Canavan accused Labor of conducting a partisan attack on religious voters.

Former Liberal MP Jenny Ware condemned the Coalition for supporting Labor’s gambling reforms, arguing they fall well short of recommendations from the late Peta Murphy’s inquiry, including a full wagering-advertising ban and a national gambling regulator. The legislation limits television and online gambling advertising, restricts inducements and endorsements, and strengthens BetStop, but stops short of a total ban. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells said the measures balance harm reduction with Australians’ freedom to gamble, while critics questioned the proposed online advertising opt-out register and warned that vulnerable people remain inadequately protected.

Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Angus Taylor have reached agreements expected to pass parliament on gambling advertising, the news bargaining incentive and NDIS spending reforms. The deals show the major parties cooperating while sidelining the Greens and crossbench, but also expose tensions within the Coalition over its cautious strategy and efforts to counter One Nation. The column argues that Albanese should shift attention from the distracting “melon-gate” controversy to Labor’s policy achievements, including support for Tomago Aluminium, a gun buyback agreement, childcare wage legislation and measures on bulk billing and home batteries.

One Nation senator Tyron Whitten said parents who support children identifying as transgender are engaging in “child abuse” and described transgender identity as mental illness. The report also details anti-transgender remarks by senators Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson, including inaccurate claims about gender-affirming surgery for minors. The Australian Human Rights Commission explains that most such surgeries are not legally available to under-18s in Australia and that care generally requires parental consent and professional assessment. Equality Australia condemned the comments as fueling discrimination and political division, while One Nation representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Japan’s ambassador to Australia, Kazuhiro Suzuki, said Tokyo had been reassured that Anthony Albanese’s comments about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and a gift of melons were not made as reported and involved no ill intent. Despite Japan downplaying the matter, opposition leader Angus Taylor continued to demand an apology, while senior Coalition figures called for an Australian Federal Police investigation into the alleged leaking of a diplomatic cable. Albanese maintained he had nothing to apologise for, and Labor ministers dismissed the Coalition’s response as a political stunt. The dispute has become a domestic political controversy despite posing no apparent diplomatic crisis between Australia and Japan.

The Albanese government is facing pressure from the Coalition, Greens and gambling-harm advocates to strengthen its proposed wagering reforms, particularly by banning inducements such as bonus bets and promotional odds. Labor appears more willing to amend inducement rules than advertising-frequency provisions, despite concerns that its proposed limits could leave television and streaming audiences exposed to extensive gambling promotion. Evidence that betting companies offered vulnerable gamblers illicit drugs and sex workers has intensified calls for action. The government’s earlier threat to abandon reform if Parliament rejected its plan now appears ineffective, and the commentary argues Labor should accept stronger amendments and secure a politically popular outcome rather than preserve a weak compromise or leave the status quo in place.

Labor MPs and major business groups are urging Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to avoid sweeping immigration cuts and consult more widely before changing migration settings. Burke postponed a National Press Club speech, with reports suggesting possible tighter family-visa rules, limits on backpackers and asylum-seeker restrictions, though government sources describe the changes as targeted adjustments aimed at meeting the existing annual permanent-migration target of 185,000. Business groups warn that reducing skilled, working-holiday or family migration could deepen labor shortages, hinder mining and construction projects, and deter skilled workers. Labor MPs are particularly concerned about cuts to partner and humanitarian visas and argue against symbolic reductions driven by One Nation’s anti-immigration rhetoric.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the federal government will legislate national standards requiring new AI datacentres to use new renewable energy, cover their grid-connection costs, improve efficiency, limit water use and support grid stability. The laws would override opposition from Queensland and the Northern Territory, which argue the proposal gives Canberra excessive power and could block economically viable investment, including a gas-powered NT project. The Australian Energy Market Commission warns that without safeguards, datacentres could raise wholesale prices and shift connection costs onto households, with western Sydney facing around 8 gigawatts of pending new connection demand.

One Nation’s Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, has previously said that mass deportations are not realistic and would not occur in Western countries, despite supporting the party’s goal of deporting 75,000 visa overstayers and Pauline Hanson’s enthusiasm for the policy. Pickering also acknowledged that One Nation has used inactive “ghost candidates” to help secure Senate votes and public funding. His comments raise questions about the feasibility and consistency of One Nation’s immigration platform, while highlighting tensions between the party’s leadership, its campaign practices and Pickering’s criticism of older politicians. Hanson’s office and Pickering were asked to clarify the policy.

The Albanese government plans to expand and legislate the News Bargaining Incentive, requiring major technology platforms to make commercial deals with news publishers or pay a higher levy. The revised scheme would include LinkedIn and require at least six publisher agreements, with the government estimating $200 million to $250 million in support for Australian media. The US National Foreign Trade Council, whose members include Meta, Microsoft and Google, criticized the measure and warned that the Trump administration expects fair treatment for American companies. Australian competition experts Rod Sims and Allan Fels, along with News Corp, argued that the proposal remains too weak, particularly because it excludes AI platforms and may leave most outlets without deals. Opposition from the Coalition and Greens could complicate the legislation’s passage.

Australia’s live political and public-affairs developments included Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young calling Pauline Hanson a “political coward” for excluding the Guardian, the ABC and the Age from a One Nation press conference. The media exclusion was condemned by the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom and the Guardian. The government outlined changes to the News Bargaining Incentive, prompting criticism from former competition regulators, News Corp and the Coalition that the scheme would raise too little money and leave many publishers without deals; Microsoft welcomed its inclusion. A Hunter Valley mine suspended operations after a worker died, while two men were hospitalised after a building collapse in Sydney. H5 bird flu was confirmed as causing Australia’s first mass wildlife mortality event, with further suspected deaths in Victoria and concern for species including little penguins and waterbirds. Other developments included a proposed reduction in Sydney tolls, evidence before the NSW ICAC about potentially improper witness meetings, allegations concerning gambling companies, and Laurie Daley’s resignation as NSW State of Origin coach.

NSW ICAC’s Operation Rosny heard that Reformers member Robert Assaf’s relationship with co-founder Christian Ellis deteriorated amid allegations that lobbying and consulting arrangements channelled money into branch-stacking activities. Assaf said he helped redirect payments from Ellis’s firm to another company. The live blog also reported a third Victorian teachers’ strike over pay and conditions, political scrutiny of NSW Liberal minister Chris Rath, findings that better passenger protections might have reduced deaths in the 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash, and the committal of two women accused of Islamic State-linked slavery offences. Other developments included suspected H5 bird flu in a South Australian seagull, HSBC’s planned Australian branch closures, and a funeral for murdered teenager Layla Jeffery.

Iraq says it had no prior knowledge of US-Saudi strikes that killed members of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces and is demanding evidence that attacks on Saudi Arabia originated from Iraqi territory. The live coverage also reports escalating US-Iran hostilities, including Iranian claims of a drone attack on a US base in Kuwait, US strikes on Iran and severely reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump says Hamas has agreed to complete disarmament as part of a Gaza deal, but Hamas ties disarmament to Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction and the deployment of an interim administration, while Israeli officials say the proposal does not meet their demands for full demilitarisation. Pakistan says talks between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing, and Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing a broader offensive against Yemen’s Houthis.

The Alice Springs murder proceedings involving the alleged killing of five-year-old Warlpiri girl Kumanjayi Little Baby have been postponed until 3 December because investigators still have substantial forensic work and witness statements outstanding. The live coverage also reports testimony to the antisemitism royal commission about underreported abuse in schools, weak progress on most Closing the Gap targets despite preschool enrolment reaching 95%, and calls for stronger Indigenous participation. Other major developments include Victoria's cabinet departures after Jacinta Allan's resignation, debate over tougher laws for Australians linked to Islamic State, legal action against Telegram and Optus, rising H5 bird-flu concerns, and housing approvals that remain below the level needed to meet the federal construction target.

Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been charged by Northern Territory police with two counts of assaulting NT administrator David Connolly at a cultural festival in Darwin on 18 July. Gosling was arrested, bailed and is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on 1 September. He denies the allegations and will contest the charges, while his lawyer criticized the decision to arrest him. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment, citing the legal process, while opposition figures called for Gosling to stand down from his special envoy role.

Queensland LNP MP Llew O’Brien drew criticism after celebrating Lachlan Kennedy’s Commonwealth Games silver medal with the post “White Men Can Sprint” and describing it as encouraging to see a white Australian succeed in elite sprinting. O’Brien said the comment was intended to recognize heritage rather than diminish Black athletes. Opposition leader Angus Taylor distanced the Coalition from the racial framing by praising all Australian competitors, while senator Lidia Thorpe and Greens leader Larissa Waters condemned the remarks as inflammatory and divisive. Kennedy finished behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and ahead of Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi, while also setting a new Australian record.

Guardian political reporter Josh Butler speaks with Essential executive director and Guardian columnist Peter Lewis about the Labor government’s position halfway through Anthony Albanese’s second term. The latest Guardian Essential poll indicates that One Nation’s primary vote has plateaued, but Labor remains vulnerable and cannot assume its position is secure.

Australian petrol prices have climbed back above $2 a litre in some cities, while diesel has reached about $2.40, driven by higher oil prices and a reduced fuel-excise discount. Inflation eased to 3.8% in the year to June, reducing expectations of a Reserve Bank rate rise. Victoria introduced legislation to abolish group voting tickets for upper-house elections. Other major developments included local transmission of H5N1 bird flu in South Australia, renewed Greens calls for rent controls, an NSW decision to restrict Great Koala national park carbon credits from coal and gas projects, and continuing ICAC evidence concerning alleged factional influence and payments involving NSW Liberal figures. ASIC also warned that the full scale of bank mortgage-offset failures remains unknown, while police investigated serious incidents in South Australia and the deaths of a mother and child.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor denies making any payments to the conservative Liberal group Reformers, which is being examined by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. His name arose during evidence from former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw, who discussed messages alleging that Taylor had committed to an initial payment and monthly donations. Whitelaw said he did not recall Taylor contributing and suggested the information may have been incorrect. Taylor says he is not a party to the proceedings and has not been asked to appear as a witness, while Liberal colleagues have urged politicians to let the inquiry proceed without interference. The hearings remain ongoing.

Queensland and the Northern Territory have rejected federal Labor proposals requiring new AI datacentres to underwrite renewable energy, offset their electricity use, minimize water consumption and protect consumers from higher power prices. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government says it will continue pursuing nationally consistent rules, potentially using federal energy-market powers. The dispute comes as S&P Global warns datacentre electricity demand could reach about 10% of Australia’s consumption by 2035, while delays in renewable and transmission infrastructure could drive wholesale prices and emissions higher.

The latest Guardian Essential poll finds One Nation’s primary vote easing to 25% and opposition leader Angus Taylor’s net approval falling to minus 12, while Labor’s primary vote rises slightly to 31% and the Coalition falls to 22%. Anthony Albanese’s approval improves marginally but remains negative. Cost of living and inflation are the dominant voter concerns, with 64% rating Labor’s handling of them poorly. Voters also rate the government negatively on crime and immigration, though Medicare and health receives a comparatively better assessment. Support for new AI datacentres is limited, with only 28% backing construction in their local area and concerns focused on energy demand, power prices, water, environmental impacts and noise.

Ben Carroll became Victoria’s new Labor premier after Jacinta Allan resigned amid declining poll support and internal pressure. Carroll said he would govern differently from Allan and Daniel Andrews, and announced plans for a royal commission into the construction sector alongside a special prosecutor. The live coverage also reported leadership changes in the ACTU, hearings into the ATO’s use of outsourced call centres, disputes over public servants’ political expression, the Queensland challenge to a ban on the slogan “from the river to the sea,” weakening housing demand and reduced market expectations of an August Reserve Bank rate rise. Other developments included further KPMG resignations over the audit-leaks scandal, an ICAC inquiry into alleged Liberal factional activity, fines for Harvey Norman and Latitude, and confirmation of H5 bird flu in South Australian birds.

ICAC hearings into alleged corruption involving the NSW Liberal Party’s conservative Reformers faction heard messages suggesting Angus Taylor may have been approached for donations of $15,000 plus $3,000 monthly, although Taylor is not accused of wrongdoing and the evidence remains uncertain. Hotelier Michael O’Hara testified that he paid $165,000 to entities linked to the faction between 2018 and 2023, allegedly to support branch stacking while disguising the payments as consulting or financial advice. O’Hara said he now regarded the scheme as “disgusting.” The inquiry also examined contacts involving Damien Tudehope and allegations linked to Jean-Claude Perrottet; neither Taylor nor Tudehope is accused of wrongdoing. Hearings are continuing, with further evidence expected from Dylan Whitelaw.

Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts have made renewed criticisms of Australia’s family law system, describing domestic violence allegations as potentially weaponized and the family court as the nation’s “slaughterhouse.” Hanson has also opposed employer-funded paid domestic violence leave and criticized support organizations for focusing primarily on women. The article contrasts these views with the federal Labor government’s 10-day paid leave entitlement and the ACTU’s description of it as a vital safeguard for people escaping dangerous situations.

The Guardian’s live coverage ends with comedian Nikki Osborne defending Anthony Albanese’s controversial “shag, marry, date” podcast exchange involving Kylie Minogue, calling the clip a moment taken out of context and describing the online abuse she received. Australia’s first nationwide AusAlert test reached 94% of targeted cell towers, exceeding the government’s 90% goal, although some devices failed to sound and advocates warned that alerts could expose hidden phones used by people escaping domestic violence. Other major developments included the NSW ICAC inquiry into alleged illegal donations and factional influence within the Liberal Party, political turmoil surrounding Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, and a court ruling upholding a racial-discrimination finding against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over comments directed at Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi. The coverage also reported legal action by the family of Indigenous man Kumanjayi White after police officers involved in his death in custody were not charged, new suspected bird-flu detections in South Australia, and expert testimony praising the police response to the Bondi Hanukah terror attack while calling for more specialist counter-terrorism resources.

Australia’s first nationwide AusAlert test will send a loud, unsilenceable emergency notification to compatible phones, some smartwatches and tablets at 2pm AEST on 27 July 2026. The system is designed to improve on delayed or missed SMS warnings during disasters and will launch nationally in October for hazards including fires, floods, terrorism and public health emergencies. Phones must be switched off or placed in airplane mode to avoid the test; people using hidden or safe phones because of domestic and family violence are advised to keep them off for up to 24 hours. The test requires no action, but public feedback will help assess its effectiveness.

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has repeatedly said the party would deport or “remigrate” at least 200,000 temporary residents and international students, far exceeding its published pledge to deport 75,000 illegal migrants. He used the term in podcast interviews and at a Firebrand conference, where it was praised as a far-right concept. Experts describe remigration as a white supremacist policy involving the forced removal of non-white people and warn that mass deportations would be extraordinarily expensive and prone to serious errors. The scrutiny follows Pauline Hanson’s endorsement of mass deportation after meeting Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe, while One Nation has not clarified how such a policy would operate.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports that Liberal MP Julian Leeser told an antisemitism royal commission his seven-year-old son no longer feels safe attending synagogues or Jewish events after the Bondi terror attack. Other major developments include internal Labor conflict over Ed Husic’s proposed resolution condemning Israel’s war in Gaza; advocacy groups’ criticism that proposed gambling reforms are insufficient; the Albanese government’s decision to close the Climate Active carbon-neutral certification scheme; and Trade Minister Don Farrell’s condemnation of a new 12.5% US tariff on Australian exports. The blog also covers an ABC review of two removed Four Corners episodes, warnings about possible eye risks associated with GLP-1 drugs, replacement of Queensland police pistols, a positive cocaine test allegedly involving footballer Cristian Volpato, and Qantas’s ultra-long-distance aircraft test flight.

The Trump administration has imposed a 12.5% tariff on many Australian exports, citing Australia’s failure to effectively enforce a ban on goods made with forced labour. Beef, gold and several other product categories are exempt. Australia’s government rejects the measure as unjustified and inconsistent with the US free-trade agreement, pointing to its strong modern-slavery laws. Business and farming groups also condemn the decision, while opposition figures accuse the Albanese government of failing to secure better terms. Critics in the US argue that the forced-labour rationale is being used to circumvent restrictions on Trump’s broader tariff program.

The Trump administration announced tariffs on imports from 85 countries, claiming they failed to prohibit or enforce bans on goods made with forced labor. Critics including Democratic representative Linda Sánchez, Brazil’s government, Australia and Canadian officials argued that the policy was arbitrary and a pretext for restoring tariffs after the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s earlier measures. The coverage also reports discrepancies in Pentagon casualty figures from the Iran war, with lawmakers accusing the administration of manipulating the death toll, while Trump continued to defend the conflict and threaten to use frozen Iranian assets to compensate shipping losses. Canada and Mexico began assessing their responses, and Trump separately hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese announced the creation of an Office of AI and pledged strong copyright protections preventing AI companies from using Australian creative works without permission or payment. The government will legislate new binding standards for datacentres covering location, energy use and sustainability while ensuring facilities do not compete with housing or drive up electricity costs. Industry groups welcomed clearer rules but warned against excessive regulation, while creatives supported firm copyright safeguards. Cabinet continues to debate copyright reforms amid rising public concern over AI, datacentre expansion and the need for national standards to guide investment and ensure community trust.

Ed Husic urged the Labor government to resist diluting copyright laws for AI companies, warning that doing so would undermine the party’s core principle of fair remuneration for workers. His comments come amid internal debate over proposed copyright exemptions sought by major AI firms and ahead of Anthony Albanese’s speech on AI policy. The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance pressed the government to introduce stronger protections ensuring creators are paid when their work is used to train AI models. Broader concerns about AI infrastructure impacts and datacentre development continue to shape the government’s approach as ministers weigh competing pressures from industry, communities and creative workers.

Creative industries and several Australian politicians are resisting renewed pressure from major AI companies seeking copyright exemptions that would allow large-scale content scraping to train AI models. Internal divisions within the Labor government have slowed decisions on copyright reform, with some ministers prioritising datacentre investment and others defending creator rights. Concerns intensified after reports that tech firms were pushing for a carveout tied to large datacentre investments, a proposal rejected by government officials but still feared by creatives and some MPs. As Australia positions itself in a global competition for AI infrastructure, senior figures argue the country has leverage and must set firm conditions, while artists and Greens senators warn that any move resembling a text and data mining exemption would undermine copyright protections.

A government report finds that Australian jobs most exposed to AI-driven automation include telemarketers, clerks, software programmers and accountants, roles disproportionately held by women and university graduates. Tradespeople and aged care workers face the least risk. While no widespread AI-related job losses have been detected, highly exposed occupations are growing more slowly than low‑exposure roles. The Albanese government plans to release updated AI regulation measures addressing workforce impacts, copyright, privacy and safety concerns amid low public trust in AI and industry pressure over data access.

China conducted a long‑range missile test in the Pacific using a dummy warhead, describing it as part of routine military training with prior notification to regional governments. Australia confirmed it was informed only on the day of the launch and criticised the move as destabilising amid concerns over China’s rapid military expansion and limited transparency. Australian officials, including acting prime minister Richard Marles and foreign minister Penny Wong, warned the test undermines regional security and contradicts Pacific leaders’ goal of maintaining the region as an Ocean of Peace. Ship‑tracking data indicated China had positioned satellite‑tracking vessels across the Pacific in preparation, suggesting the test had been planned well in advance. The launch occurred shortly after Australia and Fiji signed a new defence alliance committing mutual support in the event of an attack.

Dan Tehan ruled out any coalition between the Liberal–National Coalition and One Nation despite internal debate over how to respond to One Nation’s rising poll numbers. Senior Coalition figures remain divided, with some advocating confrontation and others hinting at cooperation or preference deals. Tony Abbott’s recent comments on migration sparked backlash, but Tehan emphasized that policy is determined by the partyroom. Anthony Albanese criticized the three right‑wing parties for engaging in what he described as a “race to the bottom,” highlighting continued turmoil among conservative parties as polls show One Nation competing closely with Labor and the Coalition.

Discussion of the first Guardian Essential poll following Pauline Hanson’s speech shows her support has stalled, with even One Nation voters questioning her policy direction. Josh Butler and Peter Lewis examine voter reactions, the impacts of Hanson’s attacks on multiculturalism, climate action and public institutions, and explore alternative responses to the broader anger driving interest in her party.

A senior Liberal frontbencher, Melissa McIntosh, suggested the party may need to rebrand after the Coalition hit historic polling lows, prompting ridicule from Labor figures in parliament. The comments followed opposition leader Angus Taylor’s admission that the Morrison government had breached public trust during the pandemic by endorsing big‑government approaches. Polls show declining support for the Coalition and One Nation alongside gains for Labor. Internal concerns about the Liberal Party’s direction are growing, though Taylor’s leadership is not seen as immediately threatened. Taylor and other senior Liberals stressed the need to rebuild trust and develop policies capable of regaining voter support.