Will Tony Abbott return to frontline politics? The Liberal party’s most polarising figure can imagine a way
The former PM is open to resurrecting his parliamentary career, if Angus Taylor does what Peter Dutton wouldn’t and actively drafts him inGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn June last year, the Liberal party’s federal executive met to discuss the next phase of an intervention into the troubled New South Wales division.The meeting will be a short footnote in the modern history of the Liberal party. Continue reading...
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Building 1.2m homes will barely put a dent in Australia’s housing affordability, one expert says. Here’s why
Thinking ‘supply is the answer’ lets politicians dodge a much more difficult conversation about tax – for investors and ownersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIs building more homes the answer to Australia’s housing crisis?No, it’s not. Not even close. Continue reading...
Algorithm-based tool for home support funding is ‘cruel’ and ‘inhumane’, Australian aged care workers warn
Mark Aitken, who worked in the sector for 16 years, said eight times out of 10 he disagreed with the integrated assessment toolGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAged care clinicians and carers say an algorithm-based assessment tool that determines federal home support funding packages is “cruel” and “inhumane”, stripping away clinical expertise and leaving elderly people with inadequate support.The integrated assessment tool (IAT), introduced in November, is used across aged care to determine eligibility and classification for services, including residential care. Continue reading...
Role of far-right ‘manosphere’ in homophobic attacks on men to be investigated in Victoria
Exclusive: Greens move to call parliamentary inquiry after series of ‘disturbing’ attacks targeting gay and bisexual men lured via dating appsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe role of “far-right manosphere influencers” in fuelling homophobic attacks where victims were lured through fake dating app profiles before being assaulted is set to be investigated by a Victorian parliamentary inquiry.Aiv Puglielli, the Greens’ equality spokesperson, will on Wednesday move a motion calling on the upper house’s legal and social issues committee to investigate the scale of such crimes, as well as the state’s current response and support available to victims. Continue reading...
Jesse Jackson tributes live: Bernice King and Al Sharpton join family in praising ‘transformative leader’
Ordained minister and activist who twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination had been living with progressive supranuclear palsyJesse Jackson, civil rights leader, dies aged 84Jesse Jackson – a life in picturesYou can watch Jesse Jackson’s famous 1988 speech at the Democratic convention urging Americans to “keep hope alive” below. It quickly became an American political classic and was echoed in the “hope and change” slogan of Barack Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign.The civil rights campaigner, Al Sharpton, has paid tribute to his “mentor” Jesse Jackson, whom he worked closely with over the civil rights era. In a tribute posted to X, Sharpton wrote:My mentor, Rev. Jesse Jackson, has passed. I just prayed with his family by phone. He was a consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world.He shaped public policy and changed laws. He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits. Continue reading...
Farage insults female reporter as Braverman says Reform UK wants to scrap Equality Act – UK politics live
Party leader tells FT journalist she should ‘write some silly story’ after press conference revealing roles for his top teamNigel Farage is speaking.He starts by saying that 4.6m voters will get the right to to vote in the local elections because of his party.I am writing a book on Nigel Farage for @headlinepg.No holds will be barred. Continue reading...
France releases suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker after huge fine, as Ukraine peace talks begin – Europe live
Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier called for ‘justice and strength’ in diplomacy after Russia hit Ukraine with 400 drones and 29 missiles hours before talksThe European Commission is just giving its daily midday press briefing, and it has confirmed plans to adopt the new, 20th, round of sanctions against Russia by 24 February, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion on Ukraine.Foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said:“We keep on working on measures to deprive Russia of the funds, goods and technologies sustaining its war against Ukraine. This indeed includes the 20th package that you have mentioned, and indeed we aim to adopt it … by 24 February, as the High Representative [Kaja Kallas] mentioned at the last foreign affairs council. Member states are discussing it.” Continue reading...
Tarique Rahman sworn in as Bangladeshi prime minister
Many are hopeful moment will be a turning point away from repression and unrest and a chance to revive economyBangladesh’s new prime minister has been sworn in, sealing a dramatic comeback for the Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) and formally closing the turbulent chapter that toppled Sheikh Hasina in 2024.The swearing-in of Tarique Rahman restored an elected government after 18 months of caretaker rule led by the Nobel peace prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Continue reading...
Ukraine and Russia Hold New Round of Peace Talks, but Expectations Are Low
Both sides described previous U.S.-mediated negotiations as productive, although they did not appear to address sticking points like territory and security guarantees.
Freemasons’ legal challenge attempt against Met fails
High court judge rules in favour of police force’s decision to compel staff to declare membership of organisationFreemasons have failed in their attempt to bring a legal challenge against Britain’s biggest police force over its decision to compel staff to declare whether they are or have been members.Mr Justice Chamberlain said on Tuesday that the Metropolitan police’s decision “serves a legitimate aim, maintaining and enhancing public trust in policing, and is proportionate”. Continue reading...