2m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 3:05am
That’s the end of our live blog!
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6m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 3:02amHastie and Taylor hold ‘constructive conversation’
Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have not settled on whether either will challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership.
The pair met in Melbourne on Thursday morning as a first step to resolving a path forward for the party amid speculation a spill against Ley is imminent following the chaos of last week’s Coalition split
A Liberal source familiar with the meeting told the ABC Hastie and Taylor had a “constructive conversation” but “talks are ongoing”.
7m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 3:01am
PM says it’s ‘extraordinary’ Libs are discussing leadership amid Katie Allen memorial
Anthony Albanese says it’s “extraordinary” senior Liberals conservatives have met to discuss leadership questions on the same day as the memorial for former Liberal MP Katie Allen.
Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor met in an attempt to resolve the leadership crisis engulfing the federal party room.
“Katie was a very decent human being, who made a contribution to public life and was a candidate in the most recent federal election,” Albanese says.
“My heart goes out to her family, to her many friends and colleagues as well as I’ve said publicly.
“I find it astonishing that there are meetings taking place about the leadership of the Liberal Party on a day such as today,” he says.
And that’s the end of the PM’s press conference.
14m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:54am
PM asked about Anne Aly’s comments on radio
The prime minister has been asked about Anne Aly’s comments on ABC Radio National Breakfast this morning.
The multicultural affairs minister declined to say on radio whether she welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia in February.
She later released a statement saying that she understands the significance of Herzog’s visit to the Jewish community.
Anthony Albanese says Aly has made a statement welcoming the role Herzog’s visit will play in creating unity.
“I certainly welcome him coming and I look forward to visiting,” Albanese says.
“I note that Anne Aly has made appropriate comments as well, welcoming the fact, welcoming anything that leads to a greater sense of unity. We need to build social cohesion in this country,” he says.
20m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:48am
PM coy on whether states, Commonwealth can reach hospital funding agreement
National Cabinet will be meeting tomorrow to try and thrash out an agreement on public hospital funding.
The PM has remained coy about whether the states, territories and Commonwealth will reach an agreement on public hospital funding.
“We are not an ATM. We have to make sure that we’re responsible going forward. We understand a number of state budgets are under pressure,” Albanese says.
“I’ve been having constructive discussions with state and territory leaders,” he says.
He says the government put an offer to states and territories yesterday, and will discuss it with them tomorrow.
26m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:41am
Labor to examine further cost of living relief ahead of budget: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will always examine ways to ease cost of living pressures.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to either increase or place interest rates on hold after a higher than expected uptick in inflation.
Albanese says the government will look at other cost of living measures in the lead up to the federal budget.
“We understand that that is the number one priority that we have had since I came to office in 2022. We have continued to each and every day focus on that,” Albanese says.
The PM has sidestepped a question on whether the government needs to rein in spending, and instead spruiked the government’s budget surpluses.
30m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:38am
Albanese holds press conference after Timor-Leste visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stepped up for a press conference in Cairns where he’s speaking about his trip to Timor-Leste.
Albanese says the trip to Dili was “very successful” and that the two nations upgraded the bilateral relationship.
He’s flagged that he’ll be going to Indonesia next week.
“Our countries to our north as well as the Pacific are so important for us,” Albanese says.
“In a turbulent world, it is important that Australia continues to play a role as a middle power,” he says.
The PM is visiting a new Urgent Care Clinic in Cairns and he’s used the opportunity to talk up the government’s investment in health.
46m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:21am
PM wraps up trip in Timor-Leste, arrives in Australia
(AAP: Mick Tsikas)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his quick trip to Timor-Leste.
The PM signed an agreement with Timor-Leste’s prime minister and delivered an address to the nation’s parliament yesterday.
The agreement included a commitment from Canberra to establish an infrastructure fund for the country once the future of the Greater Sunrise gas field is resolved.
Albanese will be stepping up for a press conference soon. We’ll bring you that here live as soon as it happens.
59m agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:08am
Anne Aly releases statement after declining to endorse Herzog’s Australia visit
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly has released a statement following her interview on ABC Radio National Breakfast today.
Earlier, the minister declined to endorse Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia in February.
In a statement, Aly says she understands the significance of Herzog’s visit to Australia to the Jewish community.
“I understand the significance of the visit by President Herzog for the Australian Jewish community as we continue to honour the innocent victims of the anti semitic terrorist attack in Bondi,” Aly says.
“Our country needs to come together in unity and I welcome anything that assists that process,” she says.
1h agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 2:02am
McCarthy seeking briefing about Perth incident before parliament returns
Malarndirri McCarthy says First Nations elders have met with the WA police commissioner and have been briefed about what took place at the Invasion Day rally on Monday.
The Indigenous Australians minister says she has spoken with the WA government, the WA Indigenous affairs minister and families who attended the rally.
She says she wants a full a thorough briefing before parliament returns next week.
“They were very pleased to be a part of that briefing. The WA Police is working closely with them to keep them informed,” McCarthy says.
“There are a lot of facts that perhaps cannot be revealed at this point in time, but I will certainly be pursuing it in Parliament next week,” she says.
1h agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 1:55amIndigenous Australians minister says Perth Invasion Day rally incident ‘really serious’
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has spoken to ABC News about an incident at an Invasion Day protest in Perth.
WA Police allege a 31-year-old man threw a device containing screws and ball bearings surrounded by an explosive liquid into the crowd of about 2,500 people in the heart of Perth’s CBD.
McCarthy says protests should be able to occur peacefully, and that First Nations people should be able to feel safe protesting.
She says the incident was “really serious” and that the government is treating it as such.
“I’m pleased to see the WA Police are put out a press release that this is being investigated as a potential terrorist act,” McCarthy says.
“There is a legal process under way and it is important that that legal process does takes place, and as I said, I’m very pleased the WA Police, the AFP and ASIO have now included that they are looking at this as a potential terrorist act,” she says.
1h agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 1:20amHastie and Taylor meet to resolve Liberal leadership
(Credit: Liam Mendes/The Australian)
Conservative Liberal powerbrokers have met in Melbourne in an attempt to resolve the leadership crisis engulfing the federal party room.
Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor gathered with several senior colleagues at a private residence early on Thursday ahead of the funeral of former Liberal MP Katie Allen.
It was the first time the future leadership aspirants had been face-to-face since last week’s Coalition split fuelled speculation Opposition Leader Sussan Ley would face an imminent challenge for her position.
Also in attendance were Liberals James Paterson, Matt O’Sullivan and Jonno Duniam.
One Liberal source familiar with the meeting said their focus was resolving the leadership tensions in the party’s interest.
Earlier on Thursday, Paterson told the ABC any senior Liberals who wanted Ley to be challenged should first resign their position.
1h agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 1:13am
McKenzie says Nationals are ‘incredibly united’ after spill call
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie says the country party is “incredibly united” after Flynn MP Colin Boyce called for a leadership spill.
Boyce says David Littleproud’s position as Nationals leader is untenable after the second Coalition breakup in less than 12 months.
Speaking to Sky News, McKenzie says the spill has come as a “complete surprise” and will fail when it comes to a vote next week.
The Nationals senator says she’s not worried Boyce will use the spill as an opportunity to defect to One Nation.
“I think Colin is a man of his word, so if he says he’s not defecting I believe him. The fact is, our party room is one of the most democratic party rooms in parliament. Everyone has their say, everyone’s an equal, and we come to collective decisions,” McKenzie says.
3h agoThu 29 Jan 2026 at 12:03am
Herzog visit risks heightening community tensions, independent MP says
Independent MP Sophie Scamps has raised concerns about Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s planned visit to Australia in February.
The Mackellar MP says Herzog’s visit to Australia “risks igniting further division” in Australia at a time when the country needs social cohesion.
Last year, a UN Human Rights Council special commission of inquiry into the war in Gaza found Israel was committing genocide, and that comments made by Herzog following the Hamas October 7 attack were evidence of genocidal intent.
His comments are included in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, which is before the International Court of Justice.
In a statement, Scamps says the invite to Herzog risks “deeply dividing the Australian community”.
“In the aftermath of the Bondi attack, this visit risks heightening tensions and deepening divisions, at a time when the government’s priority should be fostering social cohesion, security and safety for Jewish Australians and for all communities,” Scamps says.
“As a supporter of the rules-based world order, human rights and international law, Australia should not ignore the concerns raised by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry and Amnesty International regarding President Herzog’s conduct and rescind this invitation,” she says.
4h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 10:54pm
Paul Scarr says Coalition must get back together ‘as soon as possible’
Shadow Immigration Minister Paul Scarr has backed Sussan Ley as opposition leader amid speculation over the Liberal leadership.
Speaking to Sky News, Scarr says the Liberals have an obligation to focus on issues like cost of living, not internal party politics.
“I think she [Sussan Ley] has had to navigate extremely difficult circumstances coming out of the last election,” Scarr says.
“She’s doing everything she said she was going to do and that includes consulting the backbench, holding the Labor government to account, so Sussan has my support,” he says.
He says to be successful at an election in his home state of Queensland, the non-Labor side of politics has to be united.
Scarr says he hopes the Coalition comes together “as soon as possible”.
4h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 10:18pm
Sussan Ley pays tribute to former Liberal MP Katie Allen
Sussan Ley has paid tribute to former Liberal MP Katie Allen, who is being remembered at a memorial service in Melbourne today.
Liberals are gathering in Melbourne to remember the former doctor, professor and Higgins MP who died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 59.
In a statement, the opposition leader says Allen believed deeply in service, led by example and worked tirelessly.
“As a woman in public life, Katie led by example. She showed that strength and kindness were not opposites, that leadership could be both principled and humane, and that conviction need not veer towards cruelty,” Ley says.
“She encouraged women to back themselves, to speak up, to support each other, and to believe that their voices mattered. Many young women saw in Katie not just a role model, but a pathway.
“Katie Allen left behind more than a record of service. She left behind a standard.”
5h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 9:45pmBoyce has no intention of leaving Nationals ‘at this point in time’
Nationals MP Colin Boyce has continued his media rounds this morning, this time on ABC News Breakfast.
The Queensland MP says his spill motion aims to re-establish a Coalition deal with the Liberals.
He says a Coalition is the best way forward for conservative politics in Australia.
Boyce says Littleproud has overseen the “blowing up” of the Coalition agreement twice, and that his position is untenable.
“If the National Party continues on this road to go it alone to the next election, there is some serious political ramifications that will occur, both in Victoria and New South Wales,” Boyce says.
“The Liberal Party are in a position where they don’t want to do deals with David Littleproud for fear of him doing it again. I offer an alternative. It is that simple,” he says.
He says he has no intention of leaving the National Party “at this point in time”.
Boyce says both the Liberals and Nationals need a change in leadership.
5h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 9:33pmMinister refuses to endorse Israeli president’s visit to Australia
Anne Aly has declined to endorse Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australian in February.
The multicultural affairs minister says an invitation to Mr Herzog was extended after the Bondi attacks as protocol.
“President Herzog was invited in the aftermath of the Bondi attacks, as is protocol and as is something that is usually done. An invitation is extended where there is an attack where foreign individuals have been the targets,” Aly says.
But pressed again on whether she welcomes his visit to Australia, Aly repeated her earlier point.
“I think, you know, as I said, he was invited to commemorate and to remember the victims of the Bondi terror attack,” she says.
5h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 9:28pm
Aly says Morrison’s call for intervention in Islamic preaching is ‘irresponsible’
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly says a former prime minister’s proposal to call for greater intervention in Islamic preaching and education is “irresponsible”.
Scott Morrison used a speech in Israel to propose strengthening oversight of Islamic teaching by introducing a national register for Islamic preachers and a recognised accreditation system for imams.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Aly says Morrison’s proposal draws on historical stereotypes and that continually puts the blame and responsibility on Muslim communities.
“The Muslim community leadership was among the first to come out and condemn the acts of the terrorists in Bondi last year,” Aly says.
“And yet this consistent seeking to blame the entire community, an entire faith community for the actions of two radicalised individuals to take advantage of something like the Bondi attacks to sow seeds of discourse is absolutely abhorrent and should be rejected.”
5h agoWed 28 Jan 2026 at 9:18pm
Deputy Nationals leader defends David Littleproud’s leadership
Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan has defended David Littleproud’s leadership, saying he has acted with the support of the party room.
Last week, the National frontbenchers broke with official Coalition policy and voted against Labor’s hate laws in the Senate.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Hogan says Littleproud hasn’t “run off and done anything” without the support of colleagues.
“David Littleproud has never run off and done anything unless he has had the complete support of the Nationals party room. So because of that, that changes the whole perception of us with David and what he’s doing,” Hogan says.
He says both the decision to oppose the hate bill and split from the Coalition had the support of the party room.
The deputy leader says the Liberal and National parties’ primary opponent is Labor.