Albanese calls Zomi Frankcom decision ‘an outrage’
Will the government expel the Israeli ambassador and what will the government do to ensure justice is served, asks the independent MP Sophie Scamps.
Anthony Albanese says he and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, have consistently called for accountability and transparency from the Israeli government over the killing of Gaza aid workers including Zomi Frankcom.
He also calls the decision not to pursue criminal proceedings an “outrage”.
double quotation markIsrael’s decision to close their investigation without criminal proceedings is an outrage and it falls far short of the accountability that we expect and consistently called for on behalf of Australia. Since the tragic killings, the government has consistently made clear our expectation for transparency, and we’ve pressed for full accountability.
The foreign minister has called in Israel’s ambassador to Australia to strongly register our views, and Australia’s ambassador to Israel has done the same. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Ms Frankcom and her colleagues.
He doesn’t say whether the government will expel the ambassador, but earlier during her press conference, Wong said removing an ambassador “would remove our ability to be able to engage, press for Australia’s interests”.
Updated at 01.17 EDT
Key events
Krishani Dhanji
Thank you all so much for following along on the blog with me this sitting fortnight!
I’ll leave you with the fabulous Achol Arok. Take care.
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Josh Butler
News bargaining incentive backed by News Corp
News Corp has welcomed the passage of the news bargaining incentive, calling it “much-needed investment” for the journalism sector.
As Krishani brought you earlier, the NBI – which obligates big tech companies to make commercial deals with at least six media outlets, to support journalism – passed parliament earlier, among a rush of legislation pushed through both houses this week.
“Australian news organisations now get the much-needed investment to continue delivering professional journalism vital to our democracy and local communities,” said Michael Miller, the executive chair of News Corp Australia.
double quotation markThis again shows the Australian Government’s willingness to be a world leader in developing policies that benefit everyday Australians and the public interest.
Meta, TikTok and Google will have to sign deals with media outlets under the new rules, or pay a higher levy which would be distributed by the government.
Updated at 01.46 EDT
Tl;dr here’s what happened in question timeShare
Updated at 01.41 EDT
After a final dixer to Clare O’Neil, Anthony Albanese calls time on QT.
Someone from the opposition bench says “a bit early!” to which Albanese replies, “really?!”
That’s the last question time of the sitting fortnight.
Dan Tehan has a bit of a crack at the PM:
double quotation markIt’s been the normal practice at question time that there’s 20 questions usually asked. Yet what’s happened because we’ve got someone under witness protection …
He gets cut off. And then everyone moves on.
ShareAlbanese calls Zomi Frankcom decision ‘an outrage’
Will the government expel the Israeli ambassador and what will the government do to ensure justice is served, asks the independent MP Sophie Scamps.
Anthony Albanese says he and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, have consistently called for accountability and transparency from the Israeli government over the killing of Gaza aid workers including Zomi Frankcom.
He also calls the decision not to pursue criminal proceedings an “outrage”.
double quotation markIsrael’s decision to close their investigation without criminal proceedings is an outrage and it falls far short of the accountability that we expect and consistently called for on behalf of Australia. Since the tragic killings, the government has consistently made clear our expectation for transparency, and we’ve pressed for full accountability.
The foreign minister has called in Israel’s ambassador to Australia to strongly register our views, and Australia’s ambassador to Israel has done the same. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Ms Frankcom and her colleagues.
He doesn’t say whether the government will expel the ambassador, but earlier during her press conference, Wong said removing an ambassador “would remove our ability to be able to engage, press for Australia’s interests”.
Updated at 01.17 EDT
‘I prefer to deal with the Taliban’: Coalition piles pressure on Keogh
Phil Thompson next asks the prime minister “how much more evidence is needed before you sack this incompetent minister”, and says one veteran told him “I prefer to deal with the Taliban” than Matt Keogh.
The assistant minister Julian Hill is booted by Milton Dick at the end of the question – on his way out he drops his folder.
Anthony Albanese calls that an “unfortunate quote” and defends his minister.
double quotation markWe have responded constructively to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. That is why we engaged constructively. I met some of the veterans who were here earlier this week, just in the corridor, introduced myself to them. I’ve said I’m happy to meet with them.
Phil Thompson in question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 01.10 EDT
Albanese says he will raise combating family and domestic violence at national cabinet next week
Back to QT, independent MP Zali Steggall asks what else the government is going to do to help keep women and children and safe after the recent deaths of women allegedly at the hands of a partner, and multiple high profile sexual assault allegations.
Anthony Albanese says there must be zero tolerance of sexual violence in Australia.
He says next week he will convene national cabinet next week and has put domestic violence on the agenda.
double quotation markState governments have primary responsibility in areas such as community services ministers, and in those services of the 500 additional workers that we have funded as part of a commitment I took to the 2022 election, that are making a difference on the ground. But that took longer than we would like, frankly, for it to be rolled out. We are seeing, tragically as well, I want to hold governments to account that sometimes when the commonwealth provides additional money, that’s seen as an excuse to withdraw funding … I will raise that very directly with the premiers.
Anthony Albanese during question time in the House of Representatives. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 01.01 EDT
More than 1,000 crested terns found dead with suspected H5 bird flu in three mass mortality events in South Australia
Lisa Cox
Breaking out of question time for a moment:
The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, has declared a “significant escalation” in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 crested terns.
State authorities are also investigating a suspected case in a little penguin found on Kangaroo Island, with Malinauskas telling the parliament the development was “of particular concern”.
Malinauskas said aerial surveillance on Wednesday detected the three mass mortality events, all on remote islands. He said more than 1,000 dead crested terns were found across Troubridge Island off the Yorke Peninsula and the Pages Islands (known as North Page and South Page) off Kangaroo Island.
He said the cause of the deaths was presumed to be H5 bird flu.
Malinauskas said:
double quotation markThe loss of more than 1,000 birds is deeply concerning, and the state government is treating these events with the utmost seriousness.
Updated at 00.59 EDT
Liberal MP accuses Keogh of ‘gaslighting’ women veterans
Liberal MP Melissa Price has kept the spotlight on Matt Keogh, asking why he has delayed the release of a women’s veteran strategy, and accuses him of “gaslighting” women veterans.
Keogh says that his department has been working on a women’s strategy and has been consulting with veterans and serving personnel, but it’s “been complex work”.
double quotation markOne of the issues that has come up over the time that I have been in the portfolio has been the very real concern expressed by many women veterans about making sure that a system that understandably has been designed primarily over the last century to support male members in the Defence Force.
He hasn’t provide a timeline as to when the work will be delivered.
Dan Tehan stands up to make a point of order, but as he approaches the despatch box, Keogh walks away, indicating he’s finished his answer.
Minister says allied health cap for veterans responds to royal commission recommendations
Michael McCormack is back at the despatch box, and says not one of the 122 recommendations made by the royal commission into defence and veterans’ suicides called for a cap on allied health services.
Matt Keogh says the changes to allied health service access does respond to the recommendations of the royal commission, by increasing the fees for allied health professionals:
double quotation markOne of the things that this measure delivers on is increasing the fees that are going to be paid to allied health service professionals across Australia, recognising the real need that has been spoken about for so long by those providers and by the veteran community. And that was something that was highlighted in recommendation 71.
Updated at 00.47 EDT