{"id":690915,"date":"2026-05-24T05:53:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T05:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/690915\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T05:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T05:53:13","slug":"pocock-open-to-independents-forming-party-to-counter-hanson-as-it-happened-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/690915\/","title":{"rendered":"Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n<p>What we learned, Sunday 24 May<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With that, we will wrap the blog for the day. Here were today\u2019s major developments:<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock has said he\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a1240c78f089865cf41bc30#block-6a1240c78f089865cf41bc30\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">open to the idea<\/a> of independents forming a party to tackle One Nation\u2019s growing influence on the right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock has also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a123bd58f08c1daf13f3e1b#block-6a123bd58f08c1daf13f3e1b\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">urged a Senate inquiry<\/a> on changes to the capital gains tax discounts for all business investments, and agreed the tech industry should receive a potential carve-out or a special deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Staged demolition of the Waterloo public housing estate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a127c4c8f089865cf41bcfb#block-6a127c4c8f089865cf41bcfb\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will begin tomorrow<\/a> after a long fight by community members to save the towers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Eleven Australians part of the Global Sumud flotilla <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a1271a48f080414a3d99f9f#block-6a1271a48f080414a3d99f9f\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will begin returning to Australia<\/a> from this evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A 39-year-old man has died <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a1277d58f089865cf41bceb#block-6a1277d58f089865cf41bceb\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">after a suspected shark<\/a> attack on the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Queensland police <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a1228108f080414a3d99eba#block-6a1228108f080414a3d99eba\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">have shot dead<\/a> an alleged domestic violence perpetrator who was armed with a firearm at a home north of Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The NSW police watchdog has said<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6a1246258f080414a3d99f18#block-6a1246258f080414a3d99f18\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> it expects to start<\/a> its public hearings as part of the investigation into alleged police brutality at the February protest against the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, no later than September, after receiving a record number of complaints.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a12852f8f080414a3d99fe0#block-6a12852f8f080414a3d99fe0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a001.09 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Community continues to fight to save Waterloo public housing as demolition begins<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Staged demolition of the Waterloo public housing estate will begin tomorrow after a long fight by community members to save the towers and who have said their battle is still not over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The NSW government is demolishing Waterloo south, which housed vulnerable Sydney-siders in 750 public housing properties, to make way for 3300 properties. It\u2019s expected the $4b redevelopment will take between ten and 15 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Half of the new properties will be private, 20% will be \u201caffordable\u201d housing, and the remaining 30% will be a mix of public and community housing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The tenants displaced by the redevelopment are being relocated to other social housing estates in nearby suburbs and have been promised they can return when the new homes are complete.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Some residents continue to fight against the demolition. A protest is being held this afternoon in Waterloo calling for the government to renovate \u201cthe perfectly liveable apartments\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The advocates said in a statement on Sunday about the protest that the government\u2019s plan to redevelop Waterloo is a renege of a \u201cpre-election 2023 promise to save Waterloo\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Ron Hoenig, the state MP for Heffron, sent letter and texts to tenants in the lead-up to the 2023 election urging tenants to send the Liberal party a message \u2013 \u201cHands off Waterloo\u201d \u2013 by voting Labor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After the election the premier Chris Minns that said he would freeze the privatisation of public housing. Minns maintained the government\u2019s plan to push ahead with the redevelopment is not privatisation and in line with its election policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Karyn Brown, Waterloo South resident and Action for Public Housing spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markWe will not stop fighting the Minns government. A total of 750 tenants will be evicted to make way for private developer Stockland to build 3300 homes. <\/p>\n<p>We have 640,000 people across the country who are in dire need of secure public housing. We have 150,000 people homeless and these are conservative figures.<\/p>\n<p>The solution to the housing crisis is beautiful public housing. That\u2019s why we need to save Waterloo.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a127c4c8f089865cf41bcfb#block-6a127c4c8f089865cf41bcfb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Man dies after suspected shark attack in far north Queensland<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A 39-year-old man has died after a suspected shark attack on the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Queensland police confirmed they will prepare a report for the coroner after the \u201csudden and non-suspicious death\u201d of the man, who was understood to be fishing at Kennedy Shoal, a popular spot off the coast roughly between Townsville and Cairns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was brought to a boat ramp near Tully in a critical condition but has since died.<\/p>\n<p><a data-name=\"placeholder\" href=\"https:\/\/interactive.guim.co.uk\/uploader\/embed\/2026\/05\/embed-94-zip\/giv-32554neAehnFvmtRt\" class=\"dcr-1eupayo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">map of Kennedy Shoal<\/a><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1277d58f089865cf41bceb#block-6a1277d58f089865cf41bceb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a000.26 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Three Gaza flotilla activists to arrive back in Melbourne and Brisbane from tonight<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Three more Australians including activist Violet Coco will return to Australia from this evening, after they were detained by the Israel Defense Forces along with 425 others after their flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As we reported earlier, seven Australians part of the Global Sumud flotilla will return to Sydney tomorrow morning. This includes, Neve O\u2019Connor, Sam Woripa Watson, Isla Lamont, Juliet Lamont, Surya McEwen, Zack Schofield, and Anny Mokotow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two more, Coco and Gemma O\u2019Toole, will arrive at Melbourne airport. O\u2019Toole will arrive this evening, and Coco will arrive early on Monday morning. Helen O\u2019Sullivan will arrive at Brisbane airport early on Monday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1271a48f080414a3d99f9f#block-6a1271a48f080414a3d99f9f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a023.54 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Man being treated after possible shark attack near Cairns<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A man is in a critical condition after an apparent shark attack about 160km south of Cairns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It is understood the man is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being brought to the Hull Heads boat ramp aboard a vessel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Police and paramedics were called at about noon on Sunday, and had been at the boat ramp waiting for the man to be brought back to shore.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a126d838f08c1daf13f3edd#block-6a126d838f08c1daf13f3edd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a023.22 EDT<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779601992_171_Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\" alt=\"Sarah Basford Canales\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u2018Huge amount of grievance\u2019 behind One Nation\u2019s surging polls, Bragg says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Liberal senator Andrew Bragg says Australians are choosing One Nation over the opposition because they \u201cwant an economic revolution\u201d and his party has failed in the last decade to give them a solution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Earlier this morning, the NSW senator told Sky News it was a big opportunity for the Liberals to \u201creset\u201d and to differentiate themselves from Labor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bragg said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI think we\u2019re in real trouble under this [Labor] government and we have to accept that part of the blame here belongs with us over a long period of time. I think we\u2019ve been too much like a uniparty with Labor on economic policy and if we don\u2019t massively differentiate, like we\u2019re starting to do on bracket creep, then we\u2019re going to be dead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">His comments come as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afr.com\/politics\/federal\/is-this-our-political-future-new-poll-lays-out-one-nation-surge-labor-minority-20260522-p5zzp8\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a new poll released over the weekend by Redbridge Group and Accent Research<\/a> estimates One Nation could win as many as 59 seats if a federal election were held at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Liberal senator Andrew Bragg. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAP<a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a12556f8f089865cf41bc69#block-6a12556f8f089865cf41bc69\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a022.30 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Public hearings into NSW police response to Herzog protest to begin in September<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The NSW police watchdog has said it expects to start its public hearings as part of the investigation into alleged police brutality at the February protest against the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, no later than September, after receiving a record number of complaints.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc), which is independent from the police, said in a statement released today:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markThe Commission is committed to a fair, objective and thorough investigation. That investigation will include Commission examinations, some of which will be held in public. The public hearings will start no earlier than September 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Lecc said in the statement that the police force had \u201cpromptly complied\u201d with its notices to produce material from the Sydney protest, and that their cooperation had assisted the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, this is at odds with a statement made by the Lecc chief commissioner, Peter Johnson SC, on Friday before a NSW parliamentary committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Johnson said police had become \u201coverly defensive\u201d in response to requests for information in its investigations, describing the relationship between the agencies as \u201cdifficult\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The commission said it is assessing more than 800 complaints, reviewing more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage, has conducted early interviews with witnesses, and is considering a range of material provided by police, including body worn video footage.<\/p>\n<p>The Lecc chief commissioner, Peter Johnson SC. Photograph: Jessica Hromas\/The Guardian<a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1246258f080414a3d99f18#block-6a1246258f080414a3d99f18\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a022.03 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Detained Gaza flotilla activists to arrive back in Australia on Monday<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Seven Australians that were among the 428 people detained by the Israel Defense Forces last week after their flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted will return to Australia on Monday morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A statement said that the Australia participants of the Global Sumud flotilla \u2013 Neve O\u2019Connor, Sam Woripa Watson, Isla Lamont, Juliet Lamont, Surya McEwen, Zack Schofield, and Anny Mokotow \u2013 will fly into Sydney airport at 7.45am.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">More than 100 family members, friends and supporters are expected to welcome them back to Australia at the airport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Lamont, an Australian film-maker, speaking in Turkey alleged that Israeli soldiers had sexually assaulted and beaten her. She says soldiers had beaten 180 people on her prison boat, leaving at least 40 with broken bones, while others were Tasered and sedated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Israel\u2019s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, faced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/21\/penny-wong-condemns-israeli-minister-over-shocking-and-unacceptable-treatment-of-flotilla-activists-ntwnfb\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">condemnation in Australia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/20\/israeli-security-minister-itamar-ben-gvir-stirs-diplomatic-outrage-with-flotilla-activist-abuse-video\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">around the world<\/a> after sharing footage of himself verbally abusing the kneeling and bound detainees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was criticised within Israel, with the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, defending the flotilla\u2019s interception but condemning his minister, stating: \u201cThe way that minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel\u2019s values and norms.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has claimed that the detained flotilla members were handled with \u201cgreat sensitivity\u201d. He rejected claims of violence and sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a124d558f080414a3d99f2c#block-6a124d558f080414a3d99f2c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a023.14 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Suspected gunman dies after volley of gunshots heard near White House<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We have an update on the gunshots that were heard near the US White House and which went into a brief lockdown on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecretSvcSpox\/status\/2058341552234115202\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow\">a statement<\/a>, the US Secret Service said that, shortly after 6pm local time, a man approached a checkpoint at a White House gate near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, took out a pistol and fired.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Secret Service officers, who protect the US president and vice-president, returned fire, the agency said, \u201cstriking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">During the shooting, a bystander was also shot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Secret Service said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markIt remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect\u2019s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire.<\/p>\n<p>No injuries were sustained by Secret Service personnel. The President was at the White House during the incident but was not impacted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">More on this story here:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a124c2a8f08c1daf13f3e4c#block-6a124c2a8f08c1daf13f3e4c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a020.58 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Climate activists say they have blocked two coal ships from entering Newcastle port<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Climate activists say they have stopped two coal ships from entering the Port of Newcastle this morning after kayakers and a small boat entered the channel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rising Tide said in a statement a short time ago one ship scheduled to arrive at 8.30am had been turned around offshore, and another scheduled to arrive an hour later was cancelled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">They said police had spoken to the driver and passenger of a boat which had a banner that read \u201cSTOP HVO\u201d, referring to the Hunter Valley Operations coalmine. The boat left and no arrests were made, the climate group said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The driver of the boat, 85-year-old June Norman, is quoted in the statement as saying:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI grew up in the best years economically in Australia\u2019s history, and I can\u2019t sleep at night thinking about my 5 great-grandkids trying to live on a dead planet if we keep mining coal. I want to see more people my age standing up for what\u2019s right.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a12359c8f089865cf41bc0b#block-6a12359c8f089865cf41bc0b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a021.36 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Pocock open to independents forming party to counter One Nation<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock has said he\u2019s open to the idea of independents forming a party to tackle One Nation\u2019s growing influence on the right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Insiders host David Speers asked the independent senator for the ACT if independents forming a party would be a better strategy to tackle One Nation\u2019s rise. Pocock said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markThere\u2019s plenty of conversations going on all the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked if he was open to it, he said: \u201cI\u2019m always happy to chat about the future of our country\u201d:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI think there\u2019s so many people in politics for the right reasons and, when you\u2019re in there, you want to say, well, how do we actually ensure that people can elect people that are going to come here and really deal with the root causes of the problems that we\u2019re facing, because we haven\u2019t seen that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">At the next election, Pocock said he\u2019d like to see an independent run for parliament in every electorate who is supported by the community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speers asked: \u201cDo you see this moment as a moment where independents like you should be forming a party, or is staying independent more important to you? How do you think about your own future here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock responded: \u201cIt\u2019s a big question in the current political climate as an independent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He continued:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markHow do you be part of changing our country for the better? For me at the moment, that is serving people in the ACT, engaging on each issue, bringing solutions, using whatever power I have in the Senate to actually work on behalf of the people that have sent me there. As to what that looks like in the future, who knows?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1240c78f089865cf41bc30#block-6a1240c78f089865cf41bc30\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a023.27 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock says Labor should not ram CGT changes for businesses through parliament<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock said the government\u2019s aim to pass its changes to the capital gains tax discount for businesses in six weeks\u2019 time was too fast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markWe\u2019ve seen this worrying trend in politics where things are just rammed through parliament rather than actually taking the time to get it right.<\/p>\n<p>And in my experience, in the last term of parliament, when you do take things a bit slower, sure, it may get a bit messier but you end up in a better place because you hear the wide perspective of Australians who are directly impacted, and just more generally what their view is on these changes, and then you can land on a place that you say this actually makes sense for us as a country.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1240438f089865cf41bc2e#block-6a1240438f089865cf41bc2e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a021.09 EDT<\/p>\n<p>David Pocock urges Senate inquiry into CGT discounts for business investments<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock has urged a Senate inquiry on changes to the capital gains tax discounts for all business investments, and agreed the tech industry should receive a potential carve-out or a special deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock said on Insiders a short time ago that while he is a longtime supporter of changes to the capital gains tax regime for property, he thinks changes to the capital gains tax discounts for all business investments requires a Senate inquiry because \u201cit\u2019s very complicated\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI think the onus is on the government to, one, to make the case for the changes they\u2019re suggesting, but I think, two, to really engage in good faith, and I think that is through a lengthy Senate inquiry, where you actually delve into the detail and grapple with some of these trade-offs to ultimately land on a piece of legislation that is going to work well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked by the Insiders host if he thinks the tech industry deserves a complete carve-out or some sort of special deal, Pocock said: \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He continued:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI really welcome the government\u2019s changes to property and their ambition to actually change our tax system.<\/p>\n<p>I think when it comes to businesses, we want to be using it to incentivise startups, not just to start here in Australia, but critically to actually stay here as they scale.<\/p>\n<p>Independent senator David Pocock. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAP<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was also asked if he thinks there needs to be a carve-out or special deal for other small businesses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He responded:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI think this is something that really needs broad consultation.<\/p>\n<p>I think there\u2019s some very good reasons that we do want people to be taking a chance and actually building businesses that solve the big challenges of today, but then critically to get them to stay here in Australia, because we\u2019ve seen so many Australian businesses, a good idea gets gobbled up, moves to the US.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a123bd58f08c1daf13f3e1b#block-6a123bd58f08c1daf13f3e1b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a021.10 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock says Australia also needs to focus on returns from \u2018industries of the future\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pocock has advocated for a fair return on gas and other \u201cindustries of the future\u201d including critical minerals and AI datacentres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI think we need to get a fair return from the export of our gas right now but we need to be looking at all these other industries that we\u2019re told are the industries of the future, critical minerals, AI datacentres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked what that fair return looks like and if he thinks Australia should be considering a government ownership model similar to Norway, he said:<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markI don\u2019t have the specific solution to it but I think it\u2019s the principle of how do we get a fair return on resources that belong to the Australian people?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1238b38f089865cf41bc17#block-6a1238b38f089865cf41bc17\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a019.46 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock urges \u2018fair return\u2019 on gas exports<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock says he doesn\u2019t want the gas industry \u201cstopped\u201d, he wants \u201ca fair return on the exports of our gas\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The independent senator for ACT, who is on Insiders, is being asked about his calls for a 25% tax on gas exports.<\/p>\n<p>double quotation markWe\u2019re one of the biggest gas exporters in the world right now. My argument is we should be getting a fair return from the export of that gas, and also lowering the price of gas here in Australia.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re constantly being told that we have some sort of shortage of gas. We\u2019ve got manufacturers here paying more for Australian gas than Japan is buying our gas for.<\/p>\n<p>Independent senator David Pocock. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1237cd8f08c1daf13f3e13#block-6a1237cd8f08c1daf13f3e13\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a019.38 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">David Pocock on Insiders this morning<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">ACT independent senator David Pocock will soon speak to Insiders host David Speers before the battle over the Albanese government\u2019s budget moving into parliament this week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1234768f08c1daf13f3e05#block-6a1234768f08c1daf13f3e05\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a019.32 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We\u2019re expecting more news soon on the volley of gunshots heard near the White House in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/washington-dc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington DC<\/a> on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Selina Wang, a White House correspondent for ABC News, shared <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/selinawangtv\/status\/2058312115098697760\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow\">video<\/a> on social media of the sound of gunfire interrupting her as she recorded a report on US negotiations with Iran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the clip, Wang could be seen diving to take cover as what \u201csounded like dozens of gunshots\u201d rang out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/23\/gunshots-white-house\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">You can read what we know so far here:<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1233c38f089865cf41bbfb#block-6a1233c38f089865cf41bbfb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a019.32 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Queensland police shoot dead alleged domestic violence perpetrator north of Brisbane<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Queensland police have shot dead an alleged domestic violence perpetrator who was armed with a firearm at a home north of Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After midnight on Sunday morning, officers responded to an alleged domestic violence incident at a house in Narangba after reports that a man was armed and making threats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The man allegedly made threats towards the police while holding the weapon and an officer shot at him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officers immediately conducted first aid and resuscitation but the man died at the scene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Queensland ambulance service said paramedics assessed a patient in a life-threatening condition. Three people were also transported to hospital in stable conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Police Ethical Standards Command, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission, will investigate the incident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Investigations are ongoing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"> In Australia, the crisis support service <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifeline.org.au\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lifeline<\/a> is on 13 11 14 and the national <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800respect.org.au\/help-and-support\/telephone-and-online-counselling\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">family violence counselling service<\/a> is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.befrienders.org\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.befrienders.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a1228108f080414a3d99eba#block-6a1228108f080414a3d99eba\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a019.31 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Welcome<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779601993_128_Jordyn_Beazley,_L.png\" alt=\"Jordyn Beazley\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Jordyn Beazley<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning and welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian Australia live blog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Queensland police have shot dead an alleged domestic violence perpetrator who was armed with a firearm at a home north of Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And in the US, what sounded<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/23\/gunshots-white-house\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> like a sustained volley <\/a>of gunshots was heard near the White House in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/washington-dc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington DC<\/a> on Saturday evening, according to reporters for multiple outlets and audio posted on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I\u2019m Jordyn Beazley and I\u2019ll be taking you through our rolling coverage of news today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With that, let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Pocock open to independents forming party to counter Hanson \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/may\/24\/australia-news-live-queensland-police-gunshots-white-house-tax-reform-david-pocock-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-angus-taylor-labor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a12280b8f089865cf41bbbf#block-6a12280b8f089865cf41bbbf\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature What we learned, Sunday&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":690916,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,44],"class_list":["post-690915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/690915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=690915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/690915\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/690916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=690915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=690915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=690915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}