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Scamps leaves the door open to teal party<\/p>\n
The Sydney independent Sophie Scamps says she\u2019s open to ideas for a \u201cstronger alliance\u201d between the teals and has been consulting closely with her community.<\/p>\n
The response to the teals having discussions about forming a party has been flooding in this morning, and the reaction has been mixed.<\/p>\n
While some of her colleagues, including Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney, have closed the door to joining a teal party, Scamps isn\u2019t ruling it out.<\/p>\n
In a statement, she said:<\/p>\n
double quotation markPeople have been coming to me with ideas for some time about the potential for a stronger alliance \u2013 one that complements the community independent movement. These conversations been accelerated by new electoral campaign laws that will make it difficult for independent candidates, particularly new ones, to run \u2013 along with the seismic political shift that has seen the Liberals lurching further to the far right.<\/p>\n
As always, I will be consulting closely with my community before making any major decisions.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.09 EDT<\/p>\n Over in estimates this morning, the environment minister, Murray Watt, and the shadow communications minister, Sarah Henderson, have been at each other\u2019s throats in the environment hearing over \u2026 checks notes \u2026 Labor\u2019s broken promises on tax changes.<\/p>\n How is this relevant, asks Watt? To which Henderson says that there are many \u201csmall business operating in the energy and environment sector\u201d that will be impacted by the CGT changes.<\/p>\n Watt calls the line of questioning \u201cpathetic\u201d.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all happening while the teals publicly consider forming a new party. You can watch the fiery exchange below:<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.01 EDT<\/p>\n Bondi a \u2018surprise attack\u2019 to intelligence agencies, Royal Commission hears The Bondi terror attack was a \u201csurprise attack\u201d to intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the royal commission has heard.<\/p>\n Counsel assisting, Richard Lancaster SC, outlined some of the information received by the commission from NSW police that can\u2019t be addressed in public hearings, which he said provided \u201cimportant matters of context\u201d in assessing their response.<\/p>\n double quotation markThere is no evidence that any intelligence agency or law enforcement agency had any actual knowledge or specific information to suggest that there might be an armed attack on the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi on 14 December 2025. In that sense it was a surprise attack.<\/p>\n Lancaster said the evidence would indicate that CSG asked NSW Police for police presence for the \u201centirety\u201d of the Hanukkah events at Bondi Beach and Dover Heights.<\/p>\n He said NSW Police \u201cdecided not to provide a static presence for the duration of the Bondi event\u201d and instead allocated mobile tasking \u2013 meaning officers were instructed to attend periodically.<\/p>\n double quotation markAt the time the shooting began, there were four police officers at Archer Park \u2026 Within 29 seconds of the start of the shooting, eleven people were shot, tragically ten of them fatally \u2026 Within five minutes, there are eleven officers on the scene \u2026 The first shooter was shot and killed and the second shooter was shot and apprehended around seven minutes and 41 seconds after the start of the shooting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.55 EDT<\/p>\n Senators call out Albanese government for lack of action against Israel<\/p>\n Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi and independent senator Lidia Thorpe were at Sydney International Airport to greet the returning Australians.<\/p>\n Faruqi said it was a \u201cgood day\u201d to see \u201cthese brave global Sumud flotilla\u201d participants return after carrying \u201clove, humanity and commitment to a free Palestine\u201d.<\/p>\n But she had harsh words for the role of the Albanese government, urging Labor to sanction Israel and cut ties with the country:<\/p>\n double quotation markIsrael has been able to so brazenly assault and torture these Australian humanitarian because Israel has been given full cover \u2026 and active support by countries like Australia.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong should be ashamed of calling Israel a friend and ally. Words of concern from Penny Wong are useless because they do nothing to stop the killing of Palestinians.<\/p>\n Thorpe said Australians had a duty of care to \u201cnot watch this genocide in real time\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have to take this seriously. What is it going to take? I\u2019ll be going back to parliament today and I\u2019ll be sending the message that we have heard today.<\/p>\n Cabinet minister Mark Butler said this morning that the treatment of activists by Israeli forces was \u201cdisgraceful\u201d and that the government had raised concerns<\/a> with Israel in the \u201cstrongest possible way\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.49 EDT<\/p>\n Seven Australians return to Sydney airport after detention by Israeli forces Seven Australians captured and detained by Israel after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla returned to Sydney this morning, where they were greeted by dozens of family members and supporters.<\/p>\n Zack Schofield, wearing a grey Israel-issued sweatsuit with the logo crossed out, was travelling on board the flotilla. Standing outside the international terminal at Sydney airport, he described abuses and broken bones, alleging Israel had used \u201cviolence and humiliation to punish us \u2026 for trying to help Palestinians\u201d. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markToday you\u2019re going to hear of the abuses that they experienced at the hands of Australia\u2019s ally, the state of Israel. \u2026 How can we live in a safe world when our government continues to call this state a friend and ally? How can any of us be proud to be Australians?<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s prison service has denied the allegations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Juliet Lamont, who was also detained on another flotilla<\/a> last year, said she had returned for the latest action, but it was a \u201cbittersweet\u201d moment coming back to Australian shores:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhy were we forced to set sail to deliver humanitarian aid and medicine and baby food to the most vulnerable people in the planet? It was not our job to be out on the Mediterranean and do that.<\/p>\n She described being cable tied and hog tied by Israeli forces during her detention, saying so much water had been thrown into her face at one point \u201cI thought I was going to drown\u201d.<\/p>\n Surya McEwan, another participant, said he had lost count of the number of times he had been punched and kicked in the face and body. He said he had a fractured cheekbone, a contusion on his lung and a concussion after his detention.<\/p>\n The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has claimed that the detained flotilla members were handled with \u201cgreat sensitivity\u201d. He rejected claims<\/a> of violence and sexual abuse.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Royal commission begins second block of hearings The royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion has begun its second week of hearings in Sydney. This week, the commissioner will examine the circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack, including the terrorism threat level and security environment in the lead up to 14 December and the conduct of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n The commissioner, Virginia Bell, said that most of the evidence after Wednesday would occur in hearings closed to the public due to their sensitive nature.<\/p>\n Counsel assisting, Richard Lancaster SC, noted prior to Asio\u2019s director general Mike Burgess\u2019 appearance that the national terrorism threat was raised to \u201cprobable\u201d by Asio in August of 2024, and antisemitism was identified as one of Asio\u2019s most pressing issues in 2025.<\/p>\n He said despite an overall increase in funding to Asio from 2020 to 2025, the proportion of money allocated to counter-terrorism significantly declined in the same period.<\/p>\n Burgess maintains that Asio was not underfunded in the period leading up to and including 2025.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.39 EDT<\/p>\n Kate Chaney pours cold water on speculation she will join teal party<\/p>\n It seems like more independents might be out than in, after Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender both confirmed that conversations have been taking place around a potential teal party (but said there was nothing yet to announce).<\/p>\n WA independent, Kate Chaney, has just dropped a statement saying that she intends to remain an independent. Her colleagues, Monique Ryan and Helen Haines also ruled themselves out of joining a teal party.<\/p>\n She says that while she\u2019ll continue to collaborate with the crossbench, she will remain an independent \u201cright now\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markOur political poles are shifting. The Liberal Party is moving further to the right. The big issues impacting the lives of everyday Australians no longer fit on the convenient left-right political spectrum.<\/p>\n In this context, I have had many conversations with my fellow community independents about the challenges Australia faces, and have thought deeply about how I can best contribute to a healthy democracy.<\/p>\n I am interested in working more collaboratively with other crossbenchers on policy \u2013 many of our communities have similar values \u2013 but right now I do not think that requires me to be a member of a political party.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.37 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Go your hardest\u2019 says Haines on teal party, but says she won\u2019t be joining<\/p>\n Helen Haines has ruled herself out this morning from joining any teal party (as has Melbourne independent Monique Ryan), but tells her colleagues to go for it if they want to.<\/p>\n Haines quotes her colleague Bob Katter:<\/p>\n double quotation markLet a thousand blossoms bloom, if people want to talk about forming more formal allegiances through a party, go your hardest \u2026 it\u2019s not something for me.<\/p>\n Alongside her, regional SA independent, Rebekah Sharkie says that there are \u201ca lot of similarities\u201d between all the teal independents but also says it\u2019s \u201cnot for me\u201d.<\/p>\n And former Nationals MP turned independent, Andrew Gee, who represents the regional seat of Calare also says he won\u2019t be making the switch (if there is indeed a party set up)<\/p>\n double quotation markMy independence has been hard won, there\u2019s a mandate for it and I value it too highly<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.11 EDT<\/p>\n Haines says independents can take on One Nation<\/p>\n Community independent, Helen Haines, who has ruled out joining a teal party, believes the movement can take on One Nation.<\/p>\n Polling by Redbridge Group and Accent Research released over the weekend stipulated that One Nation would win up to 59 seats if an election were held today \u2013 leaving the Coalition just a handful of seats and pushing Labor into minority.<\/p>\n But Haines \u2013 speaking to reporters at Parliament \u2013 believes that the independents can counter the right wing party.<\/p>\n double quotation markCommunity independents are really smart, and the best part of their smarts is they have the collective smarts of their community behind them.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s perhaps not so simple. The independent candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe, lost against One Nation\u2019s David Farley at the recent byelection, which was her second attempt at winning the seat.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Aboriginal stockman\u2019s long journey home<\/p>\n The remains of an Aboriginal stockman who was found dead almost 70 years ago will finally be returned home.<\/p>\n Lower Southern Arrernte man Thomas Cowell died of natural causes while droving cattle in South Australia\u2019s far north and was found in his swag on 27 March, 1959. He was buried nearby but local flooding disturbed his remains in 1966, and because the family could not be found the remains were sent to the SA Museum.<\/p>\n But now, his extended family has been identified and they will be part of a reburial ceremony on 28 May in Witjira National Park in outback SA.<\/p>\n SA Museum\u2019s Aboriginal heritage and repatriation manager, Anna Russo, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markTom was about 65 and it seems he may have been a bit of a loner when he died almost sixty years ago.<\/p>\n But that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s been forgotten, and the museum has worked very hard over the past few years to find his family and community and ensure he is returned home to Country.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> House prices slipping as auction and open home interest fades<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s house prices are slipping as the market slows, with auction success rates and open home attendance stuck at their recent lows<\/p>\n The national auction clearance rate was 58.2% in the week to Sunday, Cotality reported. It has held below 60% for much of the past two months, indicating housing has become more of a buyer\u2019s market.<\/p>\n Sydney and Melbourne auction success rates picked up from last week but are still lower than they were a year ago, respectively at 56.9% and 60.2%.<\/p>\n Brisbane recorded a preliminary 45.7%, meaning more than half of reported auctions failed. Domain data for the week to Saturday found Brisbane\u2019s rate was even lower, at 22%, with almost four in five auctions failing.<\/p>\n Real estate group Ray White reported interest is falling, with the number of people attending open homes staying at low levels. Ray White\u2019s chief economist, Nerida Conisbee, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe most important signal remains open home attendance. Nationally, attendance averaged 2.1 attendees per property, broadly in line with last week, but well below 3.5 at the same time last year. This shows buyer foot traffic has not recovered after the sharp fall seen in recent weeks \u2026<\/p>\n With policy uncertainty still settling, interest rates higher and buyer attendance materially lower than a year ago, this softer demand environment is likely to persist for some time.<\/p>\n Cotality home value data shows the median home price in Australia\u2019s five biggest cities has been falling since 10 May, with growth slowing in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Sydney and Melbourne prices have been falling for months.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.32 EDT<\/p>\n Taylor bats aways teal party speculation<\/p>\n The Liberal party leader, Angus Taylor, says the teals have acted like a party for years, laughing off any concerns that moderates from his party would defect and join their ranks.<\/p>\n Standing up in Canberra alongside deputy Jane Hume, Taylor says:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe teals have already acted like a party for years. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s here, they act like a political party, but I tell you what, we are the one party or coalition that is fighting the Labor party every day.<\/p>\n Taylor\u2019s also asked about the threat to the Liberals on the other side (and arguably now the bigger threat to the party), and comments from Barnaby Joyce this morning that the Liberals are \u201csplitting the One Nation vote\u201d. Taylor laughs awkwardly for a moment and says:<\/p>\n double quotation markSorry, look, honestly, if you want to fight the Labor party, support the Liberal and National parties. We are the ones fighting the Labor party every day.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.40 EDT<\/p>\n Haines and Ryan rule themelves out from potential teal party<\/p>\n Well we now know which independents are definitely not going to be joining any teal party \u2013 Helen Haines and Monique Ryan.<\/p>\n Ryan has just released a statement saying that she made a commitment to her electorate of Kooyong in inner Melbourne to represent them as an independent.<\/p>\n double quotation markRepresenting the people of Kooyong in Canberra has been one of the biggest honours of my life. I will continue to do that in the capacity in which I was elected: as a community independent, voted for and answerable to the people of Kooyong.<\/p>\n Monique Ryan in 2025. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAP<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Haines also confirmed to Guardian Australia that she will not be joining any party, and will remain as an independent.<\/p>\n Haines was an early community independent after being elected to the regional Victorian seat of Indi in 2019, succeeding the OG community independent, Cathy McGowan, who held that same seat from 2013 and retired in 2019.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.19 EDT<\/p>\n Spy boss to appear at antisemitism royal commission<\/p>\n Asio\u2019s chief, Mike Burgess, will be the first witness to appear Monday morning at the start of Block 2 of public hearings of the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion.<\/p>\n The second fortnight block of hearings will focus of what police and intelligence agencies knew leading up to the Bondi terror attack, and how information was shared between security agencies.<\/p>\n Asio\u2019s director general, Burgess, will give evidence, followed by Australian Federal Police assistance commissioners Stephen Nutt (global operations) and Leanne McCusker (counter-terrorism and special tactics).<\/p>\n Their evidence will be followed by two pseudonymised witnesses from the CSG Jewish community security organisation.<\/p>\n Among the issues under scrutiny will be security arrangements for the Hanukah by the Sea event that was targeted by two gunmen on 14 December and what was known by counter-terrorism agencies and police about the shooters before the attack.<\/p>\n Fifteen people were killed by the two gunmen, who targeted members of the Jewish community as they celebrated Hanukah at a beachside park.<\/p>\n While some of the commission\u2019s proceedings will be open to the public, significant parts of the evidence of the second hearing block will be heard behind closed doors, to avoid revealing sensitive national security information and impacting the ongoing criminal prosecution of the surviving shooter, Naveed Akram.<\/p>\n The royal commission\u2019s interim report has already detailed that, in the lead-up to the 14 December attack at Bondi, NSW Police were warned by CSG that a heightened atmosphere of antisemitism made a terror attack on the community likely. CSG told police in an email in November:<\/p>\n double quotation markA terrorist attack against the NSW Jewish Community is likely and there is a high level of antisemitic vilification.<\/p>\n Police planned to provide a high-visibility presence at the event, but they noted internally there was \u201cno need to stay the entire duration\u201d and ultimately only four officers and one area commander attended the event at various times.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.12 EDT<\/p>\n Government concerned as diphtheria cases continue to grow<\/p>\n The federal health minister, Mark Butler, told ABC News Breakfast on Monday that diphtheria \u201ccase numbers are continuing to grow particularly in the NT and the north of WA, so we are very concerned about this\u201d.<\/p>\n There are almost 250 cases associated with the outbreak, the latest national surveillance data shows, including 146 in the NT and 89 in WA.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re supporting Aboriginal medical services who really are on the frontline here and are deeply trusted in their community, so providing that support will also help containment,\u201d Butler said.<\/p>\n Support includes a $7.2m federal government package<\/a> for vaccines, a health worker surge workforce and community outreach.<\/p>\n On Friday, the chief medical officer, Prof Michael Kidd, declared diphtheria a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is the largest outbreak since national records began in 1991.<\/p>\n If you are unsure whether your vaccinations are up to date, please check with your GP, Aboriginal Medical Service, pharmacy or local health clinic. Vaccination is the strongest protection against diphtheria, especially for children, older adults needing boosters, and people living in or travelling to higher-risk areas.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.01 EDT<\/p>\n Abbott \u2018clearly a masochist\u2019, says Turnbull on Liberal presidency<\/p>\n Malcolm Turnbull has been arguing that the Liberals have been listening to too much Sky After Dark and not enough to what the Australians want \u2013 and believes that they will make the same mistake when they confirm Tony Abbott as the Liberal party president.<\/p>\n Abbott will run for the presidency unopposed after the former foreign minister Alexander Downer withdrew from the race, aiming to run for vice-president instead.<\/p>\n Turnbull says, good for Tony:<\/p>\n double quotation markHe\u2019s clearly a masochist. But anyway, he\u2019s got a strong commitment to politics, so good on him.<\/p>\n For the Liberal party, I think the problem is that if you look at what Tony has been saying and what [Sky News host] Peta Credlin has been saying and the News Corp sort of columnists that are close to them are saying is, they\u2019re basically arguing that the Liberal party\u2019s mistake has been not being right-wing enough. They\u2019ve been saying this, despite every election sending them the message that a significant part of the electorate feel they have gone too far to the right.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.56 EDT<\/p>\n Liberal party \u2018validating\u2019 One Nation platform, says Turnbull<\/p>\n Malcolm Turnbull says the Liberals in Australia are making the same mistakes as the UK\u2019s Conservative party by legitimising One Nation\u2019s platform.<\/p>\n Turnbull has some choice words for the party he once led (no surprises there, it\u2019s his favourite pasttime), telling RN Breakfast that the Liberals shouldn\u2019t keep chasing Pauline Hanson to the right and abandoning the centre.<\/p>\n He says that Australians \u201chistorically have preferred to see the contest to be at the centre\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markIf you\u2019re the Liberal party leader \u2026 and say you essentially legitimise and validate One Nation\u2019s platform, people will always go for the real deal. And this is exactly the mistake the Tories have made in the UK with Reform.<\/p>\n I was talking to [Reform UK leader] Nigel Farage about this in London just recently. It\u2019s a real phenomenon. I mean, if centre-right parties abandon the centre, they will get overwhelmed by the party that is to their right. And so it\u2019s a mistake happening in both countries, in the UK and Australia.<\/p>\n He says that both the Liberals and Conservatives in the UK are \u201cseeing their vote dwindle at the expense of a competitor on the populist right\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.51 EDT<\/p>\n Turnbull denies active involvement in setting up teal party<\/p>\n The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has denied any involvement in the talks between the teals to set up a party, but says that there \u201cis a vacuum for an alternative centre party\u201d which the teals could be a part of.<\/p>\n Turnbull\u2019s name has been swirling around the rumour mill in recent days on the issue. He has previously talked up Allegra Spender\u2019s credibility as an economic voice.<\/p>\n Joining the ABC\u2019s RN Breakfast, Turnbull says:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think there is a vacuum in Australian politics at the moment because the Liberal party has moved so far to the right and in doing so is diminishing. It\u2019s done itself enormous damage.<\/p>\n I think there is a vacuum for an alternative centre party. The teals would be obvious people to be part of that or to do that. And I\u2019ve talked to them about that publicly. I mean, going back some years. But whether they actually decide to do so is up to them.<\/p>\n So I\u2019m not involved with any plans to set something up.<\/p>\n![\"Murray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672310_531_1920.jpg\")
Murray Watt calls Sarah Henderson\u2019s Senate estimates question on changes to tax \u2018pathetic\u2019 \u2013 videoShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672310_887_Caitlin_Cassidy.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nick_Visser.png\")
Nick Visser<\/p>\nNick Visser<\/p>\nCaitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Tory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672312_313_Tory_Shepherd.png\")
Tory Shepherd<\/p>\n![\"Luca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672312_935_Luca_Ittimani.png\")
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672313_204_Ben_Doherty_720x600_final.png\")
Ben Doherty<\/p>\n![\"Melissa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779672313_81_Melissa_Davey2.png\")
Melissa Davey<\/p>\n