Updated at\u00a001.17 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
![\"Krishani](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205011_986_Krishani_Dhanji.png\")
Krishani Dhanji<\/p>\n
Thank you all so much for following along on the blog with me this sitting fortnight!<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll leave you with the fabulous Achol Arok. Take care.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a> News bargaining incentive backed by News Corp<\/p>\n News Corp has welcomed the passage of the news bargaining incentive, calling it \u201cmuch-needed investment\u201d for the journalism sector.<\/p>\n As Krishani brought you earlier, the NBI \u2013 which obligates big tech companies to make commercial deals with at least six media outlets, to support journalism \u2013 passed parliament earlier, among a rush of legislation pushed through both houses this week.<\/p>\n \u201cAustralian news organisations now get the much-needed investment to continue delivering professional journalism vital to our democracy and local communities,\u201d said Michael Miller, the executive chair of News Corp Australia.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis again shows the Australian Government\u2019s willingness to be a world leader in developing policies that benefit everyday Australians and the public interest.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.46 EDT<\/p>\n Tl;dr here\u2019s what happened in question timeShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.41 EDT<\/p>\n After a final dixer to Clare O\u2019Neil, Anthony Albanese calls time on QT.<\/p>\n Someone from the opposition bench says \u201ca bit early!\u201d to which Albanese replies, \u201creally?!\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s the last question time of the sitting fortnight.<\/p>\n Dan Tehan has a bit of a crack at the PM:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s been the normal practice at question time that there\u2019s 20 questions usually asked. Yet what\u2019s happened because we\u2019ve got someone under witness protection \u2026<\/p>\n He gets cut off. And then everyone moves on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Albanese calls Zomi Frankcom decision ‘an outrage’<\/p>\n Will the government expel the Israeli ambassador and what will the government do to ensure justice is served, asks the independent MP Sophie Scamps.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He also calls the decision not to pursue criminal proceedings an \u201coutrage\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markIsrael\u2019s 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\u2019ve pressed for full accountability.<\/p>\n The foreign minister has called in Israel\u2019s ambassador to Australia to strongly register our views, and Australia\u2019s ambassador to Israel has done the same. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Ms Frankcom and her colleagues.<\/p>\n He doesn\u2019t say whether the government will expel the ambassador, but earlier during her press conference, Wong said removing an ambassador \u201cwould remove our ability to be able to engage, press for Australia\u2019s interests\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.17 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018I prefer to deal with the Taliban\u2019: Coalition piles pressure on Keogh<\/p>\n Phil Thompson next asks the prime minister \u201chow much more evidence is needed before you sack this incompetent minister\u201d, and says one veteran told him \u201cI prefer to deal with the Taliban\u201d than Matt Keogh.<\/p>\n The assistant minister Julian Hill is booted by Milton Dick at the end of the question \u2013 on his way out he drops his folder.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese calls that an \u201cunfortunate quote\u201d and defends his minister.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ve said I\u2019m happy to meet with them.<\/p>\n Phil Thompson in question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.10 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese says he will raise combating family and domestic violence at national cabinet next week<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese says there must be zero tolerance of sexual violence in Australia.<\/p>\n He says next week he will convene national cabinet next week and has put domestic violence on the agenda.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s seen as an excuse to withdraw funding \u2026 I will raise that very directly with the premiers.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese during question time in the House of Representatives. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.01 EDT<\/p>\n More than 1,000 crested terns found dead with suspected H5 bird flu in three mass mortality events in South Australia Breaking out of question time for a moment:<\/p>\n The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, has declared a \u201csignificant escalation\u201d in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 crested terns.<\/p>\n State authorities are also investigating a suspected case in a little penguin found on Kangaroo Island, with Malinauskas telling the parliament the development was \u201cof particular concern\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He said the cause of the deaths was presumed to be H5 bird flu.<\/p>\n Malinauskas said:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.59 EDT<\/p>\n Liberal MP accuses Keogh of \u2018gaslighting\u2019 women veterans<\/p>\n Liberal MP Melissa Price has kept the spotlight on Matt Keogh, asking why he has delayed the release of a women\u2019s veteran strategy, and accuses him of \u201cgaslighting\u201d women veterans.<\/p>\n Keogh says that his department has been working on a women\u2019s strategy and has been consulting with veterans and serving personnel, but it\u2019s \u201cbeen complex work\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He hasn\u2019t provide a timeline as to when the work will be delivered.<\/p>\n Dan Tehan stands up to make a point of order, but as he approaches the despatch box, Keogh walks away, indicating he\u2019s finished his answer.<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205011_35_Josh_Butler.png\")
Josh Butler<\/p>\n![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205012_75_Lisa_Cox.png\")
Lisa Cox<\/p>\n