Updated at\u00a018.24 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
Hume says Bell reached out to Aly after \u2018shamed and stoned\u2019 comments, calls reaction a \u2018storm in a teacup\u2019<\/p>\n
Liberal deputy leader, Jane Hume, says Angie Bell reached out to Anne Aly after saying she should be \u2018shamed and stoned\u2019 over the ATO credit card ban.<\/p>\n
Hume says maybe the comments were a bit \u201cclumsy\u201d, and tries to blow the whole thing over.<\/p>\n
She claims the response to Bell\u2019s comments are \u201ca storm in a teacup\u201d and like Angus Taylor this morning, that it\u2019s a \u201cdistraction\u201d from the underlying issue.<\/p>\n
She tells News24:<\/p>\n
double quotation markI know Angie Bell very well, she\u2019s possibly the least racist, least misogynistic person I have ever come across. She used a common phrase, perhaps it was clumsy.<\/p>\n
I do think, and I know that she has reached out to Anne Aly personally, I don\u2019t know whether Anne has responded \u2026 To be honest, this is a distraction. Anne Aly is a terrible small business minister.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Chalmers denies being rolled by Albanese over credit card payments to ATO<\/p>\n Treasurer Jim Chalmers has denied being rolled by Anthony Albanese after the prime minister personally intervened to stop a tax office ban on credit card payments<\/a> a day before stopgap funding was announced.<\/p>\n After sustained criticism of the government\u2019s handling of the ban on tax bills being paid by credit card, Chalmers last week announced new funding for the ATO to ensure card payments could continue until the end of the financial year.<\/p>\n Read the full story from Tom McIlroy here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.48 EDT<\/p>\n Nationals bring pineapples to parliament to warn against \u2018risky\u2019 imports<\/p>\n The Nationals are sending pineapple juice to Labor members of parliament this week in a gimmick to warn against the possible allowance of new pineapple imports from India and Indonesia.<\/p>\n The party has launched a petition<\/a> urging against \u201crisky pineapple imports\u201d which it says comes with \u201cserious concerns about exotic pests, unfair competition and the lack of chemicals that growers would need to fight a biosecurity outbreak\u201d.<\/p>\n Its leader, Matt Canavan, said \u201cthe Nationals support fair trade but fair trade must be safe trade\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have the best pineapples in the world \u2013 which Labor members of parliament can taste for themselves this week. That\u2019s why we must protect our pineapple industry.<\/p>\n Canavan held a joint press conference at parliament house this morning, where he concerningly held onto a pineapple.<\/p>\n Nationals Leader Matt Canavan with Nationals MPs and pineapple stakeholders this morning. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.23 EDT<\/p>\n Australia and Jordan sign joint statement on defence and security<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese and Jordan\u2019s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein have met at Parliament House this morning, and committed to strengthening bilateral ties in defence and security.<\/p>\n In a lengthy joint statement, the two countries have agreed to more defence cooperation, stronger trade and investment, and condemned terrorism and violent extremism.<\/p>\n They also signed a memorandum of understanding on mental health cooperation.<\/p>\n Australia condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Jordan, and the two nations called for peace and security in the Middle East, also condemning the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.<\/p>\n Australian Prime Minister Albanese greets King Abdullah II of Jordan in Canberra. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/EPAKing Abdullah II and a Jordanian delegation meeting with Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.08 EDT<\/p>\n Victoria\u2019s firefighting fleet needs funding, auditor general report finds<\/p>\n Victoria\u2019s auditor general has found the state\u2019s fire authorities need $1.5bn over the next decade to replace and upgrade their firefighting fleets, but have received only a quarter of the funding required.<\/p>\n The report, tabled in parliament this morning, found that the Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and the department\u2019s firefighting fleet – which operates through Forest Fire Management Victoria – collectively need $1.5bn to \u201cmake sure their fire trucks are fit for purpose, reliable and safe,\u201d but have only received $390.4m in current funding and future grants.<\/p>\n It said the CFA needed the majority of the funds – $962.5m \u2013 to replace 1,657 fire trucks that are \u201cbeyond their estimated useful life\u201d, while FRV needed $297.3m to replace 153 fire trucks that are more than 15 years old.<\/p>\n But the auditor general said neither the CFA or FRV requested the full amount of funding they needed ahead of the most recent budget. The report said this was \u201cdue to instruction from the treasurer to all ministers that agencies should limit funding requests for new initiatives in line with the government\u2019s fiscal strategy\u201d.<\/p>\n It said the FRV in particular only submitted a budget bid of $20.7m \u2013 just 7.5% of what it needs over the decade.<\/p>\n The report also found none of the agencies were completing all its scheduled maintenance, which may lead to more breakdowns:<\/p>\n double quotation markTogether, these issues increase the risk that fire authorities will not have enough fit-for-purpose fire trucks to respond to fires and other emergencies.<\/p>\n Victorian fire crews prepare to battle the Ravenswood Harcourt bushfire in January. Photograph: Redesdale CFAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.50 EDT<\/p>\n Coalition bid to send trust tax bill to inquiry fails \u2026 for now<\/p>\n Labor has voted against the Coalition\u2019s attempt to send the bill imposing a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts to a committee.<\/p>\n But while it has the numbers in the house, it\u2019s a very different story in the Senate.<\/p>\n The Greens have said they want to punt this bill to an inquiry too \u2013 and between the minor party and the Coalition, they have the numbers to force the government\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n Yesterday the Greens said the government was watering down what appeared to be a \u201cmildly positive\u201d bill:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe want to know exactly what the impacts are of Labor once again collapsing under pressure from vested interests.<\/p>\n This morning, Angus Taylor was asked if the Coalition would support the Green\u2019s push for an inquiry. He said yes, but couched it saying the two parties were coming at the legislation from two very different positions:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe will go to the election with a policy of axing the tax. But I\u2019ll tell you, it would be even better to not let it get into place in the first place. Now, I fear the Greens will just want more tax. They generally do. But if they are prepared to be reasonable in an inquiry to look at how the hell we got to this place, how is it that Labor could have made this decision \u2013 of course, we\u2019ll support that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.38 EDT<\/p>\n Chalmers denies being rolled by PM on ATO card ban<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers has denied the prime minister went over his head to intervene on the ATO\u2019s decision to ban credit card payments.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese said yesterday that Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Australian chamber of commerce and industry (ACCI) texted him on Thursday morning, and 24 hours later the ban was delayed.<\/p>\n The treasurer says the PM didn\u2019t cut his grass and that he was definitely involved in the discussions too.<\/p>\n double quotation markJournalist: Were you rolled by the PM?<\/p>\n Chalmers: No, not at all. It is true that there were discussions with ACCI on Thursday, we were involved in some of those discussions at office level. They were engaging with my team on…<\/p>\n Journalist: Were you overlooked?<\/p>\n Chalmers: If you just let me set it out for you,the prime minister and I were in discussions on Wednesday of last week. He had a view and I agree with it, that we needed to step in to provide this longer transition period to allow the ATO the time to get it right. We had the same view.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese in March. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.21 EDT<\/p>\n Liberal and shadow treasurer Tim Wilson wants to punt Labor\u2019s trust tax bill to inquiry<\/p>\n The Coalition \u2013 who are very much not supportive of the legislation to impose a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts \u2013 are pushing for it to be punted to a parliamentary inquiry.<\/p>\n The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, claims in the House that Labor MPs don\u2019t even get how their own legislation works.<\/p>\n double quotation markI do understand that members of the Labor party do not understand the consequences of the legislation that the treasurer has just introduced.<\/p>\n For your benefit, I am saying to you very clearly it is in the Labor member\u2019s interest that this go to an inquiry.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.00 EDT<\/p>\n Chalmers introduces trusts tax legislation to the House<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers is introducing his bill to implement a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts.<\/p>\n He says it\u2019s a loophole some wealthy Australians have been using to avoid tax, that has been called for for decades over multiple tax reviews. He tells the house:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is all about better aligning the tax treatment of income from assets and the income from work and it\u2019s also about funding the income tax cuts for workers that we are delivering again and again.<\/p>\n The flexibility provided by discretionary trusts allows some people to plan their tax affairs in ways that aren\u2019t available to most workers and families.<\/p>\n The opposition doesn\u2019t want this passed and won\u2019t support it. That leaves the Greens as the only pathway.<\/p>\n The Greens have said there\u2019s a few hurdles to get their support, including to stop parents being able to use trust tax exemptions to pay for private school fees. The Greens told the ABC the legislation has payment exemptions for not-for-profits, charities and other tax-exempt entities, including private schools.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.37 EDT<\/p>\n In pictures: Palau president visits Australia<\/p>\n Surangel Whipps Jr, the president of Palau, the pacific nation home to around 18,000, has visited Australia this week to strengthen diplomatic and security ties and open an embassy in Canberra.<\/p>\n This morning he met the prime minister and Jodie Haydon at the lodge.<\/p>\n Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife, Jodie Haydon, greet the president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/EPATo, I\u2019m sure, no one\u2019s shock, Albo\u2019s dog Toto was there for the greeting too. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.28 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese says \u2018thoughts and prayers\u2019 with Pope Leo XIV following cancer diagnosis<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese has released a statement after the Vatican revealed Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer.<\/p>\n Albanese says his thoughts and prayers are with the Pope.<\/p>\n double quotation markPope Leo XIV is a source of inspiration to Catholics right around the world \u2013 and here in Australia. He is a voice for peace, humanity and reason in our modern world.<\/p>\n My thoughts and prayers are with him as he recovers from his recent surgery. We hope and pray for a quick recovery.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.15 EDT<\/p>\n Bell\u2019s comments said \u2018in the heat of the moment\u2019 says Hanson<\/p>\n One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, has told everyone to \u201ccalm down\u201d over Angie Bell\u2019s comments calling for Anthony Albanese and the small business minister, Anne Aly to be \u201cshamed and stoned\u201d.<\/p>\n Bell made the comments to the House yesterday, and was later forced to withdraw them. Hanson told reporters on her way into Parliament:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[It was] said in the heat of the moment, I think everyone just calm down all right? I\u2019ve been dealing with this for many, many years. Just calm down.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.24 EDT<\/p>\n Labor MP says Bell\u2019s comment \u2018reprehensible\u2019 as Taylor dismisses concerns<\/p>\n Labor MP, Julian Hill has called Angie Bell\u2019s comments \u201creprehensible\u201d after she said the prime minister and the small business minister, Anne Aly, should be \u201cshamed and stoned\u201d over the ATO\u2019s now-delayed ban on credit card payments.<\/p>\n Speaking to News24 this morning, Hill said Bell a Liberal frontbencher should be held to a higher standard \u201cfor the words that we utter\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think those comments are reprehensible, particularly against a Muslim woman. But you know, she withdrew. We need to lower the temperature, and you can\u2019t just dismiss this stuff. It needs to be aired, it needs to be put in context and stopped.<\/p>\n The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, though, said the reaction to the comments were being used as a distraction. He told reporters on his way into Parliament:<\/p>\n double quotation markShe\u2019s [Bell] withdrawn. She\u2019s withdrawn the comments. Can I say, the small business minister shouldn\u2019t distract from her failures. And she has failed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.56 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Greedy\u2019: Taylor condemns trust tax changes<\/p>\n The opposition has made it clear it will not be supporting the government\u2019s changes to impost a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts.<\/p>\n Angus Taylor, speaking to journalists at the entrance of parliament, says the government is trying to implement the changes because it loves to spend money.<\/p>\n double quotation markSmall businesses are going to see over $13bn of restructuring costs here, as we\u2019ve seen reporting in the last couple of days, $13bn they\u2019re going to have to wear. The government didn\u2019t think about any of this. They didn\u2019t think about the stamp duty implications of their tax changes, they didn\u2019t think about the restructuring costs. In the end, they\u2019re greedy for the money. They need the money because they love to spend it.<\/p>\n On RN Breakfast, Nationals MP Kevin Hogan said that while small businesses will be able to change their settings to avoid some of the additional tax (and they\u2019ll have until mid 2028 to do it), their compliance costs will be high.<\/p>\n double quotation markI think the compliance costs are estimated to be more than what the government\u2019s going to collect in revenue from this as well. So again, makes us a less productive country.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.29 EDT<\/p>\n Nationals MP defends Bell\u2019s \u2018shamed and stoned\u2019 comments<\/p>\n We all make heat of the moment comments, says Nationals MP Kevin Hogan, defending his colleague Angie Bell, who yesterday said the prime minister and minister for small business, Anne Aly, should be \u201cshamed and stoned\u201d over the ATO credit card ban.<\/p>\n Aly revealed on social media later that day that she had recently received 19 death threats, and called the comments \u201cracist\u201d and \u201cmisogynistic\u201d.<\/p>\n Angie Bell in March. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<\/p>\n Speaking to RN Breakfast this morning, Hogan disagrees that they were racist and misogynistic.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe all make comments and I\u2019ve been guilty too in the heat of the moment to use terms or phrases that shouldn\u2019t be used and Angie quite rightly got up and withdrew it straight away and apologised \u2026 No, I don\u2019t think they were racist or misogynistic.<\/p>\n A small fact check here: It took about eight minutes for Bell to withdraw, after she was asked to do so by leader of the House, Tony Burke.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.38 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018None of us is beyond criticism\u2019: Chalmers on governing through murky waters<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers does find himself in pretty rough economic seas to sail through \u2013 with high inflation, rising interest rates, and people angry with the increasing cost of living.<\/p>\n At the halfway point of the term, and with One Nation\u2019s rise in the polls, the government has around 18 months to turn things around and convince voters they\u2019re still solid economic managers.<\/p>\n In a speech last night, Chalmers said the government should genuinely acknowledge the pressures people are under, and that the economy would get better.<\/p>\n This morning, he\u2019s asked if the government is struggling to sell its economic message to voters. He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markThere are always a range of views. When you do a senior job in a government which is governing in difficult times, there will always be a range of views. And I\u2019ve tried to always take the approach that none of us is beyond criticism.<\/p>\n Some people would like us to do more, some people would like us to do less. That\u2019s just the reality of a senior job in a government in difficult times. And so I accept that. I try and take all of the feedback that I get, good, bad, or indifferent, on board.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.27 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018More than 95% of people don\u2019t get trust income\u2019, Chalmers defends tax changes<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers says the government is right to hit trusts which are being used as tax loopholes, and that the majority of regular people don\u2019t use them and don\u2019t receive any benefit from them.<\/p>\n The Coalition is dead opposed to the changes and says small businesses will be hit hard.<\/p>\n Chalmers says around 10% of small businesses will be impacted, and the changes have been urged for decades.<\/p>\n double quotation markThere are legitimate reasons for trusts, but they also allow a small proportion of people to manage their tax in ways that\u2019s not available to most working Australians. And that\u2019s why there\u2019s been 50 years of reviews now recommending that they be reformed.<\/p>\n The use of these trusts, discretionary trusts, has doubled in the last 20 years, but still more than 95% of people don\u2019t get trust income, and still less than 10% of small businesses would be affected by the changes that we\u2019re proposing today doesn\u2019t come until the middle of 2028.<\/p>\n The Greens have told the ABC this morning that the government should ensure that trust loopholes can\u2019t be used by parents to pay for private school fees.<\/p>\n Chalmers says that issue hasn\u2019t yet been raised with him, and that the legislation has \u201creasonable arrangements for charities, for not-for-profits\u201d \u2013 which private schools could be included in.<\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Caitlin_Cassidy.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\n