![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793165296_449_4896.jpg\")
Llew O\u2019Brien is ejected from the chamber. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\nUpdated at\u00a001.07 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
Federal police respond to bomb threat at Parliament House![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\")
Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n
The Australian federal police responded to a bomb threat at parliament shortly before lunch today, but are continuing inquiries into who may have called it in.<\/p>\n
After midday, a team of federal police officers, parliament security officers and sniffer dogs inspected the Senate wing to locate anything out of the ordinary. Nothing was found.<\/p>\n
Despite the heightened focus on safety amid rising political violence around the country, Capital Hill quickly returned to business as usual with most of the press gallery appearing unfazed and question time carrying on as usual.<\/p>\n
An AFP spokesperson told Guardian Australia a \u201ccomprehensive search was conducted and no issues were identified\u201d.<\/p>\n
double quotation markAPH has since returned to usual business. Inquiries into the source of the threat are underway.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.18 EDT<\/p>\n Good afternoon, thanks for sticking around! I\u2019ll guide you through the arvo\u2019s news updates.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Thanks for following along today! My colleague Achol Arok will take the reins from here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.01 EDT<\/p>\n Australia \u2018deeply concerned\u2019 after consular visit with imprisoned democracy campaigner Imprisoned democracy campaigner Tran Hiep told Australian officials during a consular visit that he was abducted from Cambodia and taken to Vietnam against his will, a parliamentary hearing has heard.<\/p>\n Vietnamese authorities claim the 51-year-old dual citizen was arrested while crossing the border from Cambodia with two other activists.<\/p>\n He is being held at a notorious detention centre in Ho Chi Minh City after disappearing on 18 September.<\/p>\n Elizabeth McGregor, from Dfat\u2019s crisis management division, told Senate estimates on Wednesday that Australian officials visited Hiep on 15 October.<\/p>\n She told the hearing Australia remains \u201cdeeply concerned\u201d by the campaigner\u2019s report that he was abducted in Cambodia, and officials had sought clarification from both governments about the circumstances of his entry into Vietnam.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re seeking an expeditious resolution \u2026 and his return to Australia to be reunited with family.<\/p>\n We\u2019re continuing to raise his case at senior levels with Vietnamese authorities, we\u2019re pressing for regular consular access under the terms of our bilateral consular agreement with Vietnam, humane treatment, access to legal representation, and a quick process.<\/p>\n Tran Hiep told consular staff he was abducted from Cambodia and taken to Vietnam against his will. Photograph: Supplied by familyShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.05 EDT<\/p>\n Payman apologises to Haines for comments after alleged attack The independent senator Fatima Payman says she has offered a personal apology to Helen Haines and her office following comments about the MP\u2019s alleged attack.<\/p>\n The initial statements were made during a late-night committee hearing, where Payman accused Anthony Albanese of being \u201cpetty\u201d by not granting her additional staff members after she defected from Labor in 2024.<\/p>\n She questioned whether the prime minister was \u201cwaiting for something like what happened to Dr Helen Haines to occur to my office, to me, for him to take our request seriously?\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement, Payman said her comments were made in \u201cfrustration\u201d and she wishes Haines a \u201cfull and speedy recovery\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markIn Senate estimates, I was frustrated and exhausted after almost two years of asking for the staffing my office needs.<\/p>\n While my intention was not to diminish the attack on Helen, I understand that it could be seen that way, and I apologise if this has caused any distress to Helen or her family.<\/p>\n Payman said her office had seen an uptick of abusive messages from the public over the past day in response to the controversy. She said while her comments were \u201cpoorly worded, the issue I was trying to raise is real\u201d.<\/p>\n Fatima Payman at Senate estimates. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.19 EDT<\/p>\n Shoebridge says his focus is peace with justice for Gaza<\/p>\n David Shoebridge declines to reveal whether he supports a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel, saying his core focus is achieving peace with justice for Gaza.<\/p>\n The question is asked because the UK Greens this month voted to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism<\/a> and calls for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state.<\/p>\n Shoebridge avoids the question initially by saying he\u2019s \u201cnot focused on abstract philosophical discussions\u201d but \u201cengaged in the reality of politics\u201d.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markDo you know what I see in front of me when it comes to Israel and Palestine? I see a genocide \u2026 I see a state with an incredible amount of military power, de-housing and killing hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza and leaving two-and-a-half million people without the basic sustenance for life.<\/p>\n I see an ongoing illegal occupation in the West Bank, and I\u2019m not interested in putting a label on that. But I tell you what I am 100% interested in, and I think I share this interest with millions of Australians, is stopping the brutality against the people of Palestine. It\u2019s about ensuring peace with justice, and in my experience, you don\u2019t do that through labels. You do it through hard work, through principle and through policy, and connecting with the millions of Australians who share those goals \u2026<\/p>\n Our policy position is clear: the world needs to assist in coming to a solution driven by the people of Palestine, by the Israeli people, that provides all peoples peace and security. If that is a two-state solution and it\u2019s achievable, and that\u2019s what the people of Palestine and Israel want, well, absolutely. But we would not be limiting it. The core issue here is peace with justice.<\/p>\n David Shoebridge speaks at the press club in Canberra. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.52 EDT<\/p>\n Shoebridge to stay mum while Steele-John inquiry under way<\/p>\n Returning to the Greens leader\u2019s press club address, David Shoebridge is staying mum on any questions relating to allegations made against the Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, saying the independent inquiry into them should not be impeded by ongoing commentary and social media posts.<\/p>\n The Greens leader said politics needed to be safe for women and that is shown through ensuring the inquiry is independent and fair. He continued:<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd in terms of social media posts or media discussions, that is obviously not the way to resolve an issue like this. It is not the way. This needs to be dealt with with the respect and the dignity and the care that it\u2019s entitled to, and that is that independent inquiry. So I\u2019d say, absolutely, women and all of us deserve a safe space, and I\u2019m doing everything I can to ensure that they have that assurance by this independent inquiry.<\/p>\n Steele-John denies the allegations.<\/p>\n Asked whether the investigation\u2019s scope should include reference to Steele-John\u2019s claims that the complaints against him were motivated by state factional issues amid the state\u2019s preselection process, Shoebridge said:<\/p>\n double quotation mark\u2026 Well, I don\u2019t see any connection between the two. I\u2019ll be entirely clear. But more fundamentally, it\u2019s not for me to determine the timeline for an independent inquiry \u2026 that would undermine the very independence, but as I understand it, there is a commitment to have it as timely as possible, consistent with those other core issues about procedural fairness and justice. And everybody involved in this is entitled to not be prejudged and to allow that independent inquiry to work its way through.<\/p>\n David Shoebridge at the National Press Club. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.41 EDT<\/p>\n Tl;dr here\u2019s what happened in question time<\/p>\n The latest inflation figures, released hours earlier, provided ample fodder for a combative question time, with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, and his shadow counterpart, Tim Wilson, trading barbs over the cost of living.<\/p>\n A $6m grant for the Marrickville golf club returned to the spotlight, a day after the prime minister admitted he got it wrong, when he told parliament its purpose was to stop \u201craw sewage\u201d going into the nearby river.<\/p>\n Labor\u2019s social media reforms, which passed the chamber earlier today, got good airtime as the government urged other parties to unite behind it.<\/p>\n The typical question time argy-bargy has made a thunderous return, with two ejections and a slew of admonishments from the speaker.<\/p>\n Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.34 EDT<\/p>\n Chaney asks why taxpayers are subsiding refineries<\/p>\n Independent MP Kate Chaney brings things back to the cost of living.<\/p>\n She asks:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhen fuel prices spiked this year, Australians were told it was because of the war, but Australia\u2019s two refineries are making super profits \u2026 Taxpayers subsidise these refineries, why shouldn\u2019t they get a share of the windfall when refineries profit from a crisis?<\/p>\n Independent MP Kate Chaney. Photograph: Graham Denholm\/Getty Images for Global Citizen<\/p>\n The climate change minister, Chris Bowen, says: \u201cWe do think it\u2019s appropriate to ensure that while government will ensure the refineries remain open \u2013 that when there are increased profits, the taxpayer can share in that. That is a conversation that we will have with the industry between now and the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.24 EDT<\/p>\n Speaker reprimands opposition leader: \u2018This yelling is completely unacceptable\u2019<\/p>\n As the prime minister attempts to reference Australia\u2019s credit rating, members of the opposition begin shouting across the aisle.<\/p>\n The speaker, Milton Dick, tells opposition leader to stop yelling:<\/p>\n double quotation markYou\u2019re going to stop yelling at me \u2026 this yelling is completely unacceptable.<\/p>\n No leader of the opposition behaves like that \u2026 the prime minister can assist by lowering the temperature, as well, with the language being used.<\/p>\n The speaker reminds his colleagues \u201cit is not business as usual\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.30 EDT<\/p>\n Second MP booted from question time<\/p>\n The Nationals MP Darren Chester has become the second member booted from the chamber, meaning today\u2019s question time has clocked the most ejections of the week so far.<\/p>\n The speaker, Milton Dick, chides the member for Gippsland on the way out:<\/p>\n double quotation markPeople are passionate about issues \u2013 I understand that, but it\u2019s not the way to handle yourself in the house.<\/p>\n Darren Chester leaves the chamber under 94a. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.09 EDT<\/p>\n PM says he takes issue of AI-generated deepfakes \u2018very seriously\u2019<\/p>\n Crossbench MP Zali Steggall asks whether the government will make it illegal to create and disseminate AI-generated deepfakes.<\/p>\n She said a recent AI-generated deepfake video, targeting senator Jacqui Lambie, spread false statements in her name, resulting in increased threats to her.<\/p>\n Independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall (right). Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The prime minister acknowledged the impact on the senator and responded:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s not just about politicians, of course. It\u2019s people right across the board, seeing these deepfakes, and it\u2019s hard, there\u2019s videos of people standing outside Parliament House, making statements that aren\u2019t them.<\/p>\n That distorts fact from fiction and that is a huge issue.<\/p>\n I take these issues very seriously, and so does the government. The digital duty of care is in part aimed at addressing these issues.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.57 EDT<\/p>\n Speaker warns against a \u2018war of tabling\u2019<\/p>\n The manager of opposition business in the house, Dan Tehan, has continued hammering on the golf club, attempting to table a long list of government announcements, Hansard references, interview transcripts and more relating to the grant.<\/p>\n But the speaker, Milton Dick, steps in:<\/p>\n double quotation markDon\u2019t abuse question time by trying to do these tricks and stunts.<\/p>\n I\u2019m over it, and everyone\u2019s over it.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t want this war of tabling to continue on \u2026 If people want to table documents, they\u2019ve got the right to do that \u2013 but just be reasonable and responsible.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.49 EDT<\/p>\n Marrickville golf club grant continues to haunt Labor<\/p>\n The $6m grant to the Marrickville golf club continues to follow Labor as the Liberal MP for Monash, Mary Aldred, asks why the infrastructure department had confirmed the funding was not for addressing sewerage flows when the minister had previously said it was.<\/p>\n The infrastructure minister, Catherine King, answered:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe decision brief for this project, which we\u2019ve released for transparency, shows that funding for this project was assessed by my department against the criteria publicly available and found to be value for money.<\/p>\n Unlike those opposite, we are delivering our election commitments in a transparent way.<\/p>\n The prime minister on Tuesday admitted he got it wrong<\/a> after telling parliament the grant was to stop \u201craw sewage\u201d going into the nearby river.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.00 EDT<\/p>\n Coalition attacks on PM continue in question time<\/p>\n Nationals MP Kevin Hogan returns to cost-of-living pressures in his question to the prime minister as he asks: \u201cWhy do Australians always pay the price because a prime minister can\u2019t ever admit he\u2019s made a mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n As Anthony Albanese attempts to point to the conflict in the Middle East, interjections pour in from the Coalition and he issues a reminder:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe should turn the temperature down, and maybe people could stop interjecting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.32 EDT<\/p>\n Coalition MP ejected from question time after swearing at PM<\/p>\n Notions of respectful and civil debate appear to have gone out the window in today\u2019s first QT ejection.<\/p>\n The prime minister is asked about \u201cgetting rid of the climate change department\u201d and as he affirms climate change is real, parliament\u2019s typical argy bargy returns and the MP for Wide Bay, Llew O\u2019Brien, is ejected.<\/p>\n As O\u2019Brien leaves to serve a three-hour ban from the chamber the speaker, Milton Dick, says:<\/p>\n double quotation markSwearing in the parliament is completely unacceptable and he [O\u2019Brien] will leave the chamber for three hours.<\/p>\n Honestly, we will not allow this parliament to have that language. None of us will accept that. I won\u2019t accept it. Australia won\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n Llew O\u2019Brien is ejected from the chamber. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.07 EDT<\/p>\n Chalmers says global oil prices are behind inflation<\/p>\n After another question on inflation, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, points to the impact of conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n double quotation markOne of the reasons why the shadow treasurer and the leader of the opposition don\u2019t have any credibility, is because they refuse to acknowledge the impact of higher global oil prices on inflation \u2013 not just in Australia, but, indeed, around the world.<\/p>\n If you look at the inflation numbers today, the biggest driver was petrol prices \u2026 those opposite might want to pretend that that\u2019s not happening, but that\u2019s a factor.<\/p>\n![\"Achol](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Achol_Arok,_L.png\")
Achol Arok<\/p>\n![\"Kat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Kat_Wong.png\")
Kat Wong<\/p>\n![\"Tess](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Tess_Ikonomou.png\")
Tess Ikonomou<\/p>\nAchol Arok<\/p>\nSarah Basford Canales<\/p>\nSarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n