China policy ‘dysfunctional' under Anthony Albanese
'I thought the visit was ill-advised in its duration and its symbolism and its substance,' Mr Sheridan said.
'Nothing of substance came out of the visit at all, absolutely nothing.
'China policy has become very dysfunctional under Albanese … the government no longer has a dialogue with the Australian people about the strategic challenge that China poses.'
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The Advertiser
21 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Protests take over from pageantry as parliament returns
Pomp and ceremony were on full display as MPs gathered in Canberra for the opening of federal parliament. But as formal traditions dating back hundreds of years played out at Parliament House, protests called for action on conflict in the Middle East. During Governor-General Sam Mostyn's speech laying out the priorities for the three years ahead, more than a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained after protesting inside the foyer of parliament, before being removed from the building. Hundreds of protesters called for sanctions on Israel on the lawns of parliament, with one woman arrested, federal police say. Traffic around Parliament House was also disrupted by the protests. As the governor-general read her speech, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi held a silent protest by holding a sign that read: "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them. Sanction Israel". Ms Mostyn said cost-of-living relief would be high on the agenda for the next term. "(Voters) re-elected a government that will continue building on the foundation of its first term, upholding the values of fairness, aspiration and opportunity," the governor-general told the upper house. "The government will work to repay the trust Australians have placed in it." The day began with an ecumenical service at a Wesley Uniting Church, with the prime minister promising to get down to business quickly. "Every day is an opportunity to deliver for Australians and this week we will have legislation to do that," he told reporters outside the church. "We'll continue to work hard each and every day in the interest of Australians." Mr Albanese will command a large majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. The size of the majority was on display on the floor of parliament for the first time since the election, with Labor MPs sitting on both sides of the aisle in the lower house. Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley presides over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the coalition. "We got smashed at the last election and the number of seats that we now hold is a demonstration that we are at a low point," Ms Ley said. "But we're here to work hard, we're here to put the interests of the Australian people that we come here to represent front and centre. "And we know that aspiration connects every single thread of Australian society." After a ceremonial welcome to country and smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House, MPs and senators were sworn in one-by-one at their respective chambers. Business soon turned to the election of a speaker for the House of Representatives. Labor MP Milton Dick was re-elected to the role with bipartisan support before being ceremonially dragged to the speaker's chair by MPs. The prime minister said Mr Dick would continue to conduct the role with "fairness, with humour and with intellect". The returning speaker said it was a "profound honour" to carry on in the position. "My view is the role of speaker is not one of partisanship, but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practised here, but it's strengthened here," Mr Dick said. In the Senate, Sue Lines was re-elected as president of the chamber, but not before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surprise nomination of political rival David Pocock for the position. The independent ACT senator declined the nomination. After Tuesday's ceremonial opening, formal business begins on Wednesday with legislation including for a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt for students. Pomp and ceremony were on full display as MPs gathered in Canberra for the opening of federal parliament. But as formal traditions dating back hundreds of years played out at Parliament House, protests called for action on conflict in the Middle East. During Governor-General Sam Mostyn's speech laying out the priorities for the three years ahead, more than a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained after protesting inside the foyer of parliament, before being removed from the building. Hundreds of protesters called for sanctions on Israel on the lawns of parliament, with one woman arrested, federal police say. Traffic around Parliament House was also disrupted by the protests. As the governor-general read her speech, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi held a silent protest by holding a sign that read: "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them. Sanction Israel". Ms Mostyn said cost-of-living relief would be high on the agenda for the next term. "(Voters) re-elected a government that will continue building on the foundation of its first term, upholding the values of fairness, aspiration and opportunity," the governor-general told the upper house. "The government will work to repay the trust Australians have placed in it." The day began with an ecumenical service at a Wesley Uniting Church, with the prime minister promising to get down to business quickly. "Every day is an opportunity to deliver for Australians and this week we will have legislation to do that," he told reporters outside the church. "We'll continue to work hard each and every day in the interest of Australians." Mr Albanese will command a large majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. The size of the majority was on display on the floor of parliament for the first time since the election, with Labor MPs sitting on both sides of the aisle in the lower house. Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley presides over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the coalition. "We got smashed at the last election and the number of seats that we now hold is a demonstration that we are at a low point," Ms Ley said. "But we're here to work hard, we're here to put the interests of the Australian people that we come here to represent front and centre. "And we know that aspiration connects every single thread of Australian society." After a ceremonial welcome to country and smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House, MPs and senators were sworn in one-by-one at their respective chambers. Business soon turned to the election of a speaker for the House of Representatives. Labor MP Milton Dick was re-elected to the role with bipartisan support before being ceremonially dragged to the speaker's chair by MPs. The prime minister said Mr Dick would continue to conduct the role with "fairness, with humour and with intellect". The returning speaker said it was a "profound honour" to carry on in the position. "My view is the role of speaker is not one of partisanship, but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practised here, but it's strengthened here," Mr Dick said. In the Senate, Sue Lines was re-elected as president of the chamber, but not before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surprise nomination of political rival David Pocock for the position. The independent ACT senator declined the nomination. After Tuesday's ceremonial opening, formal business begins on Wednesday with legislation including for a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt for students. Pomp and ceremony were on full display as MPs gathered in Canberra for the opening of federal parliament. But as formal traditions dating back hundreds of years played out at Parliament House, protests called for action on conflict in the Middle East. During Governor-General Sam Mostyn's speech laying out the priorities for the three years ahead, more than a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained after protesting inside the foyer of parliament, before being removed from the building. Hundreds of protesters called for sanctions on Israel on the lawns of parliament, with one woman arrested, federal police say. Traffic around Parliament House was also disrupted by the protests. As the governor-general read her speech, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi held a silent protest by holding a sign that read: "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them. Sanction Israel". Ms Mostyn said cost-of-living relief would be high on the agenda for the next term. "(Voters) re-elected a government that will continue building on the foundation of its first term, upholding the values of fairness, aspiration and opportunity," the governor-general told the upper house. "The government will work to repay the trust Australians have placed in it." The day began with an ecumenical service at a Wesley Uniting Church, with the prime minister promising to get down to business quickly. "Every day is an opportunity to deliver for Australians and this week we will have legislation to do that," he told reporters outside the church. "We'll continue to work hard each and every day in the interest of Australians." Mr Albanese will command a large majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. The size of the majority was on display on the floor of parliament for the first time since the election, with Labor MPs sitting on both sides of the aisle in the lower house. Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley presides over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the coalition. "We got smashed at the last election and the number of seats that we now hold is a demonstration that we are at a low point," Ms Ley said. "But we're here to work hard, we're here to put the interests of the Australian people that we come here to represent front and centre. "And we know that aspiration connects every single thread of Australian society." After a ceremonial welcome to country and smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House, MPs and senators were sworn in one-by-one at their respective chambers. Business soon turned to the election of a speaker for the House of Representatives. Labor MP Milton Dick was re-elected to the role with bipartisan support before being ceremonially dragged to the speaker's chair by MPs. The prime minister said Mr Dick would continue to conduct the role with "fairness, with humour and with intellect". The returning speaker said it was a "profound honour" to carry on in the position. "My view is the role of speaker is not one of partisanship, but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practised here, but it's strengthened here," Mr Dick said. In the Senate, Sue Lines was re-elected as president of the chamber, but not before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surprise nomination of political rival David Pocock for the position. The independent ACT senator declined the nomination. After Tuesday's ceremonial opening, formal business begins on Wednesday with legislation including for a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt for students. Pomp and ceremony were on full display as MPs gathered in Canberra for the opening of federal parliament. But as formal traditions dating back hundreds of years played out at Parliament House, protests called for action on conflict in the Middle East. During Governor-General Sam Mostyn's speech laying out the priorities for the three years ahead, more than a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained after protesting inside the foyer of parliament, before being removed from the building. Hundreds of protesters called for sanctions on Israel on the lawns of parliament, with one woman arrested, federal police say. Traffic around Parliament House was also disrupted by the protests. As the governor-general read her speech, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi held a silent protest by holding a sign that read: "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them. Sanction Israel". Ms Mostyn said cost-of-living relief would be high on the agenda for the next term. "(Voters) re-elected a government that will continue building on the foundation of its first term, upholding the values of fairness, aspiration and opportunity," the governor-general told the upper house. "The government will work to repay the trust Australians have placed in it." The day began with an ecumenical service at a Wesley Uniting Church, with the prime minister promising to get down to business quickly. "Every day is an opportunity to deliver for Australians and this week we will have legislation to do that," he told reporters outside the church. "We'll continue to work hard each and every day in the interest of Australians." Mr Albanese will command a large majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. The size of the majority was on display on the floor of parliament for the first time since the election, with Labor MPs sitting on both sides of the aisle in the lower house. Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley presides over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the coalition. "We got smashed at the last election and the number of seats that we now hold is a demonstration that we are at a low point," Ms Ley said. "But we're here to work hard, we're here to put the interests of the Australian people that we come here to represent front and centre. "And we know that aspiration connects every single thread of Australian society." After a ceremonial welcome to country and smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House, MPs and senators were sworn in one-by-one at their respective chambers. Business soon turned to the election of a speaker for the House of Representatives. Labor MP Milton Dick was re-elected to the role with bipartisan support before being ceremonially dragged to the speaker's chair by MPs. The prime minister said Mr Dick would continue to conduct the role with "fairness, with humour and with intellect". The returning speaker said it was a "profound honour" to carry on in the position. "My view is the role of speaker is not one of partisanship, but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practised here, but it's strengthened here," Mr Dick said. In the Senate, Sue Lines was re-elected as president of the chamber, but not before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surprise nomination of political rival David Pocock for the position. The independent ACT senator declined the nomination. After Tuesday's ceremonial opening, formal business begins on Wednesday with legislation including for a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt for students.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Traditions dragged to the fore as parliament comes back
Dragging MPs, knocking on doors with giant rods and senators in the wrong chamber doesn't sound like a usual day at Parliament House. But on the opening day, traditions dating back hundreds of years defined the procedures. The House of Representatives and Senate met on Tuesday for the first time since Labor's election win, but before any debate on legislation took place, parliamentary rituals had to be taken care of first. Parliament was opened up by High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, with all MPs and senators packed into the upper house, before returning their respective chambers to be sworn in. Business then turned to electing a Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Senate president. Traditionally, once a Speaker is elected, they are dragged to the speaker's chair by other MPs. The dragging tradition dates back to the early days of the British parliament, when people were reluctantly elected to the role because of predecessors being executed or imprisoned due to the monarch not agreeing with the British parliament's outcome. House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick took part in the ceremonial dragging when he was appointed to the role in 2022 and retained his prominent role in parliament. "When (the traditions) occur for the first time, people see them and they may seem a little unusual," he told AAP. "This is what our democracy has been built on. They signify some of the foundations of our parliament." Later in the day, the Usher of the Black Rod, knocked on the door of the House of Representatives three times to invite MPs to the Senate for a speech by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. The address outlined the priorities of the government during the upcoming three-year term. The speech can't happen in the House of Representatives because of a convention dating back to 1642, when King Charles I went into British parliament and tried to arrest five people but was unsuccessful. Since then, any figure related to the crown such as the Governor General is not allowed in the lower house. Despite the British traditions on display on parliament's opening day, Australian customs were also part of the mix. The day began with a welcome to country and Indigenous smoking ceremony. Senate president Sue Lines said the Indigenous elements of the day were an important part of parliament's opening. "It's important for me and very symbolic that we back our own traditions and acknowledge First Nations (people), and we also have the quirky bits of the Westminster system," Senator Lines told AAP. "These traditions also reinforce the different roles that the House of Representatives and the Senate has, and sometimes that's a bit lost because we get into the argument and debate." Official business will get under way later on Tuesday with maiden speeches by MPs before proposed laws are debated on Wednesday. Dragging MPs, knocking on doors with giant rods and senators in the wrong chamber doesn't sound like a usual day at Parliament House. But on the opening day, traditions dating back hundreds of years defined the procedures. The House of Representatives and Senate met on Tuesday for the first time since Labor's election win, but before any debate on legislation took place, parliamentary rituals had to be taken care of first. Parliament was opened up by High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, with all MPs and senators packed into the upper house, before returning their respective chambers to be sworn in. Business then turned to electing a Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Senate president. Traditionally, once a Speaker is elected, they are dragged to the speaker's chair by other MPs. The dragging tradition dates back to the early days of the British parliament, when people were reluctantly elected to the role because of predecessors being executed or imprisoned due to the monarch not agreeing with the British parliament's outcome. House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick took part in the ceremonial dragging when he was appointed to the role in 2022 and retained his prominent role in parliament. "When (the traditions) occur for the first time, people see them and they may seem a little unusual," he told AAP. "This is what our democracy has been built on. They signify some of the foundations of our parliament." Later in the day, the Usher of the Black Rod, knocked on the door of the House of Representatives three times to invite MPs to the Senate for a speech by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. The address outlined the priorities of the government during the upcoming three-year term. The speech can't happen in the House of Representatives because of a convention dating back to 1642, when King Charles I went into British parliament and tried to arrest five people but was unsuccessful. Since then, any figure related to the crown such as the Governor General is not allowed in the lower house. Despite the British traditions on display on parliament's opening day, Australian customs were also part of the mix. The day began with a welcome to country and Indigenous smoking ceremony. Senate president Sue Lines said the Indigenous elements of the day were an important part of parliament's opening. "It's important for me and very symbolic that we back our own traditions and acknowledge First Nations (people), and we also have the quirky bits of the Westminster system," Senator Lines told AAP. "These traditions also reinforce the different roles that the House of Representatives and the Senate has, and sometimes that's a bit lost because we get into the argument and debate." Official business will get under way later on Tuesday with maiden speeches by MPs before proposed laws are debated on Wednesday. Dragging MPs, knocking on doors with giant rods and senators in the wrong chamber doesn't sound like a usual day at Parliament House. But on the opening day, traditions dating back hundreds of years defined the procedures. The House of Representatives and Senate met on Tuesday for the first time since Labor's election win, but before any debate on legislation took place, parliamentary rituals had to be taken care of first. Parliament was opened up by High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, with all MPs and senators packed into the upper house, before returning their respective chambers to be sworn in. Business then turned to electing a Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Senate president. Traditionally, once a Speaker is elected, they are dragged to the speaker's chair by other MPs. The dragging tradition dates back to the early days of the British parliament, when people were reluctantly elected to the role because of predecessors being executed or imprisoned due to the monarch not agreeing with the British parliament's outcome. House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick took part in the ceremonial dragging when he was appointed to the role in 2022 and retained his prominent role in parliament. "When (the traditions) occur for the first time, people see them and they may seem a little unusual," he told AAP. "This is what our democracy has been built on. They signify some of the foundations of our parliament." Later in the day, the Usher of the Black Rod, knocked on the door of the House of Representatives three times to invite MPs to the Senate for a speech by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. The address outlined the priorities of the government during the upcoming three-year term. The speech can't happen in the House of Representatives because of a convention dating back to 1642, when King Charles I went into British parliament and tried to arrest five people but was unsuccessful. Since then, any figure related to the crown such as the Governor General is not allowed in the lower house. Despite the British traditions on display on parliament's opening day, Australian customs were also part of the mix. The day began with a welcome to country and Indigenous smoking ceremony. Senate president Sue Lines said the Indigenous elements of the day were an important part of parliament's opening. "It's important for me and very symbolic that we back our own traditions and acknowledge First Nations (people), and we also have the quirky bits of the Westminster system," Senator Lines told AAP. "These traditions also reinforce the different roles that the House of Representatives and the Senate has, and sometimes that's a bit lost because we get into the argument and debate." Official business will get under way later on Tuesday with maiden speeches by MPs before proposed laws are debated on Wednesday. Dragging MPs, knocking on doors with giant rods and senators in the wrong chamber doesn't sound like a usual day at Parliament House. But on the opening day, traditions dating back hundreds of years defined the procedures. The House of Representatives and Senate met on Tuesday for the first time since Labor's election win, but before any debate on legislation took place, parliamentary rituals had to be taken care of first. Parliament was opened up by High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, with all MPs and senators packed into the upper house, before returning their respective chambers to be sworn in. Business then turned to electing a Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Senate president. Traditionally, once a Speaker is elected, they are dragged to the speaker's chair by other MPs. The dragging tradition dates back to the early days of the British parliament, when people were reluctantly elected to the role because of predecessors being executed or imprisoned due to the monarch not agreeing with the British parliament's outcome. House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick took part in the ceremonial dragging when he was appointed to the role in 2022 and retained his prominent role in parliament. "When (the traditions) occur for the first time, people see them and they may seem a little unusual," he told AAP. "This is what our democracy has been built on. They signify some of the foundations of our parliament." Later in the day, the Usher of the Black Rod, knocked on the door of the House of Representatives three times to invite MPs to the Senate for a speech by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. The address outlined the priorities of the government during the upcoming three-year term. The speech can't happen in the House of Representatives because of a convention dating back to 1642, when King Charles I went into British parliament and tried to arrest five people but was unsuccessful. Since then, any figure related to the crown such as the Governor General is not allowed in the lower house. Despite the British traditions on display on parliament's opening day, Australian customs were also part of the mix. The day began with a welcome to country and Indigenous smoking ceremony. Senate president Sue Lines said the Indigenous elements of the day were an important part of parliament's opening. "It's important for me and very symbolic that we back our own traditions and acknowledge First Nations (people), and we also have the quirky bits of the Westminster system," Senator Lines told AAP. "These traditions also reinforce the different roles that the House of Representatives and the Senate has, and sometimes that's a bit lost because we get into the argument and debate." Official business will get under way later on Tuesday with maiden speeches by MPs before proposed laws are debated on Wednesday.
SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
The Governor-General opens Australia's 48th parliament
The Governor-General opens Australia's 48th parliament in an address to both chambers... Protesters crash the parliamentary party with calls for more action against Israel... In AFL, The Western Bulldogs sign a deal to keep their superstar captain for another four years. The Governor-General opens Australia's 48th parliament in an address to both chambers Protesters crash the parliamentary party with calls for more action against Israel The Western Bulldogs sign a deal to keep their superstar captain for another four years. Governor General Sam Mostyn has officially opened the 48th Federal Parliament, urging respect in an address to politicians of both chambers. The ceremonial opening has included church services, smoking ceremonies and the ceremonial dragging of M-Ps. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will command a large parliamentary majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will preside over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the Coalition. Ms Mostyn says she encourages all politicians to treat each other with care and compassion. "Care for each other, care for those who do the caring for others, care for our continent and our extraordinary environment and beautiful riches, care for civics and institutions which I know the speaker and I share a great passion for and will continue to do work on. And care for the way we speak to each other and debate the very tough issues of our time without anger or judgement or hate but always with respect." Hundreds of protesters have demonstrated outside the opening ceremonies of the new Parliament, calling for an end to ties with Israel and more action in support of Palestinians. Independent Senator Fatima Payman says if politicians claim to support human rights they should join the protest on the parliamentary lawns. "It wasn't a difficult decision to choose between whether I want to be there as part of a ceremonial procession where people are patting themselves on the back when there's a genocide going on and protesters are outside. It's a shame that we don't have more politicians out here. If they claim to uphold human rights and dignity and justice for all they should be out here, not patting themselves on the back inside." The Israeli government categorically denies they are committing genocidal acts in Gaza. The protest comes as the Australian government signed onto a joint statement with 27 other countries condemning Israel's killing of civilian aid-seekers in Gaza and calling for an immediate end to the Israeli assault. Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia says it's a positive move but it's time for real action. "We're at the stage now, almost two years in, where there actually needs to be sanctions against the state of Israel and thinking about how we can disentangle our relationship from both the U-S and Israel who are engaged in committing these flagrant breaches of international law." A coroner has determined the death of a woman in Western Sydney over a decade ago was a targeted homicide, as the search for the killer continues. 41-year-old Indian-Australian mother Prabha Arun Kumar was brutally stabbed to death while walking home through Parramatta Park in March 2015. CCTV footage shows Ms Kumar had been on the phone to her husband, who was in India at the time, leading up to and during the attack. While police don't believe her husband was in Australia, they say they haven't ruled out that he may have arranged her murder. Deputy State Coroner David O'Neil has handed the case back to detectives after a two-day inquest found a targeted killing was the most likely cause of Ms Kumar's death. Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi [[Dway-hee]] says the investigation continues. "We believe this was a targeted attack and we're quite confident we can rule out the motive of robbery. We want to identify who the person who stabbed Prabha, we have not been able to achieve that. We also want to identify who may have contracted or requested that person to conduct that stabbing." Police have offered a $1 million reward to anyone in Australia or abroad for any new leads that result in the arrest and conviction of the killer. Police have siezed a new haul of black market cigarettes as tough new laws are set to allow for on-the-spot shutdowns of shops selling illicit tobacco and fines of $1.5 million in New South Wales. Police say 46 million cigarettes, worth more than $30 million, were seized from four containers at the New South Wales border in June and July. The seizure coincides with Premier Chris Minns vowing to dismantle a ballooning black market of cheap cigarettes which has been linked to gang violence, robberies and firebombings. He wants to strengthen laws to enable health ministry officials to immediately close down businesses selling illicit tobacco for up to four weeks. The Western Bulldogs have finalised a four-year deal that keeps superstar Marcus Bontempelli at the Whitten Oval until the end of the 2029 season. The Dogs captain, who was the highest-profile player in the AFL coming out-of-contract, is going nowhere now after signing the new four-year deal. Confirmation of the news comes a night after Bontempelli was named the club's second-greatest ever player, only behind the legendary Ted Whitten. The 29-year-old has played 253 games for the Bulldogs after being taken with pick four in the 2013 draft.
