Latest news with #JaneHume
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Coalition drifts on substantive policy issues as latest poll delivers worst result in recent history
The Coalition has suffered its lowest level of voter support in recent history as internal disunity and a lack of clear direction on key policy issues have taken their toll. Before parliament has even returned for its first sitting week, the Coalition's primary vote has fallen to 29 per cent — its lowest level recorded by Newspoll in four decades. In contrast, the final pre-election poll conducted in May 2025 had the Coalition's support at 34 per cent, suggesting a five-point slide in just under three months. The dramatic slide has exposed the challenge facing Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who has yet to secure a coherent platform or clear public backing. The Coalition has not confirmed where it stands on net zero or gender quotas, and has walked away from its nuclear promise and pledge to cut international student numbers. Despite embarking on a national 'listening' tour since taking over the leadership, Ms Ley received just 35 per cent approval, but 42 per cent disapproval. She trails Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister 52-32, even though he has a disapproval rating of 47 per cent and net approval of zero per cent. Nearly a quarter of voters remain undecided about Ms Ley, underlining her limited impact as the party has still failed to achieve any substantive policy positions. The Coalition has not settled its position on several high-profile issues — including net zero emissions, gender quotas, or any substantive economic or social policies. Liberal senator Jane Hume acknowledged the gravity of the polling slump but sought to downplay its significance on Monday. 'This is a poll that I think that starts every parliamentary term. It's actually not that unusual for a new opposition to be well behind in the polls,' she told Sky News. Others within the Coalition took a harder line as Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce described the poll result as 'brutal'. 'I think the Coalition's role… is you have to find issues which are binary, which you are fully for, and the Labor Party is fully against,' Mr Joyce said on Channel 7's Sunrise. 'That's why issues such as net-zero, I say: find a point of division. You don't believe in net zero, they do believe in net zero.' However, Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party had not come to a position, and was still reviewing its commitment to net zero. 'We've undertaken a review… After the election, I made it very clear that we will start an internal process… and that work has commenced,' Mr Littleproud said. The issue has divided the joint partyroom, with high-profile figures, including Liberal senator Alex Antic and Nationals senator Matt Canavan, pushing to abandon net zero. Meanwhile, Liberal senator Jane Hume and Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie have argued in favour of the climate target. Labor figures have been quick to capitalise on the disarray, with Mr Albanese saying the opposition has 'some issues they need to sort out'. 'I think they should sort themselves out before they start going back to where they've been for the last three years, frankly,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday. 'Never having anything positive to contribute, always being critical, seeking to look for distinction, when what they should be doing is just supporting Australia's national interest.' Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek argued that voters were tired of the kind of 'fighting politics' advocated for by Mr Joyce. 'I'm a bit alarmed that Barnaby thinks that the lesson from the last election was that they weren't negative and combative enough,' she said on Monday. Meanwhile, shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien attempted to rally behind the Tasmanian election, where the Liberals have been projected to form minority government. He argued the result proved the Liberal Party 'is not on its knees' and described the outcome as a 'message of inspiration'. 'We know that we're in the opposition party room, but we also know that we are an incredibly strong and talented team,' Ms Ley told the joint party room on Monday. 'Our job is to represent the millions of Australians who voted for us, but also the millions who maybe didn't, but still expect us to be the strongest, best opposition that we can. 'If the Prime Minister and his team bring forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them. 'But if they don't do that, if they bring forward legislation that is not in the national interest and it is not in the interests of Australians then we will fight them.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Not that unusual': Dire polling for the Coalition as support crashes to 40-year low
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has commented on a new Newspoll which revealed the Coalition's vote has collapsed to its lowest point in 40 years ahead of parliament's return on Tuesday. 'This is a poll that I think starts every parliamentary term – it's actually not that unusual for an opposition, a new opposition, to be well behind in the polls,' Ms Hume told Sky News Australia. 'And let's face it, Australians really haven't switched on to their politics again while Canberra has been you know hibernating up here.'
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Sussan Ley said Liberals ‘didn't get it right' with Chinese community during federal election
Sussan Ley has moved to reassure the Chinese community after the Liberal Party failed to win or retain any seats with a high Chinese-Australian population, with the Opposition Leader admitting the party didn't 'get everything right in the last election'. At the May 3 federal election, the Liberals failed to retake the notionally Liberal seat of Bennelong, with Labor's incumbent Jerome Laxale boosting his margin from a super slim 1 per cent to 9.3 per cent. In Melbourne, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan lost the blue-ribbon seat of Menzies to Labor's Gabriel Ng, and Labor's Carina Garland also maintained Chisholm. The Coalition also suffered backlash from the community after former frontbencher Jane Hume claimed Chinese spies were volunteering for Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil. Following a meeting with Chinese community leaders in Epping in Sydney's northwest on Monday, Ms Ley said conversations were 'frank' and it was clear the party needed to 'course correct'. When asked directly about Senator Hume's comments, she reiterated that the party had made mistakes in the lead up to May 3. 'We didn't get it right. We didn't get the tone right. We didn't always get the messaging right, and I want to freely acknowledge that we've turned the page,' she said. 'I'm a new leader with a different tone, different priorities and a different team.' While she would not disclose 'private discussions' with community leaders, she said the Liberals would continue the dialogue with community members. 'I think that message was well received, but I also know that the Chinese Australian community expects ongoing dialogue from this point forward,' Ms Ley said. 'So to them, they're focused on the future, and they're focused on what happens next, and they're focused on their families and their communities and their economic circumstances, just as all Australians are.' Ahead of Anthony Albanese's trip to China later this week, Ms Ley wished the Prime Minister 'well' but urged caution against expanding the free trade agreement to include to artificial intelligence. 'The people-to-people links that we talked about today underpin that, and they're part of the incredible Chinese diaspora and character that is part of the Australian community today,' Ms Ley said, adding that the Australia-China relationship would be built on 'mutual respect'. 'With respect to artificial intelligence and new free trade agreements, we have to proceed with caution, understanding the implications that always come with issues that concern our national interest.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ley issues mea culpa to Chinese Aussies
Sussan Ley has moved to reassure the Chinese community after the Liberal Party failed to win or retain any seats with a high Chinese-Australian population, with the Opposition Leader admitting the party didn't 'get everything right in the last election'. At the May 3 federal election, the Liberals failed to retake the notionally Liberal seat of Bennelong, with Labor's incumbent Jerome Laxale boosting his margin from a super slim 1 per cent to 9.3 per cent. In Melbourne, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan lost the blue-ribbon seat of Menzies to Labor's Gabriel Ng, and Labor's Carina Garland also maintained Chisholm. The Coalition also suffered backlash from the community after former frontbencher Jane Hume claimed Chinese spies were volunteering for Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil. Following a meeting with Chinese community leaders in Epping in Sydney's northwest on Monday, Ms Ley said conversations were 'frank' and it was clear the party needed to 'course correct'. When asked directly about Senator Hume's comments, she reiterated that the party had made mistakes in the lead up to May 3. 'We didn't get it right. We didn't get the tone right. We didn't always get the messaging right, and I want to freely acknowledge that we've turned the page,' she said. 'I'm a new leader with a different tone, different priorities and a different team.' While she would not disclose 'private discussions' with community leaders, she said the Liberals would continue the dialogue with community members. 'I think that message was well received, but I also know that the Chinese Australian community expects ongoing dialogue from this point forward,' Ms Ley said. 'So to them, they're focused on the future, and they're focused on what happens next, and they're focused on their families and their communities and their economic circumstances, just as all Australians are.' Ahead of Anthony Albanese's trip to China later this week, Ms Ley wished the Prime Minister 'well' but urged caution against expanding the free trade agreement to include to artificial intelligence. 'The people-to-people links that we talked about today underpin that, and they're part of the incredible Chinese diaspora and character that is part of the Australian community today,' Ms Ley said, adding that the Australia-China relationship would be built on 'mutual respect'. 'With respect to artificial intelligence and new free trade agreements, we have to proceed with caution, understanding the implications that always come with issues that concern our national interest.'
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Shock $1.5m admission on pollie furniture
A $60,000 lounge is among $1.5m worth of Parliament House furnishings wasting away in off-site storage, officials have revealed. The Department of Parliamentary Services' spending came under a spotlight in February when it was grilled on a $3.8m furniture bill. It sparked concern at the time by disclosing a $20,000 desk sitting in storage. 'My concern, of course, is that there is this pervasive culture of waste and now there is numerous evidence that this has been an ongoing problem,' former opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said during senate estimates. 'I understand that we don't necessarily want some of the beautiful rooms in Parliament House filled with furniture that looks like it came off a hard rubbish collection – that's fine. 'But this is, I think, of great concern. The $20,000 desk that is in off-site storage – clearly there are other things that are in off-site storage too – if I can, can I, on notice, have a full inventory of this collection and the estimated cost of construction for each piece of furniture that is in off-site storage, if you have the paperwork, and its current market value.' Liberal senator Jane Hume grilled the Department of Parliamentary Services on its $3.8m furniture bill during senate estimates. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia She suggested the 'taxpayer can recoup some of the waste of that department's decisions by maybe selling some of the stuff that is off-site that we are clearly never going to use'. Responding to Senator Hume's query now, the DPS confirmed the desk was now in use but revealed items worth far more were sitting idle at two off-site facilities. 'The Department of Parliamentary Services uses off-site storage facilities both for the storage of, and as staging areas for, furniture that is either excess to current use requirements, earmarked for disposal or requires maintenance and refurbishment,' the department said. 'There are currently two off-site storage facilities in use for Parliament House furniture. 'Furniture retained in the off-site storage areas are high value items from the original Parliament House furniture collection intended to be used in designated areas of Parliament House. Department of Parliamentary Services officials have revealed furnishings for Parliament House worth $1.5m are sitting in off-site storage. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Where possible, lower value office furniture is not retained in off-site storage. 'As these items do not have heritage value, they are more easily disposed and/or can be repurposed throughout other APH office spaces.' It said that as of April 30, 891 tagged items were in storage, including 189 'furniture components' – seat pads or frames, for example. The indicative cost of these was about $800,000. 'The Department of Parliamentary Services does not maintain current market value of each individual item due to the bespoke nature of each piece,' it said. 'However collective value of furniture in storage at the main facility is currently valued at $1.5m.' Aside from the lounge, other costly items included a $40,000 'cocktail/TV cabinet', a $38,000 credenza, a $36,000 desk and a $27,000 dining table.
