Latest news with #Plibersek
West Australian
6 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Tanya Plibersek claims Mark Latham's behaviour in the workplace ‘completely unacceptable'
Tanya Plibersek said the only time she remembers crying in her 27-year career in politics was when Mark Latham was elected as the leader of the Labor Party. It comes as Ms Plibersek revealed discussions were underway about whether to remove Mr Latham's portrait from a wall of photos of past leaders hanging in the Labor caucus room. Salacious allegations have come to light about the NSW independent MP this week, including that he took secret photographs of female colleagues in the upper house of NSW Parliament and shared them in messages with his former partner. Along with the photos, he made inappropriate and sexually-charged comments, including that one MP 'looks pregnant' and that he had 'pinched her bum lightly and she smiled.' His former lover, Nathalie Matthews, has also made other extraordinary allegations against Mr Latham, including that he subjected her to domestic abuse and degrading sex acts, including defecating on her before sex. Mr Latham has vehemently denied the claims. Another claim that Mr Latham recorded a sex video in his Parliamentary office has also come to light. Ms Plibersek, who was elected in 1998 and served in the Labor caucus with Mr Latham until 2005, said she did not see any evidence of behaviour alleged against Mr Latham but said she always had 'doubts about him as a political figure.' 'Do you know, I've been a Member of Parliament for a long time, and the only time I remember going home and having a little cry after work was the day that Mark Latham was elected as leader of the Australian Labor Party,' she said on Friday. 'I always had my doubts about him as a political figure, and I think those doubts have only increased in recent decades as his behaviour has become worse and more extreme.' Ms Plibersek said the fact he has been described as a 'pig' was 'perfectly justified.' 'I think the behaviour is the sort of behaviour that will get you sacked in any other workplace, but it's probably consistent with what we've seen from Mark Latham over the last few decades,' she told Today. 'And he is the guy that said of Rosie Batty, who was Australian of the Year, who suffered the most horrendous domestic violence murder of her son. 'He said she was waging a war on men. He's the guy who said that men hitting women are doing it because they need a kind of stress release. 'He's the guy that picked on high school students when they made an International Women's Day video saying that the boys, you know, making fun of the boys for doing that. 'He just really doesn't get it and he hasn't for many decades. I think, you know, the criticism is perfectly justified. 'In any other workplace, this behaviour would be completely unacceptable. Of course it's unacceptable in the State Parliament. Of course it is. People, taxpayers, are paying his wages to represent them, not make videos in his office.' Ms Plibersek then revealed the party was in discussions about whether it was appropriate Mr Latham's portrait stayed on the caucus room wall. Asked if she would take it down, Ms Plibersek said 'that's not a decision for me alone.' 'But I can tell you over the last couple of decades, looking at that photo on the wall, I scratched my head at times and thought, you know, this guy doesn't represent the Labor Party,' she told ABC Radio. 'He doesn't represent what we stand for. I don't think he represents mainstream Australia. And I think the people of NSW are getting a bit of buyer's remorse for the fact that he's actually in the NSW Parliament.' Latham left Federal Parliament in 2005 after losing the election to John Howard at the 2004 election. He returned to politics and was elected into the NSW Parliament for One Nation in 2019, before resigning from the party in 2023 and sitting as an independent.
The Age
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Australia news live: PM ‘very happy' to meet Trump; Exports at risk of tumbling $30b; Trump pushes for ceasefire in Gaza
Latest posts Latest posts 7.17am PM 'very happy' to meet Trump: Plibersek By Cindy Yin Social services minister Tanya Plibersek has confirmed organisation of a meeting between prime minister Albanese and US president Donald Trump is underway after their first meeting was cancelled earlier this month. The US president was forced to leave the G7 summit early to deal with the Iran-Israel war in the Middle East, a blow for Albanese who was due to meet with him face to face for the first time to discuss issues including trade and AUKUS. Speaking on Channel Seven's Sunrise this morning, Plibersek said the government was awaiting confirmation for a suitable time for the two leaders to meet. 'I'm sure the prime minister is very much looking forward to it. We're awaiting confirmation of a suitable time, and I'm sure when that confirmation comes through the PM will be very happy to visit Washington,' she said. 'He's had a number of calls with president Trump. There's a lot of communication going on both ways, but it's not the sort of thing where you pop in with a plate of scones, hoping someone's home. The organising of the visit is in train.' It comes as foreign minister Penny Wong is set to meet her US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC this week. 6.53am Australian exports to tumble $30b as Trump's tariff war hits home By Nick Toscano Australia is headed for a $27 billion collapse in income from two of its biggest exports – liquefied gas and iron ore – as Donald Trump's trade war with China deepens fears for the global economy and stifles demand for commodities. The outlook for some of Australia's largest mining and energy companies has deteriorated since April, when the United States imposed across-the-board tariffs at much higher rates than many had been expecting, leading to increased uncertainty and lower global growth forecasts. While Trump gave Australia the minimum baseline tariff rate of 10 per cent, the fallout for the country is expected to be wider-reaching as the biggest Asian buyers of Australia's natural resources, particularly China, face much higher US tariffs amid an already sluggish time for their economies. 'Rising trade barriers – and uncertainty over how high these barriers will settle – have disrupted trade between the US and its major partners and caused businesses and consumers to adopt a 'wait-and-see' approach,' the Department of Industry, Science and Resources says in its latest export forecast report, to be released on Monday. 'The associated uncertainty is likely to impinge on world commodity demand, as the nations that Australia supplies are impacted.'
The Advertiser
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Plea for end to Gaza conflict after Mideast ceasefire
The conflict in Gaza should end following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a senior minister says. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation between Iran and Israel should not draw attention from that in Gaza. "We want to see a return of Israeli hostages, absolutely we do," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "But when you look at the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian aid being prevented from entering Gaza and being distributed, the number of deaths we continue to see, I think it's important. "Most people see that these two conflicts are related and we need to make sure that we are urging peace in both circumstances." Israel's violence in Gaza restarted after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, invaded the nation and killed about 1200 people and abducted 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel's bombardment, aid blockages and military action in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people and left many more on the brink of starvation. The situation comes just days after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in military strikes between the two countries. The 12-day conflict saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. But concern still remains for more than 3000 Australians stranded in Iran. While thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance to leave the country, border restrictions and flight path closures have hampered efforts. Ms Plibersek said work was under way to bring Australians home. "Australia's interest in this is predominantly in making sure that Australians who are caught up in this conflict are able to get safely out of Iran," she said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important for a ceasefire to hold in the region. "It is time to be able to shift back towards diplomacy ... it's in the interests of peace for Iran to not have a nuclear weapons capability," he told Sky News. "Iran has been in breach of international obligations (on nuclear weapons) and the US strikes were targeted very specifically at the potential of nuclear weapons from Iran, and we are glad that those setbacks have occurred." The conflict in Gaza should end following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a senior minister says. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation between Iran and Israel should not draw attention from that in Gaza. "We want to see a return of Israeli hostages, absolutely we do," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "But when you look at the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian aid being prevented from entering Gaza and being distributed, the number of deaths we continue to see, I think it's important. "Most people see that these two conflicts are related and we need to make sure that we are urging peace in both circumstances." Israel's violence in Gaza restarted after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, invaded the nation and killed about 1200 people and abducted 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel's bombardment, aid blockages and military action in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people and left many more on the brink of starvation. The situation comes just days after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in military strikes between the two countries. The 12-day conflict saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. But concern still remains for more than 3000 Australians stranded in Iran. While thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance to leave the country, border restrictions and flight path closures have hampered efforts. Ms Plibersek said work was under way to bring Australians home. "Australia's interest in this is predominantly in making sure that Australians who are caught up in this conflict are able to get safely out of Iran," she said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important for a ceasefire to hold in the region. "It is time to be able to shift back towards diplomacy ... it's in the interests of peace for Iran to not have a nuclear weapons capability," he told Sky News. "Iran has been in breach of international obligations (on nuclear weapons) and the US strikes were targeted very specifically at the potential of nuclear weapons from Iran, and we are glad that those setbacks have occurred." The conflict in Gaza should end following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a senior minister says. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation between Iran and Israel should not draw attention from that in Gaza. "We want to see a return of Israeli hostages, absolutely we do," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "But when you look at the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian aid being prevented from entering Gaza and being distributed, the number of deaths we continue to see, I think it's important. "Most people see that these two conflicts are related and we need to make sure that we are urging peace in both circumstances." Israel's violence in Gaza restarted after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, invaded the nation and killed about 1200 people and abducted 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel's bombardment, aid blockages and military action in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people and left many more on the brink of starvation. The situation comes just days after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in military strikes between the two countries. The 12-day conflict saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. But concern still remains for more than 3000 Australians stranded in Iran. While thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance to leave the country, border restrictions and flight path closures have hampered efforts. Ms Plibersek said work was under way to bring Australians home. "Australia's interest in this is predominantly in making sure that Australians who are caught up in this conflict are able to get safely out of Iran," she said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important for a ceasefire to hold in the region. "It is time to be able to shift back towards diplomacy ... it's in the interests of peace for Iran to not have a nuclear weapons capability," he told Sky News. "Iran has been in breach of international obligations (on nuclear weapons) and the US strikes were targeted very specifically at the potential of nuclear weapons from Iran, and we are glad that those setbacks have occurred." The conflict in Gaza should end following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a senior minister says. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation between Iran and Israel should not draw attention from that in Gaza. "We want to see a return of Israeli hostages, absolutely we do," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "But when you look at the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian aid being prevented from entering Gaza and being distributed, the number of deaths we continue to see, I think it's important. "Most people see that these two conflicts are related and we need to make sure that we are urging peace in both circumstances." Israel's violence in Gaza restarted after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, invaded the nation and killed about 1200 people and abducted 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel's bombardment, aid blockages and military action in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people and left many more on the brink of starvation. The situation comes just days after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in military strikes between the two countries. The 12-day conflict saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. But concern still remains for more than 3000 Australians stranded in Iran. While thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance to leave the country, border restrictions and flight path closures have hampered efforts. Ms Plibersek said work was under way to bring Australians home. "Australia's interest in this is predominantly in making sure that Australians who are caught up in this conflict are able to get safely out of Iran," she said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important for a ceasefire to hold in the region. "It is time to be able to shift back towards diplomacy ... it's in the interests of peace for Iran to not have a nuclear weapons capability," he told Sky News. "Iran has been in breach of international obligations (on nuclear weapons) and the US strikes were targeted very specifically at the potential of nuclear weapons from Iran, and we are glad that those setbacks have occurred."
Perth Now
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Plea for end to Gaza conflict after Mideast ceasefire
The conflict in Gaza should end following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a senior minister says. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation between Iran and Israel should not draw attention from that in Gaza. "We want to see a return of Israeli hostages, absolutely we do," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "But when you look at the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian aid being prevented from entering Gaza and being distributed, the number of deaths we continue to see, I think it's important. "Most people see that these two conflicts are related and we need to make sure that we are urging peace in both circumstances." Israel's violence in Gaza restarted after Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, invaded the nation and killed about 1200 people and abducted 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel's bombardment, aid blockages and military action in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people and left many more on the brink of starvation. The situation comes just days after Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in military strikes between the two countries. The 12-day conflict saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. But concern still remains for more than 3000 Australians stranded in Iran. While thousands have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for assistance to leave the country, border restrictions and flight path closures have hampered efforts. Ms Plibersek said work was under way to bring Australians home. "Australia's interest in this is predominantly in making sure that Australians who are caught up in this conflict are able to get safely out of Iran," she said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important for a ceasefire to hold in the region. "It is time to be able to shift back towards diplomacy ... it's in the interests of peace for Iran to not have a nuclear weapons capability," he told Sky News. "Iran has been in breach of international obligations (on nuclear weapons) and the US strikes were targeted very specifically at the potential of nuclear weapons from Iran, and we are glad that those setbacks have occurred."
West Australian
28-06-2025
- West Australian
Leaving Violence Program made permanent as trial helps 100,000 people flee intimate partner violence
A trial program that has helped more than 100,000 people leave violent partners will become a permanent fixture from Tuesday. The Leaving Violence Program will give victim-survivors access to up to $5000 in financial support, and will be available to those who are planning to leave or have recently left a violent intimate partner relationship. It builds on the success of the Federal Government's two-year Escaping Violence Payment trial, which saw more than 100,000 people access the payment. 'We want women fleeing violence to know that financial support is available,' Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said. One of many who accessed the trial was a woman who fled a former relationship after noticing behaviours she described as becoming progressively more controlling. She fled her ex-partner after he assaulted her, and then threatened to kill her if she went to the police, driving to a new city in the middle of the night with her cat. Fearing for her safety, the woman slept in her car for several days. It wasn't until she was dropping her cat off to a carer that she was told about the EVP trial. Her application was accepted. Once engaged with the service, the woman was supported in seeking help from her GP, finding new accommodation and managing her finances with assistance of the payment. The trial has helped tens of thousands of other women secure accommodation, pay rent, buy food and other household goods, as well as school uniforms and supplies. Ms Plibersek said making the program permanent will help women feel supported to safely leave violent relationships. 'People often ask, 'Why doesn't she leave?' What we should ask is, 'Where would she go?' and 'What help is available?',' Ms Plibersek said. Economic insecurity is a key barrier to people leaving violent partners. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey estimates more than a quarter of Australian women have experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner. Of those women, almost one in five experienced economic abuse. The new National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2025 will also begin on Tuesday. Delivered with State and Territory governments, the renewed partnership will deliver more than $700 million in new, matched investments from the Commonwealth, States and Territories. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
