Nationals leader Matt Canavan says he would not have accepted a trip to Europe from a benefactor after Pauline Hanson declared Gina Rinehart paid for her trip to Italy.
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Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:45am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:45am
Tim Wilson says discussion about coalition with One Nation is 'speculation'
By Joshua Boscaini
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson says he wants to work towards a "Liberal-led" majority government at the next election.
Earlier this week, Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg suggested the Liberals would be open to a coalition with One Nation.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has repeatedly ruled out any coalition with the right-wing party after the next election.
Speaking to Sky News, the shadow treasurer says discussion about a coalition with One Nation is "speculation".
"Everytime we have this speculation it's prejudging arrogantly the will of the Australian people and what they are going to do after the poll," Wilson says.
"The focus should be on how we maximise the number of Liberal MPs elected so we do not need to govern with anybody else."
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:21am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 8:21am
Shorten's dire view of Victorian Labor
By Paul Johnson
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten says the party's Victorian wing was facing "extinction level results" if Jacinta Allan had remained premier.
He compared the possibility to 1992 when Liberal leader Jeff Kennett and the Coalition romped to power in the state.
"I think, as much as people don't want to hear this in Labor, I think they were facing extinction level results worse than 1992 when Jeff Kennett wiped out Labor," Shorten told 7.30 on Tuesday night.
"I understand why people acted."
As to whether new premier Ben Carroll can do enough to keep Labor in power, Shorten said he felt he would make them competitive.
"I think he can move them from the low 20s, to at least the mid–30s," he said.
"He's doing this to make sure the can try to win and make Labor competitive. I think he will give them a bump.
"Changes sometimes work, sometimes they don't. But I can think of plenty of examples where they have worked."
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:59am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:59am
Dan Tehan quizzed on ICAC hearing over NSW Liberal donations
By Joshua Boscaini
The NSW corruption watchdog has heard claims senior Liberal figures discussed seeking financial backing for a right-wing factional group from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.
Taylor is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan has asked whether the story could become a distraction for the opposition leader.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, the shadow minister has sidestepped the question and accused Environment Minister Murray Watt of trying to throw mud for raising questions.
Tehan deflected to the PM's attendance at an intimate dinner hosted by a billionaire family, which is facing allegations of tax office deception.
"I think let's see, let ICAC do its job and in the meantime, let's focus on the person who's running this country, and that's who Murray Watt should ask the questions of."
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:50am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:50am
Chalmers speaks with new UK counterpart
By Evelyn Manfield
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has spoken on the phone to his new UK counterpart John Healey for the first time.
Last Monday, Healey was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (aka the UK's chief financial minister) as part of a leadership reshuffle under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Chalmers said the pair spoke about their shared economic and defence interests.
"He'd have a lot on his mind and the briefing would be really intensive so it's good of him to make time," Chalmers said in a statement.
"At a time of great uncertainty there's no shortage of challenges in the global economy and we are more likely to rise to the occasion when friends like Australia and the UK work together."
Chalmers said he looked forward to meeting Healey in person and had heard "very good things" from his colleague Richard Marles, who had previously worked with him in the defence portfolio.
Since the reshuffle, Chalmers has also been in contact a number of times with former Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who was demoted by the new PM. The ABC's been told the pair had built a close friendship.
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:41am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:41am
Amanda Rishworth defends govt action on inflation ahead of CPI figures release
By Joshua Boscaini
Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has reportedly warned the labour market needs to cool further to bring inflation back to its target.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release Australia's inflation figures today. We'll bring you that news here as soon as it drops.
Workplace Minister Amanda Rishworth has been asked on Channel Seven whether the government is doing enough to bring inflation down.
She says the government is doing everything in its power to provide cost-of-living relief, improve the budget and productivity.
"There have been global headwinds. We know that there have been difficult global circumstances. We know inflation is and was running higher than we'd like," Rishworth says.
But Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie doesn't agree and says the government isn't cutting spending and doesn't have an economic plan.
But asked what the Coalition would cut to rein in spending, McKenzie has nominated NDIS and not funding CFMEU infrastructure project as a start.
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:26am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:26am
Pat Conroy discusses China ballistic missile test during trip to the US
By Joshua Boscaini
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says he raised China's ballistic missile test in the Pacific with his US counterparts.
China has test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead in the Pacific in early July.
The nuclear-capable missile flew over multiple Pacific islands and appeared to hit waters close to Tuvalu's exclusive economic zone.
The defence industry minister is in Washington where he's met with high-ranking officials n the US military.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Conroy says he briefed the US about Australia and the Pacific's reaction.
"The United States obviously shares similar concerns about the arms race we're seeing, the build-up of Chinese military without any strategic trust or transparency you would expect," Conroy says.
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:16am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:16am
Canavan says he wouldn't have accepted paid trip to Europe from large benefactor
By Joshua Boscaini
Nationals Leader Matt Canavan says he wouldn't have accepted a paid trip to Europe and tickets to attend a fashion parade from a large benefactor.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has confirmed mining magnate Gina Rinehart paid for her flights from London to Sicily, via Rome, and for her to attend a high-end fashion parade on the luxurious Italian island.
Hanson updated her parliamentary register of interests on Tuesday and also confirmed she personally paid for her accommodation, meals and other daily expenses during the trip from July 11 to 16.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Canavan says he wouldn't have accepted the offer.
"If a large benefactor offered me a holiday I'd say, 'Look, I'd prefer you just put that money into changing the government because that's what our country needs,'" Canavan says.
"The economy is in a really dire strait. Small businesses, some real estate agents I spoke to are just pulling their hair out. They're working really hard. They obviously can't afford these holidays over to the Mediterranean."
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:11am
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 7:11am
Good morning 👋
By Joshua Boscaini
Hello there and welcome to our federal politics live blog. It's great to have you join us here early this Wednesday morning!
I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.
I'm not really sure what today could bring us but let's get right into and see where it takes us!
