Politics news

• Australian engineer Robert Pether released from Iraqi prison

  12-10-2026 04:17 via smh.com.au
  
  The Iraqi government had insisted that Pether or the company must pay a $US12 million fine.
  
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• Council suspended after GM sacked in wake of mayoral vote hat-draw blunder

  16-10-2026 04:15 via abc.net.au
  
  A northern NSW council has been suspended for three months in the wake of a hat-drawn voting debacle in which the wrong candidate was declared mayor.
  
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• Exclusive Brethren hearing LIVE updates: Church leader Bruce Hales to appear over allegations church campaigned in 2025 election, paid neo-Nazi associates to harass PM

  16-10-2026 01:56 via smh.com.au
  
  The world leader of the Exclusive Brethren is being grilled today about the sect’s covert campaign for the Liberals at the last election, including paying neo-Nazi associates to ambush MPs.
  
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• ‘Leave means leave’: Greens senator to stay away from parliament during investigation

  16-10-2026 01:11 via smh.com.au
  
  Greens leader David Shoebridge has refused to say whether an independent inquiry into Jordon Steele-John’s alleged conduct will offer a public report.
  
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• Live: Shoebridge says he had 'discussion' with Steele-John before leave of absence

  15-10-2026 22:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Greens leader David Shoebridge says Jordon Steele-John will not attend parliament while allegations are investigated. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Shoebridge says he discussed allegations with Steele-John before leave of absence

  15-10-2026 22:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Greens leader David Shoebridge says Jordon Steele-John will not attend parliament while allegations are investigated. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Nationals senator says Coalition will oppose Australia–EU free trade agreement

  15-10-2026 22:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Bridget McKenzie says the Coalition will oppose the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement. Follow live.
  
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• Live: Liberal senator says it's 'appropriate' for Steele-John to take leave from parliament

  15-10-2026 22:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Dave Sharma says it is appropriate Greens senator Jordon Steele-John take a leave of absence from parliament following reports of allegations against him. Follow live.
  
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• More Australians believe in political violence than go to church each week. This won’t end well

  15-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Look to the US or the UK and it’s clear that threats to politicians can and do escalate in real acts of brutality.
  
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• Labor could lose half its savings under private health compromise with Greens

  15-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Labor wants to scrap private health bonuses for 3 million older Australians, but does not have support in the Senate. The Greens want pensioners left out of that plan.
  
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• Exclusive Brethren boss asks, ‘Why should we tell the world?’ ahead of evidence to inquiry

  15-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  From confidentiality agreements for participating in church services to keeping the public in the dark, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church leader is not keen on scrutiny.
  
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• ‘Does not go far enough’: Anti-slavery chief blasts Albanese amid Trump fallout

  15-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Under current laws, Australian companies must disclose modern slavery risks but have no duty to fix them – a gap the commissioner says must be closed.
  
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• Church fronts inquiry over claims members paid neo-Nazi associates to harass PM

  15-10-2026 20:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Church leaders have denied organising members during the 2025 campaign, while at the same time acknowledging they clearly were coordinated.
  
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• Brethren Church hauled back before inquiry over election interference claim

  15-10-2026 20:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Church leaders have denied organising members during the 2025 campaign, while at the same time acknowledging they clearly were coordinated.
  
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• Best of cartoons, October 16, 2026

  15-10-2026 13:30 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• ‘Despicable betrayal of trust’: Navy chief orders sweep of fleet after spy cam found on ship

  15-10-2026 09:31 via smh.com.au
  
  An Australian Defence Force member has been identified as a person of interest after a video recording device was found in the bathroom of a navy ship.
  
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• ‘Insulting’: Penny Wong hits out at Israeli ambassador over Zomi Frankcom drone audio

  15-10-2026 08:46 via smh.com.au
  
  The foreign minister rejected the Israeli envoy’s claim it was time to “move on” after the decision not to press charges over the fatal drone strike.
  
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• Trump’s Truth Social captured by Wells’ new digital safety laws

  15-10-2026 08:38 via smh.com.au
  
  Labor’s digital duty of care bill, introduced to parliament on Thursday, contains surprise carveouts after weeks of backlash from the Coalition and Greens.
  
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• Home Affairs 'unlawfully' jailed Australian citizen for 945 days

  15-10-2026 07:20 via abc.net.au
  
  An Australian citizen was unlawfully held in immigration detention for 945 days due to a litany of departmental errors.
  
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• Yes, Albanese threw Chalmers under the bus, but it was a very small bus

  15-10-2026 06:30 via smh.com.au
  
  The fuss over the ATO tax fix is a storm in a teacup. Bed-wetting Labor MPs need to hold their nerve.
  
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• Yes, Albanese threw Chalmers under a bus, but it was a very small bus

  15-10-2026 06:30 via smh.com.au
  
  The fuss over the ATO tax fix is a storm in a teacup. Bed-wetting Labor MPs need to hold their nerve.
  
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• Greens senator takes leave amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour

  15-10-2026 05:15 via abc.net.au
  
  The Greens say WA senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave after reports of allegations that he made inappropriate comments towards women.
  
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• Breaking: Greens senator takes leave amid allegations of comments towards women

  15-10-2026 05:15 via abc.net.au
  
  The Greens have confirmed WA senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave after reports from the Sydney Morning Herald about allegations of inappropriate comments towards women.
  
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• Jordon Steele-John takes leave after letter raises allegations of inappropriate comments to women

  15-10-2026 04:43 via smh.com.au
  
  In a letter sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge, seven staffers and members demand an investigation into allegations against Steele-John spanning almost a decade.
  
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• Greens senator takes leave after letter raises allegations of inappropriate comments to women

  15-10-2026 04:43 via smh.com.au
  
  In a letter sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge, seven staffers and members demanded an investigation into allegations against Steele-John spanning almost a decade.
  
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• Conroy targets 'rot' in Defence after $15.6m bungle unmasked

  15-10-2026 03:19 via abc.net.au
  
  The government concedes mistakes were made after FOI documents revealed more than $15 million was spent without having prior approval.
  
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• RBA on notice to hold off on rate rises as jobless rate hits five-year high

  15-10-2026 03:01 via smh.com.au
  
  Unemployment lifted in September, before the Reserve Bank’s most recent rate hike, ABS figures show.
  
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• RBA on notice to hold off on rate rises as jobless rate hits 5-year high

  15-10-2026 03:01 via smh.com.au
  
  Unemployment lifts in September, before the Reserve Bank’s most recent rate hike.
  
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• Online safety laws to penalise platforms promoting gender-based violence

  15-10-2026 03:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Labor’s digital duty of care bill, introduced to parliament on Thursday, contains surprise carve-outs after weeks of backlash from the Coalition and Greens.
  
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• Shoebridge says Greens taking allegations against senator 'incredibly seriously' — as it happened

  14-10-2026 22:02 via abc.net.au
  
  WA Greens senator Jordon Steele-John is to take a leave of absence after allegations of inappropriate comments he made to women. 
  
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