Politics news

• Brethren a controlling sect, not a religion, former and current members say

  14-10-2026 10:45 via smh.com.au
  
  The secretive church’s leader Bruce Hales faces a high-stakes showdown with a parliamentary committee on Friday.
  
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• Smart traps and AI baits: The high-tech push to target Australia’s foxes

  17-10-2026 07:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Responsible for wiping out 20 native species, red foxes remain a persistent threat across 80 per cent of the country. Smart technology could make control efforts far more precise.
  
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• Steele-John probe should examine Greens processes, publish key findings: WA MPs

  17-10-2026 03:21 via smh.com.au
  
  The MPs say the investigation should include the Greens’ own processes, after this masthead revealed a secret dossier catalogued allegations against Jordon Steele-John for 10 years.
  
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• Man pleads guilty to threatening Central Coast MP

  17-10-2026 00:25 via abc.net.au
  
  Christopher Mark Whitty has pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to threaten serious harm against Gosford MP Liesl Tesch. 
  
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• In a funk: How economic pain is straining the PM and treasurer’s relationship

  16-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Behind closed doors, Labor MPs are questioning whether Jim Chalmers’ relationship with Anthony Albanese has soured.
  
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• Gaslighting on a biblical scale: Brethren evidence about election antics doesn’t match reality

  16-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Anyone who understands the secretive church knows this kind of activity is approved at the very top.
  
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• A washing machine has more safeguards than the web, and the Libs are in a full spin cycle

  16-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  Pauline Hanson says the Duty of Care bill is a crime against free speech, so the Coalition is performing its One Nation back-up dance.
  
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• Copying One Nation will leave Australians poorer, Morrison minister warns

  16-10-2026 13:30 via smh.com.au
  
  Mathias Cormann says both sides of politics have failed over the past 20 years to embrace changes the country needs if living standards are to improve.
  
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• Senior Brethren had 'brief' meeting with far-right figures during election

  16-10-2026 08:42 via abc.net.au
  
  Plymouth Brethren Christian Church leaders face a fiery line of questioning over their involvement in the 2025 federal election campaign, including allegations of a plot to harass and target MPs and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.  
  
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• How to kill a story: The secret dossier the Greens used to protect Steele-John

  16-10-2026 05:34 via smh.com.au
  
  “Reach out to them”: Greens staffers took screenshots of member complaints as part of a plan to bury allegations against the high-profile senator.
  
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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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• Exclusive Brethren hearing LIVE updates: Bruce Hales singles out Age journalist, admits church leaders have met with Donald Trump as inquiry continues

  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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• Nationals senator says Coalition will oppose EU free trade agreement — as it happened

  15-10-2026 22:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Bridget McKenzie says the Coalition will oppose the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
  
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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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