Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signalled a rapid government response on security, saying duress alarms for MPs and their staff are among options under active consideration as concerns mount about threats to politicians following the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said the government is also assessing measures to improve safety at polling places during election periods.
Duress alarms for MPs under review
Addressing the Labor party room on Tuesday, Albanese said last week’s incident involving Haines should be a turning point for civil discourse. He told colleagues that many parliamentarians have raised the idea of installing duress alarms, or panic buttons, in electorate offices to alert authorities, describing the proposal as part of a broader suite of security options being weighed. He added that further investment in safety and security would be required.
Polling booth safety flagged
Burke said the government is examining recommendations on managing aggressive conduct at polling stations and is looking at ways to keep voters and campaign workers safe during elections. An expedited review into commonwealth workplaces will bring forward recommendations specific to safety and security.
Greens urge ‘ethical Australian AI’
Greens leader David Shoebridge said an Australian Signals Directorate report on AI-enabled cyber risks underscores the need to invest in a domestic, ethical artificial intelligence capability rather than relying solely on overseas providers. The ASD warned that organisations and critical infrastructure must deploy advanced AI tools to counter escalating digital threats.
Payman presses staffing after threats
Independent senator Fatima Payman accused the prime minister in Senate estimates of being petty for not approving an additional adviser after she left Labor in 2024. She said her office faces significant “psychosocial hazards,” citing incidents that prompted biohazard responses, and argued extra staffing would align with other independents. Trade minister Don Farrell rejected her suggestion that the government was waiting for a serious incident before acting.
Farrer campaign donations detailed
Electoral returns show independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe raised nearly $1.7m from more than 5,000 donors in her campaign for the seat of Farrer. Backed by regional independents including Helen Haines, she lost to One Nation’s David Farley, 57.55% to 42.45% on a two-party-preferred basis. The Australian Electoral Commission reported $670,653 of donations were above the $17,300 disclosure threshold.
Top donors included Regional Voices Fund Pty Ltd ($215,000), Keldoulis Investments Pty Limited ($117,000), Keep Them Honest Pty Ltd ($75,000) and Climate 200 Pty Limited ($61,653).
Former Rio Tinto chief to lead defence agency
Former Rio Tinto Australia head Kellie Parker has been appointed national armaments director for five years to lead the new independent Defence Delivery Agency, created to address cost blowouts and project management issues. Defence industry minister Pat Conroy cited Parker’s experience driving cultural change after the Juukan Gorge incident and highlighted recent senior female appointments, including Lt Gen Susan Coyle as the first woman to lead the army, as merit-based.
Apology sought over cartoon targeting Lambie
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has not personally apologised for a “Please Explain” cartoon mocking Lambie’s medical condition, despite a public apology and removal of the video. One Nation state candidate and Stepmates Studio cofounder Mark Nicholson told ABC’s 7.30 he would not apologise, saying his role involves satirising public figures. Lambie urged Nicholson to quit the election race.
Queensland funding decision defended
Queensland’s youth justice minister, Laura Gerber, defended cutting funding for the Youth Advocacy Service’s bail support program, saying 13 organisations were selected under a new scheme and that YAC’s prior program coincided with high reoffending rates among youth on bail. Greens MP Michael Berkman pointed to a state evaluation he said showed the program reduced frequency and seriousness of offending. Anglicare will assume funding previously allocated to YAC.
Opposition motion on golf club grant fails
Manager of opposition business Dan Tehan unsuccessfully sought to summon Albanese to clarify the purpose of a $6m grant to the Marrickville Golf Club. Albanese has said the funding addressed raw sewage affecting the Cooks River. During Senate estimates, an infrastructure department official said the project’s scope did not include sewerage works, adding that scopes can change from original plans. Officials said they did not believe the prime minister misled parliament.
Department concedes errors in tech trial report
Communications department secretary Jim Betts apologised in Senate estimates for “sloppy” citation errors in a report underpinning the $3.48m age-assurance technology trial related to the under-16s social media policy. The UK-based contractor, Age Check Certification Scheme, had attributed broken links and said ChatGPT was used in editing. The department has published corrections and maintained the errors did not affect the report’s substance.
Emergency text-to-000 pilot
The government has begun testing whether texting Triple Zero is feasible and safe in situations where voice calls are not possible. The communications minister, Anika Wells, said trials will occur in a simulated setting without affecting live emergency services.
Opposition comments on political violence
Opposition leader Angus Taylor told a joint party room that Australia’s Westminster system has historically helped prevent political violence, noting the importance of getting personal security settings right. Nationals leader Matt Canavan echoed the sentiment while stressing the opposition’s role in holding the government to account.
First Aukus submarine for Australia named
The USS Colorado, a Virginia-class submarine, will be the first Aukus boat to rotate through HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from late 2027, according to defence minister Richard Marles in a joint statement with US and UK counterparts. The rotation will include up to four US submarines and one from the UK as Australia builds capability to operate nuclear-powered subs. The plan has faced criticism over the prospect of receiving only secondhand vessels.
UN experts criticise blocking of detention bills
UN Human Rights Council special procedures experts expressed disappointment after major parties blocked bills introduced by independent senator Lidia Thorpe to ban shackling during childbirth and strip-searching of children. The experts said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children are disproportionately affected by current practices and urged continued reform efforts.
ABC payout disclosed
The ABC’s annual report shows former news director Justin Stevens received a $353,230 termination payout following his May departure. His total remuneration for the year was $864,394, with a base salary of $529,202. He has been succeeded by Reuters executive Simon Robinson.
Managing director Hugh Marks’ base salary is $1.1m and ABC chair Kim Williams received $200,000.
Australia’s domestic political tensions have unfolded alongside unrest abroad, including mass protests across France that saw extensive arrests. The Australian Electoral Commission has released further details of the Farrer contest on its official website.