Hanson claims credit for immigration plans; PM arrives in Brunei – as it happened
TL;DR
Anthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei for a bilateral meeting with the Sultan to discuss fuel supplies, marking the first visit by an Australian prime minister to the country. Angus Taylor has unveiled a controversial immigration policy proposal amid criticism from the Greens and independent MP Zali Steggall.
Key points
- Anthony Albanese arrived in Brunei Darussalam
- First Australian prime minister to visit Brunei
- Discussing fuel supplies with the Sultan
- Angus Taylor unveiled a controversial immigration policy
- Criticism from the Greens and Zali Steggall
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Here are today’s top headlines:
- Anthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei Darussalam, the first Australian prime minister to fly to the oil-rich country for a bilateral meeting with the Sultan, where he’ll discuss fuel supplies with the world’s longest-serving monarch.
- Angus Taylor has unveiled the Coalition’s controversial immigration police proposal, telling reporters people who migrate from liberal democracies likelier to share Australian values than those from ‘other places’.
- The Greens accused the Coalition of pursuing a “2026 version of the White Australia” policy.
- The independent MP Zali Steggall said the opposition leader Angus Taylor’s new stance on immigration risked “fuelling hateful and divisive narratives about migration”, calling his comments “misleading and damaging”.
- A senior military officer or diplomat is expected to represent Australia at this week’s summit on reopening the strait of Hormuz, set to be led by France and the UK.
- Andrew Hauser, the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor, says the “stagflationary shock” from the Iran war is a “central banker’s nightmare”.
- The federal government plans to spend between $2bn and $5bn more on drones, part of Australia’s new national defence strategy.
- Qantas has redeployed aircraft to fly to Paris and Rome, and lifted fares, amid a surge in travel demand away from airlines that transit through the troubled Middle East.
- Palestine protester Jim Dowling has told a Queensland court he plans to plead not guilty of reciting a banned expression on the basis that the law is insane.
- Trish Crossin, the first woman to represent the Northern Territory in the Australian parliament, has died. She was 70.
Anthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei Darussalam, the first Australian prime minister to fly to the oil-rich country for a bilateral meeting with the Sultan, where he’ll discuss fuel supplies with the world’s longest-serving monarch.
Arriving in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday for his second trip to Asia in a week, Albanese was officially welcomed on the tarmac before making his way to the Brunei Darussalam-Australia memorial to lay a wreath.
He is being accompanied by the foreign minister, Penny Wong, for the overnight visit where he’ll meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Wednesday to discuss fuel and food trade between both countries.
Brunei Darussalam provides 9% of Australia’s annual diesel imports as well as 11% of annual crude oil imports and 11% of annual fertiliser-grade urea imports.
The last Australian leader to travel to Brunei Darussalam was Tony Abbott in 2013 to attend the East Asia Summit, but Albanese is the first prime minister to be invited for a bilateral visit.
After his talks with the Sultan, who has ruled Brunei Darussalam since 1967 and is one of the world’s richest people, Albanese will fly to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to discuss fuel supplies with his Malaysian counterpart.
Australia was one of Brunei Darussalam’s first diplomatic partners after the country’s full resumption of independence in 1984, but historic links date back to 1945 when Australian forces landed there as part of an allied campaign to liberate Borneo.
Deputy Coalition leader refuses to say what behaviours would fall afoul of new immigration policy
The deputy leader of the Coalition has said she can’t yet outline what specific types of behaviour her party would consider a “breach of Australian values” under its controversial new immigration policy unveiled today.
Jane Hume appeared on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing a short time ago where she was asked what behaviours specifically the party would proscribe as a breach if elected.
She said she could not say what behaviours would be on the list, only that the behaviours already outlined in the Australian value statement are “quite explicit about what is important to Australians”.
Asked by Patricia Karvelas if, under the proposed changes, going to a pro-Palestine rally while on a visa would be reason to deport someone, Hume said:
double quotation markLook, I’m not going to get into specifics but we know that when a visa is assessed, if you have breached those values, if you have not adhered to what the expectations are of all Australians that are here now for visitors to this country, well, that should be reason enough for you to go home.
Karvelas then said: “But you cannot say what those behaviours are?”
Hume responded:
double quotation markNo, I’m not going to get into a rule-in or rule-out, what if it was a protest here or rally that, is a ridiculous argument.
One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, has claimed credit for the new Coalition immigration policy, released by Angus Taylor today.
She said she has no doubt “whatsoever” that One Nation’s recent rise in the polls has prompted the hardline policy, but says it won’t help the Liberals and Nationals win back disaffected supporters.
“They can see the rise in polls from One Nation, and that’s what they’ve jumped on board, because they’ve got to try and get the voters back,” she told radio 2SM.
Hanson said the Liberals could not be relied on to make all permanent migrants in Australia learn English, or to implement other tough measures.
One Nation’s own policy calls for net zero migration to Australia. Hanson said:
double quotation markPeople aren’t stupid. People realise they put a lot of trust and faith into the Liberal party to deliver for them and the leadership wasn’t there.
NSW police investigating alleged rape at police academy
NSW police have launched an internal investigation after a police academy trainee allegedly raped a fellow recruit, AAP reports.
NSW police said they received a report on Sunday of the alleged sexual assault at their academy in Goulburn. The alleged female victim, a student at the academy, is receiving welfare support from staff, a police spokesperson said.
double quotation markA male student at the academy has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
When asked about the report, NSW premier, Chris Minns,said the claims were very concerning and his thoughts were with the alleged victim.
No charges have been laid.
Coalition’s immigration policy would be ‘Trumpian’ assault on civil liberties, NSWCCL president says
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has condemned the Coalition’s new hardline immigration plan, saying it would be a “Trumpian” assault on civil liberties.
The council’s president, Timothy Roberts, said:
double quotation markThe Coalition’s immigration policy would be a Trumpian assault on our civil liberties. Vetting social media and making vague ‘values’ a binding visa condition is a poor attempt at cover for the Coalition to shamefully discriminate against the migrants they do not like.
This terrible vision for Australia is steeped in racism and a call back to a dark part of our history that we should be ashamed of and seek to learn from so it never happens again. Not a vision that we should replicate.
Victorian premier will not meet Harry and Meghan during their visit
Allan was also asked about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip to Melbourne. She says she won’t meet with them while they’re in town as she’ll be busy working on her cabinet reshuffle.
When asked whether taxpayers would foot the bill for police resources involved in the trip, Allan said:
double quotation markI’d have to direct you to Victoria police. I am not in a position to comment on the individual travel plans and arrangements of any private citizen that travels to this state.
Yesterday, the opposition leader, Jess Wilson, said reports that Harry and Meghan might receive police protection at taxpayer expense “should appal every single Victorian”.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has just held a press conference where she was asked about the federal Coalition’s new hardline immigration policy. She replied:
double quotation markWell, it’s clear that Angus Taylor and his Victorian Liberal leader colleague are too scared of One Nation and are too weak to stand up and fight for what matters. Unity and cohesion in this state and this country is what matters and is what important.
She described the plan as an “extreme race-based migration policy that’s straight out of the Donald Trump playbook” that “just brings division”. Allan went on:
double quotation markThis is the path of the federal and Victorian Liberal leadership and Liberal parties as they chase One Nation votes further and further to the extreme, because they are too weak to stand up and fight for what’s right and what’s important.
A migration policy that would exclude people and families from China, from Vietnam, from Muslim countries, from Lebanon – this is not what standing for Australia and standing for Victoria looks like. It’s being too weak to stand up to Pauline Hanson and One Nation.
Hi there, I’ll now be taking you through our rolling news coverage until this evening.
That’s all from me. Jordyn Beazley will take things from here.
Tony Burke says Taylor’s immigration plans solely about sending a ‘vibe to One Nation’
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says Angus Taylor’s immigration speech today points to the Coalition having problems with multicultural Australians who don’t speak English.
“Millions of Australians will be asking: why do the Liberals have a problem with their parents, who don’t speak great English but are great Australians?” Burke said.
Taylor’s policy announcement at the Menzies Institute has prompted wide criticism. Burke said it would not help create jobs, build houses or keep anyone safe.
double quotation markThe government has been bringing the numbers down and bringing the standards up.
Mr Taylor’s diatribe has nothing to do with the national interest and is entirely about sending a vibe to One Nation.
Tony Burke. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Vanessa Bleyer confirmed as new Greens senator in Tasmania
Vanessa Bleyer will become the next senator for Tasmania after a final ballot count by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
Bleyer, a specialist environmental lawyer, will replace senator Peter Whish-Wilson, who said last year he would retire from federal parliament.
Bleyer said in a statement:
double quotation markI thank the members for their confidence in me. I look forward to achieving outcomes for Tasmanians in the Senate, including ending native forest logging and providing safe and secure housing to those struggling without it.
Whish-Wilson said Bleyer had “courage, integrity, a mighty work ethic, a big heart and a passion that will keep the torch burning”.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame names new inductees, but no INXS
Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade and Joy Division/New Order will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with first-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross, the Associated Press reports.
The list was revealed on Monday night in the US, during an airing of American Idol. To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals.
Nominees who missed out this year include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition and Shakira.
Liam Gallagher, left, and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Photograph: Sammy Kogan/AP
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Pat Conroy, the minister for the defence industry, said the opposition leader Angus Taylor’s newly announced stance on immigration is just “desperate dog-whistling”.
Conroy spoke to ABC TV earlier today, before Taylor’s big speech.
“We’re just seeing desperate dog-whistling from Angus Taylor who’s desperately trying to compete with One Nation in a race to the bottom,” frontbencher Conroy told the ABC. He went on:
double quotation markHe has to be honest with the Australian public about what industries won’t get workers through their policies.
Who’s going to lose doctors, who’s going to lose nurses, who’s going to lose aged care workers?
Bail varied for anti-Herzog protester to allow them to attend Scottish highlands-themed festival
A protester charged over allegedly biting an officer while being restrained by police at a protest against the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, has had strict bail conditions varied to allow him to attend a Scottish highlands-themed festival.
In a viral incident captured on video from the protest on 9 February, Jace Turner, 28, was restrained on the light rail tracks near Sydney’s town hall. In the video, two officers appear to punch Turner repeatedly while he allegedly bites one officer’s finger. Under bail conditions granted following his initial arrest and charge, Turner is not allowed to leave his home between 7pm and 6am.
Turner has previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting a police officer in execution of duty, causing actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
At a hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre today, Turner did not enter a plea for two additional charges laid last month, for allegedly assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty, without causing actual bodily harm, as well as hindering or resisting a police officer.
Today, the court heard that Turner, who appeared carrying a metal-topped cane, wished to have his bail varied so that he could attend a two-day Scottish Highlands-themed festival in the Blue Mountains this month. The police prosecutor opposed the variation because the festival was “entertaining” in nature, but the judge, Theo Tsavdaridis, granted it on the condition that Turner did not consume alcohol or drugs while attending. The matter returns to court on 5 May.
More than 95% of NSW service stations have diesel
More than 95% of service stations in New South Wales now have diesel or premium diesel as shortages ease, the state energy minister, Penny Sharpe has said.
Outages are starting to centre on city areas, which Sharpe said was likely due to motorists converging on the stations with the lowest prices after using the Fuel Check app.
Just 19 stations were out of all fuel types this morning, out of a total of 2,400. A week ago, that figure was 61.
There were 189 stations out of one more fuel types, mostly in metropolitan areas, with 108 stations were out of either diesel or premium diesel and just five of those out of both. A week ago, 247 stations were out of diesel.
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Q&A
What is Anthony Albanese discussing with the Sultan of Brunei?
Anthony Albanese is discussing fuel supplies during his bilateral meeting with the Sultan of Brunei.
What controversial immigration policy did Angus Taylor propose?
Angus Taylor proposed that migrants from liberal democracies are more likely to share Australian values, which has drawn criticism for its implications.
Who criticized Angus Taylor's immigration stance?
The Greens and independent MP Zali Steggall criticized Angus Taylor's immigration stance, calling it misleading and potentially divisive.
What significant event is happening in Brunei during Albanese's visit?
Albanese's visit coincides with a bilateral meeting where he will lay a wreath at the Brunei Darussalam-Australia memorial.
