Key events
Dan Jervis-Bardy
One Nation housing confusion a sign of party ‘chaos’: Rishworth
The confusion and mixed-messaging from One Nation MPs about their housing policy is a sign of the “chaos” that the party brings, according to the Labor minister Amanda Rishworth.
In an embarrassing 24-hours for the right-wing populist party, MPs struggled to explain if it wanted to force permanent residents to sell their homes after Barnaby Joyce initially suggested it did.
After what was described as a “train-wreck” radio interview on 2GB, the One Nation senator, Sean Bell, eventually clarified that permanent residents would not be affected.
Instead, One Nation wants to ban foreigners and temporary visa holders from purchasing properties and give existing owners two years to sell-up.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Rishworth said:
Look, it really demonstrated to me just the confusion that One Nation has and the chaos potentially that One Nation will bring. I mean, we didn’t just have Barnaby Joyce, there were other members of One Nation that couldn’t answer the question, couldn’t tell us how much it’s going to cost, excuses about why that couldn’t be costed. So, to be honest, I think if One Nation wants to be taken seriously, they’ve got to do the work, and unfortunately, what we saw here was One Nation being able to identify a problem, but be absolutely chaotic in what that solution could look like.
Rishworth also took aim at Pauline Hanson after she claimed – incorrectly – that One Nation was unable to use the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) to cost its policies prior to the last election because it didn’t have enough members to be considered a formal party.
If One Nation wants to be taken seriously they need to act like a serious party, just not making things up on the run.
NSW government proposes extending Sydney Opera House outdoor hours
The New South Wales government has said it will increase the maximum capacity for outdoor events from 5,000 to 6,000 people for low and medium-scale events, and from 6,000 to 7,000 for major events as part of changes for the Sydney Opera House.
The late-night sound levels for major events will be increased to be consistent with maximum levels allowed earlier in the day and event hours will be increased across all days of the week.
The NSW government said this will increase community engagement and participation by supporting major events, and improve audience experience, and the commercial viability for concerts.
The proposed changes will be out for public exhibition from today until 7 July.
The minister for the arts and night-time economy, John Graham, said:
No longer will noise levels at the Sydney Opera House forecourt be dictated by the bedtimes of the residents at ‘the Toaster’.
Over the decades it became a Sydney sport to move in next door to a pub and then campaign to close it down. We are putting an end to that and the same approach should apply to the world’s greatest performance venue.
The Sydney Opera House is everyone’s house and these changes make sure the experience matches the epic setting.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Liberals appoint new top strategist
The Nationals party director, Lincoln Folo, has been appointed the Liberals’ new top strategist, tasked with helping to rebuild its campaign machine after two thumping federal election defeats.
Folo was late on Friday announced as the replacement for Andrew Hirst, who stepped down after three elections in the role.
In a statement announcing the appointment, the new Liberal party president, Tony Abbott, said:
Lincoln brings extensive experience in political campaigning, organisational leadership and party administration. He has earned a strong reputation as a capable and effective operator, committed to the values and principles that have long underpinned our party.
Abbott thanked Hirst for this “sterling service” to the Liberal party, which included masterminding Scott Morrison’s surprise win in 2019.
Welcome to the live blog
Good morning and welcome to the live blog for Sunday 7 June.
I’m Josh Taylor and I’ll be bringing you the news for today.
The Liberals have appointed a new top strategist as the new federal president, Tony Abbott, begins to make his mark on the party.
Australians have borrowing $5.1bn in personal loans from banks in the first three months of this year, a tripling since 2021.
The Queensland LNP government is being accused of purging First Nations officials, policies and programs in what is being dubbed “project invisibility” by public servants.
The NSW government is planning to expand the capacity for outdoor events at the Sydney Opera House, increase noise levels and operating hours, in what the state government says will increase community engagement and be a better audience experience at the venue.
And the Socceroos have drawn 1-1 with Switzerland in their final World Cup warm-up in San Diego.
Let’s get into it.
