TRANSCRIPT
The federal government says it's not concerned any backlash from the suspension of Senator Fatima Payman could cost it substantially at the next election.
This morning's Labor party caucus meeting in Canberra unanimously agreed to a motion supporting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to suspend Ms Payman for crossing the floor in a vote about Palestinian statehood, and her saying she might do so again.
It comes as The Australian newspaper is reporting an Islamic organisation called The Muslim Vote is seeking candidates to run in seats in Sydney and Melbourne that have incumbent Labor party M-Ps, and substantial Muslim populations.
But Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the next election will be primarily fought on issues other the conflict in the Middle East.
"We haven't come at this from an electroral point of view. I mean, this is a challenging issue for everyone across the community. And we will campaign as you would expect a government to campaign- really on the focus of things that matter to people, predominantly, cost of living... how do they make ends meet? What's happening with their pay, their bills? And that's why tax cuts, energy bill relief, and all of those measures have been so important."
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The federal opposition says it will force major players in the supermarket and hardware sectors to sell subsidiary businesses or investments as a last resort in the case of anti-competitive behaviour.
The coalition pledges their divestiture policy will address allegations of land-banking, anti-competitive discounting, and unfairly passing costs on to suppliers.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says rising pressure on household budgets makes this policy necessary.
"We have a real problem with the situation, as people feel every day when they go to the supermarket. And it's a similar situation with Bunnings as well, which has significant market share. And we think that distinguishes it from other areas of the economy."
The government has consistently ruled out introducing divestiture powers.
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The Greens are calling for the federal government's live sheep export ban to come in sooner.
Live exports by sea will be banned from May 2028 onwards, after the government's bill to ban the trade passed the Senate late last night [[mon 1 jul]].
Greens senator Dorinda Cox says animal welfare demands the ban be expedited.
"I think it's a great moment for animal welfare in this country- but it's still four years away. And we would obviously like to see that it happens sooner, of course we would when it concerns animal welfare. What we want to do is continually work with communities in relation to the transition."
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Tensions within the New Wales state opposition have calmed but Opposition Leader Mark Speakman admits he probably won't get an apology from a former frontbencher who sharply criticised him.
Tensions between the Liberal Party and the National Party were sparked when Upper House National Party member Wes Fang was sacked from his frontbench post last week by Mr Speakman.
That was due to him claiming a in social media post that Mr Speakman only pretended to care about his home town of Wagga Wagga.
Mr Fang was angered by Mr Speakman going to Wagga Wagga last Wednesday without telling him.
Mr Speakman says the Liberals and Nationals will unite, as intended, to take on the Labor government.
"We have had some robust, but very civil, conversations over the last several days,. And I am very confident we can go forward as a firm and united coalition. We have common problem in New South Wales- and that's this Labor government that is failing the poeple."
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In football, the United States is out of the Copa America- failing to advance past the group stage on their home turf.
Uruguay has beaten the U-S, one goal to nil, in Kansas City.
That, combined with Panama's three goals to one win over Bolivia in Orlando, consigns the U-S to finishing third in their group.
Uruguay and Bolivia now advance to the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the last two quarter-finalists at the European championship in Germany will be determined in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Austria will play Turkey in one Round of 16 clash, whilst the Netherlands will play Romania in the other.
The Dutch have come in for criticism after a performance in the group stage that saw them only barely advance the last 16.
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman says that criticism will be a motivation.
“We are a proud nation. We like to win. We like to play nice football. But it's not always happened. We take the critics. No problem. And we like to turn it for tomorrow and to make people happy about the final result."
