>>24156844

>>24210107

‘It looked ugly’: Coalition reunited after 17-day split

Nick Newling and Paul Sakkal - February 8, 2026

1/2

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud have reunited the Coalition after a 17-day split following public disagreements over the principles of cabinet solidarity and a mass resignation of the Nationals from the frontbench, insisting they trusted each other to hold the opposition together.

The reunion comes after protracted negotiations between the leaders yielded results over the weekend, when Littleproud and Ley made concessions over the length of time the Nationals’ former shadow ministers would remain on the backbench.

“We did have differences, David and I, and our party rooms. We’ve resolved those differences, we’ve strengthened our processes and we’re going forward as a united Coalition to take the fight up to Labor on behalf of millions of Australians who are cheering us on,” Ley told a press conference at Parliament House on Sunday.

“It’s been a difficult time for millions of our Coalition supporters and many other Australians who rely on our two great parties to provide scrutiny and national leadership, but the Coalition is back together and looking to the future, not the past.

“We’re squarely focused on representing the Australian people and fighting for their needs, their aspirations and their hopes.”

The Nationals left the Coalition on January 22 – for the second time in nine months – after three Nationals frontbenchers breached convention to vote against the Liberals on hate crime legislation addressing antisemitism after the Bondi shooting.

Negotiations appeared to be stalling after the leaders could not agree on a demand from Ley that the three rebels would be suspended from the frontbench for six months should the Coalition reunite, a proposal Littleproud was against because the Nationals argued the trio did nothing wrong.

On Friday morning, Littleproud offered a concession, suggesting the three frontbenchers, along with all Nationals, serve a collective six-week suspension before re-entering the frontbench in March. Ley’s allies and Liberal moderates baulked at the request, but Ley faced pressure from right faction leaders Angus Taylor and James Paterson, among others, who wanted to take the deal.

Addressing the media alongside Ley, Littleproud blamed the split on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying Labor rushed antisemitism response legislation and that the split was not about internal politics – although he repeatedly said not all parties got the time needed to consider the position.

“This wasn’t about personalities. This was about principles that we tried to get to a position on in a short period of time, that we weren’t afforded a proper process. And I think that says to the Australian people you’re a coalition that cares,” Littleproud said.

“We understand that it wasn’t perfect. It looked ugly, but we’ve had the courage to come back and say we’re going to make sure it never happens again. That’s leadership. That’s courage. And I stand with my party room with what they’ve done all the way through this reunification today.”

(continued)

>>24231295

2/2

Littleproud conceded that negotiations with Ley over the reunion were at times “terse”, but he believed that was a sign of maturity between the leaders.

He did not deny reports he had yelled at Ley to resign during a phone call.

When the Coalition split in January, Littleproud said the Nationals could not serve in a shadow ministry led by Ley, a statement he has repeatedly walked back in recent media appearances.

After breaking away from the Coalition twice since the May election, Littleproud said he would not seek to split the opposition again and January’s split was because of “an extreme circumstance” not seen in more than a century.

Under the renewed Coalition agreement, Nationals will remain barred from shadow ministerial portfolios for a cumulative six-week period. All shadow ministers will return to their previously held roles on March 1.

During the interim period, Littleproud and his deputy, Kevin Hogan, will attend meetings of the leadership group, shadow cabinet and the economic review committee.

All shadow ministers will sign an agreement to abide by shadow cabinet solidarity, with neither party able to overturn decisions of the shadow cabinet, enshrining the primacy of the joint Coalition party room over individual party positions. A shadow cabinet “decisions register” will also be introduced.

Ley has been under pressure within the Liberal Party. Speculation was rife on Friday and Saturday that Taylor would resign from the frontbench to create a leadership spill should Ley cement the split and announce a Liberal-only frontbench on Sunday, which she had been tipped to do.

Asked whether the reunion would hurt Ley’s support from moderate supporters within the party room, the Liberal leader said: “The overwhelming majority of my party room knows that the Coalition is stronger together, and I know that that feeling is shared in the Nationals party room.”

“I am very confident of the overwhelming support of my party room. They elected me nine months ago to lead. I said then I was up for the job. I’m up for the job now,” Ley said.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/liberals-and-nationals-have-reunited-as-the-coalition-after-a-17-day-split-20260208-p5o0fk.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO6y7ZoWXoM

>>23978158

>>24210131

>>24218882

>>24223346

>>24227931

‘Draconian’: Supreme Court to hear case against restrictions during Herzog visit

Amber Schultz - February 8, 2026

1/2

The Supreme Court will consider a legal challenge opposing government restrictions on protest activity that grant police additional powers during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit.

The NSW government on Saturday said it had declared Herzog’s visit a major event under legislation typically used to manage crowds at sporting events, giving police additional powers to “close off” designated areas and order people to leave.

It is the first time the powers have been used for the visit of a foreign dignitary.

The Palestine Action Group filed its legal challenge in the Supreme Court on Sunday afternoon, arguing the legislation used to enact the major event powers was not suitable for protest activity.

The group has planned a demonstration at Town Hall from 5.30pm on Monday to protest against Herzog’s visit. About 5000 people are expected to attend.

Palestine Action Group spokesman Josh Lees said the legislation granted “extraordinary police powers” including stop and search, exclusion zones and restrictions on public conduct.

“[NSW Premier Chris Minns] is using powers meant for sporting events or cultural events to instead give himself and the NSW Police extraordinary and draconian powers to basically shut down our entire city in the interest of parading out a war criminal to this country,” he said.

“[The major events act] talks about spectators, it talks about advertising … it’s clearly not meant to be used to shut down protests.”

The organisation last took the government to the Supreme Court over August’s March for Humanity protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, attended by as many as 100,000 people.

Organisers are also urging NSW Police to amend public assembly restrictions to allow Monday’s march to proceed as originally planned from the Sydney Town Hall to NSW Parliament House.

The public assembly restrictions, introduced following the Bondi Beach massacre on December 14 and extended last week, remove protections against legal charges for those who block traffic or pedestrians. They allow police to issue move-on directions to people who obstruct pedestrians or traffic, behave in an intimidating or harassing manner, or in a way that may be perceived as threatening or causing fear.

Once the protest is no longer static or confined to a designated area, police may issue move-on orders. Police can arrest anyone who does not comply with the orders.

“We are expecting huge numbers to this protest. That does mean there is a high chance that people could spill over from Town Hall Square into the surrounding footpaths and roads, which is normal for mass protests,” Lees said.

“Our message to police is not to issue move-on orders to peaceful protesters who are just trying to gather in what police have said is a completely lawful thing to do.”

(continued)

>>24231304

2/2

NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan urged the group to consider an alternative march from Hyde Park to Belmore Park that would not breach the restrictions.

“We would love the group to relocate … to safely facilitate a peaceful protest on the streets of Sydney,” he said.

“I have concerns about the size of Town Hall, the possibility of overflow into public areas, which could lead to conflict between police and protesters.”

However, Lees said Hyde Park was “out of sight, out of mind” on a weeknight, whereas a march through the city would have the message “seen and heard” by the “maximum number of people”.

Dunstan said he had been in ongoing conversations with Lees, who reiterated to police that the group also wanted a peaceful and safe protest.

An enormous police presence is expected during Herzog’s four-day visit. Officers will be working an additional 3000 shifts. More than 500 officers have been rostered to police Monday’s protest.

Dunstan said: “It’s going to be extremely significant. There will be a strong police presence right across the CBD and the eastern suburbs.”

The major event powers extend from Monday to Thursday and cover a “major event area” in the CBD and eastern suburbs.

Traffic restrictions have been put in place in the CBD. Clearways will be implemented until 2pm on Thursday and buses will not terminate at Circular Quay.

Restrictions will also be implemented at Bondi Beach from Tuesday afternoon.

Police have urged the public to avoid the CBD on Monday due to the police operation.

Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray urged commuters to stay away from the city on Monday afternoon where possible.

“We hope there is no trouble, but police will be on hand in large numbers, and as a result, if you can move away from the city at an earlier time from work tomorrow, we’d advise you to do this,” he said.

Streets currently affected include:

• Clarence Street, Sydney CBD, western and eastern sides between Barrack and Margaret streets.

• Bligh Street between Bent and Hunter streets

• Gresham Street between Bent and Bridge streets

• O’Connell Street between Bent and Hunter streets

https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/protesters-to-mount-legal-fight-against-restrictions-during-herzog-visit-20260208-p5o0g8.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTRS_AKDu-g

>>23978158

>>24210131

>>24218882

>>24223346

>>24227931

Police ‘well-prepared’ for Herzog protests as Allan expects disruptions

Roy Ward and Chip Le Grand - February 8, 2026

1/2

Premier Jacinta Allan has urged protesters to be respectful as police prepare for a week of protests against a visit to Australia by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Allan said it marked a chance to stand united against antisemitism and backed the city to handle the pressures of Herzog’s expected visit on Thursday.

Herzog is due to arrive in Australia on Monday for a four-day visit where he will attend events in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

Major protests have been planned across the country, sparking a court battle in NSW that will be heard on Monday.

In Victoria, there are plans for a rally at Flinders Street Station at 5.30pm on Monday and another at Southern Cross Station at 3pm on Thursday.

Allan said Herzog’s visit was an important one for the state’s Jewish community following the mass shooting at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in December in which 15 people died.

“I welcome President Herzog’s visit to Victoria,” Allan said. “It’s a significant moment for Australia’s largest Jewish community and an opportunity for us all to stand united against antisemitism.

“I expect there will be some disruption this week, but we can handle it, and I urge everyone to share their views respectfully.

“We have introduced tough anti-vilification laws and more powers for police.”

Victoria Police said they would maintain a highly visible presence in the city.

“Police are well-prepared for protest activity planned for Monday in Melbourne,” a spokeswoman said.

“There will be a highly visible police presence throughout the CBD to maintain public order and the safety of the community.

“Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest lawfully, however, we expect that they do so peacefully without impacting the broader community.”

Victoria Police have been tight-lipped about any additional security and community protections in place for when Herzog flies into Melbourne.

An enormous police presence is expected in NSW on Monday, with 500 officers working an additional 3000 shifts.

There, Premier Chris Minns has invoked rare police powers declaring a “major event area” across Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs.

Those powers are typically used to manage crowds at sporting events and give police additional powers to “close off” designated areas and order people to leave. Some city streets are already subject to traffic restrictions.

It is the first time the powers have been used for the visit of a foreign dignitary.

(continued)

>>24231308

2/2

However, the declaration has angered the Palestine Action Group, which filed a legal challenge in the NSW Supreme Court on Sunday, arguing the legislation used to enact the major event powers was not suitable for protest activity. The matter will be heard by the court on Monday.

The group has planned a demonstration at Sydney’s Town Hall; about 5000 people are expected to attend.

Group spokesman Josh Lees said the legislation granted “extraordinary police powers” including stop and search, exclusion zones and restrictions on public conduct.

“[NSW Premier Chris Minns] is using powers meant for sporting events or cultural events to instead give himself and the NSW Police extraordinary and draconian powers to basically shut down our entire city in the interest of parading out a war criminal,” he said.

A United Nations commission of inquiry found Herzog and other Israeli officials were “liable to prosecution for incitement to genocide” for comments made after the October 7 attack by Hamas in 2023.

Victorian Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin said Herzog’s visit would highlight the contrast between the powers available to police in NSW and Victoria to move on protesters.

“We are going to see a comparison here in Victoria versus NSW when it comes to what laws are in place to protect Victorians during protests,” Battin said on Sunday.

“We had a terrorist attack here in our country and the Victorian Jewish community and the Australian Jewish community are hurting. They need support. What they don’t need on the streets is hate speech.”

Victorian Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said it would be up to police to make use of anti-vilification laws introduced after the December 2024 arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue, including criminal offences and potential jail terms for hate speech.

“We have got the strongest vilification laws in the nation,” she said.

Battin said these laws, which the opposition didn’t support in parliament, were not sufficient, and the Allan government should have introduced move-on laws like NSW.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday defended his decision to invite Herzog to Australia, acknowledging there were mixed views about his visit among the community.

“President Herzog is coming in the context of the devastating antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred at Bondi,” Albanese said. “The visit of President Herzog is to support the Jewish community at what has been a very difficult time.”

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-well-prepared-for-herzog-protests-as-allan-expects-disruptions-20260208-p5o0ic.html

>>23925350

>>23925388

>>24202126

>>24214753

‘Depraved’ Sydney satanic child abuse ring ‘the most extreme’ police have seen

Perry Duffin - February 8, 2026

1/2

The tentacles of a satanic paedophile ring, allegedly operated by a group of Sydney men including a self-styled journalist, a swimming coach and an ex-cop, have spread across the world, with almost 150 suspects being hunted by global law enforcement.

Police say the allegations are “the most extreme we’ve seen”, and the content so “depraved” and “horrific” that magistrates and prosecutors are in shock.

Detectives from the NSW Police’s child exploitation internet unit alleged late last year that they had uncovered a paedophile network involved in the “online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes”.

Strike Force Constantine, named after the first Christian emperor of Rome, has rounded up six men across Sydney who allegedly made the horrific child abuse content that has shocked seasoned investigators and judicial officers.

“This operation exposed a network fixated on material that combined extreme child abuse with ritualistic or satanic themes,” Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty told this masthead.

“The material is among the most extreme we have seen, and the group’s use of satanic iconography demonstrates the level of depravity driving their offending.”

Doherty said the demonic description of the ring could sound sensational, but the alleged paedophiles were actually sharing “satanic” imagery, symbols and language alongside the images and videos.

NSW Police mapped the network’s international footprint, Doherty said, and it was “leading directly” to further arrests overseas.

“The evidence we have gathered has already identified 145 alleged offenders overseas, and we are now working closely with international law enforcement agencies to ensure they face justice,” she said.

The headlines began in late November when detectives from Constantine executed search warrants in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar.

The ring’s alleged leader, Landon Ashton Versace Germanotta-Mills, was led from a Waterloo apartment block wearing a hypnotic black and white outfit.

The 26-year-old described himself in online screeds as an “investigative and forensic journalist” who railed against child abusers and other criminals.

“I founded Underground Media Network to do what mainstream journalism won’t: expose police corruption, institutional abuse, systemic racism and state-sanctioned silence,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

“I follow stories no one wants to print – stories about Aboriginal deaths in custody, survivors failed by foster care, officers who abuse with impunity, and whistleblowers punished for telling the truth.”

Germanotta-Mills was hit with multiple child abuse and bestiality material charges and has remained in custody since his first court hearing on November 28.

Three more men were arrested, Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, Mark Andrew Sendecky and Stuart Woods Riches, at a unit block in Malabar.

Sendecky, 42, worked as a swim coach in Victoria until 2021.

The three were all charged with similar child abuse material charges, among other offences, and refused bail along with Germanotta-Mills.

(continued)

>>24231315

2/2

Constantine’s detectives sifted through the horrors of the content allegedly shared by the men throughout December and January, discovering victims in their infancy up to age 12.

In late January, detectives swooped on another alleged member in Sydney Olympic Park, David Turner – a former police officer – slapping him with child abuse and bestiality material charges.

Turner, 42, was filmed being walked from his home and loaded into a police wagon in shorts and sandals. He was fired from his government job at NSW Telco Authority.

More electronics were seized, along with methamphetamine and ketamine.

Then on Wednesday, Constantine’s officers made their sixth arrest – eastern suburbs’ property manager Colin Milne.

The 62-year-old asked for release to bail, meaning the allegations against him and the satanic network were partially aired in court through documents.

Crown prosecutors told the court Milne’s devices showed he had used encrypted networks and apps to conceal his tracks online, and they feared he would warn the other members of the syndicate that police were circling.

Magistrate Alison Viney said the material was “disturbing”, as prosecutors called it a “depraved” depictions of very young children with adults.

“The facts would imply at least 50 individual child abuse images, at least 10 individual child abuse videos, and at least 100 images disseminated via the alleged syndicate,” the prosecutor said.

“Investigators have also found a large volume of material in relation to physical and sexual abuse of animals.”

Milne, a joint UK-Australian citizen with no criminal history, had recently arrived back in Sydney after being overseas.

He offered to hand over his passports to secure bail and wanted to live at a Darlinghurst transient accommodation which he manages.

Viney was not convinced, saying the case was “incredibly serious”.

“Having read the statement of facts, which detail unfortunately in some significant way the content of the videos, I can say that they are concerning and horrific,” Viney said.

“In somewhat 20 years of sitting as a judicial officer, [I] haven’t read many worse than this, frankly.”

Viney said it was likely that Milne would be imprisoned if found guilty.

“The depravity of the material – I have real concerns in terms of the most vulnerable in our community, for their safety. I’m not satisfied that any condition would address those concerns.”

Milne warned the court he had been told he would be bashed in prison. He was refused bail until April.

Milne is believed to be the final NSW-based offender identified with links to the international paedophile network, police said in a statement.

The hunt is ongoing across Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, South America and South-East Asia to capture the remaining suspects.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

https://www.1800respect.org.au/

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/

https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/depraved-sydney-satanic-child-abuse-ring-the-most-extreme-police-have-seen-20260204-p5nzgp.html

https://qanon.pub/#3155

https://qanon.pub/#1735

https://qanon.pub/#109