>>24355021

>>24363854

>>24363902

Squad member granted asylum reverses decision as Iran claims players ‘kidnapped’

MACKENZIE SCOTT - 11 March 2026

1/3

One of the two members of the Iranian women’s football squad who were granted asylum before the team’s flight to Sydney has changed her mind, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed, as Iranian government officials claim the players were taken ‘hostage’.

Mr Burke in Question Time said that shortly after 10am this morning, one of the women who had taken up a government offer to remain in Australia had decided instead to return to Iran.

“I was advised that one of the two who had made the decision to stay last night had spoken to some of the teammates who had left, and had changed her mind,” he said.

“In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel. So, we respect the context in which she has made that decision.”

In the process of reversing her decision, the Iranian embassy had been informed of the location of her fellow teammates that had been issued with humanitarian visas — and those staying were urgently moved.

“I immediately gave the instruction for people to be moved and that’s been dealt with immediately,” Mr Burke said.

“I think we can all be very proud of the Australian Federal Police, of officials, of everybody who’s been involved.”

Iran’s ‘hostages’ claim

Mr Burke’s comments came as Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmail Baghaei claimed the players had been taken ‘hostage’, and said: “Iran awaits you with open arms. Come home.”

“They slaughtered more than 165 innocent Iranian schoolgirls in a double-tap Tomahawk attack in the city of Minab, and now they want to take our athletes hostage in the name of ‘saving’ them? The audacity and hypocrisy are staggering,” he wrote.

The head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, echoed the claims of kidnap in an interview with state television.

“After the game, unfortunately, the Australian police came and intervened, removing one or two of the players from the hotel, according to the news we have,” Mr Taj said.

“They martyred our girls in Minab, 160 of them, and in this incident they are taking our girls hostage.

“They did a terrible thing. Last night, some people came and lay down in front of the car they were driving to the airport.”

The fate of the woman and the majority of the ­Iranian women’s football team is now in the hands of the regime in Tehran, with the majority of the squad flying out of Australia on Tuesday night in a dramatic departure that saw one athlete physically ­escorted onto the team bus and another heard crying in their hotel lobby.

Mr Burke confirmed on Wednesday morning that two additional members of the group, including the woman who has now decided to return, sought asylum – one player and one staff member – in Brisbane before the travelling party flew onto Sydney.

This brings the number of those defecting to six.

Mr Burke said border force officials made multiple representations to the team members before they departed, including in private meetings.

“All the players remaining and most of the support people were taken into interview rooms, without any minders present, simply themselves and the Department of Home Affairs and an interpreter. And they were given a choice,” Mr Burke said.

“Obviously, the one thing, the one pressure we couldn’t take away was the context. We couldn’t take away the pressure of the context for these individuals of what might have been said to them beforehand, what pressures they might have felt, were there (any) on other family members.

“None of those individuals made the decision to take up the offer from Australia after the plane had taken off.”

(continued)

>>24367769

2/3

Mr Burke also confirmed that processes were under way to move the Iranian women who accepted the government’s offer onto permanent visas, saying he did not want to see them fighting in the courts for permanent status.

After reports emerged that one of the Iranian players tried to avoid boarding the plane with the rest of the team, Mr Burke confirmed that the delay was due to ongoing conversations between her and her family facilitated by Home Affairs.

“That individual, though, ultimately made their own decision. And so there was a lot of work being done – there were particular family members the person wanted to talk to,” he said.

“The people who that individual wanted to talk to were all made available. There was also no pressure to have to get on the plane.”

Mr Burke confirmed there was a heavy police presence at Sydney airport to make sure that the team’s Iranian minders could not intimidate women seeking to discuss options of asylum with government representatives.

“We had to make sure, with a very significant police presence last night, that the people who we were glad to see leave the country made no attempt to intimidate or try to get physically near the people who we were providing a choice for,” he said.

He also said the government was glad to see the back of a number of members of the Iranian squad, confirming that not all members of the cohort were offered humanitarian visas.

“We obviously work with security partners on these assessments. People who are connected to the IRGC were not granted visas,” he said.

“(Getting a visa) doesn’t automatically mean you are a great person, and there is a reason why some people were not made a direct offer (for asylum).

“There were some people leaving Australia who I am glad are no longer in Australia.”

With the Iranian-Australian community increasingly desperate about what awaits the team once it arrives home, extra­ordinary footage captured by The Australian showed striker Afsaneh Chatrenoor being firmly led by squad member and friend Shabnam Beheshti on to a ­waiting team bus on the Gold Coast while being ushered by a team official.

The dramatic scenes occurred just hours after five of her teammates who fled the team hotel were granted permission to stay in Australia.

Police watched as Chatrenoor hung her head and walked onto the bus, which headed to Gold Coast Airport.

Around 8.30pm on Tuesday, players returning to Iran were escorted off the back of a plane at Sydney Airport. Officials let all other passengers off through the air-bridge, before releasing the team to the tarmac and onto a bus for their connecting flight.

Dozens of supporters pressed themselves against the window of the gate to catch a glimpse of the squad. Some team members waved as they disembarked.

Before departing the Royal Pines Resort around lunchtime to meet their connecting flight in Sydney, one player was wailing as she hugged and bid farewell to an Australian supporter.

Just before the team boarded the bus, two suitcases were ­removed and taken elsewhere in the hotel, suggesting two more players had opted to split from the squad and remain in Australia.

Almost two dozen Iranian ­protesters surrounded the vehicle as it attempted to drive away, chanting “free our girls”.

Several lay down in front of the bus but were removed by police.

Late on Monday night, five women – captain Zahra Ghanbari and teammates Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi – escaped the hotel with the help of Australian Federal Police.

They broke out into chants of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi” when they were told they could stay in the country.

The five players granted humanitarian visas are being held in a safe house in Brisbane.

(continued)

>>24367788

3/3

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it was not surprising to see footage of a member of the team being pulled by the wrist on to the bus by a teammate.

Asked about the incident, ­Senator Wong described the ­Iranian government as an “autocratic, brutal regime”.

“A regime that kills its own people to maintain its authority has no legitimacy, so we are not surprised by any actions that the regime takes,” Senator Wong said in Canberra.

When pressed on whether she was concerned about the group’s safety, Senator Wong said Mr Burke had made clear he was available to speak with any ­member of the Iranian women’s team who “wishes to engage with us”.

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie said the footage at the team bus was “concerning” and suggested the regime was more resilient than previously thought.

“I think it is very concerning, and I think it’s also a sign that maybe the regime is a little more resilient than the United States thought a week or so ago,” Mr Hastie told the ABC.

“We’ve done what we can for the five that accepted the asylum; I think it was the right thing to do.”

The five players were granted humanitarian visas after being branded traitors by Iranian state media a week earlier for refusing to sing the country’s national ­anthem during their opening match of the Women’s Asian Cup tournament.

During their stay on the Gold Coast, the Iranian team – known as the Lionesses – was subjected to regime rule on Australian soil, under constant surveillance from its aligned officials and hired ­security. Arriving just days before the US and Israel moved on Iran, the women’s phone usage, meals and training were monitored between their three match losses.

Donald Trump issued a declaration to Australia in the early hours of Tuesday morning, writing on his Truth Social platform that the Albanese government would be making a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if it let the players leave with their Iranian regime handlers, even offering to take them in.

The US President followed up with a call to Anthony Albanese at 2am (AEDT) regarding asylum options.

The Prime Minister said on Tuesday morning that his government had been preparing for some time for the defections.

“Australians have been moved by the plight of these women,” Mr Albanese said.

“They are safe here, and they are at home here. We are willing to provide assistance to other women in the team … we say to them: ‘If you want our help, help is here’.”

While the calls between the leaders were taking place, Mr Burke travelled to the Brisbane safe house where the women had taken refuge with the help of the Australian Federal Police to assure them they would receive visas.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/distressing-footage-shows-iranian-player-escorted-onto-bus-to-leave-australia/news-story/dad74ae6381dd0425ca63073a0548b5d

https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSsydney/videos/twist-in-saga-of-iranian-women-footballers/942813711466249/

https://metro.co.uk/video/moment-tearful-iranian-footballer-dragged-bus-australia-3617035/

https://x.com/Tony_Burke/status/2031495963177841039

>>24355021

>>24363854

>>24363902

>>24367769

Home Affairs Minister to halt entry of temporary visa holders who may seek asylum to Australia

SARAH ISON - March 10, 2026

1/2

Labor will introduce new powers for the Home Affairs Minister to halt some temporary visa holders due to come to Australia and prevent a flood of people claiming asylum once they arrive, in a change that the government says is “vital” at a time of global upheaval.

As the government granted five Iranian football players asylum on Tuesday, it revealed just hours later that it was pursuing law changes that would “close loopholes” in the migration system.

Pointing to the prospect of non-citizens from countries like Iran coming to Australia on tourist visas and other temporary visa classes and then claiming asylum, Assistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Julian Hill said the new bill would ensure Australia could respond to “rapid international developments”.

“There are many temporary visa holders outside Australia holding a temporary right of entry to Australia, granted to support travel for a genuinely temporary purpose, like a holiday or attending a conference,” Mr Hill told parliament as he introduced the legislation to the lower house on Tuesday afternoon.

“The current situation in the Middle East demonstrates how quickly circumstances can change. That may impact whether those temporary visa holders fulfil that temporary purpose in Australia, including whether they would leave Australia should they travel here.

“In these circumstances, it is vital that the government can respond appropriately, including by placing temporary limitations on the ability of certain cohorts of non-citizens from travelling to Australia.”

Without the proposed legislative change, the only way the government can currently prevent travel to Australia by valid visa holders is to individually assess whether there are grounds to cancel each visa.

Mr Hill said this process was “not suited to responding efficiently to international conflict or other rapid international developments where thousands of visas may be affected simultaneously”.

“If a non-citizen’s temporary visa expires during the period of the determination, they are eligible to apply for a further visa,” Mr Hill said.

“The determination suspends travel to Australia while it is in force. It is not a bar on visa applications. Any new visa application would be appropriately considered having regard to the applicant’s circumstances and other relevant matters at that time.”

It follows a wave of Palestinians entering Australia on tourist visas after the escalation of the Middle East conflict in 2023, which was met with concerns from conservative political parties over the future of such cohorts.

To exercise the new powers, the Home Affairs Minister must be satisfied that it is in the national interest to do so.

The bill will not cancel anyone’s visa or refuse the grant of a visa application, instead only enforcing a temporary stay on individuals from some visa classes travelling to Australia.

(continued)

>>24367805

2/2

Other safeguards include a set six-month time frame for every instance the travel ban is issued for an individuals, requiring a new determination at the end of that period that must reach the same threshold set down in the legislation.

The power to suspend visas will not apply if the non-citizen is the parent of a child under 18 years old who is in Australia, or if they are an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Holders of temporary refugee or humanitarian visas will also not be affected, nor will individuals with an association to such a visa holder who are currently on bridging visas.

“There will also be the ability to exempt individuals from the determination on a case-by-case basis enabling travel for those individuals by issuing a permitted travel certificate,” Mr Hill said.

“This balances the need to act rapidly with flexibility to support certain individuals where appropriate, for example, in compelling or compassionate cases, or where it is in Australia’s foreign policy interest or the public interest to do so.”

If any permitted travel certificates are issued, the legislation requires the Minister to table a report on the number issued every six months.

The Greens and teal independents slammed the bill for limiting the assistance provided to Iranians and other non-citizens impacted by the Middle East conflict, accusing the government of “eroding trust in the visa system”.

“Hundreds and thousands of Iranian people across the world … need shelter and protection. I thought that this war was about protecting the Iranian people?” Greens Senator David Shoebridge said.

“And yet today, what is Labor doing? It’s passing legislation to say we’re shutting the door to any Iranian who may have a valid visa here and saying, you cannot come here and you cannot come for protection from a war that Labor supports.”

Senator Shoebridge said the move was clearly made in response to the rise of One Nation, which had caused Labor to keep “looking over its shoulder” on a range of policy areas.

Teal independent Zali Steggall, a former family court lawyer, said the bill created “a dangerous precedent”.

“Decisions affecting thousands of people could be made through unchecked ministerial powers with very limited oversight. If visas can be paused or invalidated after they are issued, it creates uncertainty and erodes trust in the visa system,” she said.

“Under this proposed legislation, people who have gone through Australia’s visa process, paid application fees and made travel arrangements in good faith could suddenly be told their visa is effectively on hold for up to six months. The government has provided no clear answers about whether people would be compensated for financial losses if they are prevented from travelling, including those who may already be in transit to Australia.”

While Ms Steggall said the crossbench was given “no forewarning” about the legislation, the Coalition confirmed it was briefed by the government on Tuesday and received a draft of the legislation, for which it had given its “in principle support”.

“We do not see any major hurdles and … we will be supporting the passage of the bill through the house,” Opposition frontbencher Ted O’Brien said.

Mr O’Brien said that while the Coalition welcomed the “sensible” legislation, the bill highlighted a broader issue around the country’s migration system.

“Labor’s overall record on the immigration management … has been deeply concerning,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Under Labor, migration numbers have been too high and standards too low, placing pressure on housing, infrastructure and vitally important public services.”

He said the current bill could not be a “substitute” for greater reform in the migration system.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/home-affairs-minister-to-halt-entry-of-temporary-visa-holders-who-may-seek-asylum-to-australia/news-story/4f91c2a797db316ec6d3186b132a720e

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBAIIqdDw84

>>24328519 (pb)

>>24334212 (pb)

>>24338592 (pb)

>>24355021

Hundreds more Australians return as Gulf repatriation effort gathers pace

JACK QUAIL - 10 March 2026

The repatriation of thousands of Australians stranded in the Middle East is beginning to gather pace, with another planeload of evacuees arriving in Sydney.

More than 2600 Australians have now returned home since ­Israel and the US launched air strikes against Iranian targets in late February, triggering retaliatory action across the Gulf that shuttered airports and closed airspace, leaving tens of thousands stranded.

On Tuesday morning, 160 Australians arrived on an Emirates repatriation flight from Dubai, with flight EK412 landing at Sydney International Airport at 10.34am and bringing the total number of repatriation flights to 18.

At a press conference hours earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her department had been working “around the clock” to support affected Australians, with the small number of commercial flights still the best option for those seeking to leave the Gulf.

“We encourage those who do wish to leave, do so now. Do so while commercial flights are still available, however limited,” she told reporters in Canberra.

A further four commercial flights are expected to arrive in Australia on Wednesday.

They include Emirates flights EK412 and EK414, which both departed from Dubai Airport on Tuesday morning local time, while flight EK406 is slated to travel to Melbourne and EK420 to Perth.

Among those who have now returned to Australia is Melbourne business owner Sharon Benjamin, who had travelled to Dubai with his wife Gal for meetings with distributors for his environmentally friendly tableware company when he became caught in the crossfire.

Speaking with The Australian after finally returning to Australia on Sunday, Mr Benjamin said that while the federal government had “talked a lot on TV”, they received little practical assistance while stranded.

“We were flooded with emails from the government but there was no help, no one reached out, nothing happened,” he said. “It was very, very stressful. They don’t have shelters in Dubai so it was very scary.”

After their original flight was cancelled, the couple were eventually able to re-book seats on an Emirates service to Melbourne, paying $1700 each. Even then, their departure was delayed for five hours after a drone crashed near the airport.

“We felt like sitting ducks on the plane,” he added.

“People are still stuck there now in Dubai, in Qatar, I don’t think they’ll be getting out soon. I think we were very lucky.”

Data consultant Anthony Millican, also from Melbourne, was similarly caught in the Gulf following Iran’s retaliatory strikes and described the task of returning from Qatar to Australia as a “nightmare”.

“Compared to other countries like Germany and Italy, the support provided by Australia seemed very minimal,” Mr Millican said, adding that his hotel had organised him transport to the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh where the airport remained open.

“By the time I was on the bus, that’s when we found out it was an option (from DFAT),” he said. “It’s pretty appalling for the people still there, it seems like the government is having an each-way bet.”

At Riyadh, Mr Millican spent thousands for an airfare home.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Ted O’Brien, who was initially critical of the government’s response to assist stranded Australians, on Tuesday said the Coalition was now more content with repatriation efforts.

“I think the government was flat – footed … (but) we are nevertheless pleased that repatriation efforts have picked up,” he said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/hundreds-more-australians-return-as-gulf-repatriation-effort-gathers-pace/news-story/3e6bbb906ba2d6bc78194a9ef9c36dad

>>24354968

Mastermind jailed for antisemitic firebombings ordered by overseas group to divide communities

WILL SEITAM - 11 March 2026

1/2

The co-ordinator of a wave of antisemitic firebombings and graffiti attacks targeting one of the country’s most respected Jewish leaders, a Sydney synagogue and a childcare centre was instructed by shadowy overseas masterminds intent on striking fear into the Jewish community, a court has found.

Nicholas James Alexander, 32, appeared via audiovisual link at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday before presiding magistrate Jennifer Atkinson, who sentenced him to an aggregate five-year jail term.

Magistrate Atkinson accepted Alexander was the “dominant figure” operating within Australia but that he was ultimately commissioned by “unknown persons overseas”.

“There was a deliberate tactic to divide the Arab and Jewish communities to further the aims of the larger criminal group overseas, which instructed Mr Alexander in that regard,” Ms Atkinson said.

Between late 2024 and early 2025, Alexander hired his co-accused on behalf of mysterious foreign actors, ordering them to firebomb a Maroubra childcare centre, paint swastikas on the Newtown Synagogue and torch cars outside the former home of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin.

Months later in August, The Australian revealed the attack co-ordinated by Alexander on the former Dover Heights home of Mr Ryvchin was one of a number of such crimes being examined for links to the Iranian regime by ASIO.

Ms Atkinson noted each attack required a “high degree of planning” and rejected claims by his defence team that his principle motive was to clear a looming drug debt.

Alexander was in possession of a Porsche Macan and a $20,000 motorcycle, which were seized by police. He also had a paying job as a gas dealer during this period.

However, Ms Atkinson accepted his offending was motivated to a lesser extent by “financial reward”.

According to the court, Alexander had procured a Glock pistol to be passed on to his co-accused, Leon Sofilas and Adam Moule; organised stolen getaway cars; explained to his associates how molotov cocktails were to be made and used; and directed them to dispose of phones and delete messages.

Evidence submitted to the court showed Alexander had passed on instructions from the overseas criminal group about what to say if caught by police and that he paid his co-accused significant amounts of money.

“Here’s the spill for anyone that gets grabbed, save it, wrote Alexander to his accomplice.

“Why do you do this? To pay off drug debt. To who?” asked the accomplice.

“Arabs,” replied Alexander.

Where are they from?” asked the accomplice.

“I don’t know. I buy it from a run number. Get a SIM card,” wrote Alexander.

(continued)

>>24367825

2/2

In a letter of remorse submitted to the court Alexander claimed he didn’t have “any ill will towards the Jewish community. My acts, which I took responsibility for, are completely financially motivated, with much disappointment in myself.”

“I must admit I am a drug addict. That is not an excuse, but a realisation and a problem I need to fix in my own life,” said Alexander.

On Wednesday, magistrate Atkinson addressed Alexander directly, who remained expressionless as she read her final sentencing remarks aloud. His fiance broke down in tears in court as she imposed the five years sentence which commenced in March last year when he was placed on remand. Alexander was handed a non-parole period of three years and four months.

On Wednesday, Mr Ryvchin told The Australian he believed the sentencing of Alexander was “appropriate”.

“This man’s decision to target a child care centre and a family home made people fear for their lives and the safety of their children. They made Jewish Australians question their place in this country and change patterns of behaviour and interaction between Jews and non-Jews.

“His actions could have so easily caused people to be burned alive. I believe it also contributed to an environment of escalating attacks on Australian Jews which culminated in a massacre.” said Mr Ryvchin.

“Mr Alexander expected there to be publicity about the attacks,” said Ms Atkinson.

Alexander was charged with 10 offences – three of which were later withdrawn – in March last year and was one of 14 high-profile individuals arrested by Strike Force Pearl, created to investigate a surge of serious antisemitic ­attacks and hate crimes.

In December, Alexander pleaded guilty to the seven remaining offences – five days after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack – meaning a 25 per cent discount on his sentencing was upheld by the court on Wednesday.

The charges included four counts of destroying/damaging property in company, two counts of destroying etc. property in company using fire etc. and one count of knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group to assist crime.

His co-accused were earlier sentenced by the courts. Both have since been released on parole.

Alexander will also be sentenced for other matters in the District Court later this month.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/mastermind-jailed-for-antisemitic-firebombings-ordered-by-overseas-group-to-divide-communities/news-story/a78f99cecb500eea0b661912b46fb5f3

>>24363939

Matthew Canavan elected new Nationals leader after David Littleproud’s resignation

ROSIE LEWIS - 11 March 2026

1/2

New Nationals leader Matt Canavan has put new coal-fired power stations and industry protection on his agenda, threatening a stoush with moderate Liberal MPs who are worried his elevation will further alienate the Coalition’s brand in cities.

Speaking in Canberra about a bill the Nationals are pushing in the Senate, Senator Canavan said coal-fired power was the cheapest form of baseload energy and that it was crucial those projects were eligible for government underwriting after the capacity investment scheme.

He said he would re-engage with the proponents of a junked proposal for a coal-fired power station in the north Queensland town of Collinsville, with that project put on ice in 2022 over Labor’s refusal to subsidise it.

“We need baseload power and we need to have a scheme that all power systems can compete,” Senator Canavan said.

“All the evidence, including the CSIRO evidence, is that coal-fired power remains the cheapest form of baseload power.”

Senator Canavan also suggested tariffs should be considered to protect Australian industry from cheaper Chinese imports.

“I’m very concerned about our steel fabrication industry. I’ve been to many businesses through regional Queensland, in particular, who are seeing their market share be completely undermined by Chinese imports,” Senator Canavan said.

“Clearly something needs to be done.

“Those steel industries have applications in right now with the Anti-Dumping Commission. I do think they need to be looked at very, very closely. But I also do think we need to rethink our approach here.

“Is the ad hoc, regular reviews of the Anti-Dumping Commission the right way to protect steel production and other types of manufacturing in our country for the long term?

“That has to be at the centre of us bringing self-sufficiency back to this country.”

When asked if protecting Australian industry should include tariffs, Senator Canavan said this was what the steel industry applications to the Anti-Dumping Commission were proposing.

“So we do have these ad hoc tariffs that come on from time to time,” he said.

“The problem we’ve got is we’re always slapping a Band-Aid on here, sometimes after the patient’s already died.

“We want Australian-made goods. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to compete. It’s clearly because China continues to massively subsidise its industry, and we shouldn’t let that expose Australian jobs to those sort of trade practices.”

(continued)

>>24367830

2/2

‘Babies, BBQs and humour’: Canavan’s ‘hyper-Aussie’ vision

Senator Canavan laid out a “hyper-Australian” vision for the nation’s future after winning the leadership contest, pushing for more Australian babies, barbecues and humour.

After becoming the first Nationals leader to lead from the upper house, Senator Canavan, flanked by his party colleagues, said Australians were “losing their country”, vowing to fight back in the national interest.

“People are losing their standard of living. They’re losing their confidence. We’re losing our relaxed and larrikin nature, and we have to fight back for Australians,” he said.

“We need to have more Australian everything … We need more Australian babies. We need more Australian humour, more Australian jokes. We need more Australian barbecues, sometimes fuelled by fossil fuels. We need more Australian everything.”

Having led the party in opposing net zero and pushing social conservative positions on issues such as abortion – crossing the floor against the Coalition on multiple occasions as a backbencher – Senator Canavan said he now had a “different job to do as leader”.

The new Nationals leader pushed back against the “identity politics of division” he claimed had invaded elements of right-wing politics in Australia, reiterating his rejection of comments made by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson about Muslim Australians.

“I’m very concerned, concerned that the identity politics of division that we’ve seen on the left is creeping into the right now,” he said.

“I was very critical of Pauline (Hanson’s) comments dividing Australians and different groups, suggesting there are no good people in certain groups of Australians. I totally reject that.

“We’re all Australians. What unites us as a country is more than what divides us, even when we have robust debates. We are a wonderful country with wonderful people of different backgrounds.”

The Queenslander beat NSW MP Kevin Hogan and Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie in a partyroom ballot on Wednesday morning.

Victorian MP Darren Chester is the country party’s new deputy leader.

Nationals whip Michelle Landry said the party needed strong leadership ahead of a “mighty battle” for the Coalition.

“We’ve got two years to get ourselves up in the polls. We’ve got fights with Labor, One Nation, the teals, so we really need strong leadership. I think we’ve voted for that today and we’re looking forward to getting on with the job,” Ms Landry said after announcing the new leadership team.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nationals-leadership-contest-tight-between-matthew-canavan-and-kevin-hogan/news-story/9cd959eab54bd6966c617e457e617652

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fFA0qeviDw

Linda Reynolds ‘delighted’ as commonwealth ordered into mediation over Brittany Higgins settlement

PAUL GARVEY - 10 March 2026

1/2

Former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds says MPs from all sides of parliament should be deeply concerned about the defence put forward by the commonwealth in the legal action she brought in the fallout from the Brittany Higgins saga.

Ms Reynolds is suing the commonwealth and its lawyers, HWL Ebsworth, over the way they conducted the mediation process that ended in Ms Higgins being awarded a controversial $2.4m settlement. The senator was excluded from the mediation talks, which focused on both Ms Higgins’ alleged rape by co-worker Bruce Lehrmann and the alleged mishandling of Ms Higgins’ rape complaint by Ms Reynolds and her chief of staff Fiona Brown.

The Federal Court and the WA Supreme Court have since found Ms Higgins’ complaints about Ms Reynolds and Ms Brown were without merit.

Federal Court Justice Craig Colvin on Tuesday ordered Ms Reynolds, the commonwealth and HLB Ebsworth to engage in mediation before the case returns to court in late June. In a statement to The Australian following the hearing, Ms Reynolds said she was “delighted” by the prospect of mediation.

“I am sure this irony is not lost on most Australians,” she said. “For telling the truth, I am still having to fight the Labor government in court for justice and a ­mediation, quite the opposite from their approach to Brittany Higgins’ mediation and settlement for allegations they should have known were lies.”

She said the defence flagged by the commonwealth made it clear it intended to argue that parliamentary business regulations ­allowed the commonwealth to act “not only without consideration or regard to my wishes, but to act contrary to my wishes” and “without regard for the truth or the impact their actions would have on my life”.

“That position is alarming, particularly when they intentionally deprived me of a fair opportunity to decline the financial assistance of the commonwealth on the oppressive terms it proposed,” she said.

“It should be of great concern to all members of parliament that a political opponent can use the regulations in concert with parliamentary privilege to damage political opponents by denying them natural justice, declining to defend a defendable claim, and settling spurious claims without disclosure of the terms.”

The commonwealth reached its settlement with Ms Higgins three days after Ms Reynolds put the government on notice of the concerns she had with the proposed defence. Ms Reynolds said she was looking forward to seeing the evidence of what happened inside the government and the relevant departments during those three days.

“Notably this conduct is in circumstances where the commonwealth admits that at the date it elected to take over my defence and refuse to allow me to attend the mediation it knew that Ms Higgins claim against me contained her serious allegations about my involvement in a political cover up, that my reputation was likely to be affected if those allegations were found to be true and than Ms Higgins continued to make public statements about my involvement in her alleged political cover up,” she said.

“Yet despite all of this, it failed to include any non-disparagement clauses in the deed of settlement and acceded to Ms Higgins’ request for the deed and terms of settlement to be kept confidential which meant that the fact the settlement was on a no admission basis was never made public.”

(continued)

>>24367838

2/2

Ms Reynolds’ claim against the commonwealth follows her victories last year in defamation actions against Ms Higgins and David Sharaz. While she did not dispute whether Ms Higgins was raped, Ms Reynolds sued Ms Higgins and her husband over social media posts that she alleged showed the senator mishandled her staffer’s rape allegations.

WA Supreme Court Justice Paul Tottle ruled in Ms Reynolds’ favour and described Ms Higgins’ claims about her former boss to be “misleading” and “dishonest”. Both Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz were subsequently declared bankrupt after they failed to pay the compensation and legal cost orders against them.

Speaking outside court, Mr Bennett said he and Ms Reynolds were still waiting to see a copy or transcript of the documentary Silenced. Ms Higgins was interviewed for the film, which is billed as the story of human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson’s fight “against the weaponisation of defamation laws to silence survivors”.

Mr Bennett said the intimation that Ms Reynolds’ action against Ms Higgins was such an example was so inappropriate “as to be extraordinary”. “It’s due to be released in Australia in May or June, so that’s one we will watch very closely,” he said.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee previously ruled that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins. Justice Lee also found that there had been no cover-up or misconduct by Ms Reynolds or her chief of staff Fiona Brown.

Mr Lehrmann has always denied any wrongdoing and a criminal prosecution of him was dropped after a trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/linda-reynolds-and-commonwealth-ordered-into-mediation-over-brittany-higgins-settlement/news-story/81593a2c4764f86e6e8400b69a86626d

>>24202018 (pb)

>>24214739 (pb)

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer re-enters politics with tilt at Queensland seat of Fadden

Only last year, the mining billionaire said he was too old for politics, but it seems he’s changed his mind after announcing his plans to run for a Liberal-held seat in Queensland.

Caitlyn Rintoul - 11 March 2026

Clive Palmer has announced that he will run for the Liberal-held seat of Fadden, kicking off his return to politics with a $10,000 gift to asylum seekers from the Iranian soccer team.

The mining billionaire’s United Australia Party has resumed an advertising blitz in recent weeks outlining what Mr Palmer has dubbed a “new deal” for the country.

In a wide-ranging press conference at Parliament in Canberra, Mr Palmer said that he was making a fresh tilt after concern over what he described as a “national crisis” in politics.

“It’s time to stop the rot in Australian politics. A new era is coming,” he said.

Despite saying in 2025 that he was too old to make a return to politics, the 71-year-old said a “keto diet” had given him the stamina and capability to run again.

“I’ve lost a lot of weight. I’ve been on a keto diet. I’ve been running. I’ve been reinvigorated by not having too much sugar and too much carbohydrates,” he said.

“Every day I feel better, I feel stronger. And every day I watch the appalling situation of politics in Canberra.

“How much lower can we go as a nation with the politicians we’ve got.”

Mr Palmer said that his return at the 2028 poll would be driven from a call to duty rather than a quest for power or pay cheque.

“I’m one of the nation’s wealthiest people,” he said.

“I really don’t need further income or further wealth but I think I do need, at a time of national crisis, to provide some sort of leadership to the nation.”

Mr Palmer bankrolled the previously-unknown Trumpet of Patriots party at the 2025 election, having disbanded the UAP shortly after the 2022 poll, but it failed to win a single seat despite the $53 million campaign.

He is now seeking to re-register the UAP.

The party has one sitting senator, Victorian Ralph Babet, who is up for re-election in 2028.

Mr Palmer opened his press conference to acknowledge the plight of the Iranian women’s soccer team, with several seeking asylum in Australia after their Women’s Asian Cup silent protest.

“I want to donate $10,000 to each soccer player so they’ve got some money to spend here in Australia, so they feel welcome in our country, and they know that they’re not alone,” he said.

“I encourage other wealthy Australians such as Angus Taylor to join me and make my donation.”

Mr Palmer stated several times that he does not believe in the “left or right” debate, instead insisting he’d focus on issues rather than ideological debate.

“We don’t want to have parliamentarians not thinking about ideas or pressing the boundaries left or right to give different choices to the Australian people,” he said.

He also took a swipe at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and her ballooning support in public polling.

“All respects to Pauline Hanson, she doesn’t seem to have any policies that provide solutions to the Australian people,” he said.

“I have to recognise that Pauline Hanson spent a lot of effort over a long time pointing out what’s wrong with the Australian Government and what needs to be done to fix it.

“But, unfortunately, there hasn’t been policy development in one nation to provide you with solutions.

“What we’re trying to provide is a comprehensive way of what Australia could be.”

Mr Palmer said that he decided to run in the Lower House seat of Fadden after living there for about 15 years.

“That’s my home and I’ve been there for about 15 years,” he said.

“There’s often media that come and gather outside my house.

“Every morning, at 11 o’clock, you’ll see boats outside with tourists pointing fingers at me saying, ‘That’s where Clive Palmer lives’.”

https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/mining-billionaire-clive-palmer-re-enters-politics-with-tilt-at-queensland-seat-of-fadden-c-21903400

https://qresear.ch/?q=Clive+Palmer