Melissa McIntosh says it is “extraordinary” that the Albanese government claims global pressure – including that of Australia – on Israel played a role in the ceasefire deal in Gaza.
The shadow communications minister told the ABC’s Insiders just now that the credit needed to go instead to Donald Trump:
I think the credit really has to go to Trump, and I find it quite extraordinary – but pretty typical of Labor to be hoodwinking … Australians – to claim some of this.
I think they’ve been out of step with our greatest ally for some time.
She said the Coalition’s position on a two-state solution had not changed, despite breaking away from the government when Australia recognised Palestinian statehood prior to Israeli hostages being returned from Gaza.
Updated at 18.41 EDT
Key events
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Bird of the year: have you voted yet?
Things are heating up in this year’s Australian bird of the year poll, where Guardian Australia’s very own Matilda Boseley has made no secret about her favourite.
Dressed as an Australian pelican, Matilda has navigated the pigeons of Melbourne to find people to tell her what their favourite native birds are – and give us their best bird call attempts:
Matilda Boseley steps out to find which Australian birds the public loves – video
If you haven’t already, vote here:
Updated at 18.33 EDT
How can Sussan Ley appeal to Australia’s younger voters?
Three months after the Liberal party’s federal electoral drubbing, Sussan Ley met a group of New South Wales candidates at an intimate gathering in Sydney’s west to thank them for running, my colleague Krishani Dhanji writes.
At the dinner, attended by about 20 candidates, several told the new leader the party had lost the social media battle during the election campaign. Labor were quicker, savvier, and used more AI to generate content, they told Ley, recounting the event on condition of anonymity.
This was a symptom of the Liberals failing to reach a critical demographic: gen Z and millennials.
Keep reading:
Updated at 18.01 EDT
Palestine Action Group protest set to go ahead in Sydney
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters will march today to mark two years since Israel began a military offensive in Gaza, as momentum for a lasting ceasefire slowly builds.
Despite the NSW court of appeal prohibiting a rally at the Sydney Opera House, the Palestine Action Group is urging supporters to keep political pressure on the Australian government to sanction Israel, AAP reports.
Protesters will march from the weekly city centre gathering point of Hyde Park and head down George Street to Belmore Park on Sunday in an alternative route agreed with police.
Friends of Palestine WA says a planned rally will go ahead in Perth on Sunday, as part of ongoing global mobilisations demanding justice and freedom.
Read more here:
Updated at 17.47 EDT
Good morning
Daisy Dumas
Good morning and welcome to this Sunday’s live news coverage.
Pro-Palestine protests are set to continue around Australia, with marchers to gather in Sydney despite a court ruling that prevented them gathering at the Opera House. This morning’s politics interviews include the shadow communications minister, Melissa McIntosh, who spent much of the parliamentary sitting week pressuring her Labor counterpart, Anika Wells, on the troubles engulfing Optus.
Let’s get cracking.
Updated at 17.46 EDT