1h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 6:36am
That’s the end of our live blog!
And with that, we’ll have to leave the federal politics blog here for today. Thank you for joining us on another eventful day on the hill.
You can look back on today’s developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest updates.
We’ll see you again tomorrow morning for more federal politics news.
1h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 6:34am
Liberals retaliate against National Party’s split from Coalition in the senate
Liberals have retaliated against the National Party’s split from the Coalition by moving to kick senators from the country party off opposition senate committees.
Opposition Senate Leader Michaelia Cash has indicated Liberals will move to discharge Matt Canavan, Ross Cadell, Susan McDonald and Bridget McKenzie from several senate committees.
In response, Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie moved a motion calling for opposition senate committee positions to be distributed proportionally amongst Liberals and Nationals.
It’s unclear whether the government will support either of the motions, which will be up for debate tomorrow morning.
1h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 6:14am
Burns supports right for people to protest ahead of Herzog visit to Australia
Labor MP Josh Burns, who is also Jewish, says he supports the right for people to protest ahead of the Israeli president’s visit to Australia.
The federal government invited Isaac Herzog to Australia following the Bondi Beach terror attack in December, but the invite has faced stiff opposition from some groups.
NSW has extended protest restrictions for another two weeks ahead of the president’s visit to Australia.
Burns says the president is not involved with the government in Israel and acts much like a governor-general in Australia.
“I fundamentally support the right of people being able to protest, to associate together, and it is important people exercise their rights peacefully. If they do, then there is no issues,” Burns says.
“In terms of what the states choose to do in order to manage events and proceedings, that is really a matter for the states and state authorities,” he says.
1h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 6:05am
McKenzie won’t be drawn on ‘confidential discussions’ between Ley and Littleproud
Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie says her party room has a “very strong position” on whether she and two other Nationals should sit on the backbench for six months if the Coalition reunites.
Sussan Ley told David Littleproud a new coalition could be formed within days only if the three former Nationals shadow ministers who crossed the floor are exiled from the frontbench for six months.
Speaking to Afternoon Briefing, McKenzie says she wouldn’t be drawn on “confidential discussions” between the Liberal and Nationals leaders.
The Nationals senate leader says Ley has set an “arbitrary” Sunday deadline for the negotiations.
“She [has] a right to do that, and then the question is whether we feel the need to march to that deadline as well. So the door is open, we are doing our best, and the two leaders are having constructive meetings,” McKenzie says.
McKenzie says there are red lines for the Liberal and National parties to work around at the moment.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:44am
Husic says he feels uncomfortable about Herzog’s visit to Australia
Labor MP Ed Husic says he feels uncomfortable about having the Israeli president visit to Australia.
The Labor MP, who has been outspoken about Israel’s war in Gaza, says he’s not comfortable with Isaac Herzog’s presence.
“I have seen of him signing bombs that were then dropped on Palestinian homes and the fact that the ICJ [International Court of Justice] has called out some of his statements as indicating collective responsibility of Palestinians,” Husic says.
He criticised the Coalition for blaming entire communities, particularly Muslims, for the actions of extremists on December 14.
“It is in our collective interest that we all work together, one that we stand together into that we drive out hate and terror,” he says.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:38amLabor MP says government should examine scaling back capital gains tax
Labor MP Ed Husic says the federal government should be prepared to look at scaling back the capital gains tax (CGT) discount.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has played down reports that the government is taking another look at the capital gains tax discount.
Speaking to Afternoon Briefing, Husic has thrown his support behind looking at tax incentives, including negative gearing.
“I do think that from time to time we should look at these things and I have said in particular negative gearing reform should be looked at and I know the prime minister has a particular view on that and I respect him,” Husic says.
“Once you get to your fifth home, how much more taxpayer support we need to put in this area?” he says.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:32amSussan Ley and David Littleproud meet ahead of Question Time
Two sources have told the ABC that Sussan Ley and David Littleproud met an hour before Question Time today.
Deputy Liberal Leader Ted O’Brien and Deputy Nationals Leader Kevin Hogan also attended the meeting, as well as other party officials.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:28am
Melissa McIntosh weighs in on Ley’s ultimatum to Littleproud
Shadow Communications Minister Melissa McIntosh has joined Afternoon Briefing where she’s been asked to weigh in on efforts to reunite the Coalition.
Sussan Ley told David Littleproud a new coalition could be formed if the three Nationals frontbenchers who broke shadow cabinet solidarity are placed in the sin-bin for six months.
The shadow minister has refused to say whether she supports the benching of the three Nationals for six months.
McIntosh says it’s hard to make an judgement on the negotiations when she’s not a part of the negotiations.
“I’m not going to comment on that particular point, but there are reasons why Sussan did that, because they broke cabinet solidarity, and as a shadow cabinet member myself, we’re all very aware of our obligations as being part of the shadow cabinet,” McIntosh says.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:18am
Ayres defends new rules for National Reconstruction Fund investments
Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres has joined Afternoon Briefing to talk about the National Reconstruction Fund.
The $15 billion fund will be allowed to back green projects making a loss under new rules announced today.
Ayres has rejected that the fund will now be allowed to back loss-making projects. He says the government is taking a more “aggressive” approach.
“Our job here is to re-industrialise suburban and industrial regions in Australia and if we leave it to the banks and investment communities to do that by itself it will not happen,” Ayres says.
The industry and science minister says the new rules won’t exacerbate inflation, and will deliver more capacity and a bigger economy.
You can read more about that story from senior political correspondent Jake Evans in the link below.
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 5:07am
Exclusive: Liberal MP says party’s decision to oppose lower tax on beer an ‘unforced error’
A Liberal who backed the Nationals’ bid to expand a freeze on Australia’s beer excise to include tap spirits says his own party’s opposition to the lower tax was “an unforced error”.
West Australian MP Ben Small was one of five Liberal backbenchers who voted in favour of a Nationals’ amendment to the federal government’s two-year beer tax freeze to include spirits served on tap, like hard lemonade and espresso martinis.
He was joined by Andrew Hastie, Tony Pasin, Terry Young and Tom Venning, who opted to vote on the amendment despite the Liberal Party not having a formal position of support.
Two other proposals to review the excise and extend its freeze were also backed by Small, Hastie, Young and Pasin.
The amendments were opposed by Labor and therefore destined to fail, but Small told the ABC he believed the Liberals’ decision not to openly support extending the excise was a mistake.
“I joined the Liberal Party because I believe in lower taxes, and I’ve heard directly from hospitality businesses how hard they are doing it with costs spiralling upwards,” he said.
“Voting to freeze tax on spirits being poured from the same bank of taps as the beer which is to have its tax frozen makes total sense.
“For the Liberal Party to oppose a tax freeze for punters is an unforced error in my view.”
2h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:57am
Speaker, PM and Ley pay tribute to parliamentary attendant Ljupco Jonceski
The manager of opposition business’s motion has failed as expected, an with that the PM has wrapped up Question Time.
But we’re ending the session with a tribute to Ljupco (Luch) Jonceski, a respected parliamentary attendant, who died in December.
The prime minister greeted Joneski’s family, who are seated on the floor of the House of Representatives, during Question Time.
Speaker Milton Dick says Joneski was a stickler for procedures and ceremony and was loved by all.
“He was someone everyone loved to be around and a person. Everyone was honoured to know. May he rest in eternal peace,” Dick says.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Jonceski would have been “deeply moved” but a little embarrassed by the statement today.
He says he was generous and kind to everyone who sat in the chamber, no matter what side of the parliament they sat on.
“His service to our democracy and his just plain old fashioned decency as a human being merited every single word that was said about him,” Albanese says.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the passing of Jonceski will be felt deeply by the speaker and the Department of Parliamentary Services.
“While those of us that sit in this chamber feature most prominently, I want Australians across the country today to remember that there are countless Australians also in this building who quietly tend the flame and keep the institution running,” Ley says.
“These quiet servants to democracy keep our parliament alive.”
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:42am
Alex Hawke asks that Burke no longer be heard in House of Reps
Deputy Speaker Sharon Claydon has stepped up to ask the leader of the house why sessional orders were changed yesterday and whether they’ll be changed tomorrow.
The government allowed the crossbench more questions in Question Time in the lower house yesterday after the Nationals moved to the crossbench.
Leader of the House Tony Burke says the government had to change sessional orders because the crossbench is now just as big as the official opposition.
Nationals MP Michael McCormack can be heard shouting: “People who pay mortgages really want to hear this”, and Liberal MP Tony Pasin says: “a new low”.
Burke taken aim at the Liberal MPs who defied shadow cabinet today and voted to strip taxes from beer.
(ABC News: Callum Flinn)
He also took a swipe at Andrew Hastie, who had a copy of The Art Of War sitting on his desk in the House of Reps during Question Time.
Manager of Opposition Business Alex Hawke has stepped up to move that Burke no longer be heard. The vote is underway now. He’s not going to win it because the government has the numbers in the lower house.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:42am
Marles forced to apologise for attack on Taylor
Andrew Wilkie is reaping the benefits of the extra questions allotted to the crossbench. It’s the second day in a row he’s come to QT armed with a question.
With the news an audit has recommended the sale of 64 defence estates, the Clark MP wants to know if that will include Anglesea Barracks in his hometown of Hobart.
Richard Marles says he’s surprised nobody from the opposition has asked a question on this (guess who the Libs defence shadow is: Angus Taylor).
“It highlights the
dog over here who hasn’t barked,” he says.
(ABC News: Callum Flinn)
Speaker Milton Dick forces the deputy PM to immediately withdraw and apologise for the remark.
Marles does both and then launches immediately into attacking Taylor again. Dick interrupts again.
“The deputy prime minister wasn’t asked about any of the subjects that he’s talking about,” he warns again.
Once Marles returns to the despatch box, he confirms the Anglesea Barracks will remain a “critical part of the defence estate”.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:27am
Albanese talks up cost of living credentials
Liberal MP Cameron Caldwell has asked the prime minister whether he can guarantee there won’t be any more interest rate hikes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the country would have faced a higher deficit and more pressure on the budget if the Coalition was elected.
The prime minister has used the opportunity to list off all the government’s cost of living measures.
“The fact is, when it comes to the economy, we have an economy that is continuing to grow. Inflation is down compared with what we inherited. Wages are up. We had the lowest average unemployment rate of any government in the last 50 years,” Albanese says.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:23am
A blast from the past
An hour in and the Nationals are switching it up, baby. Dawson MP Andrew Willcox is bringing back a question from the archives: what’s happened to the Labor’s $275 power price promise?
ICYMI the promise was first made at the 2022 election as part of Labor’s net zero modelling. Labor never quite got there in reducing power prices by $275 because of the impact of the Ukraine war on energy prices.
But it dolled out several rounds of energy subsidies, which it’s kind of argued met the promise somewhat.
Anyway, back to today, when Energy Minister Chris Bowen says keeping the government’s policy settings (aka more renewables), wholesale prices will drop and that will flow through to retail prices.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:16amO’Brien kicked out of the lower house after question on interest rates, inflation
(ABC News: Callum Flinn)
Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien has stepped up for another question on … interest rates!
The deputy Liberal leader has asked the treasurer whether he is suggesting the Reserve Bank governor was wrong for saying “aggregate demand” was responsible for pushing up inflation.
Jim Chalmers has stepped up to answer the question, but O’Brien can be heard interjecting in the background.
Speaker Milton Dick isn’t happy and has kicked the deputy Liberal leader out of the lower house for the next few hours.
Back to the treasurer’s response, and Chalmers says private demand turned out to be much stronger than what had been forecast.
“What we have seen as a private sector recovery faster than anticipated in the forecast. That should not be a contested thing,” Chalmers says.
“We’re rolling out the cost of living help that the opposition leader said this morning she doesn’t support,” he says.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:09am
A little bit of Shakespeare?
A passionate thespian or a backbencher trying to send a message?
I’ll let you decide which box Garth Hamilton fits into. He finally put down the book he’s spent a good chunk of QT laughing his way through.
It’s Othello. Just some light reading, then.
(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:06am
Llew O’Brien chats to Barnaby Joyce in Question Time
Nationals MP Llew O’Brien has quickly snuck over to One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce to have a chat during Question Time.
It appears Fowler MP Dai Le has chimed in and leaned over to make a comment that has caused them to erupt in laughter.
I just wonder what the south-west Sydney MP said that caused them all to laugh… Guesses anyone?
(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 4:05am
It’s Bob Katter time
His question covered a range of topics but the one Treasurer Jim Chalmers focuses on is about water infrastructure.
He points out the government has committed $170m to the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme, which is currently waiting on a Queensland government review.
Katter proudly interjects the PM has been to Hughenden twice.
3h agoWed 4 Feb 2026 at 3:58am
Chalmers seems to be getting a bit over O’Brien’s questions
It’s probably fair to say that this QT has been a bit flat. Treasurer Jim Chalmers seems to be getting a bit tired of the repeated questions about interest rates and government spending.
Especially after Ted O’Brien asks if all the economists that say government spending is contributing to inflation are wrong.
Chalmers uses the same strategy he’s deployed all day: deflecting to the Liberals.
“By his own logic, and you can’t take to an election a policy to spend much more and to have bigger deficits and more debt and then make the argument that the shadow treasurer is making. He’s got to choose one argument or the other,” he says.
He repeats there is a range of views about this across economists.