Protest restrictions for parts of Sydney extended to cover Isaac Herzog’s visit
Jordyn Beazley
The NSW police commissioner has extended a restriction on protests for a fourth time, saying the visit by the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, was a “factor” in that decision.
On Tuesday, Mal Lanyon said the restriction – which effectively bans protesters being able to march in designated areas without the risk of being arrested – would be extended for another 14 days. He said the designated area would remain unchanged from when it was narrowed a fortnight ago ahead of the annual Invasion Day rally.
Lanyon said:
We’re still less than two months from what is the worst terrorist incident in New South Wales history today, I have considered that there remains a significant risk to community safety by public assemblies, and I have extended that declaration for a further 14 days.
Lanyon said Herzog’s visit was “certainly a factor” in the decision to extend the restriction:
I know that there is significant animosity about President Herzog’s visit … I need to balance up the level of animosity about his visit with the need for community safety, and that’s what we’ve done.
Geopolitical issues are important, and we respect the rights for free speech, but that cannot come before the safety of the community in New South Wales, my role and the role of New South Wales Police is to keep the New South Wales community safe.
Police were given the controversial power to restrict protests in designated areas for up to 90 days after a terror attack last year after the Minns government rushed laws through parliament in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
The law will face a constitutional challenge before the court of appeal on 26 February. The challenge was brought by Blak Caucus, the Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Jews Against the Occupation ’48.
Updated at 21.53 EST
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Douglas Smith
Jumping back to Lidia Thorpe’s motion this morning, she and minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, both stood up to condemn the actions of a 31-year-old man who allegedly threw a fragment bomb into a 2500 strong crowd at Perth’s Invasion Day rally on January 26.
In the federal senate chamber on Tuesday, a motion introduced by Thorpe was passed, and called on the federal government to condemn the man’s actions.
In her speech, Thorpe said the “trauma deepened” in the wake of the event, because the incident was met with “silence” from politicians and media.
Let us be absolutely clear, this should be treated as an act of terror.
Decisions were made in newsrooms, in ministerial offices, in the daily rhythms of power about whether this was urgent, whether it mattered, whether our lives mattered.
There was no emergency press conference from the Prime Minister, no proactive statement of condemnation, no solidarity offered to First Peoples left reeling from this attempted attack of mass violence.
McCarthy said:
What we saw in Perth last Monday, was an attempted bombing of a peaceful First Nations rally, led by First Nations Australians and their allies.
This was an attack on the social cohesion of the Australian community. It was an attack on all Australians.
When our social cohesion is attacked, all of us in this chamber, the government, the opposition, the crossbench, must apply consistent focus and condemnation.
ShareProtest restrictions for parts of Sydney extended to cover Isaac Herzog’s visitJordyn Beazley
The NSW police commissioner has extended a restriction on protests for a fourth time, saying the visit by the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, was a “factor” in that decision.
On Tuesday, Mal Lanyon said the restriction – which effectively bans protesters being able to march in designated areas without the risk of being arrested – would be extended for another 14 days. He said the designated area would remain unchanged from when it was narrowed a fortnight ago ahead of the annual Invasion Day rally.
Lanyon said:
We’re still less than two months from what is the worst terrorist incident in New South Wales history today, I have considered that there remains a significant risk to community safety by public assemblies, and I have extended that declaration for a further 14 days.
Lanyon said Herzog’s visit was “certainly a factor” in the decision to extend the restriction:
I know that there is significant animosity about President Herzog’s visit … I need to balance up the level of animosity about his visit with the need for community safety, and that’s what we’ve done.
Geopolitical issues are important, and we respect the rights for free speech, but that cannot come before the safety of the community in New South Wales, my role and the role of New South Wales Police is to keep the New South Wales community safe.
Police were given the controversial power to restrict protests in designated areas for up to 90 days after a terror attack last year after the Minns government rushed laws through parliament in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
The law will face a constitutional challenge before the court of appeal on 26 February. The challenge was brought by Blak Caucus, the Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Jews Against the Occupation ’48.
Updated at 21.53 EST
Sarah Martin
Hanson fails to declare another flight from billionaire Gina Rinehart’s company
One Nation senator, Pauline Hanson, has failed to declare another flight received from billionaire Gina Rinehart’s company, travelling on her private jet between Melbourne and Sydney last October.
Guardian Australia can reveal that Hanson was given the flight after an event at a private agricultural college in Geelong last year, which she had attended for the official opening of a new building partly funded by Rinehart.
Hanson has failed to declare the flight in line with parliamentary rules for senators’ interests, which requires that a declaration is made of any sponsored travel or hospitality received where the value of the sponsorship or hospitality exceeds $300.
Asked at a press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday whether she had received any flights or transfers from Hancock Prospecting to or from the 19 October event, Hanson initially said: “No … if you are going to try to say that I am being funded by Gina Rinehart, the answer is no.”
Asked again if she received any flights or transfers to or from the event, Hanson replied “I can’t remember.”
You can read the full story here:
Updated at 21.52 EST
Benita Kolovos
Allan apologises in Bondi terror attack condolence motion
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has apologised for failing to prevent the rise of antisemitism in the lead up to the Bondi terror attack.
Allan moved a condolence motion in memory of the 15 people who were killed when two gunmen, allegedly inspired by Islamic State, targeted a Hanukah event on 14 December at Sydney’s Bondi beach.
It is the first time the Victorian parliament is sitting since the terror attack occurred. She said:
It is our responsibility, as leaders and as governments, to prevent attacks like this. Whether they happen in Bondi or in Ripponlea. And the truth is that governments let you down. Your fears were real. Your warnings were clear and we failed. I want you to know how sorry I am. And I want you to know that I share your anger and your resolve.
Allan said her government stood with Jewish Victorians and would defend their right to gather and practice their faith without fear:
We will defend your right to live openly and proudly in our state and we will confront antisemitism wherever it appears.
Updated at 21.48 EST
Tory Shepherd
Cory Bernardi and Pauline Hanson met with Australian flags and cheers
Some more on that press conference with One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, and newly recruited lead Legislative Council candidate, former senator Cory Bernardi.
A gang of supporters welcomed them in Adelaide with Australian flags, shouts of “prime minister”, and “Aussie Aussie Aussie” and “Trump”. (The media did not get such a warm reception, it’s fair to say).
Hanson spoke about the cost of living and rightwing issues that have been debunked, such as mass migration and parental alienation syndrome. She also pointed out the parlous state of the South Australian Liberal party, saying there was no opposition in the state or the country.
Bernardi was pressed on his previous party-hopping (from the Liberal party to the Australian Conservatives to being an independent) and said there was “no doubt” that he would stay as a member of One Nation.
Asked if he was talking to other Liberals about defecting, he said he was “always looking to recruit”, while when Hanson was asked whether she had spoken to backbencher Alex Antic she said “no” before saying she wasn’t ruling anything out.
She also shot down rumours that anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe was a potential candidate by appearing at first not to know who she was then saying she wasn’t on her list.
Updated at 21.48 EST
‘Sussan has the numbers’, says Ley ally
Team Sussan Ley has been trying to radiate confidence in her leadership, with the leader herself this morning saying she will be in the hot seat to deliver the opposition’s budget in reply speech in May.
There is a lot of rumour swirling around parliament on when Team Angus Taylor will make their move and call a spill – after last week, his contender in the right faction, Andrew Hastie, announced he was bowing out.
Let me take you back to 13 May 2025 for a moment, when Ley beat Taylor in the leadership ballot after Peter Dutton lost his seat in the election. She claimed victory 29 votes to 25. Three of those votes came from two senators who have now retired and one moderate Liberal candidate (Gisele Kapterian) who didn’t win her Sydney seat after a recount. So the numbers are tight.
Speaking to Sky News, Andrew Wallace – a member of the Ley team – says he’s also confident in her position, but suggests that there aren’t plans already under way to roll her. That’s despite insiders telling us that Taylor is getting ready to make a move. Wallace says:
Sussan Ley has the support of the party room, I do not believe there is an active move against her … I believe Sussan has the numbers.
Updated at 21.45 EST
‘Immoral’: Greens push for Isaac Herzog’s invitation to Australia to be revoked
Following Lidia Thorpe’s motion on the alleged attempted bombing at the Invasion Day rally in Perth, and call to condemn racism against First Nations people, the Greens senator David Shoebridge tries to suspend standing orders to move a motion to push the government to rescind the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog’s invitation to Australia.
Anthony Albanese has defended the decision to invite Herzog, despite much protest, including from rank-and-file Labor members.
Shoebridge says:
What the hell is Labor doing inviting someone like that to Australia … Next week this government is going to be providing the red carpet for a man who incited genocide.
History will judge this moment, it will judge whether we stood on the right side, or whether we chose pandering to the US and its ally Israel over justice … this invitation is immoral, it’s wrong and it’s time we said so.
The shadow foreign minister, Michaelia Cash, says the opposition won’t support that motion.
Another day, another stunt in the lives of the Australian Greens at the expense of being able to actually move on legislation that does need to be debated in this place.
Australia’s relationship with Israel should not be used as a prop, as it is being, for parliamentary theatrics.
The government also won’t support the motion.
Updated at 21.04 EST
Douglas Smith
A motion condemning the alleged attempted bombing attack of an Invasion Day rally in Perth on 26 January has passed in the federal senate chamber on Tuesday.
The motion, introduced by independent senator Lidia Thorpe, noted that the federal government had a “duty to equally protect all people” in Australia from “racism, discrimination, hate speech and the threat of racially motivated violence”.
Here’s the full motion:
Condemns the attempted bombing on 26 January in Boorloo (Perth) that targeted First Peoples and their supporters;
Notes that the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team, consisting of the Western Australia Police Force, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, is investigating the incident as a potential terrorist act;
Acknowledges the serious harm this has caused and expresses its solidarity with all those impacted by this event;
Notes that for many First Nations people, 26 January is a day of mourning and that an attack on this day, at an Invasion Day rally, represents a serious escalation of racial violence against First Peoples;
Notes that an attack against First Nations people is an attack against all Australians;
Condemns all acts of violence and racism against First Peoples, and stands in solidarity with First Peoples against racism and hate directed at them;
Affirms that this Parliament’s recent condemnation of racially motivated hatred unambiguously includes racism directed at First Peoples;
Acknowledges that First Peoples in Australia continue to face entrenched racism, racially-motivated hate and threats of violence, and that any instance of this is unacceptable and must be addressed;
Calls for governments to continue to take urgent action to address racism, discrimination, hate speech and violence against First Peoples;
Parts of the motion were opposed by the Liberal party and Nationals, around calls for the parliament to officially recognise 26 January as Invasion Day and Day of Mourning, and for the federal government to take urgent action “address racism, discrimination, hate speech and violence against First Peoples”.
Updated at 21.00 EST
‘Get it together’: Barnaby Joyce enters the Coalition chat
Of all the MPs telling the Coalition to get back together, would you expect former Nationals leader turned One Nation member Barnaby Joyce to?
Well, he did so while debating on the government’s motion to change the allocation of question time questions in the House.
To much laughter and some disbelief, he says:
It is probably not the best thing for the Australian people, it’s a little bit of an indictment, and I ask the Coalition, just get it together … and get us back to a normal day.
Updated at 20.45 EST
Liberals accuse Labor of trying to dodge scrutiny with move to reduce opposition questions in parliament
Liberal chief whip, Aaron Violi, stands up next, and says “there is a lot of hubris in the House”.
He also accuses the government of trying to dodge scrutiny and transparency, and says question time needs to be a time for the opposition to be able to hold the government to account.
Violi accuses the Labor caucus of not being able to stand up to its leaders, and points to the lack of action on gambling reform.
It is crucial that the opposition be able to hold this bad government to account, because there is no one within that caucus that will hold the government to account … gambling reform, let’s talk about the Murphy report, the member for Bennelong is prepared to put a few statements out there publicly about the importance of gambling reform …
The member for Macarthur has said that if it went to a conscience vote, the Murphy report and gambling reform would pass this House, that’s the words of the member for Macarthur, do you need better evidence and proof of why you need an opposition with the ability to hold the government to account?
Updated at 20.50 EST
Government will not yet change makeup of committees based on Coalition split, Burke says
Back in the house, Tony Burke says the government won’t yet move to change the makeup of committees based on the Coalition’s split.
Committees have a set number of government, opposition and crossbench members in them. The powerful security and intelligence committee has no crossbenchers in it, so if the Coalition remains split, Nationals senator Susan McDonald would face being booted out of it.
In response, manager of opposition business, Alex Hawke, moves amendments to Burke’s motion, and calls Burke’s words “unedifying” – which gets some boos from Labor.
Hawke says that the Nationals are not part of the crossbench, and pushes for the opposition to have at least eight questions in question time.
It’s purely a government trick to define them [the Nationals] as crossbenchers it’s purely a government decision to say that the Nationals aren’t sitting as their own party room.
Hawke says that the government is trying to reduce transparency, and points to the “friendless” FoI bill that Labor was trying to get through parliament late last year.
Updated at 20.36 EST
Littleproud says Nationals will ‘consider’ Ley’s offer
David Littleproud has confirmed he’s received a written offer from the Liberal party. You can read about that offer here:
The Nationals leader has just released a statement saying that his party will take its time to consider the details of the offer.
The Nationals are united in our endeavours to reset the Coalition, but we won’t be providing updates on any negotiations through the media.
The negotiations are ongoing and we will always be constructive and act in good faith.
Littleproud says it’s important that the party takes the time to “get the settings right”.
Updated at 20.44 EST
‘We now have the cross, the very cross and the apoplectic’: Burke
The bells are ringing!
Parliament is SO back, and over in the Senate this afternoon, Lidia Thorpe will be pushing forward her motion on the alleged attempted bombing in Perth on 26 January at the Invasion Day rally.
Over in the house, Tony Burke is moving a motion to give the crossbench more questions, and take some away from the Liberal party opposition while the Coalition is still split.
He’s having plenty of fun while he does it.
When the member for New England moved to the crossbench, it had not occurred to us that the entire National party was going to move to the crossbench with him, and while he’s not their leader they appear to be his followers.
We now have the cross, the very cross and the apoplectic.
He then needles the opposition a bit harder, speaking about possible defections from the opposition to One Nation:
I see members of the crossbench nodding, but you might not want the ones you get. I’d be careful what you wish for. When we talked about the growth of the crossbench last time, you never expected this one was going to happen.
The Liberals aren’t particularly impressed with the commentary. Their benches are looking fairly bare, but we’ll get a proper sense of the changes when the chamber is full for question time.
Updated at 20.30 EST
Benita Kolovos
Victorian opposition supports ADHD diagnosis changes
The Victorian opposition’s health spokesperson, Georgie Crozier, has welcomed the government’s decision to allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. She says she’s been calling for the change for some time:
It is an issue that needed addressing, so I’m pleased it is, but the government is falling short of other jurisdictions in relation to what they are doing.
She said the government needed to ensure the first 150 GPs to be trained were located across the state, particularly in the regions “where there is a very significant shortfall of an ability to get in to see psychiatrists”. Crozier says:
We know those waitlists are months and years, and the government needs to do more in addressing those shortfalls right across the state.
Updated at 19.59 EST
Google rolls out age assurance for under-18s across services, including app store
Josh Taylor
Google has said Australian users identified as being under 18 will have their accounts restricted from this week, after an expansion of the age assurance rollout from the US last year to Australia, Singapore and Brazil this week.
In a blog post on Monday, Google said:
These measures are designed to recognise users who are either over or under 18, so that we can provide age-appropriate experiences for those under 18. This is just one part of our broader commitment to keeping Australians safe online.
Under the changes announced last year, Google is using AI to determine the ages of user accounts by looking at the types of information a user searches for or videos they’ve watched on YouTube.
If the age is incorrectly estimated as being under 18, the user can correct the age via facial age estimation or uploading ID.
Google is already estimating ages of Australian users on YouTube under the social media ban for under 16s based on age of the Google account and other signals, but this will expand the age checking, and for accounts under 18, users will have personalised advertising disabled, and Google Play will not allow minors access to adult apps.
Updated at 20.37 EST