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Oct 21, 2026 - World

Independent senator’s goals ‘much bigger’ than prime ministership, he reveals in first speech to National Press ClubGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastHe’s six foot tall and full of muscle, but David Pocock’s real strength is often sounding like the most sensible, commonsense voice in the room.At his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said he wasn’t launching a bid for prime minister – no matter how much some people might like the softly spoken senator to have more say in federal politics.A 25% tax on gas exports, which he said could fund anything from boosting welfare to health reforms and aged care.A 5% levy on datacentres to capture more benefits from the AI boom.Transparency reforms to shine a light on lobbyists, secret meetings with politicians and vested interests. Continue reading...

Oct 21, 2026 - World

Pakistan has arrested a man accused of running an online counterfeit postage operation that U.S. prosecutors say caused more than $126 million in losses to the U.S. Postal Service

Oct 21, 2026 - World

Independent MP was struck by a car on Monday and her alleged attacker appeared in court on Wednesday‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after Helen Haines critically injuredHelen Haines, the principled MP respected across parliamentAnthony Albanese has described the police interview on Tuesday with Brendan Nugent as “extensive” but that the motivation of the alleged “violent” attack against Helen Haines is still unknown.Certainly, it’s a reminder that the world is a more dangerous and divided place than it was a generation ago.But I think that Australians do want to see their politicians be able to go about their business, to be able to get something from the back of their car, for goodness sake.My side, every side included. We all have to recognise that politics has got more aggressive.The particular impact on women in politics … [They] have got a different form of vilification and aggression towards them as well. Continue reading...

Oct 21, 2026 - World

AFP commissioner says MPs are generally concerned about growing volume of abuse and intimidationFollow our live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe head of the Australian federal police has condemned a “febrile” political environment that has seen one person charged every week over the alleged threatening of MPs, as Victoria announces new steps to protect politicians.But the AFP and Victoria police insist they had no intelligence to suggest 43-year-old Brendan Nugent would go on to allegedly drive a Toyota LandCruiser into the independent MP Helen Haines in a targeted attack. Continue reading...

Oct 21, 2026 - World

Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines had had both legs amputated after she was rammed repeatedly by a driver on Monday outside her electorate office, her husband says