Australia news LIVE: Israel condemned by federal government, Australian allies over Gaza aid deaths; Labor grilled on Xi meeting

Independent Senator David Pocock has called on the Australian government to increase its criticism of Israel and boost humanitarian aid funding, after the government called for an immediate ceasefire this morning.

“I’d like to see them [the government] doing more,” Pocock said. “They could be immediately increasing the funding they are giving, particularly to Australian physicians who are going over there [to Gaza].”

David Pocock, left, alongside other senators in the Senate today. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Pocock also said Australia should call in the Israeli ambassador to question him on the Israeli government’s policy.

“I think it’s a great thing they signed onto this [letter] but you can’t tell me there isn’t more that the government do as a middle power … we can at least give to Australian organisations doing great work over there,” he said.

Liberal MP Angie Bell has publicly warned her Coalition colleagues against challenging their leader, as Sussan Ley’s supporters shrink in number.

Since Ley defeated Angus Taylor 29-25 in the May leadership ballot, three of her supporters have either exited parliament, or failed to be elected to parliament.

Liberal MP Angie Bell in 2023. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But on ABC Afternoon Briefing, Bell delivered a clear message to anyone threatening to undercut Ley.

“Do not,” she said.

“Sussan has 100 per cent support from me, and many of my colleagues support her wholeheartedly, and my message to the opposition party room is to unite and support Sussan.”

However, Taylor has also lost one of his presumed backers with the departure of former Liberal senator David Fawcett, whose term ended in June.

The MP that defeated firebrand Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather said voters turned against the Greens because they viewed them as blocking legislation in parliament.

“The commentary that I had come through the electorate was certainly there was some frustration with the blocking, that was part of it,” Labor MP Renee Coffey told ABC Afternoon Briefing.

Renee Coffey with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Labor’s first caucus meeting since being re-elected. Credit: James Brickwood

In the last term of parliament, the Greens blocked a key Labor housing bill for a year, securing increased funding for social housing as part of the deliberations.

Coffey, who unseated the Greens MP in the Brisbane seat of Griffith, said Chandler-Mather joining the CFMEU on stage at a rally was raised at least once a day by voters.

“I don’t think that represented their [constituents’] values or their expectations,” said Coffey.

The protest by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi was disrespectful to the parliament, Labor minister Tim Ayers says.

As Anthony Albanese exited the Senate, Faruqi called out: “Prime minister, Gaza is starving, will you sanction Israel?” During the governor-general’s address to both houses, Faruqi also held up a sign which said: “Gaza is starving. Words won’t feed them. Sanction Israel.”

Tim Ayers in 2023. Credit: James Alcock

Ayers, the minister for science and industry, told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing he thought the protest was “disrespectful to the parliament”.

“I think she diminished herself,” Ayers said. “And I don’t think it assisted the cause of Palestinians in Gaza one little bit.”

Ayers said the deaths of civilians in Gaza was unacceptable and cannot be defended.

More than 40 per cent of new cars sold in Australia will be made in China within a decade in one of the biggest shake-ups in the automotive industry in years.

The move, fuelled by motorists switching to low-emission vehicles, is expected to challenge the dominance of car brands manufactured in Japan and Thailand.

A BYD Tang L DM electric vehicle.Credit: Bloomberg

But automotive dealers have questioned whether the move will be entirely positive for motorists, or whether greater protections will be needed to ensure the availability of vehicle parts and servicing.

The Centre for International Economics released the findings on Tuesday, in an analysis prepared for the Australian Automotive Dealer Association.

The report found almost half (43 per cent) of vehicles imported to Australia could be made in China by 2035, dwarfing current leader Japan on 22 per cent, and Thailand with 11 per cent of the market.

Japan-made vehicles represented 30 per cent of new cars sold in Australia this year, while Chinese vehicles made up 16 per cent, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The move to Chinese vehicles will be driven by consumers’ rising demand for hybrid and electric options, the report found, and falling prices offered by Chinese brands.

AAP

As Anthony Albanese exited the Senate, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi called out, “prime minister, Gaza is starving, will you sanction Israel?”

Queensland MP Bob Katter then replied, “they started it”, before members and senators left the chamber.

During the governor-general’s address, Faruqi held up a sign which read: “Gaza is starving. Words won’t feed them. Sanction Israel”.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi holds the sign as Governor-General Samantha Mostyn addresses both houses.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Governor-General Samantha Mostyn has used her address to both houses to briefly spruik the AUKUS submarine pact, as the United States mulls its commitment to the deal.

“The government is also committed to strengthening Australia’s security partnerships,” Mostyn said. “The AUKUS agreement will continue to be progressed and deliver long-term strategic offence for all three countries.”

Her comments come as US President Donald Trump’s under secretary of defence Elbridge Colby reviews the AUKUS deal. This masthead reported he intends to urge major changes to the more than $368 billion program.

Governor-General of Australia Samantha Mostyn (centre) and the President of the Senate, Senator Sue Lines, address members of the 48th Parliament.Credit: Getty Images

Australian Federal Police have formed a border around the front of Parliament House, behind which hundreds of protesters are playing drums and chanting.

Some are holding up images of children killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive. One sign reads “sack the pro-Israel envoy”, while chants of “Israel is a racist state” can be heard.

The protest on the lawns of Parliament House is continuing.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

A man climbed onto the top of an AFP car, yelling, before officers ordered him down.

Another protester, leading chants with a megaphone, pointed to field guns lined up on the lawn and gathered uniformed military officers, present for a ceremonial display to mark the opening of parliament.

“We’ve also shut down this f---ing show of militarism here,” she said.

The public are being barred from entering parliament.

Read more about the protests at Parliament House here.

Continuing her address to politicians, Governor-General Samantha Mostyn has noted Labor’s majority female cabinet as a source of pride.

“For the first time in Australia’s history, women make up the majority of the federal cabinet,” she said. “This is a government that places gender equality at the heart of its agenda, that is a source of pride.”

Governor-General Samantha Mostyn speaks to senators earlier today. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“Developed during its first term, the government’s Working for Women Strategy sets out its vision for gender equality for an Australia where people are safe, treated with respect and can make choices, access resources and achieve equal outcomes no matter their gender.”

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is staging a silent protest of the governor-general’s speech on the floor of the Senate.

She is wearing a keffiyeh and holding a sign that says: “Gaza is starving. Words won’t feed them. Sanction Israel”.

The government this morning condemned Israel’s provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza, in a letter signed by 25 countries.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi holds a sign reading “Gaza is starving, words won’t feed them, sanction Israel”, as Governor-General Samantha Mostyn addresses both houses. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer