New NT chief minister Lia Finocchiaro to 'reset the law and order agenda'

Lia Finocchiaro has met with police commissioner and CEO of the Department of Chief Minister one day after a landslide election victory, outlining her priorities. 

NT chief minister elect Lia Finocchiaro meets NT police commissioner Michael Murphy and Ken Davies, CEO of the Department of Chief Minister, at the NT parliament on Sunday. Picture: Liam Mendes

Welcome to The Weekend Australian's live politics blog, Politics Now. The Country Liberal Party has claimed victory in the Northern Territory election, making Lia Finocchiaro the first leader of a Coalition equivalent to oust a Labor government since 2018.

Live Updates

9:31 pm August 25, 2024

Burke 'betrayed' me: Setka

James Dowling

Former CFMEU chief John Setka has denied having a history of intimidation and alleges he was “betrayed” by former employment minister Tony Burke, who reportedly backed out of an agreement surrounding the union head’s resignation.

Appearing on Channel 7’s Spotlight, Mr Setka denied he intended to threaten CFMEU secretary Leo Skourdoumbis when he dropped off a suitcase to Mr Skourdoumbis’ home with the word “dog” painted on it.

“Is returning a suitcase to someone that's owned by them a threat? … If that's intimidating, I think people maybe ought to drink a cup of concrete and harden up,” Mr Setka said.

“I don't threaten people. I wouldn't be in this job now (if I did), I wouldn't have lasted this long.

“If our members were being intimidated, we'd remove them.”

On Friday, Mark Irving KC was formally appointed administrator of the under-fire union after Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus opted to place it under administration nationally. Already an estimated 270 CFMEU officials have been turfed from their jobs over suspected corruption.

Thousands of union members are tipped to strike in Victoria on Tuesday in protest against the CFMEU administration laws passed in the sitting week prior.

Mr Setka called the Labor government’s push against the union a “factional hit” as he detailed an agreement between then-employment minister Tony Burke, ACTU chief Sally McManus and himself.

Channel 7 reported and Mr Setka alleged he agreed to resign from the CFMEU in exchange for limited legal action against the union, which the Albanese government would later walk back on.

“I offered myself when I heard that there could be an administrator appointed,” Mr Setka said. “I'm probably collateral damage.

“You do a deal with the government, you'd expect them to honour it.

“I think Tony Burke has betrayed construction workers in Australia. The Albanese government, they've all betrayed construction workers, and their evidence was newspaper clippings.”

9:11 pm August 25, 2024

Setka 'threatened after trying to weed out organised crime in union'

James Dowling

Former CFMEU chief John Setka has claimed he was “personally threatened” in his efforts to weed out organised crime infiltration in the construction union.

Appearing on Channel 7’s Spotlight program, Mr Setka said he had not worked in conjunction with corrupt construction bodies in his role as head of the CFMEU.

“We have fought all sorts of people who have tried to get influence in the building industry, which would have been to the detriment of our members, because there are all sorts of terrible people out there,” Mr Setka said.

“Some of them see the building industry as making a fast buck, and we've had to stand up to these people. The authorities haven't. No government agency has.

“We're the ones that have had to stand up to these people and push some of these people out of the industry. We've been threatened. We've had houses shot up. I've personally been threatened.”

Mr Setka’s interview aired parallel to Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, which featured further reporting on alleged corruption within the CFMEU.

The Nine program detailed the repeated promotion and protection of Synergy Scaffolding Services in NSW, despite its role in the death of apprentice Christopher Cassaniti who was a victim of reckless endangerment at a worksite.

It reported former bikie boss Mick Hawi was alleged to have links with Synergy.

“Bikers work in every industry. Bikies have been working in the building industry since Jesus wore shorts. They work in other industries. I mean, it's hardly shock horror,” Mr Setka said.

“I'd assume that there are bikies in all different industries.”

He confirmed he had received death threats since leaving the union, but did not detail the contents or perpetrators behind them.

6:38 pm August 25, 2024

PM thanks Engadine stabbing first responders

James Dowling

Anthony Albanese has thanked first responders and those who intervened at the stabbing in Engadine on Sunday morning.

Six were injured after a man allegedly crashed his car in Sydney’s south while stabbing his partner with a boxcutter.

“The incident that occurred in Engadine this morning was shocking and distressing,” the Prime Minister said on Twitter/X.

“We’re thinking of all those who were injured and hoping for their quick recovery.

“Thank you to all the first responders and brave members of the public who helped at the scene.”

5:59 pm August 25, 2024

Watt responds to Rennick's Coalition exit

James Dowling

Employment Minister Murray Watt has hit out at Peter Dutton over the departure of Queensland LNP Senator Gerard Rennick.

Speaking on Twitter/X, Senator Watt linked to The Australian’s story of Senator Rennick’s exit from the party in order to form his own Gerard Rennick People First party.

“Many of us have known Peter Dutton isn’t capable of putting people first. Now, his own Senators agree,” Senator Watt said.

The Opposition Leader is reported to have a close relationship with Senator Rennick, and was tipped to be warned of his departure today.

5:44 pm August 25, 2024

LGBTIQA+ rights don't matter to Labor: Greens

James Dowling

The gender identity of Australians will reportedly not be collected at the next census, with Greens MP Stephen Bates calling it a sign “LGBTIQA+ rights don't matter to Labor anymore”.

According to Sky News, a 2026 census question proposal which asked “has your identity or gender changed” was taken off the preliminary survey.

“Clearly Labor has backpedalled and stalled on every reform that would improve the lives of queer people,” Mr Bates, who serves as the Greens' LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, said.

“Labor has failed to deliver protections for LGBTIQA+ teachers and students, Labor has failed to deliver the LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing action plan, and now Labor’s even failed at the bare minimum to count LGBTIQA+ appropriately in the census.

“It is abundantly clear that Labor in opposition and Labor in government are two entirely different parties. They say one thing and do another.”

It comes two days after a verdict in the Federal Court's Giggle Vs Tickle trial cemented what constitutes a woman under Australian law, and whether sex can change.

5:42 pm August 25, 2024

Wong urges de-escalation, Smartraveller warning remains for Middle East

James Dowling

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has urged de-escalation in the Middle East as Smartraveller warns of continuing airstrikes through Israel and Lebanon.

Today Israeli jets fired hundreds of rockets on Lebanon as a pre-emptive strike, following warnings of a coming attack from Lebanon.

“Australia is gravely concerned at the prospect of escalation in the Middle East,” Senator Wong said on Twitter/X. “Further hostilities put tens of thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel at risk.”

“We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate.”

Smartraveller maintained warnings for Australians overseas

“A number of airstrikes took place across southern Lebanon on 25 August. These highlight the continued risk of the security situation deteriorating with little or no notice,” the foreign affairs agency said.

“A large number of rockets were launched at Israel on 25 August. Ben Gurion Airport was closed temporarily. If you are in the affected area, follow the advice of local authorities.

“Our advice remains that Australians should reconsider the need to remain in Israel and if not, depart when it's safe to do so.”

3:44 pm August 25, 2024 Highlight

New NT chief minister to 'reset the agenda'

Liam Mendes

NT chief minister elect Lia Finocchiaro meets NT police commissioner Michael Murphy and Ken Davies, CEO of the Department of Chief Minister, at the NT parliament on Sunday. Picture: Liam Mendes

Northern Territory chief minister elect Lia Finocchiaro has met with police commissioner Michael Murphy and Ken Davies, CEO of the Department of Chief Minister, one day after a landslide election victory.

At the meeting, held on level four of the Territory’s parliament in the soon-to-be sworn in chief minister’s office, Ms Finocchiaro said now was the time to “reset the agenda” for law and order.

“Territorians have spoken, and there's been a change of government. So it's really important now more than ever, that we come together and make sure that we reset the agenda for the territory,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“Law and order is absolutely the number one issue, and we've seen people express that very, very loudly and clearly.

“Obviously, police have a huge role to play, and a big part of what we've said to Territorians this election is about supporting our police, that needs to be done better.”

Ms Finocchiaro declared she would back the force with the legislation required to do their job, while reiterating to Mr Davies support for the entire public service.

“As the chief executive of our entire public service, your role and your leadership in making sure that there is that whole-of-government approach to supporting our police who can't be left to carry everything as they have been in the past,” she said.

Mr Davies said he was ready to “get right behind” Mr Murphy and his team to make changes and deliver social outcomes in the community.

Ms Finocchiaro said the last eight years under the Labor government had been “very, very hard” for police.

“We recognise that and there’s a lot of feeling that needs to be done but the best way we can do that is by showing through our actions that we are going to deliver,” she said.

1:13 pm August 25, 2024 Highlight

‘Family considerations’ in Hamas support, says Shorten

Ben Packham

Cabinet Minister Bill Shorten has conceded some Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza may be Hamas supporters but insists the government is weeding out those who present a security risk.

As the government continued to sidestep questions over its decision to issue Gazans with visitor visas, Mr Shorten suggested Palestinians in the war-torn territory might feel obliged to back the terrorist group to protect their families.

“If you lived in Gaza … when you might depend on (Hamas for) your food, and the government does a survey and says, ‘Do you support Hamas?’ I don’t know what you’d say, but you’d probably weigh up the interests of your family,” he told the ABC’s Insiders program.

Mr Shorten said the question of whether someone supported Hamas was overridden by whether they were a security risk, and pointed to the more than 70 per cent rejection rate for Palestinian visa applicants since the start of the war in Gaza.

He accused the Coalition of waging a “cunning” political attack on the issue, drowning out the government’s attempts to connect with voters on its cost of living policies.

His comments came as Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles refused to say why the government had opted to use visitor visas for those fleeing the war, rather than creating a special humanitarian visa class.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Marles sidestepped four direct questions on the government’s choice of visas for Gazans, arguing the issue was “a total distraction”.

He said ASIO was part of the process, and the opposition knew it.

“You can get into the weeds of the specific visa classes, but what matters from a security point of view (is), ‘Was ASIO in play or not?’ Of course they were,” Mr Marles said.

“I’m satisfied that all the security checks are in place in respect of this cohort, as have (been) applied to any cohort who have come to this country.”

Read the full story here.

11:07 am August 25, 2024

'Bloated waste': NDIS costs reined in

Stephen Lunn

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Bill Shorten says the government’s efforts to eliminate the “bloated waste” in the National Disability Insurance Scheme is leading to the $42bn scheme’s costs being reined in faster than expected.

The NDIS minister also said the agency administering the scheme was scrutinising plans and amendments more closely, and applicants were starting to realise it was “the end of the free drink” in terms of NDIS claims.

Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders program, Mr Shorten said he was optimistic about the ongoing sustainability of the NDIS after recent changes including new legislation passed in parliament last week.

He said estimates in the most recent NDIS quarterly report that the scheme was about $600m ahead of budget forecasts might be even better in soon to be released figures.

“I’m optimistic that because we’re running the scheme better and more transparently, we’re eliminating some of that bloated waste and so … it might even come in with a lower figure, a better figure than the $600m less than we foresaw,” Mr Shorten said.

Mr Shorten said that funding to the NDIS would still be increasing year on year, but there was a need to slow its financial trajectory.

This was one of the reasons behind the NDIS laws passed with the support of the Coalition and, after considerable negotiation, the states and territories.

He said scheme costs under the Liberals grew 23 per cent in their last year of office, with 15 per cent more participants. The most recent figures for the government were 8 per cent growth in participants, and 18 per cent in annual scheme costs, which the minister acknowledged was still too high.

9:17 am August 25, 2024 Highlight

New NT leader makes law and order 'number one priority'

Liam Mendes

Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro has emphatically declared law and order is her "number one priority", as the CLP becomes the first Coalition equivalent to out a Labor government for the first time since 2018.

"It's amazing to now have the opportunity to do something different for the Territory," Ms Finocchiaro told The Australian following an overwhelming election win.

"We know Labor have been in power for a very long time, and this is a new chapter for the Territory. We really are focused on making sure we deliver on all of our commitments, because they are what Territorians have been talking to us about.

Ms Finocchiaro said her first priority to address youth crime in places such as Alice Springs would be "backing in our police" and holding parents responsible.

"It starts with backing in our police, passing laws that meet our community's expectations, it also then is about getting kids to school," Ms Finocchiaro told The Australian.

"This is something we are very focused on, giving every single Territory child a better future and so we will hold parents accountable.

"We will put in place measures to get kids to school, we want healthy kids, healthy families, living healthy lives," she said.

"That's that's the work we've got to do now, and it starts with law reform in the first week of parliament."

She said she would bring back truancy officers to keep students in school.

"If parents and families can't, then we will," she said. "We don't think it's an option to let kids not have access to education, and we'll do everything we can to protect their right to have an education.

"Territorians have spoken loud and clear that Labor has ignored them for too long and we take this responsibility very seriously, and we will not let Territorians down," she said.