Guardian AU
Labor scraps plan to make spy agency’s 9/11-era questioning powers permanent
Australia's Labor government has abandoned plans to permanently entrench ASIO's post-9/11 compulsory questioning powers, stepping back from a move that had drawn civil liberties concerns. However, the retreat comes with a trade-off: the scope of offences triggering those powers will be broadened to cover promotion of communal violence and threats to Australia's defence infrastructure. The compromise reflects ongoing tension between national security imperatives and the durability of emergency-era legislation.
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Hundreds protest against Pauline Hanson as WA Labor seats on 'hit list'
Around 400 demonstrators gathered outside a Perth sundowner event to protest One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, signaling heightened tensions as the party sets its sights on marginal WA Labor seats. The show of opposition reflects growing community resistance to One Nation's push for greater electoral relevance in Western Australia. With key Labor seats reportedly on the party's hit list, the state's political landscape is shaping up for a charged contest.
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One Nation’s ‘incredibly sloppy’ financial reports reveal more than $1m in missing or worthless assets
One Nation's financial returns filed with Queensland's Office of Fair Trading between 2016 and 2022 reveal more than $1 million in missing or worthless assets, according to documents obtained by Guardian Australia. An expert described the reports as "very poor and unprofessional" and "incredibly sloppy." The findings raise fresh questions about the party's financial governance and its broader fitness to hold political office.
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Sydney Morning Herald
Labor to force data centres to wind down energy use at peak times
Australia's Labor government is pushing data centres to reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods, as the AI infrastructure boom strains power grids worldwide. AI adviser Andrew Charlton is positioning Australia's approach as a measured middle path, rejecting both uncritical enthusiasm and outright opposition to the sector's growth. The move signals Canberra is watching closely as US states begin blocking data centre construction over energy concerns.
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Live: Donald Trump says US 'going to be attacking' Iran 'hard again today'
President Trump declared Monday that the US would be striking Iran "hard again today," escalating rhetoric around the ongoing conflict as he accused Tehran of exploiting American restraint. The comments, made directly to reporters at the White House, signal a significant hardening of the administration's posture toward Iran. The statement raises immediate questions about the scope and targets of any renewed military action.
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