Barnaby Joyce got a hard lesson of life on the cross bench, sidelined in a hard-fought cross-party agreement that will see hate crimes legislation stemming from Australia’s worst-ever terrorist attack pass the parliament.
Politics
“Cruelly stolen” Bondi victims honoured in parliament
The prime minister has read out the names of 15 people whose lives were “cruelly stolen” in the nation’s worst terror attack.
Joyce drags flag burning into hate laws as gun reform separated
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership continues to look weak in the aftermath of the Chanukah Massacre at Bondi Beach, forced to split his omnibus bill to get any of it passed.
Hate preachers to be targeted in tough new federal laws
Federal parliament will be recalled early to debate “the toughest hate laws Australia has ever seen” in the wake of the deadly Bondi terror attack.
Open seat: 1 in 3 New England voters undecided
More than a third of New England voters say they are undecided about who they would support at the next federal election, with the latest New England Times Engage Poll revealing an electorate unsettled by Barnaby Joyce’s move to One Nation.
Chaffey, Joyce want gun laws and Islamic extremism in the Bondi Royal Commission
They are now in different parties, but our two local MPs are singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to reviews of gun restrictions and Islamic extremism being needed in the federal Royal Commission into antisemitism and the Chanukah Massacre at Bondi Beach.
Moylan promoted, McDonald dropped in NSW shadow cabinet reshuffle
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have unveiled a refreshed shadow ministry they say is ready to govern, with Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan picking up his first portfolio.
Sustainability the key to ag workforce puzzle
The National Farmers’ Federation urges policymakers to prioritize workforce sustainability, stressing the need for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labour for regional producers.
Subsidy to help local students visit parliament
Primary and secondary schools in the New England are being encouraged to include a visit to the NSW Parliament as part of their 2026 excursion calendar.
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
A cut to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment will slash the cost of medicines but Australians face higher power bills in 2026.
