TRANSCRIPT
Andrew Hastie explains why he quit the Opposition frontbench...
Calls for aid workers detained by Israel to be released
Melbourne Storm prepare for tomorrow night's N-R-L Grand Final against the Brisbane Broncos.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie says his decision to leave the party frontbench is not part of an effort to replace Opposition leader Sussan Ley [[Susan Lee]].
Mr Hastie has defended his decision to sensationally quit the party's leadership saying he wanted the freedom to be more outspoken on immigration policy by sitting on the back bench
Mr Hastie explains his decision was a response to a letter from Ms Ley telling him his role as Opposition spokesman for Home Affairs would not allow him a leading role in shaping the party's approach to immigration.
"I received a letter from the Opposition leader Sussan Ley outlining her expectations of me as the shadow minister for home affairs. In the letter she made it clear that I would not be leading our response on immigration nor developing our policy within the Coalition. As a consequence, I came to the judgement that I could no longer serve in the shadow cabinet. I informed her of my decision, it was a very friendly and respectful conversation."
Despite rumours his step back was signalling a potential leadership challenge, he says he will not be attempting to challenge Ms Ley's position and he will continue to advocate for his beliefs on the parliamentary backbench.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has made a formal request to Israeli authorities for consular access to Australian humanitarian workers who were part of an aid flotilla and information about how they have been detained.
The department has not been able to confirm how many Australians are being held by Israel after the interceptions, according to family members of those detained.
Australian humanitarian workers were among hundreds reportedly detained by Israel after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by boat.
The Greens and spokespeople for the aid flotilla claim Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is refusing to communicate with families of the detained, claims DFAT has denied.
Ms Faruqi says the Albanese government must take urgent steps to secure the immediate release of the Australians.
"The Labor government, it should be their urgent priority to provide protection and safety to the Australians who have now been abducted by Israel."
The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, they say their officials are on the ground providing assistance to five Australians they've confirmed to be detained in Israel.
They say they are seeking confirmation of the detention of a sixth Australian and have also called on Israel to respect international law and ensure the safety and humane treatment of those involved.
Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of trying to force out his government as the Trump administration expands its conflict against drug cartels.
Mr Maduro hosted an event with ambassadors and regional allied leaders in Caracas on Friday, saying the US threatens Venezuela everyday.
"Venezuela will never bow down to any empire, no matter how powerful that empire may be, whatever its name may be, and we will give that empire a moral, ethical, and political lesson in the years to come, as it deserves."
He avoided directly commenting on the latest US strike on a boat in the Caribbean which killed four men.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accused the small boat of carrying drugs in the waters off Venezuela, labelling the victims as so-called “narco-terrorists”.
Venezuela's allies including Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the attack an act of aggression and claim there were no cartel associates onboard.
Rescuers are working to recover the bodies of two women found near a hut in a remote alpine region.
Two hikers walking in Nelse found the women's bodies near Cleve Cole Hut about 12.50pm on Friday.
Although the women's identities are unknown, police believe they were aged in their 20s or 30s and might have been in the area to hike and camp.
An appeal has been issued to the public to help identify the women as there are currently no known missing person reports.
Police believe the deaths appear to be non-suspicious.
In rugby league,
Melbourne Storm are preparing for their 11th N RL grand final under the leadership of coach Craig Bellamy, while the Brisbane Broncos hope to end their 19-year premiership drought in Sydney.
Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh looms as the make-or-break man of the grand final with Bellamy aiming to shut him down with a strong defensive formation.
Arguably the most dangerous player in the competition, Walsh produced the match-defining plays in finals wins over Canberra and Penrith and will hope to do so again tomorrow night [[Sun 5th Oct]].
Melbourne assistant-coach Ryan Hinchcliffe says Brisbane are a tough team and his squad will have to be at their best.
"Always wary of our opposition. We certainly know the type of team that they are. They've got a lot of strengths all over the team, led by Payne Haas and Reece Walsh. They've got some strong outside backs and arguably one of the best kickers in the game. They've got a lot of strengths throughout their team but our focus this week has been on us executing what we want to do and if we do that we know that we've got a good chance of getting the result we want."
