President Herzog immune from arrest in Australia | Morning News Bulletin 6 February 2026

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The Australian Federal Police says it won't be arresting Israel's president; Suspect charged over terrorist act in Perth reportedly inspired by so-called "pro-white" ideology; And in AFL, Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield says more coaches should be given extended leave during the off-season.


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In this bulletin;

  • The Australian Federal Police says it won't be arresting Israel's president;
  • Suspect charged over terrorist act in Perth reportedly inspired by so-called "pro-white" ideology;
  • And in AFL, Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield says more coaches should be given extended leave during the off-season.

The Australian Federal Police has confirmed it won't arrest Israeli President Isaac Herzog after obtaining independent legal advice about how to handle his visit to Australia.

President Herzog is due in Australia on Sunday for a five-day visit after an invitation from the federal government.

THE AFP says as an incumbent head of state, President Herzog has full immunity from Australian criminal and civil jurisdiction under customary international law.

Australia's former human rights commissioner, Chris Sidoti says the visit should not be happening.

He is one of the authors of a United Nations independent International Commission of Inquiry which concluded in September that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

"Nothing could be more calculated to further divide Australians, to undermine social cohesion than a visit by Herzog at this time. He's one of the most divisive figures in the world but coming to Australia at this time is exactly the wrong thing that should be happening if we are interested in social cohesion and national unity."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among those backing the visit, along with the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Liberal frontbencher James Paterson says the visit is entirely appropriate.

"Absolutely it is. After Australia's worst ever terror attack at Bondi, I think a bare minimum the least thing we can do is have the president of the Jewish state to come to Australia to provide comfort to the Australian Jewish community. And I think it's the right thing for the government to have invited President Herzog, I think it's incredibly disappointing that we have some Labor backbenchers and other Labor figures, including Ed Husic, publicly running down what was a very good gesture after Bondi."

Authorities say the suspect charged with committing a terrorist act in a failed Invasion Day rally bombing was inspired by a so-called "pro-white" ideology.

Thousands of people were evacuated from Forrest Place in Perth's city centre on January 26 after police found an object containing volatile chemicals, nails and metal ball bearings.

The explosive device, which did not detonate despite a fuse allegedly being lit, was allegedly thrown at the 2500-strong crowd of Indigenous people, families and supporters by a 31-year-old man on a walkway above.

West Australian Premier Roger Cook says state and federal agencies have determined the incident to be an act of terror - the first in the state's history.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch says the man allegedly accessed bomb making instructions online, was self-radicalised and acted alone.

"To reach that threshold of having racist, nationalist ideologies, he was self-radicalised, acting alone, access to male, pro-white material online and - as we all know - sadly it's in abundance."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flown to Jakarta where he will meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to sign an historic security treaty.

The details of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, announced last November, have remained largely hidden.

Mr Albanese's trip will be his fifth as prime minister, and second since his re-election in 2025, opting to make Indonesia the first country he visited after retaining office.

He told parliament on Thursday that the treaty is a proud moment in the shared history of Indonesia and Australia.

This deal marks a shift from Indonesia's long-standing non-alignment policy when it comes to defence.

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a major prisoner swap, closing a second day of U-S-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.

It's the first such exchange in five months.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said that the delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia had agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the talks will continue.

"It is important that the process is ongoing. We would like faster results, but if the next meeting is planned, it means there is a chance to continue the dialogue which, of course, we very much hope will lead to the end of the war."

In AFL, Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield says more AFL coaches should be given extended leave during the off-season similar to Chris Scott.

The Cats coach is on an extended break as he coaches the Victorian state of origin team which takes on Western Australia later this month.

Dangerfield says he understands the demands of senior coaching.

"He just doesn't need to be there for the daily grind the pre-season can provide at times. It's a long year, you know, it's six months once things get going so we want to be in a position where we're at our best when it matters most. So, I think this is probably the way that clubs will go in the future."


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