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Australia news live: Tasmanian Labor’s no-confidence motion in new Liberal government fails; Sydney rail delays affect peak hour | Australia news
Liberals remain in control of Tasmanian parliament after no confidence motion fails
A motion of no confidence in the Tasmanian Liberal government led by Jeremy Rockliff has been defeated by 24 votes to 10.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff continues to lead the state parliament. Photograph: Chris Kidd/AAP
The motion was moved by the Labor leader, Dean Winter, on the first day of parliament after the 19 July state election.
The Greens and crossbenchers elected at the last poll sided with the Liberal government, confirming its control of the state parliament.
With all parties short of the 18 seats needed for a majority, Rockliff and Winter have spent the past month jockeying for support.
Key events
What we learned, 19 August 2025
With that, we’re wrapping up the blog. Before we go, here are today’s big stories:
The Western Australia government “put a very rosy spin” on a summary report of a project checking if pollutants from Woodside were damaging 50,000-year-old rock art, according to a private email sent by the lead scientist.
The organisation behind the age assurance technology trial that will inform how to keep under-16s off social media has frozen out key stakeholders amid media leaks and resignations of two members.
The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, has cited “harrowing stories” in the state’s royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence and flagged a full response before the end of the year.
One Nation senator Warwick Stacey, elected at the May election, is resigning for health reasons.
James Paterson, the shadow finance minister, said the Coalition would be open to a contribution to a peacekeeping effort to Ukraine, a shift from a stance from the former opposition leader Peter Dutton who described any involvement as a “thought bubble by the prime minister”.
Liberal MP Garth Hamilton proposed this morning Australia start paying migrants to go back to their home countries if they’re struggling to find work or a place to live.
Thanks for your company today. We’ll be back early tomorrow.
Qld supreme court rules an abortion is in best interests of 11-year-old pregnant girl
The Queensland supreme court has ruled that an 11-year-old girl should be allowed to have abortion, deeming it “necessary” given her “physical, psychological and social circumstances”.
In a judgment made in April and published today, Justice Frances Williams determined that termination of the girl’s pregnancy was in her best interests.
The girl, referred to as C in the judgment, had what the court deemed “transient” understanding of the meaning of her pregnancy, and was described as “emotionally and psychologically immature”.
As a result, she was determined not to be “Gillick competent”, meaning she did not fully understand what it meant to terminate her pregnancy and could not give consent for the procedure.
The judgment noted:
If a child is not Gillick competent to give consent to the termination of a pregnancy, there is a risk that the medical procedure may be an assault or trespass to the person and unlawful in the absence of a court making appropriate orders.
The supreme court determined that an abortion was in C’s best interest. It found:
The overwhelming medical evidence is that the risks involved in continuing C’s pregnancy are higher than the risks involved in termination …
The evidence before the Court is that C has repeatedly expressed the view that she does not want to continue with the pregnancy. C’s mother has also expressed a clear preference for C to undergo a termination of her pregnancy.
Liberals remain in control of Tasmanian parliament after no confidence motion fails
A motion of no confidence in the Tasmanian Liberal government led by Jeremy Rockliff has been defeated by 24 votes to 10.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff continues to lead the state parliament. Photograph: Chris Kidd/AAP
The motion was moved by the Labor leader, Dean Winter, on the first day of parliament after the 19 July state election.
The Greens and crossbenchers elected at the last poll sided with the Liberal government, confirming its control of the state parliament.
With all parties short of the 18 seats needed for a majority, Rockliff and Winter have spent the past month jockeying for support.
Australia examining possible security treaty breach by Nauru because of $1bn China deal
Australia is trying to confirm if Nauru has breached a security treaty after a $1bn deal signed with a Chinese company earlier this month.
Nauru must receive Australia’s signoff on any partnership, arrangement or engagement with a third nation when it comes to security, including critical infrastructure such as banking and telecommunications.
The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, looks on as Nauru President David Adeang signs the Australian Parliament House guest book last December, as the two countries announced a security treaty. Photograph: Dominic Giannini/AP
Under a treaty signed in December 2024, Australia would prop up Nauru’s banking sector, provide $100m in budget support and $40m for policing in exchange for an effective veto right over other security agreements.
Pacific minister Pat Conroy said the Australian government was working with Nauru to determine whether a development deal with the China rural revitalisation and development corporation, signed on 5 August, activated treaty obligations.
That is a really important treaty for us that helps position us as a security partner of choice with Nauru.
– AAP
Fire ants appear to have spread, nests founds in five central Queensland mines
Joe Hinchliffe
More fire ants have been detected in central Queensland mines as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak of one of the world’s worst invasive species.
The Invasive Species Council has questioned how the invasive ants, which threaten livestock and people, have travelled so far in Australia. Photograph: National Fire Ant Eradication Program
The National Fire Ant Eradication program dogs sniffed out fire ant nests at five mine sites in Central Highlands and Isaac Council regions between 12 and 14 August.
The ants were detected about 800km from the closest known infestation zone in central Queensland for the first time in history in July, with a major outbreak at a BHP Broadmeadow coalmine.
The eradication program has issued a statement saying its teams are working across central Queensland to contain the outbreak and to determine “whether equipment or materials that can carry fire ants have moved from the affected mines, potentially spreading the invasive species further”.
Penry Buckley
Delays continue on Sydney train network as peak hour begins
Buses have been requested to supplement trains on Sydney’s airport rail line, as delays on some of the city’s busiest routes have continued into peak hour.
In a statement, Sydney Trains said passengers should continue to allow extra travel time on T2, T3 and T8 Airport and south services after delays following a track fault between Town Hall and Central stations this morning:
As well as increased service gaps, stops and departure platforms may change at short notice,
Buses have been requested to supplement the T8 line between Central station and Sydney Airport’s domestic and international terminals, as well as between Campbelltown and Macarthur.
Andrew Messenger
Adani to invest $50m in Queensland Charmichael coalmine
Multinational mining firm Adani will invest $50m in its central Queensland Carmichael coalmine, the company said today.
Production at the mine is expected to increase by a third over four years. Photograph: Wikimedia
The capital investment will increase production at the thermal coalmine by a third over the next four years to 16m tonnes a year.
Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer, Mick Crowe, said the company had already increased production to more than 10m tonnes per annum over the past three years.
Engineering studies and assessments have been completed, and work to deliver increased production will begin by adding more capacity to the Carmichael mine accommodation village.
The Australian company Bravus Mining and Resources is part of the global Adani Group, founded and chaired by Indian magnate Gautam Adani.
Qld police service opposes pro-Palestine march across Brisbane Story Bridge
The Queensland police say a planned pro-Palestine march across Brisbane’s Story Bridge this Sunday will create security risks and disrupt business.
A spokesperson for the police said it had suggested alternative routes to organisers that would minimise the risk to public safety and disruption to the community.
If the march goes ahead across the Brisbane Story Bridge, there will be a strong police presence. Photograph: Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
It said safety concerns include that the proposed bridge route is not designed for pedestrian gatherings, and that serious disruption would occur to traffic, emergency vehicle access and local businesses. There is also a need to maintain essential access routes for community safety, the spokesperson said.
The QPS respects the right to peacefully assemble; however, this must be balanced with the need to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the broader community.
While the QPS has concerns if the march goes over the Story Bridge, the service will always respect the decision of the courts.
Brisbane police will have a strong presence on the day to ensure public safety, manage traffic and respond to any incidents.
Liberal’s Dave Sharma criticises government’s decision to cancel Simcha Rothman’s visa
Liberal senator Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, has taken issue with comments made by Katy Gallagher, this afternoon, about “open dialogue and discussion”.
Liberal senator Dave Sharma says the government’s position on diplomatic relations is confused. (File image) Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Here’s what he told the ABC:
They have gone and cancelled the visa of a member of parliament of Israel, who sits within the government and Coalition. So how can you say you’re committed to dialogue and diplomacy and open channels when you are preventing any interaction from occurring? I think those two statements are at odds with one another.
Simcha Rothman has described Palestinian children in Gaza as “enemies” and called for Israel’s total control of the West Bank. On Monday, he was denied entry into Australia before he was scheduled to join a “solidarity tour”.
Explaining his decision, the home affairs minister Tony Burke said: “our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division”:
If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here. Under our government, Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe.
Katy Gallagher: Australia’s relationship with Israel not broken
The finance minister, Katy Gallagher, says Australia’s diplomatic relationship with Israel is “not at all” broken.
Israel’s foreign minister has revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, citing Australia’s “unjustified refusal” to grant visas to Israeli figures and its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Katy Gallagher says Australia should be able to maintain relationships even with countries it has disagreements with. (File image) Photograph: Dominic Giannini/AAP
In a post to X on Monday night, Gideon Sa’ar said the decision was made after the Albanese government cancelled Simcha Rothman’s visa on Monday before his speaking tour schedule for this month.
Gallagher told the ABC the decision was “very unfortunate” and that the government would “always stand for dialogue and diplomacy, particularly in times of conflict”.
Australia has to be able to have positions on matters about other countries, or in this case recognition of the Palestinian state, and still maintain relationships with other countries.
We will not agree on everything … It’s about open dialogue and discussion, even if there are areas of disagreement. It’s the way we will continue to operate across the world.
