Key events
The Albanese government stopped engaging with the Coalition before it recognised a Palestinian state, upending what was a bipartisan agreement on the conflict, Wilson says.
Wilson said there had previously be an agreement about what was required to resolve the conflict and there had been preconditions agreed upon.
We’ve taken a long-term bipartisan position around a two-state solution based on a series of pre-conditions that we would expect to be met, like the lasting security in respect for the State of Israel. Like making sure Israeli hostages are returned. Like making sure there isn’t going to be Hamas running any government. We’ve set about pre-conditions and we’ve been very public about that.
Up until last Monday, that was also the position of the Government. Now, what the Government has done is essentially thrown that into turmoil by making a commitment to recognise a Palestinian state. But not being able to then say if those preconditions are going to be met, that they’re going to back down. There wasn’t the engagement with the Opposition up until this point.
I would have thought that, actually having an engagement with the Opposition for a lasting policy position from the Australian Government would be a sensible way forward. They’ve chosen not to take that path.
Any decision about the future of Ukraine must involve the Ukrainian government, Coalition senator Tim Wilson statements.
Wilson, speaking to ABC Insiders host David Speers on Sunday, reaffirmed his party’s view that “any sort of arrangement needs to be deeply involved in Kyiv” following US President Donald Trump’s fateful meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Because the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia is not something that we’ve ever been prepared to tolerate, and anything going forward needs the Ukrainians on board as part of a lasting resolution towards peace.
Both major party’s have long maintained a bipartisan view that any discussion about the future of Ukraine must involve the Ukrainian government. Wilson’s comments clarify that the Coalition remains committed to that view.
Wilson, however, sought to criticise the government for handling its relationship with the US saying “it’s really important that we maintain an active engagement with the United States” saying Australia’s influence with the US had been “weakened this week” – reference to the decision by Australia to recognise a Palestinian state.
Asked whether Australia should not criticise Trump, Wilson said:
I’ve never said that at all. I mean, government is well within its rights to criticise another government if it disagrees. The most important thing is we are in a position to be able to influence it successfully. Sometimes publicly, sometimes privately.
Wilson double sparks remarkable Australia comeback win to stun South Africa
Australia rallied from 22-0 down as Harry Wilson, their captain, scored two tries in a stunning 38-22 bonus-point victory over South Africa in their Rugby Championship opener on Saturday, the Wallabies’ first victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg since 1963.
South Africa raced into a seemingly commanding lead through tries by the wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, the centre André Esterhuizen and the No 8 Siya Kolisi, but their achilles heel has been the breakdown and it was there that Australia began to take control.
The Springboks led 22-5 at half-time but Australia came alive in the second period and were excellent in soaking up pressure and hitting the world champions with fast breaks as they won on South African soil for the first time in 14 years.
For more on this remarkable comeback, read the full report:
Arrests made after clash between two groups of protesters in Melbourne
Four people have been arrested after a clash between two groups of protesters in Melbourne on Saturday.
A group of about 120 people attended a Women Will Speak rally in the CBD at noon yesterday which was met by a counter protest of 80 people gathering in support of transgender rights.
Three officers were injured as they tried to separate the two protest groups.
The rally organisers said they had gathered to demand the state government “stop conflating sex and gender identity in policy and law”.
Conservative political party Family First encouraged its supporters to attend the Women Will Speak rally, saying the rights of women and girls were being “trampled” by “misguided laws” that protected the rights of transpeople.
Social media accounts belonging to activist group Trans Queer Solidarity encouraged people to attend the counter rally saying the Women Will Speak protest sought to end the existence of trans people. It said the group acted to “pipeline people to the far-right”.
Coalition senator Tim Wilson will speak to ABC Insiders host David Speers this morning.
Earlier, Treasurer Jim Chalmers spoke to Sky News about the government’s economic roundtable. He was followed by Shadow Industry Minister Alex Hawke.
Good Morning
And welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
Four people have been arrested after a clash between two groups of protesters in Melbourne on Saturday. A group of about 120 people attended a Women Will Speak rally at noon yesterday which was met by a counter protest of 80 people gathering in support of transgender rights.
A search for four women reported stranded on rocks south of Catherine Hill Bay Beach, Lake Macquarie has been called off after emergency services failed to find anyone. People were called to the area on Saturday afternoon but despite their best efforts the status of the women remains unknown.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs and I’ll be taking the blog through the day.
With that, let’s get started …