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Federal politics live: Hanson must explain ‘silly’ cartoon directed at Hastie, Liberal senator saysBy political reporter Joshua Boscaini
Posted Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:10amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:10amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:10am, updated Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:33amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:33amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:33amSkip to timeline
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam says Pauline Hanson must explain a cartoon that refers to Liberal MP Andrew Hastie as a “traitor” eight times.
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Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:42amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:42am
Butler says PM, Taylor will have ‘productive discussions’ over migration
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By Joshua Boscaini
Health Minister Mark Butler says he hopes the PM and opposition leader will have “productive discussions” over immigration.
The Nine newspapers report Labor is trying to win the Coalition’s support for changes to migration, including to the amount of time people can claim asylum in Australia.
Speaking on a Channel Seven panel with Butler, Deputy Liberal Leader Jane Hume says the PM has sought the Coalition’s help.
“We’ve given him a list of practical, sensible solutions that we think can bring those numbers down and strengthen our borders, raise the standard of migrants here to bring in the skills that we need,” Hume says.
The health minister says he hopes the discussions between Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor are productive.
“We’ve got migration numbers down by almost half from their COVID peak, but we have said we want to get them down further to get that balance right between what the country can absorb and what the economy needs,” Butler says.
Key Event
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:31amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:31am
Richard Marles joins calls for One Nation to remove Hastie ‘traitor’ cartoon
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By Joshua Boscaini
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has joined calls for One Nation to remove a video that calls Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a “traitor” eight times.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has refused to remove the satirical cartoon video, which also refers to the Special Air Service veteran as a “gutless maggot”.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, the deputy prime minister says the choice of words is “tasteless”, and it should be removed.
“Andrew Hastie is most definitely not a traitor. I know Andrew well, and I’ve said this publicly before; I very much must honour the service that Andrew Hastie has given to our country wearing our nation’s uniform. And I think to use that word in respect of a veteran is extremely tasteless,” Marles says.
The Returned Services League has accused Hanson of being “extremely offensive” to all veterans.
Marles says he understands the RSL’s concerns and believes it is an “insult” to all Australian veterans.
“They [the RSL] make the point about the significance of that word being used for any veteran and how that is taken for all veterans. I absolutely understand the way they’ve cast it and I completely agree with it,” he says.
Key Event
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:17amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:17am
Jonno Duniam says Pauline Hanson must explain why she does ‘silly things’
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By Joshua Boscaini
Jonno Duniam says Pauline Hanson must own a video that calls Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a “traitor” eight times, and explain why she does “silly things”.
The One Nation leader has refused to remove the satirical cartoon video still pinned to the top of her X account.
Politicians from across the political spectrum have criticised the video, which also calls Hastie a “gutless maggot”, and called on Hanson to remove it.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Dunaim says the Coalition has Hastie’s back.
“How can you say as a political party that you’re actually pro-Australia when you’re making these sorts of quips about people who’ve taken a risk with their life to defend what we believe to be right?” Duniam says,
“If Pauline Hanson thinks it’s okay to call a former serviceman a traitor just because he might disagree with you on things or you don’t like him personally, who knows what her real motivation is, then she’s the one who can own it and explain it.
“She wants to lead this country. Well, then start telling us why you do some of the silly things you do.”
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:16amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:16am
A lot of ‘thorns’ in digital duty of care bill, Jonno Duniam says
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By Joshua Boscaini
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam says too many unknowns surround the government’s digital duty of care legislation.
The Coalition resolved to oppose Labor’s proposal which was released this week. They’ve cited concerns over ministerial powers in the bill.
It will require big tech to identify and protect under-18s from harmful content on their platforms, including hostile ideas about women.
People will also be able to opt out of the social media algorithm.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Duniam has suggested the opposition is open to the algorithm opt-out model.
“There are a lot of thorns in this legislation, and as stated, the Coalition can’t support it in its current form, and we’ll see whether the government comes back to Sarah Henderson and my colleagues to see if there’s a pathway forward,” he says.
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:13amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:13am
PM, Marles and Wong remember 25 years since 9/11 terrorist attacks
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By Joshua Boscaini
The prime minister, defence minister and foreign minister have released a statement marking 25 years since the deadly 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Nearly 3,000 people, including 10 Australians, died when terrorists hijacked planes in the United States and crashed them into the World Trade Centre and Pentagon.
The statement says the government honours the memory of that day and reaffirms its stand against terrorism and violent extremism.
“We acknowledge the grief carried by their loved ones. We also honour the courage and selflessness shown in the face of unimaginable terror,” the statement says.
“Today is also a moment to reflect on the resilience shown in the face of profound loss. Australia remembers those whose lives were taken, those who survived, those we’ve lost since, and all those who continue to carry the weight of that day.”
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:07amFri 11 Sep 2026 at 7:07am
Good morning 👋
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By Joshua Boscaini
Hello and welcome to our federal politics live blog. It’s great to have you join us here early this Friday morning! We’re nearly there!!
I’m Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today’s federal politics news.
I’m not sure what today could bring us so let’s get right into it and see what happens.
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