Australia politics live: Liberal MP Bridget Archer to cross the floor on climate bill; supplies of new monkeypox vaccine secured

Bridget Archer to cross the floor on climate bill

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

The Liberal MP, Bridget Archer, has revealed she will cross the floor to vote with Labor to enshrine a 43% emissions reduction target.

Archer spoke in the house about climate change’s impact on Tasmania, from its land use to dry lightning “a relatively new phenomenon” in the island state.

Archer said climate change is an issue that “transcends age, gender, political beliefs and socioeconomic circumstances” and she’d been approached from all types of constituents – including a Baptist minister, business leaders and pensioners of the left and right – “all of who believe this is not an issue of left or right”.

Archer mentioned a “a lifelong 70-year-old Liberal supporter who wants to see our country move ahead with greater action on climate change”, adding that “he’s not alone”. “I have heard you.”

Archer said she would not vote for the consequential amendments bill due to concerns of the impact it would have on infrastructure projects, but would support the primary bill.

Archer said she has to be able to “sincerely say” when she’s back in her community that she used the power of her vote to enact their wishes.

She said she had “constructive discussions” with Peter Dutton, who understands her position. Archer said she respects his position, including that the party will formulate a policy to combat climate change while supporting the Australian economy before the next election.

“While that happens it is important we act now and not delay until the next election,” she said.

Bridget Archer will support Labor’s climate legislation.
Bridget Archer will support Labor’s climate legislation. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

Updated at 05.10 EDT

Key events

What we learned, Wednesday 3 August

And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. But before we go, let’s recap the big stories from today:

Thank you for spending the day with us – we will be back tomorrow to do it all again!

Updated at 05.24 EDT

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

Despite conspiracy theories about the 2022 election and scrutiny of candidates’ eligibility, the window for challenging the results is now closed.

The Australian Electoral Commission returned the election writs on 23 June, starting the 40-day window to challenge the results or a candidate’s eligibility in the court of disputed returns.

The deadline was 4pm on Tuesday. A spokesman for the court confirmed on Wednesday that nothing had been filed.

Bridget Archer to cross the floor on climate bill

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

The Liberal MP, Bridget Archer, has revealed she will cross the floor to vote with Labor to enshrine a 43% emissions reduction target.

Archer spoke in the house about climate change’s impact on Tasmania, from its land use to dry lightning “a relatively new phenomenon” in the island state.

Archer said climate change is an issue that “transcends age, gender, political beliefs and socioeconomic circumstances” and she’d been approached from all types of constituents – including a Baptist minister, business leaders and pensioners of the left and right – “all of who believe this is not an issue of left or right”.

Archer mentioned a “a lifelong 70-year-old Liberal supporter who wants to see our country move ahead with greater action on climate change”, adding that “he’s not alone”. “I have heard you.”

Archer said she would not vote for the consequential amendments bill due to concerns of the impact it would have on infrastructure projects, but would support the primary bill.

Archer said she has to be able to “sincerely say” when she’s back in her community that she used the power of her vote to enact their wishes.

She said she had “constructive discussions” with Peter Dutton, who understands her position. Archer said she respects his position, including that the party will formulate a policy to combat climate change while supporting the Australian economy before the next election.

“While that happens it is important we act now and not delay until the next election,” she said.

Bridget Archer will support Labor’s climate legislation.
Bridget Archer will support Labor’s climate legislation. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

Updated at 05.10 EDT

Albanese triggers fourth flood support grants

A program to help renters, home owners and landlords impacted by the New South Wales floods has been extended by the federal and state governments, AAP reports.

An additional $47m worth of grants has been made available to help people repair their properties and replace belongings lost in the June and July flooding.

The jointly funded Back Home program provides one-off payments of $20,000 for owner-occupiers, $15,000 for landlords, and $5000 for renters.

People can use the cash grants to make structural repairs, move to a new home, reconnect gas, water and electricity and replace or repair damaged household goods such as fridges, ovens or washing machines.

The commonwealth is working with all levels of government to support communities affected by natural disasters, prime minister Anthony Albanese said.

“We know recovery is a long road ahead and we stand with the NSW government in helping victims of the recent devastating floods get their lives back on track,” he said in a statement.

The emergency management minister, Murray Watt, said the government’s priority was to return flood victims to a safe, dry home.

“This program will help their homes to become habitable again by contributing to the cost of replacing appliances, reconnecting utilities, fixing roofs, connecting electricity and making other necessary repairs,” he said.

The grants are available for 17 local government areas deemed to be the most severely impacted by last month’s floods: Blacktown, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Penrith, Port Stephens, Singleton, Sutherland, The Hills and Wollongong.

Applications for the grants will be live in the coming days.

Updated at 05.03 EDT

Eden Gillespie

Eden Gillespie

An important story here from Eden Gillespie.

Updated at 05.07 EDT

Australia secures supplies of new monkeypox vaccine

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

The health minister’s office has confirmed that the federal government has “secured supplies of the new third-generation vaccine [against monkeypox] and will be announcing the details tomorrow”.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mark Butler described supplies as “hotly contested” and did not guarantee enough for at-risk populations, which suggests the order might be limited in number.

The health minister told reporters in Canberra:

We’ve been working very hard with peak providers in this area, particularly groups like the Federation of AIDS Organisations … the clinicians in this area and many others who have a particular interest in the monkeypox outbreak across the world.

Chief health officers have been in regular discussion about our response to that and we’ve been considering the recommendations from the World Health Organization.

I’ve announced previously that we’re in discussions to try to secure pretty hotly contested supplies of the third generation vaccine which can be used pre-exposure or post-exposure, and it’s certainly a much more moderate vaccine than the second generation vaccine, of which we do have substantial supplies now and it’s particularly useful for patients who have compromised immunity for example, potentially HIV.

So we’ve been working very hard on both of those in close dialogue with the peaks. And I’ll have more to say about that in the next 24 hours.

Last week Guardian Australia reported that health stakeholders believed an announcement of a supply deal for the newer vaccination was imminent.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised that “limited supplies of … [MVA-BN Jynneos] have been secured by the commonwealth and some states and territories”. It is unclear if these supplies have arrived in Australia, with demand high globally.

A vaccine against the monkeypox virus in the Netherlands.
A vaccine against the monkeypox virus in the Netherlands. Photograph: Lex van Lieshout/EPA

Updated at 05.12 EDT

UAP senator ends first speech with ‘Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!’ chant

Josh Butler

Josh Butler

United Australia party senator Ralph Babet has finished his first speech by leading an “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” chant inside the Senate chamber.

It was returned with an “oi oi oi” by a small number of viewers in the gallery, before Senate president Sue Lines chided the new senator for being “disorderly”.

The chant ended a speech in which Babet had criticised “unaccountable” international organisations and “radical Marxist ideology” and declared himself a patriot.

Babet, a senator for Victoria, gave his first speech to the parliament on Wednesday night, as UAP leaders Clive Palmer and Craig Kelly watched on from the public gallery.

He spoke of arriving in Australia from his native Mauritius at age seven, not knowing any English and only speaking French when he began school.

The former real estate agent banged the podium repeatedly to reinforce key points in his speech: “To say I’m a patriot is an understatement. To say I love the red white and blue [of the Australian flag] and the southern cross doesn’t come close.”

Babet said he had not “been groomed in the political machine”, describing himself as “a regular Australian who decided it was time to put my hand up and have a go.”

“Nation first. That must be at the centre of all we do in this place,” he said.

Ralph Babet wore an Australian flag pin as he delivered his first speech in the Senate.
Ralph Babet wore an Australian flag pin as he delivered his first speech in the Senate. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Babet spoke of his concern at increasing global tensions, not specifically naming any country but appearing to reference China.

“We live in a world where powers beyond our shores seek ever increasing power and influence over the direction of our country and our people. We must temper this with a staunch patriotic attitude,” he said.

“We must not allow unelected, undemocratic and unaccountable international groups and organisations to exert undue influence over the future of Australia.”

Babet also criticised “radical marxist ideology” which he claimed was influencing key institutions, speaking of his dislike of conversations about terms including “white privilege” and “gender fluidity”.

He thanked Palmer and Kelly for their support, saying their advice “into the future will be invaluable”.

Updated at 05.13 EDT

Tory Shepherd

Penny Wong is heading to Cambodia

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is jetting to Cambodia for a series of meetings with south-east Asian leaders to discuss issues including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar crisis, health, security, climate change and human rights.

She said:

Tonight, I will travel to Cambodia to attend this week’s ASEAN-Australia foreign ministers’ meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministers’ meeting, and the ASEAN regional forum (ARF).

I look forward to meeting with regional leaders and ministers to continue to deepen the Australian government’s engagement with Southeast Asia.

In ASEAN meetings, I will underline Australia’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, furthering cooperation through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas of shared interest including combatting climate change, building health security, and advancing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

At the EAS and ARF, I will outline Australia’s vision for the region and our positions on the Myanmar crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

My visit to Cambodia coincides with the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. I will meet with members of the Cambodian Government to discuss economic recovery, education ties, health security, and human rights.

Penny Wong is off to Cambodia tonight to meet with other foreign ministers.
Penny Wong is off to Cambodia tonight to meet with other foreign ministers. Photograph: Robert Kitchin/AP

Updated at 04.21 EDT

Imagine just waking up and there is a piece of a SpaceX craft sitting in your paddock – wild.

Updated at 04.05 EDT

Independent Dai Le won’t vote on climate bill, citing cost of living concerns

The independent MP Dai Le has announced on Twitter that she will abstain from voting on the climate change bill.

The member for Fowler cited a lack of details around the bill’s cost of living impacts among her reasons for not voting:

I will be abstaining from voting on the Climate Change Bill.

I can’t justify voting yes on a bill that’s been rushed through parliament when we haven’t been given any specific details of the immediate impact on communities like Fowler.https://t.co/k2lhX9pGqV

— Dai Le (@dai_le) August 3, 2022

I support a cleaner and greener environment, but my main priority is making sure the high cost of living and unemployment rates in our area are stabilised – especially in these very tough economic times.

— Dai Le (@dai_le) August 3, 2022

I will consider supporting future climate policies only if they have a positive outcome for low-income families who are already struggling with high food, fuel and energy prices.

— Dai Le (@dai_le) August 3, 2022

Updated at 04.00 EDT

Josh Butler

Josh Butler

Clive Palmer and Craig Kelly are in the building

In a blast from the political past, Clive Palmer and Craig Kelly are back in Parliament House. The United Australia Party pair were spotted sipping coffees at the staff cafe, waiting for the first speech of their new senator, Ralph Babet – which is due any minute in the upper house.

Palmer, the former member for Fairfax, and Kelly, the recently-deposed member for Hughes, were joined by Babet’s brother for a late afternoon caffeine hit. They were seen rushing off to get in position for Babet’s first speech to the Senate, presumably to the public galleries.

We’ll bring you the speech of Babet, elected to the Senate for Victoria, when he takes to his feet in a few minutes.

Updated at 03.47 EDT

Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanks Australia for support in ANU speech

Paul Karp

Paul Karp

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has spoken to the Australian National University, thanking Australia for its support against the Russian invasion.

Zelensky decried “hundreds thousands of military crimes” and Russian atrocities on what is the 161st day of the illegal invasion of Ukraine. These included “mass execution of a peaceful population, handcuffing people, put them on their knees, kill them with a shot on their back; and [raping] them in front of the eyes of their own children”.

Zelensky said:

We are shocked by messages of new Russian atrocities. It shouldn’t be a common thing for the world, that would mean the world had put up with it.

I’m very thankful to Anthony Albanese for the significant support, the full scale humanitarian assistance, sanctions against Russian entities; cancelling of [taxes on] Ukrainian goods, [provision of] coal for Ukranian energy.

[Australia has given] the biggest military support from non-NATO members. We will be thankful for the continuation of this support. We today need your help, the help of all the civilised countries. We must conquer evil. Thank you for attention – glory to Ukraine.

Zelensky rejected the idea the world needed to allow Russia or Vladimir Putin to save face to bring an end to the war. He said:

One who wants to save face, doesn’t launch rockets from from multi rocket systems, hit households, doesn’t hit living quarters … doesn’t drop bombs on birth houses and hopsitals, kindergartens, museums, theatres, and temples.

Zelensky called on the US to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

Updated at 03.53 EDT

Zelensky says the world, the UN security council, the Red Cross and Nato all have a choice to recognise Russia as a state which sponsors terrorists.

“To do this important step two: recognise Russian Federation as the country terrorist sponsor [sic],” he said.

Updated at 03.25 EDT

Zelenskiy is up.

It’s been already 161 days,” he said. “It’s important not to forget any of those days.”

He says Russia has dropped bombs on hospitals, kindergartens, universities, museums, theatres, temples and holocaust memorials.

The [country] who wants to save face doesn’t commit hundreds of … crimes against humanity, doesn’t commit … massive executions of the peaceful population, doesn’t put … handcuffs on the peaceful people, doesn’t put them on their knees and kill them with a shot in the back.

He says Russia has lost its face, its dignity.

Russia has lost [its] face long ago. It has happened not just today, not the day before yesterday … and not this weekend.

He said the difference between terrorists and Russia is that Russia cannot be held accountable for its actions.

Updated at 03.23 EDT

Julie Bishop says Zelenskiy has “stood firm” in the face of Russian aggression.

“Rallying his people through his presence and his words, supporting his military [which] has been afflicted significant losses on the invading forces,” she says.

“His energy and determination, his advocacy for freedom against tyranny, has inspired people around the world. And it is our great honour that he has agreed to participate in this event this evening.”

Updated at 03.54 EDT

ANU Chancellor The Hon. Julie Bishop is up introducing Zelenskiy.

She says Russia’s invasion invioked “dark and grizzly” meories, it was also a “dircet challnage to the international rules based order”.

From AAP:

Far-right extremist claims he was participating in theological discussion when he called LGBTQI-friendly churchgoers ‘sodomites’

The far-right extremist Neil Erikson has claimed he was trying to participate in a Bible discussion when he stormed into an LGBTQI-friendly church and asked if they married Sodomites.

His lawyer told a Melbourne court on Wednesday the victims of the abuse, including the church’s reverend, caused a disturbance by standing up and trying to get him out of the room.

Erikson, 37, crashed a Mother’s Day service at the Metropolitan Community Church in Hawthorn in May 2019 with two women, livestreaming the ordeal to his followers online.

A few minutes after the Bible discussion began, Erikson got up from his seat and, while standing in front of about 20 parishioners, asked: “Does your church marry Sodomites?”

Parishioners were shocked by the incident and Reverend Susan Townsend stood up and asked him repeatedly to leave.

He hurled further abuse, including at times calling the parishioners “degenerates” and “fa***ts”.

His barrister Stephanie Wallace said he was not trying to disturb, but instead wanted to participate in a discussion as there were “theological origins” to the word Sodomite.

Updated at 03.40 EDT

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is about to give a special address to ANU.

I will bring you that when it starts.

Updated at 02.55 EDT