Australia politics live: James Paterson says One Nation needs ‘increased scrutiny’; minimum wage rate set today

From 1h agoOne Nation ‘not our enemy but an opponent’, Liberal senator says

Nino Bucci

James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, says that One Nation’s “increased prominence” should bring “increased scrutiny”, brushing off suggestions from new party president Tony Abbott that the Liberals should not fight with parties to their political right.

Paterson told the ABC on Monday night:

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One Nation are not our enemy but they are a political opponent, they are trying to take votes and seats off the Liberal party.

Their increased prominence in the polls brings increased legitimate scrutiny on their performance, on their policies, on their candidates, on their conduct.

Paterson went on to quote a story from The Australian that reported One Nation’s leader, Pauline Hanson, missed 88% of Senate estimates hearings in the past decade.

When asked directly by comments from Abbott that suggested the Liberals should not fight with One Nation, Paterson responded:

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It’s up to the parliamentary party to chart our own course, and I’m very clear about our role in this.

It’s not really his role as party president, it’s an organisational role, his role is to rally the troops, to raise money, to get the campaign organisations fighting fit, I’m very pleased he’s put his hand up for that role, he’ll be outstanding in it.

Penny Wong, has announced new sanctions by the commonwealth over three Israeli individuals and four entities in response to “escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.","elementId":"17283280-c852-4616-b286-4d31fa8692a1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The entities will receive targeted financial sanctions while the individuals will receive travel bans to Australia.","elementId":"26868cb1-0a76-4a0f-bafb-6446a342fcce"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Wong says the new sanctions have been coordinated with New Zealand and other nations.","elementId":"a98804e6-2721-4987-84ca-bbb34c5c2529"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

In a statement, Wong’s said:","elementId":"b78800b3-b478-472f-a4fc-9b97a1cd67cd"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

For the first time, designated entities now include farming outposts that serve as hubs for settler violence.\n

Settler violence is used to displace Palestinians and perpetuate the settlement enterprise, through destruction of property, displacement of families, beatings, sexual assault, and torture, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.\n","elementId":"c9185fb8-c624-4802-a16a-146bd4df0b81"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1780349576000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"23.32 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1780349779000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.36 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1780349779000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"23.36 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"23.36","title":"Government places new sanctions in response to settler violence in the West Bank","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 2 Jun 2026 00.00 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 1 Jun 2026 22.15 CEST"},{"id":"6a1d87fb8f08714896b944f1","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Australia is screening overseas arrivals for Ebola and does not need to close its borders as the disease’s outbreak worsens in central Africa, the health department says","elementId":"dc639305-abaa-4fc6-bbde-d150e67d1b97"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Canada has suspended immigration procedures for those travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan and required anyone arriving from countries with Ebola cases to quarantine for three weeks. The US has also issued limits.","elementId":"b7fc1b6f-3d8e-409c-99fe-6b79fa99954d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Australia has not brought in such measures. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said on Monday:","elementId":"59dd6e39-61b1-4f22-b6e0-23f2131d82da"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

Australia has strong border health measures to screen for people who may be symptomatic with very serious communicable diseases like Ebola disease.\n

We do not need to close Australia’s borders to safely manage the current risk, which remains low for Australia.\n

We are aware of measures taken by some other countries, and we decide on the measures most appropriate for Australia based on Australia’s circumstances.\n","elementId":"e587f887-0033-4610-8026-b55b82daf1e1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The spokesperson said the government had put up signs at Australian airports for arrivals from DRC or Uganda, with a QR code that provides information on symptoms and what to do if they develop. They said:","elementId":"24e2c447-3cb9-40c9-9fa7-471684cf37a5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

Anyone who has signs or symptoms on arrival will be identified by the existing screening measures.\n

The department and the Australian Centre for Disease Control are monitoring the global situation and will work with border agencies to implement additional measures if the assessed risk changes.\n","elementId":"fd01162c-78e2-457a-96c8-e9406ea77a96"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

","elementId":"c70d9876-70bf-442b-965c-9ca1dcabbd42"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1780344954000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.15 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1780348209000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.10 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1780347303000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.55 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.55","title":"Australia's ebola screening measures sufficient and border closures not needed: health department","contributors":[{"name":"Luca Ittimani","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/04/30/Luca_Ittimani.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=d5a0ce308e8f38b7531e9b5e5f71dc21","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/04/30/Luca_Ittimani.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=b269ad3cfa5a0e929b1c0afc69304369"}],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 2 Jun 2026 00.00 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 1 Jun 2026 22.15 CEST"},{"id":"6a1d501a8f08714896b9422c","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Fair Work Commission will this morning hand down its decision on how far to raise minimum and award wages from July.","elementId":"cfb27588-0ee5-4c4c-b48d-563f887d3793"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Business groups have called for increases of up to 3.9%. The peak small business body has called for a temporary wage freeze, with increases to come only in December.","elementId":"640c6fe2-2c7f-4567-85af-3d20007825f7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has suggested there should be no increase at all this year.","elementId":"2a848269-38ef-4a5d-9046-6cbd01099ed1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Albanese government has called for a “sustainable real wage increase”. It has declined to specify how big the increase should be, or even what inflation measure or what period of time it wants the Commission to consider.","elementId":"5c167215-084b-4bda-8ab2-e117174a1bc4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Reserve Bank expects headline inflation to hit 4.8% by the end of June and underlying inflation to hit 3.8%.","elementId":"35187ada-e2cf-4317-9ac6-1f2e4ca9ca08"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Trade unions are calling for a 6% increase for 3 million of Australia’s lowest paid workers, arguing pay should rise faster than inflation.","elementId":"e9cde587-8677-4ee0-ab9c-92c6685c8d7e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

It is not clear where the wage panel is leaning, though one of its members has implied a 6% increase would stoke inflation.","elementId":"e558316a-ebbe-4fe1-b92e-7c0b01bc5359"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The decision will be announced from 10am.","elementId":"b2098663-9dce-4252-87cc-ec3ce97e0cc2"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1780344954000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.15 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1780347993000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.06 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1780346789000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.46 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.46","title":"Minimum wage increase to be announced today","contributors":[{"name":"Luca Ittimani","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/04/30/Luca_Ittimani.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=d5a0ce308e8f38b7531e9b5e5f71dc21","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/04/30/Luca_Ittimani.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=b269ad3cfa5a0e929b1c0afc69304369"}],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 2 Jun 2026 00.00 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 1 Jun 2026 22.15 CEST"},{"id":"6a1d866f8f08cf8299b190ae","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, says that One Nation’s “increased prominence” should bring “increased scrutiny”, brushing off suggestions from new party president Tony Abbott that the Liberals should not fight with parties to their political right.","elementId":"6e5bee23-f8ce-4ea9-a92f-ee6ab538205c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Paterson told the ABC on Monday night:","elementId":"9f05424f-adc4-4c4d-a114-0f67d2e5c20e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

One Nation are not our enemy but they are a political opponent, they are trying to take votes and seats off the Liberal party.\n

Their increased prominence in the polls brings increased legitimate scrutiny on their performance, on their policies, on their candidates, on their conduct.\n","elementId":"65c166ae-2b72-4482-bf18-471e30365fc7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Paterson went on to quote a story from The Australian that reported One Nation’s leader, Pauline Hanson, missed 88% of Senate estimates hearings in the past decade.","elementId":"03ee8e0e-9536-494b-a5a4-301f376a8f57"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

When asked directly by comments from Abbott that suggested the Liberals should not fight with One Nation, Paterson responded:","elementId":"61c72b25-ff6c-4482-a7cc-89dd24b86bc4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

It’s up to the parliamentary party to chart our own course, and I’m very clear about our role in this.\n

It’s not really his role as party president, it’s an organisational role, his role is to rally the troops, to raise money, to get the campaign organisations fighting fit, I’m very pleased he’s put his hand up for that role, he’ll be outstanding in it.\n","elementId":"0bf18f07-76b3-48b2-a85f-b2c99934e03e"}],"attributes":{"pinned":true,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1780344954000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.15 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1780348147000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.09 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1780346267000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.37 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.37","title":"One Nation ‘not our enemy but an opponent’, Liberal senator says","contributors":[{"name":"Nino Bucci","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2020/11/26/Nino_Bucci.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=3521e99a0dc125f278aac3d5287782ba","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2020/11/26/Nino_Bucci.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=484749567f72517cc99dd87a5930d21f"}],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 2 Jun 2026 00.00 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 1 Jun 2026 22.15 CEST"},{"id":"679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Good morning and welcome to our live politics blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action.","elementId":"b2ad3e22-11e9-4063-ac37-e6aa8f466ad6"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, has told 7.30 that One Nation’s increased prominence should bring increased scrutiny. He says the party is not the Coalition’s enemy but “an opponent”. More coming up.","elementId":"b91b4931-0f7a-4ece-acb0-6e85ea898e5b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Fair Work Commission will this morning hand down its decision on how far to raise minimum and award wages from July. More details up soon.","elementId":"fc1239a9-b185-4746-82c8-3397a58387cf"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1780344954000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.15 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1780348093000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.08 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1780344954000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.15 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.15","title":"Welcome","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 2 Jun 2026 00.00 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 1 Jun 2026 22.15 CEST"}],"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1780351309266}">

Key events

25m ago

Government places new sanctions in response to settler violence in the West Bank

1h ago

Australia's ebola screening measures sufficient and border closures not needed: health department

1h ago

Minimum wage increase to be announced today

1h ago

One Nation ‘not our enemy but an opponent’, Liberal senator says

2h ago

Welcome

Drive to One Nation economic says Chalmers

Chalmers says the voter shift towards One Nation is being driven by the economy, which he says the government doesn’t dismiss.

But he adds that Labor wants to address it, whereas the opposition and One Nation want to use it for political point scoring.

One Nation’s primary vote has been quickly catching up to Labor, and one poll in the Financial Review on Sunday showed the minor party had overtaken the government.

Chalmers says:

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People do have legitimate concerns about how the war in the Middle East is playing out and the hefty price that we are paying for it in inflation here at home. And so we don’t dismiss for one second or disregard for one momen