The prime minister has told 7.30 his appearance on an episode of the Bush Deep podcast, which attracted criticism over his comments on Kylie Minogue and his melon gaffe, was "an error".
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Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:38amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:38am
Plymouth Brethren alleges member was 'viciously' attacked at polling booth
By Joshua Boscaini
Back to the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters hearing into the 2025 federal election here at Parliament House.
Lloyd Grimshaw from Plymouth Brethren says his church members experienced discrimination while at polling booths.
He says former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett had to intervene when one member was "viciously and verbally attacked".
Grimshaw says one church member noted a Labor senator shouted into his phone "there were cults on the booth" while they were present.
The Brethren representative said on one occasion, his members reported a Greens volunteer walked up and down a voting line holding a copy of his church on the front page.
"That's the type of stuff that was going on," Grimshaw says.
"I just would ask for some balance to also take into account in looking at that whole question of behaviour as to maybe a section of it that hasn't been looked at so much was the religious discrimination part of it."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:30amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:30am
Penny Wong speaks to Israeli foreign minister over IDF investigation
By Joshua Boscaini
Penny Wong has spoken to Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar overnight about the investigation into a strike that killed Zomi Frankcom.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cleared its personnel of any criminal wrongdoing in an April 2024 strike on a humanitarian convoy of eight aid workers in Gaza, including Frankcom.
Yesterday, Wong said the federal government had no confidence in the IDF investigation after a meeting with the ambassador.
A spokesperson for Wong says she conveyed Australia's view to the foreign minister.
"Minister Wong spoke with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar last night. The minister conveyed Australia's view and expectations as she did with the Israeli ambassador."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:23amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:23am
Brethren says reports church paid far-right activists to disrupt campaigns a 'lie'
By Joshua Boscaini
Lloyd Grimshaw from the Plymouth Brethren says reports his church funded far-right-wing activists to disrupt political campaigning is a "lie".
Nine newspapers report members of the Christian sect paid far-right figures across the country to track and heckle candidates from Labor, the Greens and independents.
Grimshaw says a senior source within The Age newspaper reached out to the church and expressed concern about reporting "bias" from the paper.
The church director has denied that he was one of the Brethren elders named in the report or part of any chat groups mentioned in the reports.
"My church did not make any donations or support in any way. Political parties or third parties who are involved in the election," Grimshaw says.
"It doesn't even meet a threshold of gossip."
But Grimshaw says he can't rule out that church members have been involved in activities, but said there's a "big distinction" between individual and church involvement.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:13amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:13am
Plymouth Brethren says media attacked his church, denies sect donated to candidates
By Joshua Boscaini
(ABC News: Callum Flinn)A Joint Committee on Electoral Matters hearing into the 2025 federal election has gotten underway with Lloyd Grimshaw from Plymouth Brethren first up.
Grimshaw says his church was subject to "extraordinary attacks" by the media and some members of parliament during the last election campaign.
He says his church members were publicly judged and insulted for their clothing, hairstyles, beliefs and cars they drove.
Grimshaw, who is director of the church, has denied his church donated to or organised donations for any political candidate or political party.
"Neither my church nor any of its directors, including me, made any reportable donations to anyone. Whether parishioners did donate their money is entirely a matter for them," Grimshaw says.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:03amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 9:03am
ASIO chief has advised former agent can provide evidence to commission online: Burke
By Joshua Boscaini
The home affairs minister has been asked whether he's open to granting a visa to a former ASIO agent who has expressed interest in providing evidence to the antisemitism royal commission.
Tony Burke says ASIO director-general Mike Burgess has advised him that any evidence that will come from the individual can be provided online.
"He has advised, and made clear to the royal commission that any evidence that would come from this particular individual is declassified," Burke says.
"He's happy for it to be given in a complete public forum. It could be given over the phone on Teams."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:58amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:58am
Tony Burke won't say when he'll announce migration changes
By Joshua Boscaini
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says the government is working through some "significant announcements" in respect to immigration.
Burke cancelled a National Press Club address where he was poised to announce sweeping cuts to migration. It was cancelled because the measures were internally contentious.
Asked when he's going to make the announcements, Burke says: "We work through a process as we should".
"I had believed that we'd get there in that time. We weren't going to get there in that time, and that's fine," Burke says.
And asked if he was considering removing the working rights of asylum seekers whose claims for protection are being rejected, Burke says he won't rule it out.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:43amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:43am
Tony Burke says reports of Brethren heckling 'should send a chill' among Australians
By Joshua Boscaini
(ABC News: Callum Flinn)Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has just stepped up for a press conference ahead of a hearing of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters into the 2025 federal election.
Nine newspapers report members of the Christian sect paid far-right figures across the country to track and heckle candidates from Labor, the Greens and independents.
The home affairs minister says the Liberal Party and One Nation need to explain whether they are welcoming those individuals.
"There are countries throughout the world where people get paid to engage in physical intimidation around election time. The thought that Australia might have just been added to that list should send a chill among everybody who loves this country," Burke says.
"Shifting to a pathway where physical intimidation gets paid for because of your political views. We need to draw a line under this."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:34amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:34am
Israel open to reparations for Zomi Frankcom's death if there is a request, ambassador says
By Joshua Boscaini
Hillel Newman says the Israeli government would consider any request for reparations for the death of Australian Zomi Frankcom who died in an Israeli strike in Gaza.
The Israeli ambassador has told ABC Radio National Breakfast the drone footage of the April 2024 strike can't be shared because it could contain intelligence.
Newman says the release of the investigation's findings yesterday, which cleared the soldiers involved in the strike, were not intended to coincide with World Humanitarian Day.
The ambassador also stopped short of issuing an apology to the family of Zomi because it carries "legal liability", but says Israel is open to discussions about reparations.
"Israel is open to discussions on the legal aspects. We can share information with legal teams of Australia and the aspect of reparations can be checked definitely," Newman says.
"We need a specific request and then it's investigated according to the rules of reparations in such cases."
Key Event
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:19amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:19am
Israel's ambassador defends investigation into strike which killed Zomi Frankcom
By Joshua Boscaini
Israel's ambassador to Australia has defended the investigation into a strike that killed eight aid workers in Gaza, including Australian woman Zomi Frankcom.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government had no confidence in an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation which cleared the soldiers involved in the strike.
Hillel Newman has told ABC Radio National Breakfast the World Central Kitchen convoy deviated from their route and changed the time of their travel.
This is something the World Central Kitchen disputes, saying the IDF knew their team's movements, identities and activities in advance.
The route deviation is also something that former air force chief Mark Binskin assessed in his review played "no factor in the decision to strike".
"It was a reasonable mistake. Therefore, there's no criminal liability. That does not mean that disciplinary measures were not taken. They were taken," Newman says.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:07amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:07am
Nationals frontbencher supports call to investigate Brethren heckling reports
By Joshua Boscaini
Michael McCormack says he agrees that reports Exclusive Brethren paid far-right activists to perform stunts during the last federal election should be investigated.
Nine newspapers report members of the Christian sect paid far-right figures across the country to track and heckle candidates from Labor, the Greens and independents.
Health Minister Mark Butler has called for the allegations to be investigated.
But speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, the Nationals frontbencher says unions adopt similar tactics during election campaigns.
"Whether it's the Plymouth Brethren or unions or whoever, they have a duty of care and a level of respect that they should bring to that parliamentary procedure and democratic procedure. That is not happening at the moment," McCormack says.
"It shouldn't happen [from] anybody. It shouldn't happen from any side of politics. It shouldn't happen full stop."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:01amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 8:01am
McCormack says veterans' affairs minister's dealings over allied health cap is 'poor'
By Joshua Boscaini
Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack says Labor should have consulted with veterans before introducing a $5,000 cap on allied health services.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh faced heat in parliament this week for initially declining to meet with a group of veterans to discuss the cap.
The measure was introduced during the last federal budget in an attempt to crack down on dodgy providers.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, McCormack says the minister's dealings with veterans have been "poor".
"There's a saving of $748 billion to the budget bottom line. There shouldn't be a saving because the saving represents a cut to allied healthcare services to some of Australia's most vulnerable people," McCormack says.
Key Event
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:54amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:54am
Minister says he wants Exclusive Brethren election heckling reports investigated
By Joshua Boscaini
Mark Butler says he wants reports the Exclusive Brethren paid far-right activists to perform stunts to disrupt Albanese government appearances during the last federal election investigated.
Nine newspapers report members of the Christian sect paid far-right figures across the country to track and heckle candidates from Labor, the Greens and independents.
Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, the health minister says Labor wants answers from the Liberal Party over their involvement.
"I think everyone understands this could get quite dangerous if random people are being paid to go in and create trouble. It doesn't take much imagination to think about this becoming really quite dangerous," Butler says.
"I think everyone needs to have a good look at themselves, who is involved in the sort of activity we saw at the last election, which I've never seen in my long involvement in politics."
Key Event
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:45amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:45am
Mark Butler says Israel needs to show accountability on strike to repair relations
By Joshua Boscaini
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong declared Australia and Israel were experiencing a "difficult time" in relations.
It was after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has cleared its personnel of any criminal wrongdoing in a 2024 strike on a humanitarian convoy which killed Australian woman Zomi Frankcom.
Asked on ABC Radio National Breakfast what action Israel could take to improve that, Health Minister Mark Butler says Israel needs to demonstrate some accountability.
The health minister has repeated the federal government wants key evidence released to Australia and the family.
"Something monumentally bad has happened here, and it just appears there's no accountability on that side," Butler says.
"There has been toing and froing, very serious discussions between us and the Israelis about some of that evidence that you mentioned in your introduction. And we continue to want to have that released both to Australia, but more importantly, to the family."
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:33amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:33am
PM was reminding viewers about podcast apology on 7.30, Mark Butler says
By Joshua Boscaini
Health Minister Mark Butler and deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume have stepped up for their weekly morning spot on Channel Seven.
Butler has been asked about the the prime minister's concession on 7.30 last night that appearing on the Bush Deep podcast was "an error".
The minister says the prime minister provided an "unequivocal apology" after the podcast aired and that he was reminding viewers of that.
Anthony Albanese apologised unequivocally when the podcast first attracted criticism over his remarks he would "shag" Kylie Minogue.
But quizzed on whether the apology extended to his melons gaffe, Butler says he gave a "clear and unequivocal apology" after the podcast.
"I think that's what Australians want from their leaders, whether they're political, business, football leaders, when they get things wrong, admit it and he did," Butler says.
Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume says the PM "sounded like a grubby, leery old man" and should apologise to Japan's PM.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:13amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:13am
Conroy says PM is 'human like everyone else' after podcast concession on 7.30
By Joshua Boscaini
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says the prime minister is "human like everyone else" after he conceded his Bush Deep podcast appearance was "an error".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last night told 7.30 that if he had his time again, he wouldn't do the podcast.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Conroy says the prime minister is focused on helping Australians.
"Well, the prime minister has made it clear that he regrets doing the show and he's human like everyone else," Conroy says.
"Ultimately he said what he said, Tom, but I actually agree with Dai [Le]. The Australian people want to focus on what the Australian government is doing to help them."
Key Event
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:09amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 7:09am
PM says Bush Deep podcast appearance was 'an error'
By Paul Johnson
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told 7.30 it was "an error" to appear on the Bush Deep podcast that has attracted much criticism.
The PM first came under scrutiny for playing "shag, marry, date" on the podcast, which was broadcast in July.
He has since unequivocally apologised for saying he would "shag" Kylie Minogue.
Recently it was hand gestures he made on the podcast, while referring to a pair of melons given to him by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, that caused controversy.
He told 7.30 that in hindsight he should not have gone on the podcast and that he had learned from it.
"I learned that I need to do better every day," Albanese said.
"If I had my time again … then I wouldn't have done that podcast.
"We have a view which is trying to talk to as many people as possible, but clearly that was an error."
Read the full story from 7.30's Paul Johnson in the link below.
Fri 21 Aug 2026 at 6:59amFri 21 Aug 2026 at 6:59am
Good morning 👋
By Joshua Boscaini
Hello and welcome to our federal politics live blog! I'm thrilled to have you join us bright and early this Friday morning.
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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told 7.30 his appearance on the Bush Deep podcast was "an error".
The podcast appearance came under fire after Albanese said he would "shag" Kylie Minogue and gestured with his hands in front of his chest when discussing a gift of crown melons from Japan's PM.
And federal government advisors have extended their outlook on when 1.2 million homes will be built.
Let's get right into the day and see what it brings us!
