Minns urges federal government to meet migration targets as Hunter poll shows Labor and One Nation tied

UPDATE - follow-up to Australian politics live: Lambie awaiting Hanson apology over cartoon; Liberal candidate's husband allegedly attacked: NSW Premier Chris Minns said the federal government must be serious about meeting net migration targets after a poll showed Labor and One Nation neck‑and‑neck in the Hunter region. A poll commissioned by Advent Energy found support for both Labor and One Nation at 32% each, while the Coalition lagged at 14%, making the Hunter a key battleground for the March state election. Minns told 2GB he wants the government to stick to the promised target of about 245,000 net overseas migrants for 2026‑27 and 225,000 for 2027‑28, warning that higher numbers would erode public trust.

Senate estimates abuse

Senate estimates heard that edited videos of parliamentary inquiries are being posted on social media with captions that humiliate female public servants. Jim Betts, secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, said 14 hours of footage from yesterday’s estimates are now public and that the selective editing is “stark” and unfair. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson defended the right to highlight material on social platforms as a core function of the committee.

Payman's staffing plea

Independent senator Fatima Payman accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “petty” for not granting her an additional adviser after she left Labor in 2024. Payman said her staff face psychosocial hazards and even received human faeces, prompting a bio‑hazard response. Trade minister Don Farrell called her suggestion “outrageous” and asked her to withdraw the comment, which she refused until the request is processed.

Hospital protection orders

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced that, if re‑elected, Labor will expand workplace protection orders to hospitals. The orders can ban violent or abusive individuals from hospitals for up to 12 months, with breaches punishable by up to two years’ jail or a $50,000 fine. A $30 million fund will help hospitals improve lighting, CCTV and other safety measures.

Context

The migration debate reflects growing pressure on the Albanese government’s immigration plan, while the Senate and state actions show rising concerns about safety and respect for public officials and health workers.