Coalition Preferencing One Nation in Farrer to Stop 'Teal Policies', Angus Taylor Says
The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, has stated that the Coalition has preferenced One Nation ahead of the independent candidate in the upcoming Farrer byelection to prevent the implementation of “teal policies.”
Both the Liberals and Nationals have placed One Nation ahead of independent Michelle Milthorpe, who has received a small portion of her funding from the “teal” independent fundraising group, Climate 200.
Polling indicates that One Nation is likely to win the New South Wales seat based on Liberal and National preferences. When asked about the Coalition parties’ decision to preference One Nation, Taylor told Insiders:
If you vote teal you get Green. And so whilst preferences beyond preferencing the National Party are picking the least worst option and we want people to vote for the Liberal Party and the National Party, the truth is we don’t want to see teal policies for Farrer or for this country.
Regarding One Nation’s threat to the Coalition in regional electorates, Taylor said:
I think teal policies, Labor policies are absolute existential for the regions and the Labor government right now, if you get out into these regions you see what it’s doing to them.
Taylor Says ‘Higher Risk Bad People Come from Bad Countries’
Angus Taylor has remarked that “bad people” could migrate to Australia from “bad countries,” although he did not specify which countries would be classified as “bad” under the government he leads.
Taylor suggested migrants from liberal democracies are more likely to adopt Australian values than those from “places ruled by fundamentalists, extremists and dictators.”
When asked whether migrants from China and Vietnam would disagree, Taylor told the ABC’s Insiders:
Some of the great Australians have come from countries that were bad countries at the time. But there is a higher risk that some bad people come from those bad countries.
Asked if China was a bad country, he responded:
We have bad countries around the world. I mean, to claim that Iran is a good country right now, seriously, and the government itself has put legislation in place to make it harder for people to come from Iran.
We have seen terrible acts of atrocity coming from Gaza.
I mean, we know they’re in the Middle East and elsewhere, there that have committed great atrocities on their own populations. So there is real risk with people coming from those countries. It’s also true that many great Australians have come from bad countries, and this is why the discrimination shouldn’t be based on base and race or religion, it must be based on Australian values.
When pressed further, Taylor identified Iran as one of the “bad countries” he referred to but stated that China was not included in that category.
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog today. I’m Luca Ittimani, and I’ll be guiding you through Sunday’s breaking stories. Angus Taylor, the federal opposition leader, will appear soon on the ABC’s Insiders.
Victorian Motorists to Receive Rego Rebate in Pre-Election Budget Measure
Motorists in Victoria could save nearly $400 annually on driving expenses through a cost-of-living rebate included in the Allan Labor government’s 2026/27 budget.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, the state’s premier, Jacinta Allan, announced a 20% rebate on light vehicle registration fees.
With annual registration fees for standard vehicles reaching up to $930.70, a single-car owner could receive $186 back, while a two-car household might reclaim up to $372.
The rebate applies exclusively to personal-use vehicles under 4.5 tonnes, including cars and utes. It will be backdated to cover registration payments made during the 2025/26 period. However, Victorians will have a limited two-month window—from 1 June to 31 July—to apply.
Car owners may claim the rebate for a maximum of two vehicles registered in their name.
The government estimates the program will cost $750 million, with Premier Allan affirming that the state will absorb the expense while maintaining a budget surplus.
Victorians have already benefited from announcements of free and half-price public transport schemes. The introduction of the registration discount is expected to prompt renewed criticism of New South Wales Premier Chris Minns from his state’s opposition, which is urging him to reduce the fuel excise and offer free public transport over long weekends to alleviate fuel costs.
Shadow Treasurer Condemns Welcome to Country Hecklers as ‘Unworthy of the Anzac Legacy’
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has strongly criticized the booing of welcome to country remarks at Anzac Day events on Saturday.
Wilson delivered one of the most forceful condemnations of the hecklers from a Coalition frontbencher. In a post on X yesterday, he stated:
Thank you to all our veterans who fought for our country. ANZAC Day is a a day to honour all those who fought and died for our country. Booing any Australian who served or their story is unacceptable, disrespectful and unworthy of the ANZAC legacy.
The story of this land began thousands of years ago. Project Australia is a continuing story of one land, one people with one destiny. Let us be worthy of our full inheritance, and those that sacrificed for respect based on our common humanity & the equal dignity of all people.
Liberal frontbenchers James Paterson and Jonno Duniam have also described the booing as “inappropriate” and suggested that those opposed to the welcome to country should express their views elsewhere rather than at Anzac services. Paterson told :
It is incredibly disappointing and completely inappropriate to boo at an Anzac Day service. Whatever your views on a welcome to country, ANZAC Day is our most sacred day … If you have strong views about that, there are many other ways in a free country that you have an opportunity to express your views.
