Australia news live: Barnaby Joyce dogged by Tommy Robinson questions – and by a dog – in spiky ABC interview

Key events28m agoBarnaby Joyce defends Pauline Hanson’s podcast interview with far-right criminal Tommy Robinson31m agoWelcomeThe Australia Palestine Advocacy Network has criticised Labor’s draft policy platform on Palestine, saying it is “currently falling far short and does not acknowledge the Palestinian genocide”.We reported this morning that Israel had made an intervention into the Labor party’s internal processes, publicly criticising the draft that it claims risks blaming Israel for the Gaza conflict while giving “insufficient attention” to the role of Hamas.The Israeli embassy in Canberra issued a four-page statement on Monday challenging the proposed positions on Palestine, Hamas and settler violence in the West Bank, due to be debated at this week’s Labor national conference.The language in the 2026 draft platform relating to Israel and Palestine is substantially different to the 2023 iteration, reflecting shifts in government policy following Hamas’ 7 October attack and Israel’s war in Gaza.Nasser Mashni, APAN President, said this morning: double quotation markDespite what the Israeli Embassy might say, Labor is currently falling far short and does not acknowledge the Palestinian genocide and must take real, urgent action at this conference. Their platform position is totally insufficient. Australia must reckon with the obligations that flow from its recognition of Palestine, and the Conference must draw a red line on genocide and Australian complicity in it. The International Court of Justice ruled in its July 2024 Advisory Opinion that Israel’s presence in Palestine is unlawful and that all Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The Court further found that states are obligated not to recognise or assist the illegal occupation. Australia is bound by these findings. Recognition of Palestine cannot remain symbolic. Australia must impose wide ranging and wholesale sanctions on the Israeli regime and anyone or any entity associated with the settlement enterprise. Thanks so much Martin Farrer for kicking us off this morning. I’m Stephanie Convery and I’ll be with you until mid-afternoon today.Joyce dogged by interruptions in 7.30 interviewThe Joyce interview was spiky from the start, as he responded to Ferguson’s welcome saying: double quotation markI don’t know whether you do welcome me, but let’s have a go. It was also made more awkward by several interruptions by a dog.The first time, as Joyce was asked if he was “comfortable with where [Hanson] is taking you”, he turned and loudly yelled “sit down!” off camera, then explained “Sorry, it’s a dog”. He then explained that he believed One Nation’s views mirrored a large proportion of Australia.The second time, he was asked about suggestions One Nation would implement mass deportations by intercepting visa overstayers during medical visits.A glum Joyce replied: double quotation markI have to apologise for this dog, which has decided to bail up my … Ferguson said: double quotation markDon’t worry about the dog. Just answer the question. Joyce responded: double quotation markDon’t be rude. Don’t be rude. Otherwise, this interview will come to a grinding halt, Sarah. So what was the question actually? The subject of the dog was returned to at the interview’s conclusion, with Ferguson saying: double quotation markThank you very much indeed for joining us Barnaby Joyce. The dog was no problem. Thank you. Joyce: double quotation markIt was to me. Barnaby Joyce defends Pauline Hanson’s podcast interview with far-right criminal Tommy RobinsonCatie McLeodOne Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has tried to defend party leader Pauline Hanson’s decision to meet far-right convicted criminal Tommy Robinson during a recent visit to the UK.Hanson and her colleagues have spent recent days clarifying, explaining or walking back headline-grabbing parts of the One Nation leader’s trip to Europe, including a podcast interview with Robinson.On ABC’s 7.30 program last night, Joyce first acknowledged Robinson had done “some things” that were “basically against the law” but went on to blame a “form of Balkanisation, where there’s not an assimilation” for “massive problems, and we saw that in Bondi”.The host, Sarah Ferguson, put to Joyce that Hanson was effectively endorsing a man with an extensive criminal record, who had been condemned by UK authorities for encouraging race riots and retribution against minorities. double quotation markMy question to you, Barnaby Joyce, is: is that not a red line? Joyce responded: double quotation markI believe that there is not a condoning of every action of Tommy Robinson. I don’t think that was ever said. During the interview, Joyce also said that he did not know who had bankrolled Hanson’s trip.WelcomeGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Steph Convery with the main action.We start with Barnaby Joyce’s rather unusual interview with the ABC’s 7.30 last night, in which he attempted to defend some of the more controversial aspects of his leader’s trip to Europe, in particular Pauline Hanson’s podcast with Tommy Robinson, while simultaneously trying to fend off an apparently misbehaving dog.