Australia news LIVE: Pauline Hanson used party funds to pay for five-star London hotel; Trump denies reports of US missile shortage amid Iran war

Key PostsWhat’s making news todayBy Emily KaineGood morning and welcome to our national news blog for Friday, August 7. Here’s what you need to know today.One Nation leader Pauline Hanson will be forced to field questions about why she used party funds to pay for a five-star hotel in London during a recent European trip after this masthead revealed she kept rooms vacant while she flew to Italy with mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.Australia now has 123 confirmed detections of H5N1 bird flu, but there remain no detections in commercial poultry or the wider agriculture sector, says the Department of Agriculture. The government has urged the public not to touch sick or dead wildlife, and to report any suspicious animal deaths immediately to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.The Catholic Church has warned against a rise in “us and them” politics and divisive rhetoric, and urged Australians to reject vilification and rebuild social cohesion amid raging debate over migration and national values.And US President Donald Trump has denied that the US is low on key munitions in its war with Iran following reports this week of missile shortages. In a post on social media, he says the country has “massive amounts” of them, while promising to punish those who say there’s a shortage.Latest Posts6.45amTrump denies US missile shortage, threatens ‘leakers’ with ‘jail sentences’By US President Donald Trump has denied the US is running low on key munitions, saying the country has “massive amounts” of them, while warning of punishment for those who say there’s a shortage.Trump made the comments on social media hours after The Washington Post reported that he had clashed with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defence interceptors that threatened to limit his military options in the war with Iran.Trump added on Truth Social that “defence companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history”. He said “leakers” of supposed “treasonous statements” were being pursued, adding, “Long-term jail sentences will be sought!”According to the Post, Trump vented frustration with Hegseth on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting last week, saying that he had been misled about munitions shortages. Citing a source, the newspaper said the depletion of key missiles and air-defence systems was among the reasons Trump called off strikes against Iran in recent days.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticised the story and said the incident never happened.Bloomberg6.42amMore than 100 academics, advocates call for halt to NDIS cutsBy Emily KaineA group of more than 100 academics, advocates, legal experts and community organisations have signed a joint statement calling on the government to pause a bill that will cut billions of dollars from the NDIS over four years.The signatories warn that the amendment will allow the government to reduce essential supports that enable people with disability to live “safe, connected and independent lives”.It follows an earlier call this week by the Australian Human Rights Commission to halt the progression of the bill until the human rights concerns and impacts of the reforms are addressed.The proposed cuts to the scheme will face a final vote in the Senate later this month.What’s making news todayBy Emily KaineGood morning and welcome to our national news blog for Friday, August 7. Here’s what you need to know today.One Nation leader Pauline Hanson will be forced to field questions about why she used party funds to pay for a five-star hotel in London during a recent European trip after this masthead revealed she kept rooms vacant while she flew to Italy with mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.Australia now has 123 confirmed detections of H5N1 bird flu, but there remain no detections in commercial poultry or the wider agriculture sector, says the Department of Agriculture. The government has urged the public not to touch sick or dead wildlife, and to report any suspicious animal deaths immediately to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.The Catholic Church has warned against a rise in “us and them” politics and divisive rhetoric, and urged Australians to reject vilification and rebuild social cohesion amid raging debate over migration and national values.And US President Donald Trump has denied that the US is low on key munitions in its war with Iran following reports this week of missile shortages. In a post on social media, he says the country has “massive amounts” of them, while promising to punish those who say there’s a shortage.1 of 1