Australia news LIVE: Several Labor MPs want government to retain ATO credit card payments; Russia continues striking energy facilities despite ceasefire, says Zelensky

Emily KaineUpdated October 13, 2026 — 7:36am,first published 6:45amKey PostsMorning headlinesBy Emily KaineHello and welcome back to our live coverage of national and international news this Tuesday, October 13. Here’s what you need to know today.Labor’s Digital Duty of Care laws are at the forefront of political debate this week in Canberra as the Greens seek changes to the bill that would allow individuals to seek compensation for online harms. Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the laws would target her party and impinge on freedom of speech.Several Labor MPs, including some ministers, are pushing the federal government to find a permanent solution to ensure the Tax Office accepts credit cards from businesspeople with cashflow problems, three days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers stepped in to delay the Tax Office’s ban on credit card payments.Parliamentarians have condemned the US’s potential live-streaming of an execution by firing squad of a former US Army major who killed 13 soldiers at a military base in 2009. It remains unclear if the government could legally block the livestream from being viewed in Australia.Russia has kept up its attacks on energy assets despite US President Donald Trump claiming there were pledges from both sides to support an “energy ceasefire” in the war, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said.And British comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared in a London court for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges. Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.Latest Posts7.36amUS’ plan to livestream execution evidence of need for digital duty of care: WattBy Brittany BuschLabor frontbencher Murray Watt said the United States’ livestreaming of an execution was an example of why Labor’s digital duty of care reform was important to pass.“We’ve seen now that the eSafety Commissioner has said they don’t have those powers [to stop the livestream],” Watt said.“What I do think it shows is this rapidly evolving situation that we’ve got with technology, which is why our government is trying to take as much action as we can, as quickly as we can, on these sorts of matters.”Environment Minister Murray Watt. Alex EllinghausenThe environment minister said allowing the public to view the firing squad execution was “absolutely disgusting.”“When I first heard that this was being proposed, I couldn’t believe that it was real,” he said.“I think all Australians would agree that this is a very distressing thing to have publicised. And of course, Australia’s had a long-standing public and bipartisan position against the death penalty in any country.”7.17am‘Everyone loves Josh’: Canavan backs Frydenberg By Emily KaineNationals leader Matt Canavan has backed former treasurer Josh Frydenberg as rumours continue to swirl about the ousted MP’s possible political comeback.“Everyone loves Josh … Look, he’s a great guy, Josh, and I welcome contributions to the policy debate,” Canavan told News24 this morning.He dismissed the suggestion that the focus on Frydenberg was a distraction from the Coalition’s messaging and Angus Taylor’s leadership.Nationals leader Matt Canavan.Alex Ellinghausen“I know we down here tend to maybe all get wrapped up around ourselves … Most people aren’t focused on these things.”On Sunday night, Frydenberg appeared on 60 Minutes and said the Liberal Party faced an existential threat, and that Taylor needed to do better as leader of the Coalition.Frydenberg lost the seat of Kooyong to Independent MP Monique Ryan in the 2022 election. 6.59amIran ‘highly likely’ to be behind RAF Fairford plot: UK PMBy London: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a suspected plot targeting the RAF Fairford air base in Britain was “highly likely” to have been co-ordinated in Iran, and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.The RAF Fairford base in south-west England, which had been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran, became the focal point for a major security response after five British men were arrested nearby in the early hours of September 27 on​ suspected terrorism and explosive offences.US officials have told Reuters that there had been a suspected plot involving Iran to launch a drone attack, and last week US President Donald Trump said a threat linked to Iran had prompted a decision to withdraw the bombers from the base.“I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been co-ordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard,” Burnham told parliament on Monday (UK time).6.45amASOS confirms no payment information accessed in hackBy Emily KaineASOS confirmed to customers overnight that no payment information was accessed during an October 6 hack in which an unauthorised party gained access to an ASOS employee account. The hacker impersonated a trusted contact to obtain log-in credentials, which were used to access information on third-party platforms used by ASOS. A push notification sent to some ASOS customers on Tuesday, October 6. The company’s initial investigation found that while the unauthorised party had accessed some personal information, including names and contact details, no payment card information or account passwords were accessed.ASOS said affected customers did not need to take any further action. An investigation with law enforcement and regulatory authorities is ongoing. 6.40amRussia keeps up attacks on energy despite ceasefire claim: ZelenskyBy David CroweRussia has kept up its attacks on energy assets despite US President Donald Trump claiming there were pledges from both sides to support an “energy ceasefire” in the war, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said after another day of strikes.“Last night, we did not attack any energy facilities on the territory of Russia because President Trump said that there would be an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia,” the Ukrainian president told Fox News in the US. “We did not attack, while Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities.”There were attacks on six Ukrainian energy facilities on Monday, Zelensky said, that left 33 people injured.“I think it was Putin’s answer to President Trump. And the message from Russia was very clear – they don’t know anything about the energy ceasefire. It’s a pity, because they always find reasons not to stop this war. Which is why I think we need more pressure on Russia.”Russian drone attacks hit Kyiv twice on Monday, according to statements from Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported by The Kyiv Independent and others. Reuters reported that a ​Russian strike on a high-rise ‌residential building killed two ​people and injured at ​least seven. A separate strike hit a factory in the city of Vinnytsia.Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a 60-day ceasefire proposed by Zelensky, Reuters reported from Moscow. Instead, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would be willing to halt attacks on the day Ukraine holds a presidential election. Zelensky said Ukraine was “ready to respect an energy ceasefire” if Russia did the same.Morning headlinesBy Emily KaineHello and welcome back to our live coverage of national and international news this Tuesday, October 13. Here’s what you need to know today.Labor’s Digital Duty of Care laws are at the forefront of political debate this week in Canberra as the Greens seek changes to the bill that would allow individuals to seek compensation for online harms. Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the laws would target her party and impinge on freedom of speech.Several Labor MPs, including some ministers, are pushing the federal government to find a permanent solution to ensure the Tax Office accepts credit cards from businesspeople with cashflow problems, three days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers stepped in to delay the Tax Office’s ban on credit card payments.Parliamentarians have condemned the US’s potential live-streaming of an execution by firing squad of a former US Army major who killed 13 soldiers at a military base in 2009. It remains unclear if the government could legally block the livestream from being viewed in Australia.Russia has kept up its attacks on energy assets despite US President Donald Trump claiming there were pledges from both sides to support an “energy ceasefire” in the war, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said.And British comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared in a London court for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges. Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.1 of 1