(https://www.googletagmanager.com)  (https://www.google-analytics.com)  (https://www.googletagmanager.com)  (https://www.google-analytics.com)   Federal politics live: Politicians call potential US execution live stream 'disgusting' and 'repugnant' - ABC News    (107257420.html)  (../../../news-assets/favicon-32x32.png)  (../../../news-assets/favicon.svg)  (https://www.abc.net.au/news-assets/safari-pinned-tab.svg)  (https://www.abc.net.au/news-assets/touchicon.png)  (https://static.abc-cdn.net.au/fonts/abcsansnova/20211112/abcsansnova-regular.woff2)  (https://static.abc-cdn.net.au/fonts/abcsansnova/20211112/abcsansnova-bold.woff2)  (https://static.abc-cdn.net.au/fonts/abcsansnova/20211112/abcsansnova-black.woff2)                             (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/71769e53a1248de6.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/cdb40ce5230472fe.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/0dcf3b05b1f5e467.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/c197b0b855f596ba.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/f1cb7940f1691c21.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/dfa47094c62f692e.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/081d17b9d8fbe848.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/25ba20a9194aa699.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/2ffc9db3720dd978.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/0517a6620e45d3da.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/e4dbe73c508822f2.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/e6a20d61961daf9e.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/9318a3f7125c4ecc.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/bdc0d8a6b4ba1a2b.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/ba2fc0007896b564.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/cc05f3b386c4d08c.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/6b0c57399176c763.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)   (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/71769e53a1248de6.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/cdb40ce5230472fe.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/0dcf3b05b1f5e467.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/c197b0b855f596ba.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/f1cb7940f1691c21.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/dfa47094c62f692e.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/081d17b9d8fbe848.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/25ba20a9194aa699.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/2ffc9db3720dd978.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/0517a6620e45d3da.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/e4dbe73c508822f2.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/e6a20d61961daf9e.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/9318a3f7125c4ecc.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/bdc0d8a6b4ba1a2b.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/ba2fc0007896b564.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/cc05f3b386c4d08c.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)  (../../../news-web/_next/static/css/6b0c57399176c763.css@dpl=24d933e6.css)    (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-1fd44356-9f77-48c6-97d2-2e451be4ba1d.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-3568dfbd-0702-4f4e-bca2-eec10266741b.png)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-a793a1c6-269d-41d5-a3b6-9fed9237086d.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-08034a1a-97c6-46bb-a862-f6914e2a50c7.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-cecf8af8-18a0-43e6-8f45-a92d03396ad2.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-964c5cbd-8b92-4ea4-b088-675c6691421c.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-6ff840a5-1b0e-4457-9965-be2a0a129e94.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-e828d797-3458-4d9f-801d-ceac91115d2d.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-b9c08624-6316-4c06-ab1c-d59e424c475f.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-3538d241-35df-4324-8a5f-073927302c0a.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-79e38617-5aa4-4835-8509-fd5a05d75df8.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-bc1d2728-4629-4991-a247-3dcd5b945581.jpeg)  (../../../../au-img-cdn.livecenter.com/lc-aus-images/lcimg-fbf97c47-3a38-48ef-8fa9-1a9318a7e9d8.jpeg)       (107257420.html#content) Skip to main content (107257420.html#newsLogoAnchor) Skip to news navigation, settings and search Explore the ABC                      More from ABC     Close menu  (https://www.abc.net.au)   ABC    ABC News        ABC iview        ABC listen        Kids & Students        Indigenous        Information & Services          Editorial Policies  (https://www.abc.net.au/edpols) Read our editorial guiding principles      Follow the ABC (ABC on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/abc/)     (ABC on YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/abcaustralia)     (ABC on Instagram) (https://www.instagram.com/abcaustralia/)       (ABC on X) (https://x.com/abcaustralia/)     (ABC on Tiktok) (https://www.tiktok.com/@abc)            (https://www.abc.net.au/)   news   (https://iview.abc.net.au/)    iview   (https://www.abc.net.au/listen)          listen       Loading      (https://www.abc.net.au/)   ABC News  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) Just In  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/for-you) For You  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/politics) Politics  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/world) World  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/business) Business  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/analysis-and-opinion) Analysis  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport) Sport  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle) Lifestyle  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment) Entertainment  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/quizzes) Quizzes   More      Search          (https://www.abc.net.au/) News Home   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) Just In  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/for-you) For You  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/analysis-and-opinion) Analysis  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural) Rural  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/newschannel) Watch Live  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/health) Health  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/indigenous) Indigenous  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/politics) Politics  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/science) Science  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/deeptime/) Deep Time  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections) Elections  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/world) World  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/environment) Environment  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/story-streams/investigations) Investigations  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/business) Business  (https://www.abc.net.au/local) Local news  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/quizzes) Quizzes    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport) Sport   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/afl) AFL  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague) NRL  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/football) Football  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/tennis) Tennis  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/cricket) Cricket  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/netball) Netball    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle) Lifestyle   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle#anchor-102961868) Wellbeing  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle#anchor-102961870) Relationships & Family  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle#anchor-102961866) Food & Recipes  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle#anchor-102961872) Personal Finance  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle#anchor-102961862) Home & Garden    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment) Entertainment   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment#anchor-102956246) TV & Movies  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment#anchor-102956258) Books  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment#anchor-102956248) Music  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment#anchor-103048170) Pop Culture  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment#anchor-102956242) Arts      (https://www.facebook.com/abcnews.au)   Facebook   (https://www.youtube.com/@abcnewsaustralia)   YouTube   (https://www.instagram.com/abcnews_au)   Instagram   (https://x.com/abcnews)   Twitter    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/emergency) Emergency   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory) Backstory   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/subscribe) Newsletters   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/chinese) 中文新闻   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/indonesian) BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/tok-pisin) TOK PISIN       Appearance (BETA)       Follow system settings Select an option      Always light  Always dark  Follow system settings                                                                                         (https://iview.abc.net.au)    ABC iView   (https://www.abc.net.au/listen)    ABC Listen         (https://www.abc.net.au/)   ABC News  (https://www.abc.net.au/news)   News Home   Federal politics live: Politicians call potential US execution live stream 'disgusting' and 'repugnant'  Share Sharearticle       live       Federal politics live: Politicians call potential US execution live stream 'disgusting' and 'repugnant' By political reporter (https://www.abc.net.au/news/courtney-gould/103848792) Courtney Gould      (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/government-and-politics) Topic: Government and Politics     Posted Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:57am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:57am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:57am , updated Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:56am      (107257420.html#timeline) Skip to timeline abc.net.au/news/federal-politics-live-blog-october-13/107257420       Link copied  Share Sharearticle        Politicians from across the spectrum have labelled the proposed live streaming of a US execution "disgusting" and "repugnant".  Follow all the updates in our live blog.  Submit a comment or question Log in to comment      Live updates  Collapse all posts       off  Sort Sort posts  Latest Select an option      Latest  Oldest        New: Filters  Choose what information you see below by using filters  (Close)      Filter Posts (all)    All 27   (key-events)  Key Events 5      Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:54am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:54am      AI committee recommends strengthening of copyright laws (Isabella Tolhurst profile image)    I   By Isabella Tolhurst     A parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence has recommended that copyright laws be strengthened to protect Australian creatives. The inquiry was stood up following the Open-AI data breach, and has (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/ai-inquiry-independent-safety-watchdogs/107258612) made several recommendations for AI safety standards. Committee co-chair Jonno Duniam says Australian content is being used to train AI models overseas but says a "whole raft of creatives" are currently receiving no compensation. "Australian copyright holders need to have control over how their material is used, and of course be compensated for that," he said.  "Doing nothing is not an option, that has been made abundantly clear across all witnesses at the inquiry hearings last week". Some AI companies have suggested an "opt-out" system, in which creatives would need to actively block permissions for their content to be accessed by AI. But Senator Duniam says the matter is more complex. "Two words [opt-out] don't actually make a policy or a law," he said.           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:46am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:46am      Bowen promotes need for government-owned national fuel reserve   M   By Monte Bovill     Energy Minister Chris Bowen has used an address to business leaders to talk up the need for a government-owned national fuel reserve. The reserve would hold 1 billion litres of emergency diesel and aviation fuel, and was announced in response to the fuel crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. "A government-owned fuel reserve would have been very handy," Bowen told the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Leaders' Summit. He was also asked when he expected there might be an easing of fuel costs. "We remain very alert about the international fuel supply situation," he said. "There are no guarantees until and unless this war ends."            React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:30am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:30am      Greens at odds with one another over Ukraine (Tom Crowley profile image)    T   By Tom Crowley     It's the first time the Greens party room has met in Canberra since David Shoebridge became leader, and it's not all smooth sailing. A Greens spokesperson said there had been a disagreement between the new leader and rival Sarah Hanson-Young after a story in the Nine newspapers indicated that the party did not support military aid to Ukraine. According to the spokesperson, Shoebridge had accepted he should have been careful to stress that was not a new position, and that the party remained "rock solid" in its support for Ukraine in "humanitarian and civilian" ways, and supportive of sanctions on Russia, but again made no mention of military aid. Otherwise, there was plenty else on the minor party's agenda ahead of a busy Senate week. Negotiations continue on the digital duty of care, and the party has some concerns about possible loopholes in Labor's trust tax proposal. Both could be sent to short Senate inquiries, as could Labor's gas reservation. Meanwhile, the Greens will move a motion on Gaza later this morning and are bracing for a vote on voluntary assisted dying in aged care, with a conscience vote to be held on a motion put by One Nation's Malcolm Roberts . Hanson-Young is pushing her own bill on voluntary assisted dying via telehealth, and the Greens see this vote as a test of the Senate's inclination.           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:22am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:22am      'Balance' needed on AI smart glasses, Plibersek says (Erin Handley profile image)    E   By Erin Handley     (Tanya Plibersek looking serious while wearing off-white blazer.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has been asked about the Greens' plan to introduce a bill for a 12-month import ban on AI smart glasses in the Senate this week. New Greens leader David Shoebridge says the matter is "urgent" to prevent the devices flooding into Australia before our privacy laws can be updated. Plibersek pointed out local governments have issued bans in swimming pools and it was a concern when the devices prevented people from knowing if they were being filmed. "It's certainly worth looking at some restrictions or expectations around the use of smart glasses," Plibersek said.  But she noted that the government had heard extensively from the blind community about their usefulness. Many (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/federal-politics-smart-glasses-benefits-disability-community/107244416) disability advocates have said they provide more independence for daily tasks. "Certainly, there's a balance to be found," Plibersek said.  Previously, Health Minister Mark Butler has said he thought the devices served "no useful purpose" and were a "terrible" development "just for the profit of big tech".           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:42am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:42am      Angus Taylor tells party room the 'wheels are falling off' government   T   By Tom Lowrey     (Angus Taylor points while he speaks to his party room.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   The opposition leader has sought to give his troops a rev-up in the joint Coalition party room, telling the room that 'project Albanese has failed'. His broad speech covered everything from interest rate hikes and fuel prices, to coal-mine approvals, immigration policy and defence spending. It echoed the speech Angus Taylor gave to CPAC over the weekend, where he sought to convince the conservative heartland the Coalition was "the most credible alternative government". "We are fighting for the soul of our country. We are fighting for what we want our country to be," he told the party room. "We have seen Australia going backwards in the wrong direction, like at no time in my lifetime. "We have a responsibility to deliver that plan that I just talked about, to fix our economy, to protect our way of life."            React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:36am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:36am      Health minister denies 'misleading' figures (Erin Handley profile image)    E   By Erin Handley     ()    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   Health Minister Mark Butler has been asked about Freedom of Information documents showing modelling that 78,000 people would ditch private health insurance under the government's proposed rebate changes. As the ABC's national health reporter Stephanie Dalzell (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-12/private-health-insurance-changes-older-australians-dump-cover/107255436) noted in this story yesterday , that's much larger than the 44,000 figure the government has repeatedly cited as it defends the policy. The Coalition accused Butler of either not reading his briefs or being "deliberately misleading", but Butler dismissed that, saying he was given department advice that the 44,000 figure was "the most reliable" one, as it reflects the short-term impact (in 2028-29). The 78,000 figure refers to the number who are projected to drop their private health cover by 2030. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/private-health-for-over-65s-to-cost-hundreds-more/106594174) Under the legislation , which is facing an uphill battle in the Senate, the rebate Australians aged 65 and over receive on their private health insurance would be wound back. Butler said the rebate would be based on income, not age. He added that the government's view was that private health membership would grow by 360,000 people over that same period, with 85 per cent over age 65.           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:20am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:20am      Coal and gas avoiding stricter laws by expanding existing mines: Climate Council   J   By Jake Evans     Coal and gas mines are using what the Climate Council warns is a "loophole" to expand operations and add new emissions while avoiding stricter laws imposed on new coal and gas projects. The Climate Council says unless emissions from mine expansions are treated the same as emissions from new mines, it will cause an additional 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2035. Coal and gas mines are among the roughly 200 facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism — climate laws that require Australia's biggest polluters to cut or offset emissions by about 5 per cent a year or else face heavy penalties. Under the laws, which are currently being reviewed, new coal and gas facilities are required to follow more strict, "best-practice" limits that take into account the most efficient technologies available for mines. But existing facilities are not required to meet that higher standard when expanding or extending the life of an existing mine. Read the full story from Jake Evans below.    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/safeguard-mechanism-loophole-coal-expansions/107246600) Loophole allowing new coal and gas to avoid stricter climate laws       ()               React  React          Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:00am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:00am      O'Brien calls for government to consider 'every possible lever' to block execution live stream   L   By Lexie Jeuniewic     Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien  has urged to government to act to ensure Australians cannot view the proposed live streaming of a US execution. As we've been reporting, the US Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth has said the execution of mass shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be available for the public to watch in December. "That concerns me deeply. We cannot have young Australians watching an execution," O'Brien says. "That would be appalling, repugnant, and that is why we need to be looking at every possible lever to ensure that is not live streamed, if indeed it goes ahead."  Back home, the government's independent online safety regulator has warned it doesn't have the powers to block the live stream.   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/esafety-cant-block-us-execution-live-stream-in-australia/107258064) ESafety says it can't prevent Australians from seeing execution live stream       ()               React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:51am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:51am      O'Brien sees Taylor as 'next prime minister'   L   By Lexie Jeuniewic     Liberal frontbencher Ted O'Brien has given a full-throated backing of the opposition leader, as former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg calls for the Coalition to change tack to win back voters. As speculation swirls about Frydenberg's potential return to politics, so too have questions to current Liberal MPs about their thoughts on whether they'd like to see him back. O'Brien says his party is "absolutely focused on the future". "So I've got no problem with Josh or anyone else having a say," the shadow foreign affairs minister tells me in the corridor of parliament. I throw him a question about whether he'd like to see Frydenberg as the next leader of the opposition, to which he enthusiastically responds: "Angus Taylor is doing a fantastic job as our leader and I see Angus Taylor as Australia's next prime minister. "It is the only way that we get this country out of the mess that it's in."            React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:45am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:45am      Funding for 'undervalued' work (Erin Handley profile image)    E   By Erin Handley     A trio of Labor frontbenchers, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth , Health Minister Mark Butler and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek are out spruiking a $630 million funding announcement they say will help address the gender pay gap. (Amanda Rishworth speaking in pink blazer with Mark Bulter, Tanya Plibersek standing beside her, and a blonde home care worker in red union shirt.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   As the ABC's economics reporter Tom Crowley wrote in the blog earlier, the funds go to non-profits and charities that deliver services for the federal government. "The reason that this work has historically been undervalued is because it's been historicallly done by women," Plibersek said. "But these women have families to feed too."  Butler says mostly women have effectively "subsidised" this work by accepting lower wages. He added that higher wages would help recruit and retain staff. In a press conference, they were joined by a home care worker called Sarah: "Our pay isn't great. We need things to change. Because we can't help people if we can't help ourselves," she said.            React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am      More Liberal MPs weigh in on possible Frydenberg return (Erin Handley profile image)    E   By Erin Handley     Opposition frontbencherDan Tehan has said he'd prefer to see Josh Frydenberg in parliament than current Kooyong MP Monique Ryan . Teal independent Ryan ousted Frydenberg, the then-treasurer, at the 2022 election. "My view is this place would be a better place if we have Josh Frydenberg in, and Monique Ryan out," Tehan said.  But he rejected Frydenberg's suggestions about raising the GST, saying Opposition leader Angus Taylor had ruled that out. "This is not the time in a cost of living crisis to raise taxes," he said.  Current shadow treasurer Tim Wilson was also asked about a possible Frydenberg return, and reiterated that the party needs good people under an Angus Taylor-led Coalition. "If Josh wants to put his hand forward, so be it, because we want the best candidates on the ground" Wilson said.  As Labor's Employment MinisterAmanda Rishworth stepped into the frame for the next press conference, she could be heard quipping that Wilson "didn't answer that question".           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am      Frydenberg 'setting the groundwork' to return with ambition to be leader: Joyce (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     (A man holds his hands out.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   "Josh's popping up like an illegal smoke shop. Very bad for Angus Taylor's  health" — that's how Barnaby Joyce  described Josh Frydenberg's  latest media blitz. The former treasurer has been out and about this morning promoting the release of his memoir. Excerpts published on the weekend outlining a way forward for the Liberals sparked speculation that Frydenberg wants to make a comeback. Joyce told reporters it was pretty clear what Frydenberg was trying to do. "Josh, we've all played the game mate. We know what you're up to. You want to be the leader of the Coalition ... and you're setting the groundwork up," he says.  "Let's cut the BS, mate. We can all see through this."           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:26am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:26am      'We can't wait for Josh to save us': Liberal MP (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     ()    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   Fresh off being named best on ground in a 7-2 victory in a rugby league friendly, Liberal MP Simon Kennedy  was pretty blunt in his assessment ofJosh Frydenberg's  speculated return to politics. "I want Josh. I want as many good candidates as we can. Josh would be great. But ... we can't wait for Josh to save us," he says. Kennedy holds the seat of Cook in Sydney's shire. He says the Liberal Party needs "answers now" rather than in 18 months' time at the 2028 election. "The Liberal Party needs to find its form, and I think it will find its stride leading up to this election."           React  React          Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:09am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:09am      Frydenberg would make 'terrific' addition to Taylor's team: Hume (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     (A woman in a suit outside)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume  was the first of many to stop by the Senate doors this morning (that's where reporters lay in wait to ask politicians entering the parliament questions). It's probably no surprise she was asked about the speculation Josh Frydenberg  could soon be launching a political comeback. Hume says she wants to see the "A team line up" on the Coalition frontbench. "I think he'd make a terrific addition to Angus Taylor's  team," she says. "I think we want as many strong contenders at the next election as possible. We've got to win back all of those seats, Kooyong included, I'm looking forward to having the A team lining up behind Angus Taylor."            React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:56am      Greens want 12-month pause on import of smart glasses (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     A proposal to ban smart glasses will be put before parliament this week by the Greens. Leader David Shoebridge  will introduce a bill to establish a 12-month ban on the wearable technology amid concerns about privacy. Sarah Hanson-Young  says Australia's privacy laws and settings haven't kept up with the pace of technology. "We know that people are concerned that these types of glasses have been sold in Australia, that surveillance of individuals, that people's privacy is being breached," she told ABC's Radio National Breakfast.  "Even what is collected, the content that is being collected by these glasses, where does that go? Who in the big tech world is holding that information and that data? We need to make sure Australians' privacy is protected and the settings aren't right. So a moratorium on the import until privacy is protected."  Friend of the blog Erin Handley  has written an in-depth piece looking at the issue of smart glasses that I'd recommend at the link below.   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/federal-politics-smart-glasses-benefits-disability-community/107244416) AI smart glasses a 'game changer' for blind and deaf people       ()               React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:44am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:44am      Handful of 'toll collectors' could be the only beneficiaries of AI boom   P   By Patricia Karvelas     If a handful of artificial intelligence (AI) companies become "toll collectors" for the rest of the economy, overall income inequality could rise even as wage gaps shrink, an MP is warning. The assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and treasury, Andrew Leigh, will make a case for whether AI increases inequality during a speech to the JPMorgan AI Conference tomorrow. In an advance excerpt of his speech, Leigh will argue that the biggest gains from AI may flow to those who own the technology, rather than those who use it. "If a handful of AI companies become toll collectors for the rest of the economy, overall income inequality could rise even as wage gaps shrink," he will say. Leigh will make the link that while AI makes a junior worker more productive, it could reduce the number of junior workers a firm needs. Read the full story at the link below.    (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-12/andrew-leigh-questions-whether-ai-could-increase-inequality/107257758) AI boom could widen income inequality, Labor MP warns       ()               React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:35am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:35am      'I don't think so': Hanson-Young doesn't think she'll try and run for Greens leadership again (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     Sarah Hanson-Young  doesn't think she'll run for the leadership of the Greens again. The SA senator put her hand up after Larissa Waters  stepped down last month and faced a three-cornered contest with Mehreen Faruqi  and David Shoebridge.  Shoebridge was ultimately elected. Asked if she would do it again, Hanson-Young replies: "I don't think so ... I put my hat in the ring, of course, a couple of weeks ago when the position was vacant." She says Shoebridge has hit the road very quickly and has "brought an enormous amount of energy".           React  React          Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:25am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:25am      Hanson-Young urges PM to call Trump over execution streaming plan (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     (A women looks to the left as she is asked a question.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on the prime minister to pick up the phone and lobby US President Donald Trump  against a planned streamed execution by firing squad. The planned live-streamed execution of mass shooterNidal Malik Hasan was widely condemned in Canberra, but the eSafety Commission says it does not have the powers to stop the broadcast online. Hanson-Young says Anthony Albanese  should call Trump and the big tech companies and say Australia won't accept this being streamed here. "The Australian government needs to pick up the phone to the United States president and the US administration. I mean this is barbaric," she tells ABC Radio National Breakfast.            React  React          Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:04am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:04am      Frydenberg undecided if he'll mount comeback (Courtney Gould profile image)    C   By Courtney Gould     (Man with his arms closed on a bench in the house of parliament.)    (ABC News: Matt Roberts)   The Liberals are on the "brink of extinction" thanks to private feuds and ideological vendettas — that's what former treasurer Josh Frydenberg  writes in his new memoir. He dialled into ABC's Radio National Breakfast this morning, where he was asked whether the book signals he wants back into political life. The former treasurer insists he hasn't made a decision but concedes that while he's happy with his post-politics life, he does miss the "cut and thrust" of it. Frydenberg says it's like his former inner-Melbourne seat of Kooyong that the Liberals need to try and win back. He wants the Liberals to focus on the way the electorate has changed. "It's more urbanised, it's younger, it's more highly educated. And we, as a party, hold very few of the metropolitan seats which dominate the political landscape in Australia and that's what we need to win back as part of a broader strategy to get back to government," he says.  But he declined to say the Coalition's record-low support in published opinion polls was due to a leadership failure. Rather, it's a result of a "structural realignment". "The problem for the Liberal Party is that when we get a primary vote in the low 30s, we end up with 43 seats ... and when Labor gets a primary vote in the low 30s, they end up with 94 seats. And so we need to understand that changing dynamic," he says. So will he recontest the Kooyong or throw his hat in the ring elsewhere? Frydenberg says he's not decided yet. But then goes on to talk about the close relationship he continues to have with the community.           React  React          Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:38am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:38am      AI inquiry urges independent safety checks, security access and copyright review   C   By Clare Armstrong     Australia should require AI companies to submit to independent safety checks, reserve computing power for local use and give security agencies early access to new models, a parliamentary committee has recommended. The bipartisan inquiry examining artificial intelligence has provided "early advice" to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese afterthe OpenAI breach, in which autonomous agents gained unauthorised access to Medicare statistics. The committee has endorsed investment in data centres, backed by national standards covering resource use, additional electricity generation and community consultation. It also urged a review of Australia's copyright settings, which would conflict with creative groups seeking stronger enforcement of existing protections rather than changes to accommodate the AI industry. Read the full story at the link below.   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/ai-inquiry-independent-safety-watchdogs/107258612) AI inquiry urges independent safety watchdogs inside companies       ()               React  React           Show more posts        Timeline     (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348623) AI committee recommends strengthening of copyright laws     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:54am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:54am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:54am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348618) Bowen promotes need for government-owned national fuel reserve     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:46am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:46am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:46am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348606) Greens at odds with one another over Ukraine     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:30am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:30am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:30am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348601) 'Balance' needed on AI smart glasses, Plibersek says     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:22am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:22am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:22am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348585) Angus Taylor tells party room the 'wheels are falling off' government     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:42am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:42am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:42am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348583) Health minister denies 'misleading' figures     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:36am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:36am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:36am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348575) Coal and gas avoiding stricter laws by expanding existing mines: Climate Council     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:20am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:20am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:20am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348567) O'Brien calls for government to consider 'every possible lever' to block execution live stream     Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:00am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:00am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 10:00am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348564) O'Brien sees Taylor as 'next prime minister'     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:51am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:51am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:51am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348563) Funding for 'undervalued' work     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:45am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:45am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:45am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348560) More Liberal MPs weigh in on possible Frydenberg return     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348559) Frydenberg 'setting the groundwork' to return with ambition to be leader: Joyce     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:41am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348556) 'We can't wait for Josh to save us': Liberal MP     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:26am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:26am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:26am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348552) Frydenberg would make 'terrific' addition to Taylor's team: Hume     Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:09am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:09am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 9:09am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348547) Greens want 12-month pause on import of smart glasses     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:56am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348542) Handful of 'toll collectors' could be the only beneficiaries of AI boom     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:44am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:44am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:44am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348539) 'I don't think so': Hanson-Young doesn't think she'll try and run for Greens leadership again     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:35am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:35am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:35am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348536) Hanson-Young urges PM to call Trump over execution streaming plan     Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:25am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:25am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:25am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348529) Frydenberg undecided if he'll mount comeback     Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:04am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:04am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 8:04am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348526) AI inquiry urges independent safety checks, security access and copyright review     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:38am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:38am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:38am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348524) Minister says live streaming of US execution would be 'disgusting'     Key Event   Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:26am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:26am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:26am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348523) 'Everyone loves Josh': Canavan denies Frydenberg speculation a distraction     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:16am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:16am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:16am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348522) Canavan urges Greens to help 'hit pause' on discretionary trust crackdown     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:11am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:11am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:11am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348521) eSafety can't pre-emptively block execution video     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:10am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:10am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:10am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348520) 'Australians need to support that': Hanson-Young on question of military aid to Ukraine     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:03am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:03am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 7:03am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348519) Fresh taxpayer subsidy for care workers in gender pay push     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:53am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:53am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:53am         (107257420.html#live-blog-post-348518) Good morning 👋     Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:51am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:51am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:51am                Share options (Copy link) (107257420.html#)    Copy link   (Share by Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2026-10-13%2Ffederal-politics-live-blog-october-13%2F107257420%3Futm_campaign%3Dabc_news_web%26utm_content%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dcontent_shared%26utm_source%3Dabc_news_web)   Facebook   (Share by X (formerly Twitter)) (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Federal+politics+live%3A+Politicians+call+potential+US+execution+live+stream+%27disgusting%27+and+%27repugnant%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2026-10-13%2Ffederal-politics-live-blog-october-13%2F107257420%3Futm_campaign%3Dabc_news_web%26utm_content%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dcontent_shared%26utm_source%3Dabc_news_web)   X (formerly Twitter)        Top Stories     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/body-found-in-cattle-dip-identified-missing-grandmother/107258984) Breaking: Body found in cattle dip is identified as missing grandmother     BREAKING       (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/body-found-in-cattle-dip-identified-missing-grandmother/107258984) (Older woman)         (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/qld-ashley-paul-griffith-extradition-nsw/107259504) Breaking: Paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith to stand trial in NSW     BREAKING         (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/acem-report-aging-population-health-system-crisis/107257352) Report finds Australia's aging population causing looming health system crisis     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/older-people) Topic: Older People        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/qld-murder-trial-double-jeopardy/107259578) Queensland's first retrial for murder ordered under double jeopardy laws     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/courts) Topic: Courts        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/ice-raid-illhan-omar-trump-democrat/107258572) ICE raids home of Democratic US congresswoman Ilhan Omar     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/world-politics) Topic: World Politics          (https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) Just In        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/melbourne-teenagers-speak-out-about-arson-attacks/107257202) Critical Melbourne teen's close ties with fatal stabbing victim revealed     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/arson) Topic: Arson    Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:10pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:10pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:10pm        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/aftermath-harmful-conspiracies-documentary/107257376) How do you rebuild after a mass shooting? This documentary explores one woman's story     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/arts-culture-and-entertainment) Topic: Arts, Culture and Entertainment    Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:09pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:09pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:09pm        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/lee-point-federal-governement-ministers-lobby-stop-development/107255460) Ministers and Aboriginal custodians divided over Darwin housing development     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/environmental-impacts) Topic: Environmental Impacts    Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:08pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:08pm Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 12:08pm        (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/molly-ticehursts-father-responds-to-possible-appeal/107259172) Molly Ticehurst's father dismayed by killer's possible appeal     (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/domestic-violence) Topic: Domestic Violence    Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:56am Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 11:56am       (https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) More Just In     (107257420.html#Top) Back to top          (https://www.abc.net.au/news)        ABC News   (https://www.abc.net.au/news/contact) Contact ABC News   Your home of Australian stories, conversations and events that shape our nation. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Follow ABC News (Tiktok) (https://www.tiktok.com/@abcnewsaus)     (Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/abcnews.au/)     (Instagram) (https://www.instagram.com/abcnews_au/)       (YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/user/newsonabc)     (Apple News) (https://apple.news/TsieN9U-WQ0SZbtP1VTI4uQ)       (X) (https://x.com/abcnews/)          Sections (https://www.abc.net.au/) ABC News Home  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) Just In  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/for-you) For You  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/newschannel) Watch Live News  (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/news) Live ABC NewsRadio  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/politics) Politics  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections) Elections  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/australia) Australia  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/world) World  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport) Sport  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/audio) Live Sport  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural) Rural  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/business) Business  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/analysis-and-opinion) Analysis  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/science) Science  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/health) Health  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/lifestyle) Lifestyle  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/entertainment) Entertainment  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/quizzes) Quizzes  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/topics) More Topics    News in Language (https://www.abc.net.au/news/chinese) Chinese 中文  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/tok-pisin) Tok Pisin  (https://www.abc.net.au/news/indonesian) Berita Bahasa Indonesia         Related (https://www.abc.net.au/news/app) ABC News app  (https://www.abc.net.au/local) Local News  (https://www.abc.net.au/emergency) ABC Emergency  (https://www.abc.net.au/indigenous) ABC Indigenous  (https://www.abc.net.au/religion) ABC Religion & Ethics  (https://www.abc.net.au/asia) ABC Asia  (https://www.abc.net.au/pacific) ABC Pacific    Music & Audio (https://www.abc.net.au/listen) ABC Listen Home  (https://www.abc.net.au/triplej) triple j  (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radio) Live Radio    Movies & TV (https://iview.abc.net.au) ABC iview Home  (https://iview.abc.net.au/shows) List of ABC Shows  (https://iview.abc.net.au/category/watch-live) Live TV  (https://www.abc.net.au/tv/) TV Guide    Kids & Students (https://www.abc.net.au/btn) BTN  (https://www.abc.net.au/education) Education  (https://www.abc.net.au/heywire) Heywire  (https://www.abc.net.au/takeover) Takeover  (https://www.abc.net.au/abckids) ABC Kids          Get the ABC News AM newsletter Get the latest ABC News delivered to your email inbox Email address (Enter your email) ()    Subscribe   Your information is being handled in accordance with the(https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001511015) ABC Privacy Collection Statement .      All ABC newsletters Stay informed and connected with the ABC. Covering a wide range of topics and brands including News, iview, listen, and more.  (https://www.abc.net.au/newsletters) Browse all ABC newsletters         (https://www.abc.net.au/)   ABC home  Information & Services (https://www.abc.net.au/edpols/) Editorial Policies  (https://www.abc.net.au/about/accessibility-statement/103700726) Accessibility  (https://help.abc.net.au/) Help  (https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001150496-Contact-the-ABC) Contact Us  (https://www.abc.net.au/commercial/) Commercial  (https://www.abc.net.au/careers/) Careers  (https://www.abc.net.au/about/) About the ABC  (https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001154976-ABC-Privacy-Policy) Privacy Policy  (https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001548096-ABC-Terms-of-Use) Terms of Use  (https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001548096-ABC-Terms-of-Use#Use_of_ABC_Content) © 2026 ABC     Follow the ABC (ABC on TikTok) (https://www.tiktok.com/@abc)     (ABC on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/abc/)     (ABC on YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/abcaustralia)     (ABC on Instagram) (https://www.instagram.com/abcaustralia/)         We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.