Australian universities are not doing enough to combat the influence of China’s ruling Communist Party, a group of Federal Government backbenchers has warned. The comments follow recent pro-Beijing rallies staged in several Australian cities against Hong Kong’s democracy movement — rallies which were praised by Chinese Government-controlled media— and come just days after Liberal MP Andrew Hastie warned about China’s activities. Fellow Liberal MP …

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed an “implementation road map” around the 54 recommendations from the financial services royal commission that called for Government action. The final report from commissioner Kenneth Hayne made 76 recommendations, 54 of which were directed at the Government, which has been accused of dragging its feet in response to the commission. In what is described as …

Chinese Government-controlled media has publicly congratulated pro-Beijing protesters who gathered in Melbourne on Friday, while the nation’s ambassador to Australia has warned foreigners not to support pro-democracy activists. An estimated 600 people from rival pro-Hong Kong democracy and pro-China groups took part in demonstrations outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne. Several scuffles broke out, forcing police to separate the groups. …

The man accused of going on a deadly stabbing rampage in central Sydney on Tuesday will defend the charges laid against him on the grounds of mental illness, his lawyer says. Mert Ney, 20, appeared briefly at Parramatta Bail Court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged last night. His lawyer Zemarai Khatiz told the …

Scott Morrison has emphatically ruled out lifting the $40-a-day rate of Newstart, warning campaigners including Barnaby Joyce they are out of touch with what voters want. The Prime Minister, who credits “the quiet Australians” with his election victory, said voters want the welfare system to work for taxpayers too. “I’m not going to lead people on about this. You ask …

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar has used parliamentary privilege to accuse those challenging the eligibility of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to sit in Parliament of being “disgusting, disgruntled, debauched” and anti-semitic. The extraordinary attack was condemned as “a total abuse of parliamentary privilege” on Thursday night. But Mr Sukkar said he felt compelled to highlight the issue, given the rise of anti-semitism. …

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop is to become the next chancellor of the Australian National University. The retired Liberal politician will replace former Labor politician Gareth Evans, and will be the first woman to hold the role. Ms Bishop – who left federal parliament at the election in May after more than 20 years – will begin a three-year term …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of peddling porkies after claiming people on the dole secure $130 a fortnight on average in extra payments. The New Daily asked welfare groups, the Department of Social Services and the Australian National University to crunch the numbers. The Department’s figures show a majority of people on Newstart – 51 per cent – …

Challenges have been lodged against two sitting Victorian MPs in the High Court, claiming dirty tricks during the May 2019 federal election campaign. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and newbie member for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, are both facing allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct, over Chinese language posters displayed in their electorates on polling day. Meanwhile, Frydenberg is also facing a second …

Owners of units in Sydney’s Opal Tower are seeking millions of dollars in compensation from the State Government in a class-action lawsuit. In documents lodged with the NSW Supreme Court late on Friday, owners of the western Sydney apartment tower are suing the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA), the owner of the land on which the Opal Tower sits. The …