Australia news as it happened: Senator Jacinta Price sacked from Coalition frontbench, PM spruiks Fiji security pact from Pacific

Thanks for following our live blog – that’s a wrap for today. We’ll be back tomorrow with more live coverage.

Here’s a quick recap of today’s top stories:

• Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been dumped from the Coalition frontbench, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley describing comments she made last Wednesday regarding Indian migrants as “deeply hurtful”.
• US President Donald Trump criticised Israel’s deadly strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar, saying the attack “does not advance” ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations. Five lower-level Hamas members were killed in the strike, but top leaders survived.
• Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned Israel’s attack, warning it risks escalating tensions and undermines ceasefire efforts. Acting PM Richard Marles also criticised the strike, saying it violated Qatari sovereignty and endangered peace talks.
• Australia will buy dozens of high-tech, locally made submarine drones under a $1.7 billion plan to boost military autonomy and compete with China.
• The Australian government will commit $100 million to Pacific Island nations for “climate-resilient future” solutions.
• Poland’s military said it had scrambled its own and NATO air defences to shoot down drones that had entered its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, calling it an “act of aggression”.
• National Australia Bank will cut 410 jobs in its technology and enterprise operations division in the latest round of job-cutting by a big-four bank.
• Wong said Australia’s bid to host the 2026 COP climate conference faces challenges, with Türkiye refusing to withdraw its competing bid. The PM said Australia and the Pacific had a strong claim to host the summit, given the severe impact of climate change in the region.
• Wong is also working to resolve issues delaying a $500 million economic and security deal with Vanuatu, amid concerns it could limit foreign infrastructure funding.

Thanks again for joining us. Join us tomorrow for more news from Australia and beyond.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says Price will be a “big loss” to the opposition shadow ministry.

A long-time backer of Price, Abbott posted to X just moments ago: “Jacinta Price will be a big loss to the frontbench but I’m confident that she will continue to make a strong contribution to our public life.”

Ley said her message to those who marched in anti-migration protests at the end of last month was that the real issues were about getting the balance right, and were not about the failure of any migrant or migrant community.

“This is a failure of our government for not providing the infrastructure that allows for the jobs, services, schooling, education, roads, to actually support our growing communities. And I will not take a step back from being critical of the government in not getting that balance right when it comes to migration and infrastructure, particularly with respect to housing,” she said.

Asked again about what she said to Price, Ley refused to answer and stressed once more that confidence in the leadership of the Liberal Party – “and that is my leadership” – was required to serve in the shadow ministry.

The press conference then wrapped up with no further questions taken.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is speaking from Hobart, Tasmania, to explain why she dumped Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from her frontbench role as opposition defence industry spokeswoman.

“Several days ago, Senator Nampajinpa Price made comments that were deeply hurtful to Indian Australians,” Ley said.

“The comments were wrong and should not have been made.

“Since that time, my team and I have been out listening to Australians of Indian heritage, and we have heard their response and the pain and hurt that these remarks provided for them, and despite being given the time and space to apologise, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price did not offer an apology.”

Ley said she had called Price two hours ago to tell her she was no longer on the frontbench.

“I don’t divulge the details of private conversations. My call to her was to advise her of the decision that I have made and to advise her that today, critically, she refused to express confidence in my leadership of Liberal Party, and confidence in the leader is a requirement for serving in the shadow ministry.”

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is about to make an announcement about Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price after Price again declined to apologise for her comments on Indian migrants, or confirm her support for Ley.

Ley is holding a press conference at 6.30pm and a source said Price was likely to be dumped from the shadow ministry.

Most MPs were unaware of the move at 6pm and Ley’s office was not returning calls.