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Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs afraid at home and work after alleged attack on Helen Haines

Home and office safety a common concern in Australian federal police and Asio safety briefings with politicians following alleged attack on MP Helen Haines

Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices after numerous federal politicians told police and Asio in safety briefings that they were worried about widening threats after the alleged attack on Helen Haines.

The Labor government and politicians across the parliament are still considering how they will respond when they return to Canberra next week, with ideas being floated including a new committee on MPs’ safety, greater resources for police, and motions of condolence for Haines, who lost both her legs after Monday’s incident. Renewed calls from the crossbench for reforms to question time and the tone of debate in parliament are unlikely to be taken up by the major parties.

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© Photograph: James Ross/EPA

© Photograph: James Ross/EPA

© Photograph: James Ross/EPA

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Soft-spoken David Pocock has big ambitions – but first he wants politicians to ‘double down’ on kindness

Independent senator’s goals ‘much bigger’ than prime ministership, he reveals in first speech to National Press Club

He’s six foot tall and full of muscle, but David Pocock’s real strength is often sounding like the most sensible, commonsense voice in the room.

At his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said he wasn’t launching a bid for prime minister – no matter how much some people might like the softly spoken senator to have more say in federal politics.

A 25% tax on gas exports, which he said could fund anything from boosting welfare to health reforms and aged care.

A 5% levy on datacentres to capture more benefits from the AI boom.

Transparency reforms to shine a light on lobbyists, secret meetings with politicians and vested interests.

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© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

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David Shoebridge responds to Jordon Steele-John’s explosive statement as Greens hold emergency meeting

The new Greens leader says it is his understanding the West Australian senator ‘agreed’ to take leave from the party room

Greens leader David Shoebridge has said it was his understanding Jordon Steele-John agreed to take leave from parliament while misconduct allegations against him are investigated, and that it’s “appropriate” that he does so, despite the Western Australian senator saying overnight that he was not on leave and had never agreed to stay away from parliament.

Steele-John released a lengthy, explosive statement on Sunday night claiming Shoebridge pressured him to take leave after complaints about his conduct were made public last week, and accused an internal faction within the Greens of playing “nasty political games”. He has denied any allegations of misconduct.

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© Composite: AAP

© Composite: AAP

© Composite: AAP

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