Australian politics live: Victoria Labor promises free abortion care if re-elected; Albanese criticises Hanson’s ‘monoculture’

Follow the day’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, has disputed the trade minister’s claims he walked out of a meeting on the European Union trade deal, suggesting Don Farrell might be “under a lot of pressure”. Farrell told the ABC yesterday afternoon that Canavan and shadow foreign affairs minister, Ted O’Brien, had walked out on him while he was explaining the deal. I can understand that Don is under a lot of pressure, because there are barely any friends of his dud European deal. I am happy to meet with Don anytime, but he ended our discussion, not me. I have written to Don with practical suggestions about how the deal can be improved and I remain open to discuss my concerns at any time. In response to concerns we heard during the exposure draft consultation and to make this abundantly clear, we have removed the ministerial rule-making power to define new harms in the final bill. We must shift the burden from the shoulders of victims to the companies that are creating the environments where harms occur. The Digital Duty of Care gives Australians choice... If someone wants their feed filled with friends and creators they follow, the social media platforms must give them that choice. And if you’re happy to stick with your algorithm – you can do so. Continue reading...