Latest news with #Labor-held
Sydney Morning Herald
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Muslim Vote to support candidates in NSW, Victorian elections
A pro-Palestine political movement that failed to win a seat at the May federal election has vowed to push on and support candidates for the upcoming Victorian and NSW state elections. The Muslim Vote endorsed independent candidates in three Labor-held seats – Watson and Blaxland in western Sydney and Calwell in Melbourne's north-west. Its greatest success was in Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's seat of Watson, where independent Ziad Basyouny was the second-most popular candidate on a two-candidate preferred basis. Burke, who was accused of 'vote buying' after holding pre-election mass citizenship ceremonies in Sydney's culturally diverse western suburbs, still comfortably won the seat, receiving 66 per cent of the vote after preferences were distributed. In Education Minister Jason Clare's seat of Blaxland, Ahmed Ouf won 18.76 per cent of first preferences, but the Liberal candidate was second-preferred. In Calwell, Samim Moslih only garnered 6.85 per cent of first preferences. Despite failing to win a seat, Muslim Vote convenor Sheikh Wesam Charkawi said the results were a 'significant step' that 'demonstrated the model works'. In each seat, the independent campaign ate into both Labor and the Liberals' first preference vote distribution from the 2022 federal election. 'One form of success in the political arena is unseating the sitting minister. Another form is winning hearts and minds of the masses, setting the foundations for future challenges,' Charkawi said. 'We've had an avalanche of people reach out to us post-election, either to be candidates or to support our work ... The community isn't backing down. We all want to continue.'
The Age
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Muslim Vote to support candidates in NSW, Victorian elections
A pro-Palestine political movement that failed to win a seat at the May federal election has vowed to push on and support candidates for the upcoming Victorian and NSW state elections. The Muslim Vote endorsed independent candidates in three Labor-held seats – Watson and Blaxland in western Sydney and Calwell in Melbourne's north-west. Its greatest success was in Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's seat of Watson, where independent Ziad Basyouny was the second-most popular candidate on a two-candidate preferred basis. Burke, who was accused of 'vote buying' after holding pre-election mass citizenship ceremonies in Sydney's culturally diverse western suburbs, still comfortably won the seat, receiving 66 per cent of the vote after preferences were distributed. In Education Minister Jason Clare's seat of Blaxland, Ahmed Ouf won 18.76 per cent of first preferences, but the Liberal candidate was second-preferred. In Calwell, Samim Moslih only garnered 6.85 per cent of first preferences. Despite failing to win a seat, Muslim Vote convenor Sheikh Wesam Charkawi said the results were a 'significant step' that 'demonstrated the model works'. In each seat, the independent campaign ate into both Labor and the Liberals' first preference vote distribution from the 2022 federal election. 'One form of success in the political arena is unseating the sitting minister. Another form is winning hearts and minds of the masses, setting the foundations for future challenges,' Charkawi said. 'We've had an avalanche of people reach out to us post-election, either to be candidates or to support our work ... The community isn't backing down. We all want to continue.'
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman slam anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe over misinformation, bullying claims
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Opposition Leader Mark Speakman in accusing an anti-abortion activist of spreading 'misinformation', hours before parliamentarians vote on a hotly contested bill seeking to expand access to abortions in the state. Mr Minns accused campaigner Dr Joanna Howe on Wednesday of spreading an 'enormous amount of misinformation' on social media, but noted he did not blame her for a rumour that consciences objectors would be compelled to perform abortions. 'It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community, believing that the reform changes, the legislative changes, are far more extensive than they are,' Mr Minns said. 'I think that there are genuine differences, particularly when you have a matter as sensitive as abortion. 'It's not helped by putting an enormous amount of misinformation. 'As for threatening politicians about what you will and won't do, well that's a matter for activists. But, generally speaking, Australian politicians, regardless of their background or ideology, react incredibly poorly to that kind of threat.' Mr Speakman on Tuesday night accused Ms Howe, who is self-described as 'the lead advocate' against the bill, of 'brazen bullying' following an email in which she told the Liberal leader she would halt a campaign targeting Labor seats. 'Should Premier Minns vote for the bill and enable its passage, I will be leading a 20-month campaign across five marginal seats that are currently Labor-held but are also in socially conservative electorates,' Mr Speakman said Ms Howe said. 'However, if you choose to vote for the bill, I will be left with no other choice but to suspend my planned campaign against Labor in order to lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader.' In response, Mr Speakman said he would 'not cave to brazen bullying like this nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics. I will vote according to my conscience and balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns. 'I thank all constituents who have contacted me. I have carefully considered their sincere and varying views. I will therefore vote for the bill. I think that, on balance, the bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in NSW. 'It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions.' Mr Speakman said some opposition to the bill was 'based on misinformation' and that 'the attacks on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in the original bill have now been removed by successful amendments.' The Liberal leader described the bill as a 'shadow of its former self' and could 'no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'', noting that there was 'no way I could have voted for the bill in its original form'. Those views were somewhat reflected by Mr Minns on Wednesday. The Premier told the media he would support the bill 'in its current incarnation'. 'I couldn't have supported the removal of conscientious objection, but it's not in the bill anymore,' he said. The bill, introduced by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn in February, would expand access to abortions by allowing nurse practitioners to supply medication to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks in gestation. It will be voted on tonight in the NSW Legislative Assembly where, if passed, it will become law. The vote comes after a raft of amendments, including the removal of provisions to empower the Health Minister to compel public health services to comply with directions to offer abortion services and would require practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will perform the abortion. The bill has stirred fiery debate since it was tabled. In a parliamentary debate last week, upper house Liberal MP Chris Rath compared abortion to the Nazi genocide of Jews, stating 'it is bizarre that abortion is increasingly being categorised as a human right to health care'. Mr Rath later apologised for the statement. In Facebook video on Wednesday, Ms Howe claimed Mr Speakman's speech had been leaked to the media 'because they think it will stop me from speaking', and vowed to publish the email to 'let you guys decide' if she was a 'bully'.
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Anti-abortion activist accused of political bullying
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Opposition Leader Mark Speakman in accusing an anti-abortion activist of spreading 'misinformation', hours before parliamentarians vote on a hotly contested bill seeking to expand access to abortions in the state. Mr Minns accused campaigner Dr Joanna Howe on Wednesday of spreading an 'enormous amount of misinformation' on social media, but noted he did not blame her for a rumour that consciences objectors would be compelled to perform abortions. 'It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community, believing that the reform changes, the legislative changes, are far more extensive than they are,' Mr Minns said. 'I think that there are genuine differences, particularly when you have a matter as sensitive as abortion. 'It's not helped by putting an enormous amount of misinformation. 'As for threatening politicians about what you will and won't do, well that's a matter for activists. But, generally speaking, Australian politicians, regardless of their background or ideology, react incredibly poorly to that kind of threat.' Mr Speakman on Tuesday night accused Ms Howe, who is self-described as 'the lead advocate' against the bill, of 'brazen bullying' following an email in which she told the Liberal leader she would halt a campaign targeting Labor seats. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe threatened to call off a campaign against Labor seats. Picture Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia 'Should Premier Minns vote for the bill and enable its passage, I will be leading a 20-month campaign across five marginal seats that are currently Labor-held but are also in socially conservative electorates,' Mr Speakman said Ms Howe said. 'However, if you choose to vote for the bill, I will be left with no other choice but to suspend my planned campaign against Labor in order to lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader.' In response, Mr Speakman said he would 'not cave to brazen bullying like this nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics. I will vote according to my conscience and balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns. 'I thank all constituents who have contacted me. I have carefully considered their sincere and varying views. I will therefore vote for the bill. I think that, on balance, the bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in NSW. 'It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions.' Mr Speakman said some opposition to the bill was 'based on misinformation' and that 'the attacks on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in the original bill have now been removed by successful amendments.' NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman accused Ms Howe of 'brazen bullying'. NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: The Daily Telegraph The Liberal leader described the bill as a 'shadow of its former self' and could 'no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'', noting that there was 'no way I could have voted for the bill in its original form'. Those views were somewhat reflected by Mr Minns on Wednesday. The Premier told the media he would support the bill 'in its current incarnation'. 'I couldn't have supported the removal of conscientious objection, but it's not in the bill anymore,' he said. The bill, introduced by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn in February, would expand access to abortions by allowing nurse practitioners to supply medication to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks in gestation. It will be voted on tonight in the NSW Legislative Assembly where, if passed, it will become law. Premier Chris Minns said he would support the amended bill. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia The vote comes after a raft of amendments, including the removal of provisions to empower the Health Minister to compel public health services to comply with directions to offer abortion services and would require practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will perform the abortion. The bill has stirred fiery debate since it was tabled. In a parliamentary debate last week, upper house Liberal MP Chris Rath compared abortion to the Nazi genocide of Jews, stating 'it is bizarre that abortion is increasingly being categorised as a human right to health care'. Mr Rath later apologised for the statement. In Facebook video on Wednesday, Ms Howe claimed Mr Speakman's speech had been leaked to the media 'because they think it will stop me from speaking', and vowed to publish the email to 'let you guys decide' if she was a 'bully'.
9 News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- 9 News
NSW opposition leader accuses anti-abortion campaigner of 'brazen bullying', political threats
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has accused anti-abortion crusader Joanna Howe of "brazen bullying" after she threatened his leadership if he supported an abortion access bill currently before parliament. The bill would allow practitioners and endorsed midwives to provide drugs to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks. Labor and Coalition members have been allowed a conscience vote on the bill, which was introduced by Greens MP and former GP Amanda Cohn. Mark Speakman leader of the NSW Liberal Party. (Kate Geraghty) Speakman told parliament last night that he was in "shock" over an email Howe had sent him on Monday. "Should Premier Minns vote for the bill and enable its passage, I will be leading a 20-month campaign across five marginal seats that are currently Labor-held, but are also in socially conservative electorates," Howe said in the email. "If you choose to vote for the bill, I will be left with no other choice but to suspend my planned campaign against Labor, in order to lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader." Speakman said he would not cave into "brazen bullying" and would support the bill. "I won't cave in to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of New South Wales politics," he said. "I will vote according to my conscience to balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns. "I think that, on balance, the bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in New South Wales. "It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions." Joanna Howe is a law professor and one of the country's most vocal voices against abortion rights. (LinkedIn) Howe, a law professor and one of the country's most vocal voices against abortion rights, is based in South Australia but has been in New South Wales to rally and protest against the bill alongside former prime minister Tony Abbott. In a social media post today, she said Speakman "can't handle the democratic process". "Just to be clear, it's not bullying to do everything within our power as the people to topple this spineless coward, which make no mistake, we will do," she said. In its original form, the abortion access bill had four elements: allowing practitioners and midwives to provide abortion drugs for early-stage pregnancies; making doctors with conscientious objections to abortion to have to refer the patient to a practitioner who would provide the service; removing mandatory reporting requirements; and ensuring abortion services were within a reasonable distance from homes across the state. All but one of those proposals — allowing practitioners and some midwives to provide abortion drugs for early-stage pregnancies — were stripped from the bill and a watered-down version is now before parliament. The amended abortion access bill is expected to pass this week. Politics New South Wales national Australia health abortion parliament CONTACT US Auto news: Australia's most dangerous regional roads revealed.
