Australia politics live: MPs to pay tribute to Helen Haines as parliament resumes; Hanson says One Nation cartoons ‘not going anywhere’

Auditor-general examining if detention in Victorian police cells breaches human rights

The Victorian auditor-general is investigating the detention of people in police cells, after Guardian Australia revealed the practice routinely led to the force breaching its own guidelines.

The auditor-general’s office confirmed it was set to examine whether Victoria Police and the department of justice “manage prison and police cell capacity to support human rights and the efficient functioning of the justice system”.

Guardian Australia reported in November last year that the process of “decanting” was resulting in people being moved hundreds of kilometres across Victoria as the government grappled with tougher bail laws and a shortage of prison beds and corrections workers.

This was also leading to people spending more than the ۱۴ day-target in police cells, and, in some cases, meant they were serving their entire sentences there.

In announcing the audit earlier this month, the Victorian auditor-general’s office (Vago) said:

Police cells are designed to hold people for short periods, such as after arrest and for bail hearings. However, in ۲۰۲۵ there were media reports of police holding prisoners in police cells beyond the recommended ۱۴-day limit.

When cells at one station are full, police may transport individuals to other stations. In some reported cases, police have transported individuals hundreds of kilometres away.

This can mean that prisoners miss their court appearances and do not have easy access to their lawyers and health services. This undermines both prisoners’ human rights and the proper functioning of the justice system.

Vago noted that Victoria’s recent bail reforms were also likely to increase pressure on prison beds and staff capacity.

It said in a statement to Guardian Australia that the audit was underway and was expected to be tabled early next year.

You can read more on this issue here:

Safety concerns and threats have changed ‘dramatically’ for politicians

Cabinet minister Mark Butler has said this sitting week offers an opportunity to to discuss ways to keep MPs, their families and staffers safe.

Asked by ABC Radio National if much had changed during his time in parliament, Butler said:

It’s changed dramatically in my time.

I’ve been here for almost ۲۰ years and security has changed, and the federal police, in my experience, have been very, very responsive to our requests when there are threats or the possibility of me going to an event.

But just the number and the nature of threats of violence and death, not just to MPs, but to their children and to their partners and to their staff, is like nothing we saw ۲۰ years ago.

Politicians to sign ‘civility pledge’ following alleged attack on Haines

The speaker of the house, Milton Dick, will call for civility in parliament today, and some politicians are expected to sign a “civility pledge”.

Independent MP Helen Haines was the first to sign this pledge before she was allegedly attacked last week.

Fellow independent Kate Chaney, on Monday told ABC radio she would be adding her name:

I think there’s something really symbolic about the fact that Helen was [the first] federal MP to have signed this. It is a very simple thing.

It just says ‘in my political life I pledge to act with honesty, respect, and compassion’.

That feels to me like a simple and poignant way to honour the contribution Helen’s made to the parliament and continue to try to embody those values that she personifies in the way that I do my work in parliament.

Josh Butler

UTI treatment, contraception to be available through pharmacies

All Australian women will soon be able to attend a pharmacy for UTI treatment or re-supply of hormonal contraception, as the federal government expands a trial program to lower health care costs.

This program was previously restricted to concession card holders, but health minister Mark Butler and minister for women Katy Gallagher announced on Monday that it would be expanded to benefit an estimated ۹۰۰,۰۰۰ women.

The ۱۲ month trial, to begin from early ۲۰۲۷, will allow Australian women to access pharmacy treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and initiation or re-supply of hormonal contraception.

The federal government will cover pharmacist consultation costs, of up to $۳۸ per visit.

Gallagher said:

For too long, women’s experiences of the health system haven’t received the attention they deserve. We’re determined to change that. We’re making practical changes that give women more choice, make health care more accessible and help save women thousands of dollars over their lifetimes.

Butler added:

We want to make it easier for women to get care that fits into their lives.

Parliament will mark a solemn start to the sitting week as politicians pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines, who was rammed by a vehicle outside her electoral office.

The popular crossbencher was allegedly targeted in a deliberate attack when she was struck by a four-wheel drive on the main street of the Victorian town of Wangaratta on ۱۹ October.

She has had both legs amputated and remains in hospital a week after the incident.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will deliver a speech to parliament on Monday, reflecting on the alleged assault and its impact, and invite colleagues to do the same.

Fellow independent MP Monique Ryan described Dr Haines as the parliament’s “most gentle, principled and kind” member ahead of her planned remarks in the lower house.

“People who love her will try to do justice to Helen’s integrity and leadership,” she said.

“I hope that all members will rise to the occasion as Helen would do were she with us.

“We’ll feel her absence deeply.”

A fundraiser for charity Save the Children, set up on Wednesday by Haines’ family in lieu of flowers, had surpassed $۱.۲m in donations by Sunday afternoon.

– Australian Associated Press

Hanson says One Nation cartoons ‘not going anywhere’ despite criticism

Josh Butler

Pauline Hanson says One Nation’s controversial cartoon series “will not be going anywhere”, after growing outrage over its offensive portrayal of federal politicians including previous depictions of some being run over by motor vehicles.

Hanson said her party’s Please Explain animation series had “nothing to do with the tragic attack on Helen Haines”, and claimed major party politicians wanted the series “censored”.

The series has garnered further criticism after videos from ۲۰۲۳ and ۲۰۲۴ were re-circulated online and discussed on Sunday morning political talk shows on the ABC and News۲۴.

In one ۲۰۲۳ video, titled Under the Bus, Hanson appears to drive a bus over independent senator Lidia Thorpe, who had been depicted as lying under the vehicle’s tyres. In another from ۲۰۲۴, titled The State of Melbourne, former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is shown being run down by a car driven by cartoon character Bluey, with the video ending with suggestions Anthony Albanese was also about to be hit.

Those cartoons, published years before the attack on Haines, have been criticised for portraying violence against politicians. Shadow minister Ted O’Brien said on News۲۴ the cartoons were “not timely”, and while admitting he hadn’t seen them, questioned whether they were “appropriate in the current climate”.

The scrutiny comes after criticism of the cartoon series labelling Liberal MP Andrew Hastie a “traitor” and mocking Jacqui Lambie’s health condition. Hanson previously stood by those cartoons, but later apologised to Lambie and claimed she hadn’t seen that clip.

But Hanson, posting on social media on Sunday afternoon, rejected criticism of the other clips. She claimed “the Labor and Liberal Dirt Units are already back at work, attempting to use this tragedy to silence their critics and deflect from their own failings. Too many media organisations are happy to help them fling the dirt.”

The Please Explain cartoons have nothing to do with the tragic attack on Helen Haines. They will not be going anywhere. Liberal and Labor politicians want our cartoons censored because they don’t like the scrutiny.

Those seeking to exploit this tragedy to silence their critics should be ashamed of themselves.

Kat Wong

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’ll be bringing you the news from Canberra as parliament resumes, with MPs to pay tribute to Helen Haines and senators to return for the first week of estimates hearings in five months.

Let’s get started.