Key events
Good morning, Nick Visser here taking over for Martin Farrer. Let’s get into it.
Car has been deputy premier of NSW since Labor won government in March 2023, and was deputy Labor leader before that.
In 2022, the mother of one, who entered state parliament in 2015, took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Car was a Penrith City councillor and national communications manager at MS Australia before she entered parliament.
She was also an advisor to former NSW Labor premier Bob Carr from 2003 to 2005 and a party campaign co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007.
Car, who’s in her early 40s, is not the first woman MP to hold office while facing breast cancer.
Federal Victorian MP Peta Murphy battled a recurrence of breast cancer after she entered parliament in 2019. She died in 2023 aged 50.
The premier, Chris Minns, said Car was a fighter and would face her health challenge with determination and grace.
“I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues,” he said in a statement.
“I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks.”
NSW deputy premier reveals breast cancer diagnosis
The NSW deputy premier, Prue Car, has revealed she has breast cancer.
In a post on social media Car said she has some news to share “that’s not so great”.
“Some recent screening has confirmed that I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Car, who is in her early 40s and has a young son, said she will have to take time off to receive “some pretty significant treatment”.
“I’ve fought this before and I’m really confident that I can fight it again,” she said. “The prognosis is good.”
In July 2022 Car took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Her medical team was “really hopeful” about the prospects after treatment, Car said.
She reminded women to be vigilant about breast cancer checks, as spotting it early is very important.
“Bear with me while I get this done, while I fight this off,” she said. “I’ll be taking this time to get myself well and spend time with my young family.”
Anthony Albanese to address National Press Club today
The prime minister will tell the National Press Club today that government and democratic institutions “including a free media” can meet the demands of global uncertainty, despite growing attacks around the world and the shooting of an Australian reporter covering the Los Angeles unrest.
Read Tom McIlroy’s full story here:
D-day for Tasmanian political chaos
After a week of drama in Tasmanian politics, the premier, Jeremy Rockliff, is expected to visit the state’s governor today to request a state election.
Read our explainer on what’s going on:
Miriam Margolyes calls on Australian government to impose sanctions on Israel
Natasha May
Miriam Margolyes has called on the Australian government to impose sanctions against Israel.
Margolyes has recorded a video message as part of a campaign called “Jews say no to starving Gaza” run by the Jewish Council of Australia, founded to represent a Jewish voice opposed to Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
In the video, the British-born Jewish actor who lives in Australia says:
What I am begging is that the Australian government faces up to a moral responsibility to help the terrifying number of Palestinians facing complete starvation. You know and I know that people are dying – not just dying from starvation but being killed when they go to get whatever scraps of food they can find.
Please think of the children, think of the families. I do – every single day. I live my life happily in Australia. All they want is to have a happy life, just to live. And one of the duties of being Jewish is to save lives, to show compassion, to heal the world, the world is desperate now.
I’ve always felt being Jewish was a privilege because we revere life. We know our moral growth comes from our traditions. I no longer have my faith but I do actually believe in the Australian government’s power to do something specific to help these starving, terrified, homeless people. When I look at those pictures and I see what horror awaits the Palestinian people, I know that we as Australians do not want this.
I beg the Australian government. Take sanctions against Israel. End the blockade. Support the flotilla that’s waiting to bring food into Gaza that has not seen food for a frighteningly long time. Never let it be said that Australia assisted in starving a nation to death.
Anthony Albanese has recently issued some of his strongest comments on the situation saying Israel should change course, while stressing Hamas could have no future role in governing Gaza or the West Bank. He has also called for the release of remaining Israeli hostages captured during the 7 October terrorist attack.
You can read more about the pressure building within Labor’s grassroots membership for the government to impose sanctions:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best of the overnight stories and then my colleague takes over.
Miriam Margolyes, the British-born actor who lives in Australia, has called on the Australian government to impose sanctions against Israel. In a video message which is part of a campaign called “Jews say no to starving Gaza”, she pleaded with the government to help the effort to get food into Gaza so it could never be said “that Australia assisted in starving a nation to death”. More coming up.
Anthony Albanese will map out his second-term agenda in a key speech to the National Press Club today, in which he will say politics and a “free media” can preserve democracy as he prepares for potential talks with Donald Trump. More coming up.
From federal to state politics, and after a week of drama in Tasmanian parliament, the premier, Jeremy Rockliff, is expected to visit the state’s governor today to request a state election. We will have more shortly and will follow the story as it happens.
