Australian politics live: Coalition tells Albanese to ‘stop the spin’ on $6m golf grant; Labor promises ‘swift response’ on MP safety

Anne Aly reveals she already has duress alarms in her office and home.

The Labor minister’s comments comes after the prime minister earlier today floated providing duress alarms for political offices as part of a “swift government response” to improve safety for MPs.

Speaking to ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Aly said:

I have had [a duress alarm] for a while , a personal one as well as in my office and in my home … anything that gives people that kind of that sense of security and safety and certainty, that if they are confronted in a place where you don’t expect to be confronted, you could be out walking your dog or you could be out buying bread and milk, that there is a way that they can then alert the agencies to their predicament.

Aly added that she would not like to see fear of violence bring an end to MPs’ public appearance.

It’s a really unique feature of our democracy, actually, that our politicians, our members are so accessible to to the public, that we can go out there and interact with the public. And we need to be able to do that in order to represent them. We can’t represent people that we don’t meet, that we don’t know, that we don’t talk to.

I know that every single member of this parliament wants to be able to continue doing that because it really is a cornerstone of our Australian democracy.

Western Australian government sets out ambitious renewable targets for state’s electricity grid

Australia’s mining state will pursue an ambitious renewable energy target, as it attempts to drive down soaring energy costs and boost business investment, AAP reports.

Western Australia’s government wants 75% of electricity in the state’s south-west grid to be generated from renewables by 2030/31.

The premier, Roger Cook, says the so-called affordable energy plan will put “maximum downward pressure on energy bills”. He told reporters on Tuesday:

Without our plan for affordable energy, energy prices for businesses could increase by 89% by 2032.

Delivering affordable energy to businesses is a fundamental part of my government’s objectives to diversify WA’s economy and create more jobs.

The plan also includes more support for households to invest in solar, batteries and electric vehicles; and continued support for WA’s domestic gas reservation policy and gas production. Cook said:

Ask any WA household that has solar panels or batteries, they will tell you solar is the cheapest energy that is available.

Without the plan, we’ll be reliant on ageing coal-fired power stations, and that is just not the way of the future.

Good afternoon! I’ll be here to steer you through this arvo’s news.

That’s all from me today! My colleague Achol Arok will take you through updates this afternoon.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (photo ops) …

In case you missed it, Christmas came a little early in Parliament House on Monday.

MPs and senators brought dolls, toy trucks, bikes and more for families experiencing hardship as part of this year’s Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.

TGA announces new sunscreen rules following SPF saga

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has proposed strengthening sun protection factor (SPF) requirements following a review prompted by revelations that several popular sunscreens were failing to meet the SPF factor advertised.

The medicines regulator announced today it would progress the reforms to strengthen consumer confidence and ensure that sunscreen companies and manufacturers understand their obligations.

The proposed reforms follow a three-month consultation period this year, which the TGA said drew 120 responses.

Among the TGA’s proposed new rules is that brands would have to test the SPF of their finished product – and not just the base formula – before listing it on the medicines register.

Additionally, the TGA is planning to limit the SPF claims that cosmetic sunscreens can make so that there is clear distinction for consumers between them and sunscreens that are used for a primary purpose of sun protection.

The TGA’s review came after testing by the consumer advocacy organisation Choice found 16 of 20 brands failed to provide the level of skin protection advertised on their bottles.

Choice has broadly welcomed the proposed reforms but said the TGA should go further. Andy Kelly, Choice’s consumer impact director, said:

We’re pleased to see the TGA has proposed stricter rules. However, the TGA is not proposing to routinely monitor and evaluate test results.

Sunscreen brands would also only be required to provide test results confidentially to the TGA.

In the interest of transparency and public safety, we believe these results should be made available to everyone and that the TGA should routinely monitor test results, as well as conduct its own compliance testing program.

The opposition continually pushed the prime minister to “admit he was wrong” after he previously said a $6m grant for the Marrickville golf club was to fix sewerage flows into the Cooks River.

• Labor MPs also answered dixers on a digital duty of care, migration, small businesses, veterans and more.

• The rising cost of living remained a key line of questioning for the opposition and crossbench, as was the government’s treatment of non-citizens who have committed crimes.

• Despite much talk yesterday about civility and respect in political debate, QT seemed to have revived much of its previous rambunctiousness, with one MP ejected and more warned.

And just like that, we have an ejection.

The member for Wills, Peter Khalil, has been ejected from the chamber after reacting to a question from Angus Taylor.

While kicking him out, the speaker, Milton Dick, said:

The leader of the opposition is entitled to be heard in silence and shown the same respect as any other member. To give commentary like that, with remarks that I just said, is completely out of order.

Comments and grumblings arise from the opposition benches and interrupt Anne Aly as she attempts to answer a question about small businesses.

The speaker of the house, Milton Dick, issues a warning:

This continual sledging and remarks and ongoing comment – it is not helpful [for] democracy, and it’s not even funny.

The minister’s not saying anything controversial. We don’t need commentary, we don’t need remarks, we don’t need snide remarks.

Just remember why we’re here. We’re not getting into … bad habits.

People are entitled to their views, but not when ministers are just addressing the house on topics that we should all be supportive of.

You can disagree, but not with the snide comments.

Nationals deputy targets PM’s ‘failure’ on energy bills

Pointing to interest rate rises, and the prime minister’s “failure to deliver the $275 reduction in household energy bills he promised”, the deputy leader of the Nationals, Darren Chester, asks:

Why do Australians always pay the price because the prime minister won’t ever admit he’s made a mistake?

Anthony Albanese responds he is “stunned” at the opposition raising issues of migration and access to the labour market and said his government had brought down the level of overseas migration by 45%.

The offer has been there for other reforms, that would further help to bring down the migration numbers, and do so in a way that had no impact at all on the labour market.