Australian politics live: Marles defends Isaac Herzog visit and says he is ‘confident’ in security arrangements

Daisy Dumas

NT town of Daly River evacuated due to flooding

An emergency declaration has forced the evacuation of an entire Northern Territory town as a major flood threatens the region.

About 450 residents of Daly River in the NT are being evacuated after the Bureau of Meteorology issued a major flood warning for the Daly River, which runs through the town of the same name, yesterday.

Supt David Moore told reporters yesterday that an emergency declaration was in place and that water levels were likely to reach more than 14m.

“Evacuations are always our last resort,” he said, adding that safety was his priority.

The residents were being moved to emergency shelter in Darwin, he said.

Moderate flooding was forecast on Wednesday evening, with major flooding likely over the weekend.

As of 11.45am local time on Wednesday, the water level at Daly River police station was 12.74m, according to the bureau.

Government downplays capital gains tax change reports

It’s time for the rule in, rule out game folks, and this time we’re talking about capital gains tax discounts.

You might remember reporting yesterday from the Financial Review that the government is considering changes. At the same time, a Greens-led inquiry is looking into the current settings around CGT and will hand down its findings and recommendations to the government.

Marles, now speaking to ABC News Breakfast, says, “the tax arrangements around our housing policies haven’t changed”.

Governments love using the line, “our policies have not changed” because all that means is they are currently unchanged, right now, which doesn’t completely shut the door on any future change but also does temper any expectations for future change.

But Marles does acknowledge that there are intergenerational challenges in housing.

So asked point blank whether the government would rule out capital gains tax changes, Marles says:

What I said, and what I’ll continue to say and what other ministers have said when asked this question, is that in respect of housing policy our position is clear and there haven’t been changes to that, including in the tax arrangements, and our strategy in terms of dealing with the intergenerational challenges, our strategy in terms of dealing with housing affordability is very much on the supply side and seeing more houses built.

Husic says he has ‘deep concerns’ over Herzog visit

One of the most high-profile critics of Herzog’s visit to Australia this week is Labor MP Ed Husic.

Husic, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, told the Full Story podcast yesterday that he holds “deep concerns” over the visit.

It’s really hard for me to reconcile the vision of him signing bombs that went on to be dropped on Palestinian homes … with the notion of social cohesion.

Marles, in his Sky News interview, was asked directly about Husic’s concerns but sidestepped the question and said Herzog’s visit was “important” in the context of the Bondi terror attack.

Chris Sidoti, a commissioner on the UN commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, has also called on the Albanese government to withdraw the invitation.

Herzog will be a ‘welcome and honoured guest’, deputy prime minister says

The government has defended its invitation to the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, who will arrive in Australia next week, despite opposition from within Labor’s own rank and file.

Richard Marles is traversing the federal press gallery this morning, charged with the media rounds.

He tells Sky News the president, who has been invited officially by the PM and the governor general, will be a “welcome guest”.

He will be a welcome and honoured guest, and it is in the context of the aftermath of the Bondi massacre. What this will mean for Australia’s Jewish community is very significant to have the president of Israel here in terms of security. Obviously, we will be providing all the necessary security to President Herzog when he visits, as we would do for any visiting dignitary, and I’m very confident about the security arrangements that will be put in place.

In NSW, the state police have extended restrictions on protesting before the visit, but some groups say they will still go ahead with their plans to march against the Israeli president.