Australia politics live: budget funds to speed up environmental approvals; government repatriates passengers from hantavirus ship

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The Australian federal budget is set to allocate $500 million to expedite environmental approvals for housing, energy, and mining projects, amid discussions on political alliances involving One Nation. The government also continues efforts to repatriate passengers from a hantavirus outbreak.

Tuesday’s federal budget to include $500m to fund faster approvals for housing, energy and mining projects. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Joyce says no to One Nation joining the Coalition Barnaby Joyce says One Nation is on the up and up, and will “go for government” after bagging its first federal lower house win. We’ll offer supply and confidence on policy outcomes … and that is not a Coalition. We don’t want your ministries, keep your ministries and your salaries. You’ve got all the prizes, but you will deliver policy outcomes because we are not going to be constricted by cabinet solidarity that has done over the Australian people and the conservative side of balance of power so badly. I don’t think it’s actually a protest vote. It was a vote of relief, someone seeking a better future. I will definitely continue to fight for skilled visas into Farrer. We are a big user of skilled labour, immigration labour, the Palm plan, the skilled aged care nursing plan, all those programs are still there. Continue reading...