Live: Unions, industry join forces to call for passage of gas reservation scheme

Unions and businesses groups have signed an open letter calling for the federal parliament to back the government's proposed gas reservation scheme. 

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Mon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:20amMon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:20am

Australia, Canada, Italy and UK urge Israel to allow aid into Gaza

By Courtney Gould

Australia has joined Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom to call for Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.

In a statement, the foreign ministers said that the situation on the ground in Gaza was dire.

"The recent floods have brought further suffering - and this was only the first storm of the winter," they said.

"People in Gaza desperately need shelter and humanitarian assistance.

"Yet 150,000 tents and other vital supplies are being held at the border and prevented from entering Gaza."

The group, which includes Foreign Minister Penny Wong, urged the Israel government to "stop the delays now and allow immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza".

"The crossings must be opened and the tents allowed in."

Mon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:15amMon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:15am

Albanese to meet Philippines counterpart as leaders gather for ASEAN summit

By Clare Armstrong

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila today, with tensions in the South China Sea expected to feature in their discussions.

The meeting follows the signing of a new defence cooperation agreement between the two countries on Sunday, expanding maritime surveillance, information sharing and military training.

Albanese will also co-chair talks with South-East Asian leaders at the ASEAN-Australia summit, where the economic fallout from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine will be a major focus.

Rising energy prices have put pressure on governments across the region, with leaders looking at ways to reduce their reliance on overseas supplies.

Trade, regional security and efforts to prevent further conflict are also on the agenda, alongside plans for a regional agreement covering the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Mon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:09amMon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:09am

Albanese raises detained Australian’s case with Vietnamese PM

By Clare Armstrong

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has raised the case of Australian man Hiep Tran, who is detained in Vietnam, during talks with the country's new prime minister.

Albanese met Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila on Sunday, congratulating him on his appointment during their first meeting.

The leaders discussed regional security and strengthening economic ties, including cooperation under the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Key Event

Mon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:02amMon 16 Nov 2026 at 7:02am

Unions, industry join forces to call for passage of gas reservation scheme

By Jack McKay

Unions and businesses groups have signed an open letter calling for the federal parliament to back the government's proposed gas reservation scheme.

Legislation establishing the reservation is due to go before the Senate this week. But the government still needs support from either the Coalition or the greens to get the bill over the line.

The scheme would require Australia's biggest exporters to set aside up to 20 per cent of their product for the domestic market to create a modest oversupply and put downward pressure on prices.

A collection of industry group and union leaders have today released an open letter calling on the Senate to pass the legislation. Among them is Manufacturing Australia chief Ben Eade who says the scheme is in the national interest.

Other signatories include the bosses of the Australian Workers Union and the Australian Industry Group.

Mon 16 Nov 2026 at 6:39amMon 16 Nov 2026 at 6:39am

Good morning 👋

By Courtney Gould

Hello friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.

If you can believe it, there are only two more sitting weeks left in the parliamentary year. Today marks the start of a Senate-only week, before both Houses return next week.

The government is hoping it can get the Coalition over the line to support its gas reservation scheme through the Senate this week. Other bills on the to-do list include: digital duty of care and changes to discretionary trusts and the private health insurance rebate.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Manila for the ASEAN leaders' summit. More on that shortly from our friend on the ground, Clare Armstrong.

I hope you have all had a coffee. I'm about five minutes away from hunting one down. But until then, let's get blogging!!