Key events7m agoMPs to âtry to do justiceâ to wounded fellow MP8m agoHanson says One Nation cartoons ânot going anywhereâ despite criticismJosh ButlerUTI treatment, contraception to be available through pharmaciesAll Australian women will soon be able to attend a pharmacy for UTI treatment or re-supply of hormonal contraception, as the federal government expands a trial program to lower health care costs.This program was previously restricted to concession card holders, but health minister Mark Butler and minister for women Katy Gallagher announced on Monday that it would be expanded to benefit an estimated 900,000 women.The 12 month trial, to begin from early 2027, will allow Australian women to access pharmacy treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and initiation or re-supply of hormonal contraception.The federal government will cover pharmacist consultation costs, of up to $38 per visit.Gallagher said: double quotation markFor too long, womenâs experiences of the health system havenât received the attention they deserve. Weâre determined to change that.
Weâre making practical changes that give women more choice, make health care more accessible and help save women thousands of dollars over their lifetimes. Butler added: double quotation markWe want to make it easier for women to get care that fits into their lives.
MPs to âtry to do justiceâ to wounded fellow MPParliament will mark a solemn start to the sitting week as politicians pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines, who was rammed by a vehicle outside her electoral office.The popular crossbencher was allegedly targeted in a deliberate attack when she was struck by a four-wheel drive on the main street of the Victorian town of Wangaratta on 19 October.She has had both legs amputated and remains in hospital a week after the incident.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will deliver a speech to parliament on Monday, reflecting on the alleged assault and its impact, and invite colleagues to do the same.Fellow independent MP Monique Ryan described Dr Haines as the parliamentâs âmost gentle, principled and kindâ member ahead of her planned remarks in the lower house.âPeople who love her will try to do justice to Helenâs integrity and leadership,â she said.âI hope that all members will rise to the occasion as Helen would do were she with us.âWeâll feel her absence deeply.âA fundraiser for charity Save the Children, set up on Wednesday by Hainesâ family in lieu of flowers, had surpassed $1.2m in donations by Sunday afternoon.â Australian Associated PressHanson says One Nation cartoons ânot going anywhereâ despite criticismJosh ButlerPauline Hanson says One Nationâs controversial cartoon series âwill not be going anywhereâ, after growing outrage over its offensive portrayal of federal politicians including previous depictions of some being run over by motor vehicles.Hanson said her partyâs Please Explain animation series had ânothing to do with the tragic attack on Helen Hainesâ, and claimed major party politicians wanted the series âcensoredâ. The series has garnered further criticism after videos from 2023 and 2024 were re-circulated online and discussed on Sunday morning political talk shows on the ABC and News24.In one 2023 video, titled Under the Bus, Hanson appears to drive a bus over independent senator Lidia Thorpe, who had been depicted as lying under the vehicleâs tyres.
In another from 2024, titled The State of Melbourne, former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is shown being run down by a car driven by cartoon character Bluey, with the video ending with suggestions Anthony Albanese was also about to be hit.Those cartoons, published years before the attack on Haines, have been criticised for portraying violence against politicians. Shadow minister Ted OâBrien said on News24 the cartoons were ânot timelyâ, and while admitting he hadnât seen them, questioned whether they were âappropriate in the current climateâ.The scrutiny comes after criticism of the cartoon series labelling Liberal MP Andrew Hastie a âtraitorâ and mocking Jacqui Lambieâs health condition.
Hanson previously stood by those cartoons, but later apologised to Lambie and claimed she hadnât seen that clip.But Hanson, posting on social media on Sunday afternoon, rejected criticism of the other clips. She claimed âthe Labor and Liberal Dirt Units are already back at work, attempting to use this tragedy to silence their critics and deflect from their own failings.
Too many media organisations are happy to help them fling the dirt.â double quotation markThe Please Explain cartoons have nothing to do with the tragic attack on Helen Haines. They will not be going anywhere.
Liberal and Labor politicians want our cartoons censored because they donât like the scrutiny. Those seeking to exploit this tragedy to silence their critics should be ashamed of themselves.
Pauline Hanson. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPKat WongWelcomeGood morning and welcome to our live news blog.
Iâll be bringing you the news from Canberra as parliament resumes, with MPs to pay tribute to Helen Haines and senators to return for the first week of estimates hearings in five months. Letâs get started.

