Australian news and politics live: Richard Marles announces historic $10 billion navy agreement with Japan

Jailed NSW MP Gareth Ward has launched a last-minute legal bid to stay his potential expulsion from parliament while awaiting sentencing for assaulting two young men.

The Legislative Assembly is expected to consider the Labor government’s motion to remove Ward as parliament returns. If successful, it would mark the first expulsion from the NSW lower house since 1917.

Those plans were thrown into doubt on Tuesday morning when it was revealed Ward had obtained legal orders on Monday night preventing parliament voting to expel him.

Premier Chris Minns told 2GB on Tuesday morning that the government would fight the order in the Supreme Court on Friday.

“I think that most people would appreciate it’s an unconscionable situation to have someone who’s currently sitting in jail in Silverwater convicted of serious sexual offences who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid,” Mr Minns told 2GB.

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Speaking at a press conference alongside Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has expressed confidence that the announced frigates will be delivered on schedule, noting that the ship production line is already in operation.

“We’ve got great confidence, and this was an intentional acquisition strategy of the Australian government, to access an established production line and not change it. Let me repeat that, using an established production line and not changing the frigate other than translating the combat system and any changes required by Australian law,” Mr Conroy said.

“We have learned from the mistakes of the Coalition government around their acquisitions, and we determined not to repeat them.”

The first Japanese ship announced by the federal government is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and expected to enter service by 2030. The second and third vessels should be operational by 2034.

Additional ships will be constructed at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia “as soon as possible,” with plans to deliver 11 vessels over the next decade.

“The intention is to have this class of vessel, fundamentally, built in Perth at the Henderson defence precinct that’s really at the heart of the continuous naval shipbuilding proposition that we have put forward,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles continued to spruik the announcement by saying, “This is clearly the biggest defence industry agreement that will ever have been struck between Japan and Australia.”

“Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking with my counterpart, Gen Nakatani, the Minister for Defence in Japan. He was obviously very excited about our pending announcement and, of course, we are very excited about the prospect of the Mogami Class vessel coming into the Royal Australian Navy.

“Our relationship with Japan is growing from strength to strength. There is no country in the world with whom we have a greater strategic alignment. And that is being reflected in a really blossoming defence relationship

“In fact, it’s really one of the biggest defence exports that Japan has ever engaged in. And, as I say, it is a very significant moment in our bilateral relationship,” he said.

Australia has chosen Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build its new $10 billion fleet of frontline frigates, beating Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in a contest that will shape the Royal Australian Navy for decades.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is currently speaking to confirm the announcement, highlighting the importance of the decision for Australia’s defence capabilities and strategic partnerships.

“It’s a much bigger ship, which is able to operate with a much smaller crew. And that’s a reflection of how modern this ship is. It’s going to be really important in terms of giving our navy the capability to project,” he said.

“The Mogami Class has a range of 10,000 nautical miles, and that again compares to the Anzac Class frigates, which have a range of around 6,000 nautical miles. I want to emphasise that this decision is entirely based on the capability of the respective ships.

“This is a decision that is made about how we can get the best platform, the best capability, for the Royal Australian Navy. That said, having made the decision, this does represent a very significant moment in the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is actively seeking to arrange a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed that the call has yet to take place but says it’s important that there is talks between Israel and Australia.

“It’s important for us to put our view very clearly at the most senior levels of the government,” she said.

“But, of course, that’s not all we must do, and it’s not all we have done. As you know, we have sanctioned Israeli ministers for their human rights abuses of Palestinian … we have sanctioned settlers for their actions in the West Bank. Yesterday, I announced additional aid for Gaza. Additional $20 million through channels that we know have been able to deliver aid in.

“And we are working with the international community towards the UN meeting to September in relation to a pathway to two states.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a phone conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, addressing the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for humanitarian support in Gaza.

In his statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “reiterated Australia’s call for the immediate entry of aid to meet needs of people of Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages,” the statement read.

“Prime Minister Albanese also reinforced Australia’s commitment to a two state solution because a just and lasting peace depends upon it.

“President Abbass thanked Prime Minister Albanese for Australia’s economic and humanitarian support.

“The leaders discussed deepening cooperation across a range of areas, and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stated that the Australian government remains “very clear-eyed” about China in light of recent events involving foreign interference.

This comment comes after a Chinese national and Australian permanent resident was charged in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday. The woman is accused of being tasked by the People’s Republic of China to investigate a Buddhist religious group operating in Australia.

While Senator Wong declined to comment specifically on the case and when repeatedly asked if she trusted China following these reports, Ms Wong responded with, “I can’t comment on this specific case that’s before the courts. But good try,” she told Nine on Tuesday morning.

She went on to clarify Australia’s position regarding China: “I think we all are very clear eyed about China and its interests. We’ve made that clear. The question is, how do we manage that? And dialogue and engagement is part of it. It doesn’t eliminate differences, but it does enable us to put our views.”