News and politics live updates: One Nation migration policy thrown into confusion as Barnaby Joyce steps in

Questions continue to swirl around the Coalition’s immigration policy, with Liberal senator Jonno Duniam refusing to put a timeline on when Australians will finally get to see it.

“I’m not going to put a date on it,” Senator Duniam said.

“We are in 2026, and the world in 2028, which is the first opportunity the Coalition will have at the election to form government if we win, so we need to make sure we are as relevant to that point in time as possible.”

Australians shouldn’t expect the policy before the end of this year, with Senator Duniam indicating it could instead emerge a “short time after that”.

New boundaries to transform the Henderson shipyard into a massive defence precinct that can support AUKUS have been finalised in a deal between the Commonwealth and WA that aims to avoid disruption to the resources sector.

The Prime Minister will on Monday head to Henderson to unveil the long-awaited site selection for the new naval shipbuilding and sustainment facility which his government claims will support around 10,000 jobs over decades.

Sources familiar with the project have told The West Australian that estimates for the overall cost of the Henderson Defence Precinct have ballooned up to anywhere near $70 billion, much higher than the initial $25 billion figure touted last year.

The West can also reveal the designated area for AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine sustainment facilities will be in the central sector of the revamped Henderson site, while naval shipbuilding and ship sustainment will be located to the south.

Following extensive technical analysis and engagement, the WA Government will operate common user facilities in separate “non-defence sites” to the north and south of the central section designated for submarines and naval surface ships.

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The next Chinese ambassador to Australia is expected to arrive in Canberra this week to begin his diplomatic posting.

Diplomatic sources have told The Nightly veteran Chinese Foreign Ministry official Liu Jinsong is flying into the country as early as Monday.

A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declined to comment on the arrival of the next Chinese ambassador as diplomatic tensions between both nations continue to play out over various issues.

Former Ambassador Xiao Qian, who served in Australia for more than four years, was farewelled last month by other members of Canberra’s diplomatic corps during an event at the Chinese embassy.

His replacement Liu Jinsong has served as the head of the foreign ministry’s department for Asian affairs and was previously posted to Thailand, Japan and the United Kingdom, although his appointment to Canberra has not been publicly confirmed.

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has been forced to clarify the party’s signature migration policy after a newly elected colleague suggested its widely promoted 130,000 net overseas migration target could actually be significantly higher.

One Nation has pledged to slash net overseas migration to 130,000, but newly elected MP David Farley sparked confusion after suggesting the figure would not include at least 100,000 skilled workers entering Australia through existing visa schemes.

That could potentially push the overall figure closer to 230,000 — roughly in line with Labor’s target of 225,000.

But appearing on Sunrise alongside Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek on Monday morning, Mr Joyce repeatedly insisted One Nation’s target remained 130,000.

“It’s 130 net. We’ve been saying that all along,” Mr Joyce said.

Asked directly whether there would be another 100,000 migrants on top of the figure, Mr Joyce was unequivocal.

“There’s not going to be an extra hundred on top of that. No.”

When host Natalie Barr asked whether Mr Farley had simply misspoken, Mr Joyce conceded: “Yeah.”

“Well, I mean that’s not unusual. Show me a political career where people haven’t made, you know, made a mistake. And I’ll show you a person who’s not telling the truth,” he said.

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