{"id":23969,"date":"2026-02-21T22:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T22:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=23969"},"modified":"2026-02-21T22:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T22:48:11","slug":"news-live-burke-says-we-know-the-state-of-mind-of-australian-women-and-children-in-syria-authorities-seize-28kg-of-cocaine-hidden-in-luxury-bus-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=23969","title":{"rendered":"News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699a33738f081231a8cce6d2&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Burke&lt;\/strong&gt; is asked if there is progress on banning a particular group yet as part of the new laws to ban hate groups passed last month:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;99920cb3-8ce2-4747-ab20-31719379190e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;There were two groups that largely been spoken about before that. There was the Neo-Nazi and Hizb ut-Tahrir. The Neo-Nazi disbanded before the legislation put through. Hizb ut-Tahrir which is an organisation I\u2019ve been fighting since my first term in parliament.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;\u2026 &lt;strong&gt;ASIO have now provided the advice that that organisation meets the threshold that ASIO requires for them to be able to be banned.&lt;\/strong&gt; So the next stage is the department prepares a brief for a minister, that brief is the second threshold that has to be determined and then after that presuming that that\u2019s determined, then the Leader of the Opposition is advised and the Attorney-General has to sign off on it.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;\u2026 But the first stage on the process of a prohibited group listing happening, for Hizb ut-Tahrir is now complete. The ASIO advice is in. &lt;strong&gt;This is the first time we have been able to ban \u2013 potentially - a group which falls short of a terrorist listing.&lt;\/strong&gt; It says you don\u2019t have to be specifically calling for violence but you do have to be acting in way that increases the risk of communal violence or politically-motivated violence.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fa155225-ed9f-4c36-8ae7-4fdbf19687bb&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771713395000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771713883000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771713604000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;22.40&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Government preparing to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 21 Feb 2026 22.45 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 21 Feb 2026 21.54 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Authorities have found more than 28kg of cocaine on a luxury bus in South Australia, concealed behind the vehicle\u2019s television.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cfbd1058-f395-4e30-88ee-2c911afc2935&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The discovery came after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a vessel berthed at Outer Harbor, examining a roll-on\/roll-off vessel on Monday 16 February.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7b6bf76b-6452-4e5d-9d1a-fee9ed9024c0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A forensic search using technology including videoscopes and detector dogs, identified \u201cseveral one-kilogram packages of a white powdered substance hidden behind a television inside a luxury bus,\u201d Australian federal police (AFP) said in a statement.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;51714e72-33e7-4ff6-8166-5ba97eacfd66&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Border force officers referred the detection to the AFP who seized the illicit drugs and commenced their inquiries.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3f3a2c05-6869-477b-b406-f1aadd699413&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;This amount of cocaine, had it reached the Australian community, had an estimated street value of about $9m, with the potential for about 140,000 street-level deals.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8044f393-e55d-485d-a3a5-126cdf1b6287&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;AFP Det Acting Supt &lt;strong&gt;Simon Lalic&lt;\/strong&gt; said the AFP \u2013 together with its state, commonwealth and international law enforcement partners \u2013 was committed to disrupting and dismantling organised criminal syndicates threatening Australia. He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;984cf749-0d9c-4f73-8c38-cb21b8f8b472&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Criminals are driven by their own greed and profit and will attempt any method to import harmful illicit substance into our country. No matter how creative these criminals attempt to be, our message is clear \u2013 we are on to you.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c6306dda-7ba5-4712-b2e0-41231840e296&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771711054000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771713949000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.45\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771711483000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.04\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;22.04&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Federal police seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 21 Feb 2026 22.45 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 21 Feb 2026 21.54 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It\u2019s been six months since Treasurer &lt;strong&gt;Jim Chalmers&lt;\/strong&gt;\u2019 productivity roundtable and the economists, business heads and union figures who attended are feeling cautiously optimistic, AAP reports.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c03f42c2-16b2-43ca-9bfb-e3ee161cb3ec&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Productivity Commission chair &lt;strong&gt;Danielle Wood&lt;\/strong&gt; hopes the roundtable laid the foundation for a broader set of changes in the budget and beyond.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7a932a39-c962-4253-8eea-cdbc0822b754&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Dr Chalmers did an \u201camazing job\u201d of marshalling disparate views, finding consensus in the room and communicating it to the public, according to ANU Crawford School of Economics and Government research fellow &lt;strong&gt;Shiro Armstrong&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dabd9742-34fc-4317-b54b-4da8df7b420a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Grattan Institute chief executive &lt;strong&gt;Aruna Sathanapally&lt;\/strong&gt; says the budget must build on the momentum of the roundtable and eventually result in a set of proposals to take to the next election.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc0b09af-a55b-4fe4-8067-c41a42292efa&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;While declining to be interviewed, Dr Chalmers says via a statement the budget will be the \u201cmain game\u201d for economic reform.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6ea4f523-9f22-4335-a18f-2e93324975b7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Following Labor\u2019s landslide election win and with the maximum distance until voters return to the polls, the timing of the budget is ripe for genuine reform, in the view of independent MP &lt;strong&gt;Allegra Spender. &lt;\/strong&gt;She says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7d492e33-3743-46f7-8a8d-629ff44476d1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;If you\u2019re ever going to do something meaningful, this is the budget to do it, because it\u2019s the budget where you can take the greatest risk.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f20a01e4-2f87-43ed-89ed-8b8746183c8c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771710866000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771710907000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.55\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771710908000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.55\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;21.55&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Be bold in May budget, roundtable guests urge Chalmers&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 21 Feb 2026 22.45 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 21 Feb 2026 21.54 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning and welcome to our live news blog this Sunday.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8425c2a9-cf12-4422-88e9-54c8b85ccbbe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Australian federal police have seized more than 28kg of cocaine hidden behind a television on a luxury bus in South Australia.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b8b4bcd0-5771-4a25-ab6c-6dca9aa20b9f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, guests of &lt;strong&gt;Jim Chalmers&lt;\/strong&gt;\u2019 productivity roundtable are urging the treasurer to be bold in the May budget, acknowledging the government has already taken some important steps.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e755a560-33a3-476b-bcb5-67eff2567b32&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Winter Olympics is coming to a close. It\u2019s Australia\u2019s most successful campaign to date, with six medallists. The Moguls champion &lt;strong&gt;Cooper Woods&lt;\/strong&gt; and the aerial skiing silver medal winner, &lt;strong&gt;Danielle Scott,&lt;\/strong&gt; were selected as the flag bearers for the closing ceremony, to take place in Verona early tomorrow morning.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;eb8b44a1-77cf-47a6-b7f4-9f0cc5e39d0e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Parents in NSW will be able to access a new &lt;a href=\\&quot;http:\/\/www.health.nsw.gov.au\/myschedule\\&quot;&gt;personalised childhood vaccination schedule&lt;\/a&gt; tool launched today by the state government amid increasing measles cases circulating in the community and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/feb\/22\/why-have-childhood-vaccination-vaccine-rates-decline-australia\\&quot;&gt;decreasing immunisation rates.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c6df1213-80a8-41c4-929d-573beab682ad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Amid heightened immigration tensions in Canberra, the home affairs minister, &lt;strong&gt;Tony Burke&lt;\/strong&gt;, will appear on the ABC\u2019s Insiders.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6b6694bc-bd64-4293-aa08-ee6ede1f95ad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Let\u2019s get into it!&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;13dc8440-d939-4040-9970-eba970665629&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771710866000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771712441000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;22.20\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771710866000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;21.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;21.54&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Welcome&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sat 21 Feb 2026 22.45 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sat 21 Feb 2026 21.54 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1771714091653}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-699a33738f081231a8cce6d2\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Government preparing to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Burke<\/strong> is asked if there is progress on banning a particular group yet as part of the new laws to ban hate groups passed last month:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There were two groups that largely been spoken about before that. There was the Neo-Nazi and Hizb ut-Tahrir. The Neo-Nazi disbanded before the legislation put through. Hizb ut-Tahrir which is an organisation I\u2019ve been fighting since my first term in parliament.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">ASIO have now provided the advice that that organisation meets the threshold that ASIO requires for them to be able to be banned.<\/strong> So the next stage is the department prepares a brief for a minister, that brief is the second threshold that has to be determined and then after that presuming that that\u2019s determined, then the Leader of the Opposition is advised and the Attorney-General has to sign off on it.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 But the first stage on the process of a prohibited group listing happening, for Hizb ut-Tahrir is now complete. The ASIO advice is in. <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">This is the first time we have been able to ban \u2013 potentially &#8211; a group which falls short of a terrorist listing.<\/strong> It says you don\u2019t have to be specifically calling for violence but you do have to be acting in way that increases the risk of communal violence or politically-motivated violence.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a33738f081231a8cce6d2&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a33738f081231a8cce6d2&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a33738f081231a8cce6d2#block-699a33738f081231a8cce6d2\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:44:43.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:44 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.44 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699a32f38f081231a8cce6ce\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Coalition didn\u2019t \u2018stop their passports at the critical moment\u2019, Burke says<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Burke<\/strong> emphasises \u201cwe are not the people who are holding them there.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>They\u2019re being held there by Kurdish authorities. They are not being allowed over a border by Syrian authorities. They went there against what the Australian government wanted. The government at the time was the Coalition.<\/p>\n<p>They didn\u2019t have an attempt to stop their passports at the critical moment, which could have caused the protection that we all now wish had happened. And that is why they are there. This is not a situation where you\u2019re showing the images where someone is there because Australia has put them there.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a32f38f081231a8cce6ce&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a32f38f081231a8cce6ce&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a32f38f081231a8cce6ce#block-699a32f38f081231a8cce6ce\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:43:09.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.43 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-699a2ff98f081231a8cce6c6\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>No legislative<\/strong> <strong>power to stop Australian citizens entering country, Burke says<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked by Insiders host <strong>David Speers<\/strong> if they don\u2019t pose a threat to Australia, <strong>Burke<\/strong> replies:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>On the information that we have, the best way to protect Australians has not involved any further temporary exclusion orders.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speers goes on to ask Burke if he is actively trying to stop them, and he responds:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>We are actively making sure we do nothing to help them. Nothing to help them at all.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speers:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Nothing to stop them?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Burke:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Other than a temporary exclusion order, there isn\u2019t a legislative power to stop an Australian citizen from entering Australia. Effectively, that question goes to are we breaking the law and the answer is no.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a2ff98f081231a8cce6c6&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a2ff98f081231a8cce6c6&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a2ff98f081231a8cce6c6#block-699a2ff98f081231a8cce6c6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:33:55.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.33 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699a2f4a8f081231a8cce6c4\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Burke calls information on Australians detained in Syria \u2018very strong\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Burke<\/strong> stresses the women are \u201cnot a coherent cohort\u201d.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I can give the complete confidence to community we know the different individuals, <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">we know the state of mind and the effective ideology of different individuals<\/strong> \u2013 they are not a coherent cohort. That is why the person where a temporary exclusion order has been issued is in a different category to other members of that group.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 our information is very strong. That\u2019s how you can single one person from the others.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a2f4a8f081231a8cce6c4&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a2f4a8f081231a8cce6c4&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a2f4a8f081231a8cce6c4#block-699a2f4a8f081231a8cce6c4\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:28:15.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.28 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-699a2e0f8f081231a8cce6b7\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Coalition \u2018plain wrong\u2019 over passport rights of Australians in Syria, Tony Burke tells Insiders <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The home affairs minister, <strong>Tony Burke<\/strong>, says the coalition is \u201cjust plain wrong\u201d on the passport rights of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/feb\/16\/australian-women-and-children-released-from-syrian-detention-camp\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Australian women and children in a Syrian detention camp<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Monday night, 34 Australian women and children \u2013 the wives, widows and children of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/22\/could-the-bondi-terror-suspects-be-linked-to-islamic-state\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">dead or jailed Islamic State fighters<\/a> \u2013 left from al-Roj camp, in north-eastern Syria, after being released by Kurdish authorities for their expected repatriation to Australia<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Appearing on ABC Insiders, Burke says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Under Australian law, if you\u2019re a citizen and you apply for a passport, you get a passport. I heard the opposition claim &#8211; this clause or that clause. Anything would have to be under ASIO advice. Of course, of course, intelligence agencies said the different part of the Passports Act had been act we would respond to that, if they had intelligence to that effect. But <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">the claims from the opposition that somehow the standard right for any citizen to have a passport has been suspended here just plain wrong and they know that.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2026There\u2019s been no advice from ASIO that the Passports Act provisions have been activated. There has been advice for one of the people that has come to me that the threshold for a temporary exclusion order has been activated and I have acted on that and issued the temporary exclusion order. One of my concerns with how the opposition have handled this is they have effectively said the Minister be able to make it up. <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">Michaelia Cash<\/strong> did a long media release saying, \u201cThis is all the minister needs to do\u201d, as though somehow in national security portfolio you should ignore your national security intelligence and law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a2e0f8f081231a8cce6b7&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a2e0f8f081231a8cce6b7&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a2e0f8f081231a8cce6b7#block-699a2e0f8f081231a8cce6b7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:36:38.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:36 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.36 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Federal police seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Authorities have found more than 28kg of cocaine on a luxury bus in South Australia, concealed behind the vehicle\u2019s television.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The discovery came after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a vessel berthed at Outer Harbor, examining a roll-on\/roll-off vessel on Monday 16 February.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A forensic search using technology including videoscopes and detector dogs, identified \u201cseveral one-kilogram packages of a white powdered substance hidden behind a television inside a luxury bus,\u201d Australian federal police (AFP) said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Border force officers referred the detection to the AFP who seized the illicit drugs and commenced their inquiries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This amount of cocaine, had it reached the Australian community, had an estimated street value of about $9m, with the potential for about 140,000 street-level deals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">AFP Det Acting Supt <strong>Simon Lalic<\/strong> said the AFP \u2013 together with its state, commonwealth and international law enforcement partners \u2013 was committed to disrupting and dismantling organised criminal syndicates threatening Australia. He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Criminals are driven by their own greed and profit and will attempt any method to import harmful illicit substance into our country. No matter how creative these criminals attempt to be, our message is clear \u2013 we are on to you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5#block-699a2a4e8f08586d509353c5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-21T22:45:49.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 22:45 Greenwich Mean Time\">22.45 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Be bold in May budget, roundtable guests urge Chalmers<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019s been six months since Treasurer <strong>Jim Chalmers<\/strong>\u2019 productivity roundtable and the economists, business heads and union figures who attended are feeling cautiously optimistic, AAP reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Productivity Commission chair <strong>Danielle Wood<\/strong> hopes the roundtable laid the foundation for a broader set of changes in the budget and beyond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Dr Chalmers did an \u201camazing job\u201d of marshalling disparate views, finding consensus in the room and communicating it to the public, according to ANU Crawford School of Economics and Government research fellow <strong>Shiro Armstrong<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Grattan Institute chief executive <strong>Aruna Sathanapally<\/strong> says the budget must build on the momentum of the roundtable and eventually result in a set of proposals to take to the next election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While declining to be interviewed, Dr Chalmers says via a statement the budget will be the \u201cmain game\u201d for economic reform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Following Labor\u2019s landslide election win and with the maximum distance until voters return to the polls, the timing of the budget is ripe for genuine reform, in the view of independent MP <strong>Allegra Spender. <\/strong>She says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>If you\u2019re ever going to do something meaningful, this is the budget to do it, because it\u2019s the budget where you can take the greatest risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5#block-699a27a88f08800993a4c9d5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Welcome<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning and welcome to our live news blog this Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Australian federal police have seized more than 28kg of cocaine hidden behind a television on a luxury bus in South Australia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, guests of <strong>Jim Chalmers<\/strong>\u2019 productivity roundtable are urging the treasurer to be bold in the May budget, acknowledging the government has already taken some important steps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Winter Olympics is coming to a close. It\u2019s Australia\u2019s most successful campaign to date, with six medallists. The Moguls champion <strong>Cooper Woods<\/strong> and the aerial skiing silver medal winner, <strong>Danielle Scott,<\/strong> were selected as the flag bearers for the closing ceremony, to take place in Verona early tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Parents in NSW will be able to access a new <a href=\"http:\/\/www.health.nsw.gov.au\/myschedule\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">personalised childhood vaccination schedule<\/a> tool launched today by the state government amid increasing measles cases circulating in the community and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/feb\/22\/why-have-childhood-vaccination-vaccine-rates-decline-australia\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">decreasing immunisation rates.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Amid heightened immigration tensions in Canberra, the home affairs minister, <strong>Tony Burke<\/strong>, will appear on the ABC\u2019s Insiders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=News live: Burke says \u2018we know the state of mind\u2019 of Australian women and children in Syria; authorities seize 28kg of cocaine hidden in luxury bus&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/australia-news-live-tony-burke-home-affairs-syria-albanese-chalmers-productivity-commission-federal-police-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa#block-679b43ab8f08d7cb6f3007fa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 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