Australia politics live: two more Iranian reportedly seek asylum; NSW hospitals see record emergency attendances

More patients present with urgent conditions. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWong won’t confirm reports more Iranian women’s football players have sought asylumThe government is keeping mum on reports of two more women on the Iranian football team seeking asylum in Australia.I am reluctant to add to speculation about the response when they get home, because obviously we I’m concerned for their safety. We know this regime has engaged in brutal treatment of women and girls but of its citizens, and we’ve seen that over the years, which is why the government put us so much effort into making sure that people did get given the choice, and as I said, they were offered an opportunity, and had the opportunity, I should say, to talk to Australian officials alone.We have an excess of fuel in the country that’s in excess of the legal requirement. The reason that we are seeing issues [across the] country is because people are buying more fuel than they need. We are managing this on a daily basis, and people should feel confident in our system of fuel security as a country and buy what they need.And we will work through these issues with petrol stations around the country.It’s everybody else’s fault. Let’s blame mum and dad Australia, let’s [blame] farmers. Let’s blame the small businesses, let’s blame the truckies. How about the government actually start governing? Continue reading...