Australia news LIVE: Israel strikes Hamas leaders in Qatar, leading to Trump rebuke; Ley pushes for net zero policy compromise

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned Israel’s deadly strike against the Hamas leadership in Qatar overnight, saying the attack risks an escalation and “flies in the face” of ceasefire negotiations and the return of hostages held by the listed terrorist group.

Smoke is seen on the Doha skyline after an Israeli strike that targeted Hamas leadership in Qatar.Credit: AP

The strike, which Israel took “full responsibility” for, killed five lower-level Hamas members while its top leaders survived, according to a statement released by the group.

Wong said Israel’s attack was the “wrong thing to do”, and violated Qatar’s sovereignty and undermined efforts to resolve conflict in the Middle East.

“Let’s remember what Qatar has been doing. It has been working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and return of hostages. They have been tireless in those negotiations. That’s the context in which this strike has occurred,” Wong told Seven’s Sunrise.

“It flies in the face of what we all want, which is a ceasefire and the return of the hostages. That’s what Qatar has been working for, and I know that President Trump has made similar comments today.”

US President Donald Trump rebuked the attack, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.

Read the full report here.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is travelling to the Solomon Islands this morning for talks at the Pacific Islands Forum, after a one-day visit in Vanuatu to advance negotiations on a $500 million economic and security agreement.

Albanese hoped to finalise the long-awaited deal with Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Tuesday, but faced resistance amid concerns the pact could overly restrict the Pacific nation’s capacity to receive funding from other nations for critical infrastructure projects.

Albanese and Napat are expected to travel together to Honiara. Next, Albanese is expected to sign a security agreement with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape next week, as part of PNG’s 50th anniversary independence celebrations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was welcomed to Vanuatu with a guard of honour.Credit: Michael Read

A safety campaign targeting Australian travellers will be rolled out to prevent partygoers overseas being poisoned with methanol.

The federal government’s Smartraveller website will now include a Partying Safely hub to include warnings for people abroad while they’re at nightclubs and music festivals.

As part of the online safety tools, information will be provided online about the signs of methanol poisoning and what to do if it does occur, as well as resources about drink spiking and drug safety.

The campaign comes ahead of Schoolies in November, when thousands of high school graduates will travel to destinations such as Bali and Thailand to mark the end of their studies.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Smartraveller tools would help to keep young Australians safe while partying.

“The tragic deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles as a result of methanol poisoning in Laos are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers young people face when travelling abroad,” she said.

“We want young Australians to explore the world with confidence, but above all we want them to have the knowledge and resources to come home safely.”

The federal government has repeatedly called for an investigation by the Lao government into the methanol poisoning deaths.

Laos has not taken up offers from the Australian Federal Police to help with an investigation.

The safety tools being made available online have been developed with organisations such as Red Frogs and Médecins sans Frontières, and will include information for travellers as well as parents and schools.