Federal election 2025 LIVE updates: Russian plans to house aircraft in Indonesia ‘not true’ says Marles; Dutton commits $6m to Port Arthur victims charity

A man who claims he ambushed the prime minister in a Melbourne hotel lobby has said he walked straight through the front door despite an apparent increase in security measures amid rising threats against Australian politicians.

Daniel Jones claimed responsibility for the confrontation this morning, alongside alt-right group Melbourne Freedom Rally, in an incident that sparked safety concerns about the ability of extremists to infiltrate secure locations during the election campaign.

Jones posted a video to social media on Wednesday morning saying “beefed up” security measures were not apparent when he confronted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at his Melbourne hotel, and that he entered unimpeded by security.

“I walked clean through the front door of the lobby because there was no security. I walked up and ordered myself coffee and decided to sit down and flip through Facebook and relax and enjoy my coffee,” he said.

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Ahead of tonight’s leaders’ debate, Anthony Albanese has attempted an early morning troll of the Coalition.

While the backdrop of this morning’s press conference was another house construction site, the choice was interesting.

Albanese spoke from the Melbourne seat of Deakin – held by Liberal housing spokesman Michael Sukkar. At the 2022 election, there was a big swing to Labor’s Michael Gregg, who fell about 400 votes short of a surprising victory.

A redistribution has made the seat even tighter. And it’s a repeat of 2022, with Sukkar up against Gregg.

This trip follows an early campaign stop by Albanese in the Brisbane electorate of Dickson, held by Peter Dutton.

Victorian Socialists Senate candidate Jordan van den Lamb – aka “PurplePingers” on social media – has gained a large online following for his efforts to draw attention to what he sees as the worst rental properties in Australia, and the housing crisis more generally.

Van den Lamb’s latest stunt involved publishing the address of a Melbourne property vacant for 17 years, inviting followers to squat there.

The property has since been broken into, according to the ABC, though the report noted it wasn’t clear that Van den Lamb’s actions were the cause.

Home owner Carol told the ABC earlier today the break-in at her late father’s home happened between June and September 2024, and the intruders changed the locks and left with belongings, costing her $70,000.

The PM was asked about Van den Lamb’s actions on Melbourne radio this morning.

“This is outrageous, I’m clearly on Carol’s side here,” he said. “I think he’s a disgrace.”

Pushed for further comment, Albanese said: “It’s quite completely just reprehensible, self-indulgent behaviour”.

Van den Lamb was also asked whether he accepted responsibility for his actions.

“I’ve always been pretty clear that people shouldn’t steal stuff,” he told the ABC. “But if someone is in a position without a house, they are desperate, and I think in terms of the criteria of this house, it was [mostly] empty for 17 years.”

The prime minister was asked about the latest security breach involving an ambush by alt-right video makers in the lobby of his Melbourne hotel.

“I have no interest in going to go into security discussions, that’s not in the interests of security,” he said.

Asked if he would like to interact more with the public, he responded: “Nothing’s stopped me.”

“I’ve engaged with people … I went for a walk around Adelaide … Mall, I went for a walk around Perth,” he said. “I think it’s really important, and it’s something I’ve done. I’ve gone into uncontrolled environments time and time again.”

Dutton is in the Victorian electorate of Macnamara to commit $6 million to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to improve online safety for kids.

The Coalition’s communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh and her daughter joined Dutton as he visited the foundation’s Melbourne headquarters earlier this morning.

Staff told Mr Dutton the not-for-profit sector was struggling with worker burnout.

“That kind of burnout … is a real worry,” Sarah Davies, chief executive of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation said. “It feels really hard … there is no easy fix.”

She also raised the issue of tech companies failing to protect children online.

“Tech companies need to take responsibility,” she said.

The group met representatives of Dolly’s Dream — a sister organisation that promotes more action on preventing bullying.

Dutton also helped pack “buddy bags” to support kids fleeing difficult situations like family violence.

The donor-funded bags include basics like socks and underwear, storybooks, stationary and toys.

“It’s amazing stuff you do,” Dutton said as he packed a buddy bag with toiletries, pyjamas, a teddy bear and other goodies. “Very cute, you do amazing work.”
McIntosh said she felt emotional packing the bags thinking about the difficult circumstances the children using them would be in.

“Sometimes they have garbage bags full of clothes,” co-ordinator Leanne Donnelly said.“We want those children to think they are being thought of.”

Asked if the government knew that Russia had requested to base several long-range aircraft in Indonesia, Albanese questioned whether the initial report – first published by defence website Janes – was accurate.

“You are assuming the Janes report is correct, and there is no basis for you assuming that,” Albanese told reporters.

Asked to clarify whether he knew for certain that Russia had not had a conversation with Indonesia about a military base, Albanese played a straight bat: “I am saying I will act diplomatically with our friends in Indonesia.”

From a construction site in Melbourne’s east, Albanese accused Dutton of an “extraordinary overreach” while commenting on reports Russia planned to establish a military foothold in Indonesia.

“Yesterday you saw the contrast between a government that’s considered, that deals with our neighbours and deals internationally in a diplomatic way, that doesn’t … dial it up to 11, which is what Peter Dutton does … doesn’t worry about facts, but in verballing the president of Indonesia who had not made a statement about this issue … it was an extraordinary thing for him to do at any time,” the prime minister said.