What’s making news todayBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Monday, May 25. My name is Emily Kaine, and I’ll be helming our coverage for the first part of the day. Here’s what is making headlines.Teal independents are in advanced talks to create a new political party that may be announced within weeks, sources close to the deliberations say, with MPs Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall leading the push.More Australians who were detained by Israel after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted in international waters will return home today. Melbourne woman Gemma O’Toole was the first of 11 Australians to return last night, greeted by her parents and about 100 supporters. The group of Australians allege mistreatment and abuse of fellow activists by Israeli forces.The antisemitism royal commission will re-commence today, and will zoom in on security and law enforcement agencies, including the decision to send just three police officers to safeguard the Jewish festival at Bondi Beach where alleged Islamic State radicals shot dead 15 people.And US President Donald Trump said he had told his representatives not to rush into any deal with Iran, as his administration played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war that had been raised a day earlier. Stay with us as we bring you rolling news updates throughout the day. Latest Posts6.45amParks Victoria workers walk off the jobBy Bianca HallMore than 300 Parks Victoria have vowed to walk off the job this morning, for the first time in 15 years, escalating a year-long dispute over pay and conditions.Union members, who maintain public lands, parks and reserves, as well as firefighting and emergency response capabilities, say they are being treated like “second-class citizens” compared to other public sector employees.Jiselle Hanna, the Victorian branch secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union.Justin McManusThe CPSU said on Friday that Parks Victoria had “not moved” from its original offer of a 3 per cent pary rise per year, “claiming that the State Government Wages Policy caps wages at this level despite nurses and teachers achieving outcomes greater than 7 per cent per year under the same policy”.CPSU branch secretary Jiselle Hanna said Parks Victoria members deserved the same pay and conditions as their Victorian public sector colleagues.“Management at Parks Vic are paid in line with the public service standards, and we think what’s good for the bosses is good for our members.”6.45amTeals in advanced talks to form new political partyBy Nick Newling and Paul SakkalTeal independents are in advanced talks to create a new political party that may be announced within weeks, sources close to the deliberations say, with MPs Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall leading the push.However, the project is facing complications, including that moderate Liberal figures have so far refused invitations to defect, making it more difficult for a new outfit to appeal to a larger cohort of disaffected voters.Several sources familiar with the project, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect negotiations, said the MPs and their supporters have been planning the party’s formation for months, and an announcement could be weeks away unless new hurdles emerge or the MPs change their minds.Teal independents who may form part of the new political party.Alex EllinghausenThe sources said conversations have centred on how the party should be presented to voters, including its name and policy positions.Pinned post from 6.45amWhat’s making news todayBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Monday, May 25. My name is Emily Kaine, and I’ll be helming our coverage for the first part of the day. Here’s what is making headlines.Teal independents are in advanced talks to create a new political party that may be announced within weeks, sources close to the deliberations say, with MPs Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall leading the push.More Australians who were detained by Israel after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted in international waters will return home today. Melbourne woman Gemma O’Toole was the first of 11 Australians to return last night, greeted by her parents and about 100 supporters. The group of Australians allege mistreatment and abuse of fellow activists by Israeli forces.The antisemitism royal commission will re-commence today, and will zoom in on security and law enforcement agencies, including the decision to send just three police officers to safeguard the Jewish festival at Bondi Beach where alleged Islamic State radicals shot dead 15 people.And US President Donald Trump said he had told his representatives not to rush into any deal with Iran, as his administration played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war that had been raised a day earlier. Stay with us as we bring you rolling news updates throughout the day. 1 of 1