Emily KaineUpdated August 13, 2026 — 7:09am,first published 6:45amWhat’s making news todayBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Thursday, August 13. Here’s what is making headlines.Thousands of students are planning to walk out of classrooms today to protest Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. The nationwide “students say no to Hanson” protest, with events in state and territory capitals, is expecting to attract 10,000 students angry at the ascendent party’s policies, particularly on changes to the school curriculum regarding Australian history and gender.The Japanese ambassador to Australia backed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following controversy over comments he made during a podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne in July.Labor has backed down on a late change to a scheme forcing tech giants to pay for news, clinching a deal with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor that media firms hope will lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue.Barnaby Joyce has labelled comments by a WA One Nation upper house candidate describing homosexuality as a mental illness as “highly offensive”, describing One Nation as “one of the gayest parties in Australia” in its membership and leadership ranks.One of the most recognisable faces of the Trump administration, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, will step down from her role at the end of the month. Trump praised the 28-year-old as “a real leader in the White House”. She is the youngest person to have ever held the position.Latest Posts7.09amMcKenzie: Gay community ‘politically diverse’ By Emily KaineNational Party senator Bridget McKenzie has defended the gay community against remarks by a WA One Nation upper house candidate, Parminder Singh, who described homosexuality as a mental illness yesterday. She told Nine’s Today show this morning that while she would not comment on individual One Nation members or candidates, she believed the gay community was “as politically diverse as anyone”. “In my home state of Victoria, many are joining the National Party and the Liberal Party because they’re sick of a very, very bad Labor government.”Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie.Alex EllinghausenShe said gay Australians were joining the National Party because they were increasingly concerned about the rise of Islamic extremism. She did not provide any evidence for this claim. “I think for many in the gay community, they are joining the National Party because they, like we, are very concerned about Islamic extremism and the impact it has on their daily lives,” McKenzie said. Yesterday, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said Singh’s comments were “highly offensive”, and described his party was “one of the gayest parties in Australia”. 6.45amThousands of students expected to walk out of class to protest One NationBy Nick NewlingThousands of students are expected to walk out of class today in protest of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. The nationwide “students say no to Hanson” protest, with events in state and territory capitals, is hoping to attract thousands of students angry at the ascendent party’s policies, particularly on changes to the school curriculum regarding Australian history and gender.One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, with party leader Pauline Hanson. Alex EllinghausenOne Nation MP Barnaby Joyce accused “socialist” school teachers of encouraging students to participate in protests against his party on Thursday, as Education Minister Jason Clare cautions children to stay in class and move their protest to the weekend.“[Students have] been told to hate this country, and they’ve been advised by people – because it’s not on the students’ own volition – they’ve been advised by a clique of people who have a political purpose,” Joyce said on Wednesday.6.32amTrump press secretary Karoline Leavitt to step downBy Washington: One of the most recognisable faces of the Trump administration, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, will depart the role at the end of the month.President Donald Trump said Leavitt – who gave birth to her second child in May – was stepping aside to spend more time with her young family, “a decision I totally understand and respect”.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.AP Photo/Julia Demaree NikhinsonHe praised the 28-year-old as a “real leader in the White House” and one of the best presidential press secretaries in the history of the office. She would now act as one of his top external advisors ahead of the midterm elections, he added.Leavitt, who has served since the administration began in January 2025, and before that was part of Trump’s campaign team, said it had been the honour and adventure of a lifetime.Pinned post from 6.28amWhat’s making news todayBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Thursday, August 13. Here’s what is making headlines.Thousands of students are planning to walk out of classrooms today to protest Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. The nationwide “students say no to Hanson” protest, with events in state and territory capitals, is expecting to attract 10,000 students angry at the ascendent party’s policies, particularly on changes to the school curriculum regarding Australian history and gender.The Japanese ambassador to Australia backed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following controversy over comments he made during a podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne in July.Labor has backed down on a late change to a scheme forcing tech giants to pay for news, clinching a deal with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor that media firms hope will lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue.Barnaby Joyce has labelled comments by a WA One Nation upper house candidate describing homosexuality as a mental illness as “highly offensive”, describing One Nation as “one of the gayest parties in Australia” in its membership and leadership ranks.One of the most recognisable faces of the Trump administration, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, will step down from her role at the end of the month. Trump praised the 28-year-old as “a real leader in the White House”. She is the youngest person to have ever held the position.1 of 1