Politics
Why Australia’s politicians are skipping out on the Socceroos
CANBERRA, Australia — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a Sydney audience Thursday that he’d urge state governors to declare a weeklong holiday if Australia wins the World Cup.
Albanese’s enthusiasm for the Socceroos’ prospects — when Australia plays Egypt in their first knockout match — isn’t shared by many of his colleagues: Blue Light News approached a dozen ministers and members of Parliament for comments, favorite players and travel plans regarding today’s match, but all declined to respond.
The underlying reason: a 2025 travel spending scandal involving Sports Minister Anika Wells, which nearly cost her the ministry. The scandal left most MPs afraid to travel during Parliament’s sitting weeks, leaving Jerome Laxale, a second-term member, as the unexpected face of the ruling Labor Party during group matches.
Laxale’s rise to fame was likened Wednesday during a roast at the Australian Parliamentary Press Gallery Midwinter Ball — the local version of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner — to “subbing in Lionel Messi for a midfielder from Curaçao.”
Three MPs from the conservative opposition Liberal Party told The Sydney Morning Herald they were either paying their own way to the World Cup or able to join only because of existing unrelated travel plans.
The weeklong public holiday upon Australia’s lifting the trophy — which, let’s be honest, is probably not worth clearing one’s schedule for — requires state governors to make official. The last time Albanese declared unilaterally declared one was upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
FCC chair Brendan Carr on Trump, free speech and his threats against broadcasters
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Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and his team are discussing dropping out of the crowded Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.
The conversations come as Democratic officials in the state brace for damaging media reports about Barnes expected to hit in the coming hours. Barnes and his team have been on calls Thursday to discuss how to proceed, according to the people, granted anonymity to share private details.
The primary had become increasingly messy as more moderate leaning Democrats like Barnes have tried to stave off Democratic socialist Francesca Hong’s rise, worried her victory could boost presumed Republican nominee Tom Tiffany. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement of David Crowley — who reentered the race in the final stretch — further complicated the moderate coalition.
A spokesperson for Barnes’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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