Live: Minister says constitution limits ability to block return of IS-linked doctor

Environment Minister Murray Watt says there are constitutional limits on what the government can do to prevent the return of an Islamic State-linked doctor.Follow all the updates in our live blog. Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:37amWed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:37amWong raises Pacific missile test, Yang Hengjun detention with Chinese foreign minister(Supplied: DFAT)Foreign Minister Penny Wong has raised concerns about China test firing a nuclear-capable missile, that flew over multiple Pacific nations earlier this month, during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manilla last night.At the time, China called the launch "routine," but countries including Australia firmly criticised the missile test, with Wong expressing the strong concern of Pacific nations in the face-to-face meeting.The ABC's been told Wong also once again raised the case of Dr Yang Hengjun, an Australian democracy activist and writer, who's been detained in China for years on spying charges he denies."I expect we will discuss our concerns today, including around peace and stability in our region, safe and professional military conduct, and the importance of transparency and reassurance of intent, as well as the issues of consular, human rights and other bilateral and regional matters," Wong said ahead of the meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' summit.It's the 12th time the pair have met.Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:32amWed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:32amMurray Watt criticises NT government's passage of child protection lawsThe Northern Territory government has pass controversial child protection laws during a late-night sitting of parliament.Critics of the bill say it will weaken the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which acknowledges the importance of country, culture and community to Aboriginal children.That will instead be replaced by a universal child placement principle.Environment Minister Murray Watt says it's a "disappointing" development and says connection to country and people is important."Everyone wants to make sure that any child, whether it be an Aboriginal child or others, lives in a safe home and a safe environment but making sure that connection to country and connection to people is important," Watt says."This is a backwards step on a really important issue in the Northern Territory."Asked if the Commonwealth would intervene, Watt says he's not aware of any plans to do that and says doing that would be a "big call".Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:24amWed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:24amMinister quizzed on gambling regulator, gas exports tax ahead of Labor conferenceEnvironment Minister Murray Watt is doing the morning television rounds, and he's been asked about gambling reforms.Labor's national conference is shaping up as a battleground over gambling reform, with members pushing for a stronger national regulator to oversee the industry.Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Watt has talked up the government's gambling advertising changes, but says he expects people will put forward proposals at the national conference."I don't want to pre-empt the conference. There will be people who say a range of things about these sorts of issues. But I do think it needs to be recognised that the government has taken some very serious action already," Watt says.Pressed on whether the government will introduce a national gambling regulator in the future, Watt says Labor's focus in on advertising.What about discussion about a tax on gas exports? Watt is keeping closely to his talking points and says it might be brought up.Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:17amWed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:17amMurray Watt says constitution limits ability to block return of ISIS-linked doctorMurray Watt says the government won't be providing assistance to an Australian doctor with links to Islamic State jailed in an Iraqi prison.The Australian reports Tareq Kamleh, who joined Islamic State, is one of 13 Australian men imprisoned in an Iraqi jail and hoping to leave.Speaking to Channel Nine, the environment minister says there are constitutional limits on what the government can do to prevent citizens from returning home."We've made clear for some time now that we won't be providing any assistance as a government to anyone whose made the absolutely awful decision to join a foreign terrorist organisation," Watt says.Asked if Kamleh will be allowed to return, Watt says, "That remains to be seen."We won't be providing assistance, just as we haven't provided assistance to others to come back."Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien says the government needs to explain how they'll prevent former Islamic State fighters from returning."The government can't just say, 'Oh, we're not going to help them'. What are you actually going to proactively do to protect the Australian people?" he says.Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:10amWed 22 Jul 2026 at 7:10amGood morning 👋Hello and a very warm welcome to our federal politics blog! It's great to have you join us here early this Wednesday morning.I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.Labor's National Conference is starting in Adelaide tomorrow and it seems gambling reform is shaping up as one of the hot button issues.Members are pushing for a stronger national regulator to oversee the industry, just weeks after the government introduced changes to gambling advertisements laws to federal parliament.Let's get into the day and see what happens!