Australian news and politics recap: May 22, 2025

We’re winding up our live coverage for Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Today’s top stories:

• Couple killed in vile Israeli embassy shooting
• NSW flood toll rises to three
• Liberals and Nationals ‘pause’ Coalition split
• Trump humiliates South African president in Oval Office ambush

The Nightly’s latest edition is here for you to flick through on your couch tonight.

We’ll be back with our rolling live coverage first thing on Friday morning.

Thanks for joining us.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Australian Government is “shocked and appalled by the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff in Washington”.

“Our thoughts go out to their families, loved ones, and colleagues,” Ms Wong said.

“There is no place for anti-Semitism in the world. It must be denounced and condemned.”

One of the two people confirmed dead in catastrophic flooding that has devastated large parts of New South Wales has been revealed as a hero farmer who died trying to protect his livestock.

Emergency crews are bracing for more heartbreak as the weather system slowly tracks south and rescue operations stretch into a fourth day.

The first victim of the NSW flood crisis has been identified as 63-year-old Moto farmer David Knowles, who heroically stayed behind at his property near Taree to protect his cattle as floodwaters rose.

Rescuers reportedly reached the home by boat on Wednesday, but Mr Knowles chose to remain with his dog and livestock. His body was later found on the verandah. Authorities believe existing medical conditions may have contributed to his death.

Read more here.

Anthony Albanese has sent his condolences to the family of the second man who has tragically died in NSW catastrophic floods.

“More tragic news out of New South Wales, with the death of another man in floodwaters on the Mid North Coast,” the Prime Minister said.

“All of our thoughts are with his loved ones and the community during this incredibly difficult period.”

Earlier today he took to X to express to the communities dealing with the crisis that they are “not alone”.

“To the communities facing floods and extreme weather right now, you’re not alone,” Mr Albanese wrote.

“We’re working closely with local authorities and emergency services to make sure help is where it’s needed. Please stay up to date as conditions change, follow warnings, and look out for each other.”

NSW SES has been inundated with calls for help during the last 24 hours, with more than 1023 incidents reported including 339 flood rescues.

“Currently, 140 warnings are active for the state, with multiple communities now isolated,” NSW SES wrote on X.

“We urge everyone to stay informed, as the situation is changing rapidly.”

Call 132 500 for emergency help in floods and storms. Call 000 for life-threatening emergencies.

A second man has died as catastrophic floods grip NSW, while two others remain missing.

NSW Police said a body, believed to be that of a missing man in his 30s, was recovered from floodwaters on the Mid North Coast.

Police and emergency services were called to the intersection of the Oxley Highway and Huntingdon Road near Rosewood, about 4km west of Wauchope, following reports a man had become stuck in floodwater while driving about 8.50pm yesterday.

Emergency services searched but were unable to find the man or the vehicle, police said in a statement.

“The search resumed this morning, and the body of a man was located near Rosewood about 8am,” NSW police said.

“While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man, aged in his 30s.”

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death continue and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Read more about the NSW floods here.

Acting PM Richard Marles has declared Labor will be getting on with the job as the Liberals and Nationals are “completely consumed with themselves” amid the on-again, off-again Coalition agreement.

“What we are seeing here is the Coalition completely obsessed with themselves,” he told reporters while speaking in Brisbane at a TAFE announcement on Thursday.

“There is literally a news story every day when it comes to what is happening in relation to the Coalition. Ultimately, that is a matter for them. Our focus is going to be on the Australian people.

“You can watch the Coalition be completely consumed by themselves.

“The Coalition no doubt will be focused on themselves but the Albanese Government is going to be focused on delivering for Australian people.”

His comments come after Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the Coalition divorce was on ice 48 hours after he walked away from the long-term partnership.

Mr Littleproud and new Liberal Leader Sussan Ley have both paused their ministerial and spokesperson announcements to go back to the drawing board.

Ms Ley is expected to hold a party room meeting, although virtual for those not in Canberra, to revisit discussions around four key policies the Nationals wanted assurances on.

Anthony Albanese has confirmed he will recall Parliament at the end of July after securing a second term at the Federal Election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Prime Minister said he had informed Governor-General Sam Mostyn the 48th Australian parliament would resume on July 22.

It allows MPs and Senators a more than 11-week break after Labor’s election victory on May 3.

“The Government is humbled by the support of the Australian people,” the PM said in a statement.

“I look forward to advancing the Government’s legislative agenda over the coming Parliamentary term.

“The reform program we took to the election was shaped by the priorities of the Australian people.”

His written statement comes after the PM told reporters on Wednesday while exiting the National Press Club that he would be having “a couple days off” after returning from his first international trip.

Emergency services announced on Thursday morning that three people were missing, with grave concerns for their welfare.

A woman is missing after her 4WD was trapped in floodwaters on Morora Road, Brooklana, west of Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday night; her vehicle was found this morning, but emergency crews are still working to access it.

In a separate incident, a man failed to return home after walking near a flooded roadway at Nymboida, south of Grafton, also on Wednesday night. Both searches were suspended overnight due to dangerous conditions but resumed this morning with the help of police, SES, RFS, and Fire & Rescue NSW.

Authorities continue to search for both missing people as floodwaters hamper rescue efforts.

While the third person, a woman who went missing in Lismore, was located.

Nationals former leader Barnaby Joyce has described the splitting and now potentially making up relationship of the Coalition as a “bit of a bouncing ball”.

Mr Littleproud had on Tuesday sensationally announced the party wouldn’t sign on to the Coalition agreement post-election, miffed they didn’t have guarantees on their four key desired policies.

The Member for New England told Sky News he hoped issues holding them apart “get resolved” in talks underway on Thursday afternoon.

“It seems to be a bit of a bouncing ball,” he said.

“I hope that things get resolved. Why would you hope for a less than… (an) effective capacity to hold the government to account, and, to be quite frank, chaos?

Mr Joyce was asked about how the decision to split unfolded and whether Mr Littleproud didn’t put the issue out to a secret ballot.

Mr Joyce remained tight-lipped on how the party landed on the historic decision, adding that: “Obviously in conversations, people have a retrospective and discussion about it”.

“But I don’t want to dwell on that space.”