Today in Australian politics, Julian Assange has arrived in Saipan and is expected to appear in a US court in the Pacific territory. The Coalition is planning to target Anthony Albanese over Fatima Payman crossing the floor. Stay updated with the latest news throughout the day. Good morning and welcome to the Wednesday politics live blog. Amy Remeikis will be providing updates for most of the day. It's a chilly morning in Canberra, but we're fueled up with coffee and chocolate for breakfast. There is growing pressure for vice-chancellors and senior executives in Australian universities to be held accountable for widespread wage theft. University staff are demanding action and justice for this criminal behavior. It's time for those responsible to face consequences, including potential job loss and legal repercussions. Stay tuned for more updates on today's political developments.

Labor senator Fatima Payman took a bold step by crossing the floor of the Senate to support a Greens motion on recognizing Palestinian statehood. This decision puts her party membership at risk, as the Labor party requires all its parliamentarians to support collective decisions or face expulsion. While Coalition backbenchers are allowed to cross the floor, the Labor party has strict rules in place. Those who defy party lines risk expulsion or suspension. Payman's decision to support the motion on Palestinian statehood was not taken lightly, as each step felt like a mile for the first-term senator. This move highlights the complexities and tensions within the Australian political landscape when it comes to issues related to international relations and foreign policy. Payman's decision to back the motion shows her commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and recognition on the global stage.

Peter Dutton has declared that a future Coalition government would override state bans on nuclear power, asserting that state premiers will not be able to prevent it. Speaking at the federal Liberal party council in Sydney, Dutton also launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him a "fraud" and a "child in a man's body" who is stuck in his university days. Dutton's comments come as he intensifies his criticism of Albanese and pushes for nuclear power to be a key part of the energy mix in Australia.

In Australia politics news, Bill Shorten is defending a $600,000 fee paid to a speechwriter, while a $5 million top-up for food and emergency food relief is being discussed. The NDIS minister has praised Julianne Stewart's work but denies negotiating the deal. In other news, a recent Guardian Essential poll shows that more voters are in favor of stricter rules on social media, with over two-thirds supporting raising the age limit from 13 to 16. Approval ratings for Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese are also highlighted in the poll. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day.