What we learned – Sunday 6 November
That’s it for today, thanks for reading.
Here are the main stories on Sunday, 6 November:
Flood threats remain in New South Wales and Victoria, with more than 20,000 people expected to be without gas for another month.
Labor agrees to amend its workplace bill, but opposition to multi-employer pay deals remains.
Bob Brown accuses environment minister Tanya Plibersek of putting industry above environment on a recent trip to Tasmania’s Tarkine region.
The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews asks “what is the point” of a Herald Sun story revisiting his fall down stairs at a holiday house.
Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The body of a missing eight-year-old boy has been found in a Canberra pond.
We will see you back here for more news tomorrow. Bye for now.
Updated
Sri Lankan cricketer faces sexual assault charges
Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Police said detectives launched an investigation on Saturday after receiving reports a 29-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted at a Rose Bay home earlier in the week.
Police allege the woman met Gunathilaka after communicating with him for several days on a dating app before the assault on Wednesday evening.
The 31-year-old cricketer was arrested at a hotel in central Sydney early on Sunday morning and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via video link.
Gunathilaka travelled to Australia with Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup team.
- AAP
Updated
Lithgow cafe owners cook up a feast for those out of gas
The Secret Creek cafe is a beautiful little spot in Lithgow where animals roam free and patrons dine.
On Saturday night the cafe’s owners put on a free dinner for those who couldn’t cook because of the gas supply issue on the east coast.
In a post on Instagram, the owners explained they hoped it would “take a little bit of stress out of your day today”.
Hello friends! Tonight we’re cooking family meal for everyone in the community that can’t cook at home due to the gas outage. Hopefully this takes a little bit of stress out of your day today. No catch, it’s free, just come along between 5pm and 6pm tonight. Bring a container for us to fill if you can, otherwise we’ll have a few takeaway ones.
Chilli con carne and cornbread and Moroccan brown rice and “chick’n pilaf” were on the menu. All options were gluten free and vegan (except the cornbread) to ensure the widest number of people could participate.
We’ll cook heaps and serve until it runs out. We’re on bottle gas here.
Updated
‘Unfortunate’ structural failure at 57-year-old coal power plant in Queensland
Queensland’s energy minister has described this week’s unplanned shutdown at a major coal power station as “unfortunate”, as the opposition calls for an independent probe into the failure.
All four units at the Callide power station, near Biloela, were knocked out on Friday following a series of accidents and equipment failures at the plant.
The plant, which can generate up to 1540MW of electricity - roughly 30 per cent of the state’s overnight demand - is expected to be partially fixed by Wednesday, restoring half its output.
On Sunday, Queensland’s energy minister, Mick de Brenni, said engineers were at Callide working to get it fully back up and running as soon as possible after Friday’s “unfortunate” shutdown.
Despite the issues at Callide, de Brenni said Queensland’s power supply remained adequate, with demand across the system sitting at 4000MW from an available supply of 9500MW.
“We have a strong, publicly owned, resilient system,” he said.
“Our message is that we have adequate supply and that’s because we’ve kept the energy system in public ownership.”
Callide is made up of two plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units. Public firm CS Energy owns and operates Callide B and runs Callide C in a joint venture with Intergen.
Prior to this week’s debilitating issues, the plant was hit by a catastrophic explosion in May 2021 that knocked out about 10 per cent of the state’s power capacity and affected about 477,000 customers.
In a statement on Sunday, the opposition energy spokesman, Pat Weir, called for an independent probe into whether maintenance issues have contributed to problems at Callide:
These concerns have been reinforced by the union, which has raised issues with maintenance and safety.
If generators fail, there is no doubt that it will impact supply and prices if there’s a heatwave over summer.
A full independent investigation must be held to give Queenslanders the answers and confidence they need that their lights will stay on and their bills won’t skyrocket.
de Brenni dismissed the idea of an independent probe, saying a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigation was already under way.
“I’m advised that all of the regulatory obligations and the good engineering practice obligations are always met on all of our energy system,” he said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously said Queenslanders do not need to worry about power supply in the state.
de Brenni is due to brief cabinet on the situation on Monday.
- AAP
Updated
And in another canine search-and-rescue operation Queensland police are asking for help in finding a guide dog named Valiant, who was reported missing on Saturday.
His owner is vision-impaired and requires Valiant’s help to fulfil daily activities.
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Guide Dog Valiant, reported missing from his owner’s St Lucia address in Brisbane yesterday (November 5).https://t.co/dVUDvxpsjE pic.twitter.com/ybWDWOlta2
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) November 6, 2022
Updated
Victorian police in search for ‘Angel’ following Saturday-night dog-napping
Victorian police are investigating the theft of a beloved pet shih tzu from outside a restaurant in Docklands on Saturday night.
The five-year-old dog named “Angel” was tied to a pole on Bourke Street when a man removed her leash and fled with it at around 8.30pm
Police have shared video and photos of the man to assist with their inquiries.
The man was last seen walking south along Bourke Street waterfront carrying Angel.
To help identifying the pooch, officers have also released an image of the dog, who had just received a haircut.
Police are investigating after a man stole a beloved pet in Docklands last night.
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 6, 2022
Five-year-old ‘Angel’ was secured to a pole on Bourke Street when the man can be seen removing her leash and fleeing with her about 8.30pm.
Read more: https://t.co/6gnwia3YwV pic.twitter.com/dHC1PWadfT
Updated
Victorian government contractor targeted in latest hack
A technology company which has contracts with the Victorian government has been hacked.
PNORS Technology Group, which works with several state departments, including the department of Education and Training, was targeted by hackers on Saturday.
Earlier today, the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said it was too early to determine if Victorians’ information had been compromised.
It’s not definitive, but there’s the potential for a breach. They’re working through that, around the clock, and they’re doing that job well ... if and as soon as we have confirmation of anyone’s records being compromised, we will make a statement and we’ll work with any of those people. Like all these things, you’ve got to confirm the facts first, like exactly what happened – and that work is going on now.
Updated
Probably worth noting this, given we’ve had a few energy posts today:
We’re recruiting 2,300 new energy workers across our six publicly-owned energy companies.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 5, 2022
Australian paramedic receives US Presidential Lifetime Service Award
Most people try to flee emergencies and combat zones, but Australian Alison Thompson runs toward the danger.
Ahead of her ninth trip to Ukraine in 2022, the humanitarian charity worker and paramedic has received a US Presidential Lifetime Service Award, an award usually reserved for American citizens.
The award, which honours “outstanding volunteers and recognises the impact they make”, was one of five presented on Friday.
“It’s not about me, it’s more about my team – and I don’t do this work to get awards for my ego,” Thompson said.
“Awards can help my organisation and assist the people I am trying to help and inspire people to volunteer.”
Her organisation, Third Wave Volunteers, features a network of more than 30,000 volunteer first responders across the globe.
As a first responder, she pulled survivors from rubble at ground zero in New York, has run refugee camps, field hospitals and resilience hubs at natural and manmade disaster sites around the world.
Thompson has travelled to Ukraine eight times in 2022 and helped rescue 24 special-needs children and orphans on behalf of a US-based non-profit anti-trafficking exploitation organisation.
She has also taught combat medical aid to civilians and soldiers inside bomb shelters on the front lines.
Last September, while between visits to Ukraine, Thompson helped in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian in Florida.
Third Wave Volunteers helped to evacuate citizens from the two recent hurricanes, as well as deliver medical and food supplies.
– from AAP
Updated
States hurting from gas shortages slower to embrace renewable energy
National energy policy has been dominated by concerns about the supply and distribution of natural gas across the country, but states which have been slow to embrace renewable energy will be left paying the most.
The federal budget included Treasury forecasts of Australian energy prices rising by 56% and gas lifting by 44% over two years.
The NSW treasurer Matt Kean has responded to rising prices by suggesting Western Australia should “stop looking after themselves at everyone else’s expense” by sharing the gas it has stocked under its reservation policy.
But one thing has been lost in the conversation is that states most dependent on coal and gas for energy and least reliant on renewables - like Queensland - will see the biggest increases in electricity prices.
🤓 amazing week in south australia for renewables!
— 💧simon holmes à court (@simonahac) November 1, 2022
(area below the x-axis represents exports.) pic.twitter.com/Yi6BdM4Fvy
In the same way that high petrol prices lead to permanent demand destruction as people look for alternatives, the same can be expected in gas markets – particularly as the country looks to combat climate change.
In a recent speech climate and energy minister Chris Bowen said that to reach the 43% target Australia needs the equivalent of 40 7MW wind turbines every month until 2030.
For solar, we still need to install more than 22,000 500W panels every day – and 60m by 2030.
- with AAP
Updated
Australia needs to match climate promises with action: Greenpeace
Greenpeace Australia has cautiously welcomed the announcement of Australia’s bid to host COP31, saying the bid needs to be “matched with” meaningful action on climate change.
Shiva Gounden, Pacific advisor at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said Australia must “go beyond a symbolic olive branch and deliver root and branch climate measures for the Pacific” including “Pacific-led climate justice initiatives” and demands for “loss and damage funding” for harms caused by climate change.
The Albanese government has made some big pledges about strengthening ties with its Pacific family on climate change, the single greatest existential threat facing the region. But it must convert this rhetoric to action and support Pacific calls for measures that meet the urgency of the climate crisis devastating its peoples, environments, and ways of life.
Topping the list of demands are measures which offer real, lasting impact to Pacific island nations, which contribute the least to the climate crisis but shoulder the worst impacts.
Australia must support and advocate for the establishment of a dedicated loss and damage finance facility at Cop27, the only effective means of providing climate compensation to nations on the frontline of the climate crisis.
It must also step up and champion the landmark Vanuatu-led campaign for climate justice through an advisory opinion from the international court of justice on the human rights impacts of climate change.
Gounden said Australia could use Cop27 to show it was serious about action.
Minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen confirmed the bid to hold Cop31 on Sunday in a joint press release with foreign minister Penny Wong.
The Albanese government has already taken urgent climate action and as one of our first acts, enshrined our commitment to reach net zero emissions into law.
Our delegation at Cop27 and our Cop31 bid will go a long way to help drive Australia’s economic transformation to a net zero economy and strengthen green trade partnerships and secure jobs for Australian workers.
Updated
Clear skies expected across much of the country even as flood-hit communities in New South Wales are still being asked to remain cautious.
After a cold and snowy start to Nov for eastern #Aus, a warmer and drier weekend lies ahead. However, Major Flooding continues for many rivers in #NSW.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 4, 2022
Mostly clear conditions for the rest of the country.
Latest: https://t.co/mlTVvCAUiL pic.twitter.com/5i1NTvMoVR
Fine with only a little cloud about #Tas today. These settled conditions should stick around until midweek. pic.twitter.com/hJWgyOdVYM
— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) November 5, 2022
Over 200mm accumulated in some rain gauges around the #Daintree #FNQ in 24hrs to 9am due to persistent showers and the odd thunderstorm along a small-scale convergence zone embedded in the southeasterly trade winds. And it's still raining.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 5, 2022
Observations: https://t.co/y0HUrVjH4c pic.twitter.com/mlMKiA861U
A huge thanks to the students and staff of 📸 Collarenebri Central School for their exceptional work with sandbagging.
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) November 5, 2022
These school kids could sandbag 17 tonnes of sand within a few hours. We are so impressed with the community spirit they showed.
THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED! pic.twitter.com/LqoYxJdLmJ
Victoria SES has also issued new warnings as flood waters head downstream.
Flood – Emergency Warning for Kenley. You should Evacuate Immediately. For more info: https://t.co/t2FnIqwFv8 #vicfloods
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) November 5, 2022
Updated
‘Don’t drive through flood waters’
Sullivan also warned residents of New South Wales to remain cautious “as the waters head downstream”.
Our advice is prepare now, review your flood plan, understand your risk. If you need to leave early, understand when that time is and leave when it’s safe to do so.
Leave early, be safe.
Sullivan said evacuation centres are open for those who do not have an alternative place to stay. He reiterated the warning for people not to drive into flood waters.
Don’t drive through flood waters. If you come across a flooded road, contact the SES on 132500 or 000 if your life is at threat. And we, our partner emergency services, will do our best to get out and assist you. There’s no need to risk your life, your friend’s life or your family’s life.
Please stay out of flood waters. They are an unhealthy place to be. There’s chemicals, contaminants, debris and a lot of animals that have perished in this flood so wherever possible, just stay out of floodwaters and keep our rescuers out of flood waters. We’d really appreciate that.
Updated
NSW SES urges residents to be careful when returning to homes as floods recede
NSW SES chief superintendent Ashley Sullivan has spoken to the ABC this morning about the situation around the Lachlan River, where waters have started to recede.
Sullivan said floodwaters hit a peak in Forbes of 10.7m before they began to retreat in the township and surrounding area.
We have seen major flooding in this town. There is a major impact to the community here, with several properties with over-floor flooding.
So it’s going to be a big couple of days of emergency response in this community, until these flood waters recede and then we can get in and do those damage assessments and then that whole clean-up phase will start.
Sullivan also said residents around the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga have been issued a “return with caution” notice, meaning they can head back and begin the process of assessing damage:
But the threat remains across western and southern New South Wales, with major flood warnings on many rivers across the state.
So on the Murrumbidgee, as that water heads down Narrandera and Hay and further down at Moama and then obviously here at Forbes and downstream towards Condoblin probably next weekend, where the flood waters will reach its peak down there and then obviously our towns around Walgett, and Lightning Ridge, which are likely to be isolated for a few weeks.
New South Wales SES is coordinating with suppliers to get urgent deliveries into communities and resupply community members in those towns.
Updated
NSW Labor pledges to end no-grounds evictions, streamline bond process
New South Wales Labor have promised to tackle renters rights if elected, by introducing reforms that provide more certainty and flexibility in lease arrangements.
Under the proposal, an elected NSW Labor government will allow renters to transfer bonds from one property in a new “streamlined” process.
Other proposed reforms include clear guidelines on when a lease can be terminated to end “no-grounds evictions”.
Around a third of residents in New South Wales rent, with median rents in the state growing 10% between 2016 and 2021.
The NSW Tenants Union estimates the basic costs of moving home is around $4,000, without taking into account renters being out of pocket for weeks while they wait for their bond to be refunded.
NSW Labor leader, Chris Minns, said in a statement on Sunday that the changes will create a “fairer rental regime” by “providing greater certainty”.
Anyone who rents in Sydney knows just how anxious and challenging a process it can be to find suitable accommodation – never mind the significant costs associated with moving.
This is a sensible cost of living measure to help ease the pressure on the over 30 per cent of people in New South Wales currently renting.
NSW shadow minister for housing and homelessness, Rose Jackson, said ending unfair, no-grounds evictions was the “right thing” for renters to ensure “they have a place to call home”.
There is a direct relationship between our unfair rental laws and increases in housing stress and homelessness.
More and more people are renting – and renting for life. As our housing market changes, we need to update and modernise our laws to ensure we are getting the balance right.
Updated
NSW government promises $100m to extend foster care to those aged 21
The New South Wales state government will extend foster care from the age of 18 to 21 in what has been described by campaigners as “the most significant child welfare reform in a generation”.
Under the proposal, the change would bring New South Wales into line with other states across the country and will mean children in state care won’t be cut off from support when they turn 18.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, New South Wales minister for families and communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, said $100m in funding had been found to support the change.
Ensuring young people have that extended after-care support after the age of 21 is critical to provide that wraparound support to ensure they can go on and fulfil whether it’s university, employment, or have that security and support and the accommodation they need.
Paul McDonald, national chair of the Home Stretch campaign which has been pushing for the change, described the announcement as “fantastic”.
Extending state care to 21 will be life-changing for young people who have been nervously wondering what will happen when their state care arrangements are terminated on their 18th birthdays.
As the responsible parent for the largest number of children and young people in care nationally, extending care is the simplest and most effective reform the NSW government can make to transform the lives of around 1200 young people in foster, kinship and residential care.
It’s an exciting moment to be able to look ahead and think about how much difference this simple reform will make to so many young lives in the years to come.
Lin Hatfield-Dodds, CEO of the Benevolent Society said the change will provide stability for our young people at a critical point in their transition to adulthood.
The evidence from overseas and interstate is that extending care to 21 has long lasting positive effects for care leaver’s education, career and well-being.
This reform is also important recognition of the sacrifices that our foster carers make in welcoming a young person into their home.
The decision was also welcomed by the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies and Stepping Stone House.
Updated
Australian federal police do not believe any other party was involved in three deaths at Yerrabi Pond that included two young boys.
Police confirmed in a statement that they had found the body of an 8-year-old boy in Yerrabi Pond, in Canberra’s north, on Sunday morning.
The bodies of his mother and brother were discovered on Saturday after a member of the public found them and notified police.
An investigation into the deaths is ongoing and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Updated
Asked about a staffer to a Victorian Liberal MP accusing the premier of lying about the circumstances of his fall last year (she has since deleted the Tweet), Guy replies:
Number one, I certainly haven’t seen social media this morning. Number two, no one in my campaign team has said that. And number three, I focus on the future, not the past and those matters.
Following today’s Herald Sun front page, I’ve gone through the archives and found the premier’s statement following his discharge from hospital on 15 March, 2021. Here’s how he explains the circumstances of his fall:
Also, none of this is new? The premier's statement when he was discharged from hospital on March 15 described them as wooden steps: pic.twitter.com/yGfiG0SWoY
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) November 6, 2022
Nothing to see here folks.
Body found in search for missing boy
Police have found the body of eight-year-old boy following a search in Yerrabi Pond in Gungahlin, in Canberra’s north.
The discovery was made after an extensive search of the pond and nearby bushland that began Saturday night and continued into Sunday morning.
A woman and child were found dead in the pond on Saturday.
The woman is believed to be the mother of the two boys.
The Australian federal police are about to release a statement – we’ll have more as it comes.
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Updated
Victorian Liberal opposition pledges to cut stamp duty if elected
Victorian opposition leader, Matthew Guy, has announced that if the Coalition is elected later this month, it will cut stamp duty for first home buyers for 12 months.
Speaking in Donnybrook, in Melbourne’s growing north, Guy says the tax cut will apply to first home buyers for all purchases up to $1m, aligning with the median Melbourne house price:
It is a sensible way to get young Victorians into home ownership. The Labor government wants to keep people renting forever. I don’t. I want to provide incentives for people to be able to buy their own home.
This policy has been costed by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office at $261m. The policy would be reviewed prior to the end of 2023, with a decision as to whether to continue it made in the context of the budget.
Currently, Victorian first home buyers are eligible for a $10,000 grant on properties of up to $750,000. The grant doubles for new homes built in regional Victoria.
Updated
Victorian Liberal staff accused of feeding conspiracy around Daniel Andrews injury
A staffer to a Victorian Liberal MP has accused the premier of lying about the circumstances of his fall last year. Raf Epstein from the ABC has called it out:
Liberal staffer - (still? presumably on the campaign trail?) - either way..
— Raf Epstein (@Raf_Epstein) November 5, 2022
Directly raising the conspiracy theory about the stairs.
This is poisonous because it so quickly gets very crazy. They should refrain from this stuff. https://t.co/JZs5uyZ29W
The staffer has since deleted the tweet.
Opposition leader, Matthew Guy, has just kicked off a press conference in Donnybrook, in Melbourne’s north, and will no doubt be asked about it.
For some background on the conspiracy theory surrounding the Victorian premier’s accident:
Updated
Nearly one-tenth of New South Wales protected as national park
An extra 1,300 hectares have been added to New South Wales’ national parks in what the state government says shows its commitment to conservation and biodiversity.
NSW Environment minister James Griffin said in a statement on Sunday that 602,500 hectares has been reserved since 2019.
The latest additions to the NSW national park estate is another step towards protecting and conserving critical habitat for vulnerable species like koalas, powerful owls, swift parrots and squirrel gliders.
These targeted pockets of land are now protecting land in the Hunter, Sydney and Riverina regions in perpetuity while offering habitat, wildlife corridors and food sources to more than 30 threatened species.
Our national parks are incredibly important for protecting threatened species and areas of cultural significance, and they also play a significant role in the economy, receiving 60m visits each year while supporting 74,000 jobs and driving $18bn in economic activity.
Almost a tenth of New South Wales – 9.5% – is covered by national parks which are home to 85% of the state’s threatened and endangered species.
The latest additions to the national park estate include:
Hunter region
Warrawolong nature reserve - 101 hectares, supporting at least 60 fauna species
Tangory nature reserve - 503 hectares, supporting a sanctuary for more than 100 fauna species
Tiraki nature reserve - 609 hectares, linking two regional wildlife corridors and protecting 18 threatened flora and fauna species recorded there, including the migratory and endangered swift parrot
Sydney
Sydney’s Royal national park - two hectares, supporting habitat suitable for the vulnerable eastern pygmy-possum
Riverina region
Medowie state conservation area - 72 hectares, protecting critical habitat for koalas, squirrel gliders and masked owls
Murrumbidgee Valley regional park - 12 hectares, protecting riverine habitat, including for the vulnerable superb parrot.
Updated
It shouldn’t need to be said but the Herald Sun’s Dan Andrews exposé is as absurd as it is factually questionable.
I can't believe I am even saying this but here goes. My partner Jack is an exercise physiologist. He sees clients every single day who have suffered falls. He says short steps can actually cause the worst accidents.
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) November 5, 2022
Updated
Andrews not surprised by Herald Sun ‘investigation’
Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, says he’s not surprised by the front page of the Herald Sun this morning, which revisits the circumstances of the fall that kept him off work for months last year.
Andrews fractured his spine and broke several ribs when he slipped and fell while getting ready for work at a Mornington Peninsula holiday rental on 9 March last year.
The Herald Sun located the rental and spoke to several unnamed sources who suggest he fell the night before.
Asked if he was frustrated by the front page, the premier responded:
No, not really. There’s not much that surprises me really. But look, can anybody tell me what the point of this story is? I genuinely don’t know what the point of the story is. Can any of you explain it to me? Are you going to interview the stairs next?
People can go as low as they want. I’m not coming there with them. It’s as simple as that. This was a terrible accident, it was an accident. It was no one’s fault.
Here is the story in question:
The entire front page *and* a two-page spread are dedicated to…the steps Dan Andrews fell on over a year ago.
— Belinda Barnet (@manjusrii) November 5, 2022
Yes, that is three pages of prime news real estate for steps pic.twitter.com/2y0BndC2be
Updated
No plans to criminalise leaking information about Ibac: Andrews
The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says he has no plans to criminalise the publishing or leaking of information related to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, despite the agency’s pleas.
Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) on Friday urged the government to introduce legislation that would make it an offence for any person to report the contents of draft reports.
It came after Ibac successfully sought an injunction to prevent the Age from publishing information from an investigation into the government’s awarding of two grants worth $3.4m to a Labor-linked union.
Andrews told reporters today:
We have no plans to change the law in that regard and because we haven’t done it, the agency has had a go at us.
Asked if his office communicated to Ibac prior to the agency seeking an injunction, Andrews said:
It’s an independent agency. They make their own decisions and I’m not here to confirm or otherwise or make any comment at all on what injunctions have been sought or granted. That is not appropriate at all. If you want to know what they did and why and who and how and all of that you have to speak to them. I’m not a spokesperson for them.
Updated
Veterans card to help with reskilling
Victoria’s minister for veterans Shaun Leane says the proposed veterans card will particularly help veterans from more recent conflicts reskill:
Veterans from contemporary conflicts don’t necessarily enjoy the benefits that some of the older veterans do under the federal system. So we want to acknowledge them.
We want to make sure that we assist them with their cost of living but importantly acknowledge their great service ... My conversations with particularly younger veterans is that employment is key to their well being.
These people are assets, their attributes and their various skills is exemplary. We’ve had a public sector employment program with hundreds of veterans being employed in the public sector. And this year, we launched the private sector employment program.
Updated
Victorian Labor promises new veterans card
The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has announced that if re-elected his government will spend $37m to introduce a veterans card to help those who have served the nation with the rising cost of living.
The veterans card will entitle veterans to a $100 discount on the registration of one vehicle, free trailer and caravan registration and free fishing and boating licences as well as free public transport on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
On top of the discounts, the card will give veterans access to dedicated employment programs to help them find careers after finishing their period of service.
Andrews says there are more than 90,000 veterans in Victoria. He says the veterans card will particularly assist younger veterans who aren’t eligible for the commonwealth government’s gold card program:
We want to make sure that every veteran whether they be a bit older or a bit younger, because they’re from a more contemporary conflict, gets the access and that streamline access into employment.
The ADF have invested in them very, very heavily with their skills and training and it only makes sense for us to utilise those skills, particularly when we’ve got workforce shortages in so many different parts of the Victorian economy ... I can’t think of a better way to invest $37m in saying thank you to our vets, they’ve done a great job.
We’re very proud of them. We’re very grateful to them. All the things that we enjoy today is because of them and their sacrifice and their service.
Updated
And that’s a wrap from Insiders this morning.
Noongar community ‘really hurting’ from Cassius Turvey’s death
Chaney is asked about the death of Indigenous teenager Cassius Turvey while walking home from school in Perth.
Chaney says police are investigating and it is too early to discuss motive.
It is a huge challenge and I was at the vigil on Wednesday, and it was very moving, and the Noongar community in Perth and the broader community is really hurting about this.
On the broader issue of racism, we don’t yet know what the motivation for that alleged murder is.
I think every mum has a right to expect that her child can walk home from school safely, and I think as a community, we all need to be thinking about what role we play in creating a situation where that is possible.
For more on the reaction to the death of Cassius Turvey, read the full story from Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs reporter Sarah Collard.
Updated
Chaney ‘not convinced’ IR changes will ‘drive an increase in wages’
On the proposed industrial relations changes, Chaney says she supports the proposal where it will lift wages in low-paid sectors of the economy but is wary of introducing “another layer of complexity” into workplaces and is not convinced multi-employer bargaining will actually lift wages.
I’m completely supportive of the fact that we need to increase wages and increase share of wages to GDP. I think the expansion – the multi-employer bargaining for the supported stream is a good thing, [in] those low-paid industries, and that may well get wages moving.
[It will benefit] childcare, aged care, largely feminised industries, and that seems to make a lot of sense. I’m concerned about the overreach and this extension of multi-employer bargaining to any group that are deemed to have a common interest, as determined by the Fair Work Commission. I think it’s great for IR specialists and lawyers.
It is probably great for unions and improving their relevance. I’m not convinced that it will actually drive an increase in wages across the board because it just adds this new layer of complexity into our already complex system.
Updated
Stage 3 tax cuts ‘should be delayed’
Chaney says “the stage 3 tax cuts are not very responsible policy” and the government should reconsider or delay introducing them.
I can understand the government’s desire to keep its promises, but when you look at where we are, really there is nothing to take the place of the revenue lost in those tax cuts, so it needs to be part of a broader review of how are we going to pay for the things we need.
Asked to clarify whether she wants to see them scrapped, Chaney says she believes they should be delayed.
I reckon they should be delayed, pending a broader review of the tax system and it may be that a result that have could be trimming them at the top, or it could be looking at different sources of revenue that mean we can rely less on personal income tax as we see our population age.
Chaney says residents in her electorate have been contacting her office to voice their opposition to tax cuts.
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No new gas projects should be opened up, Chaney says
Chaney says the focus needs to be on decarbonisation over the long term and Australia won’t be served by entrenching gas into its energy grid over the long term.
We can’t lose sight of the longer-term goal to decarbonise our economy so we actually have a strong economy in 20 years’ time, so I think it’s really important that we focus on that, that these are fossil fuel issues that are driving the challenges that we have now and we focus on the longer-term goal to decarbonise.
On whether new gas projects should be opened up:
I don’t think so. Globally when you look at the cost benefit that have, there are enough gas projects that are already approved to meet the gas needs that we need in the energy mix for a long period, and so opening up new oil and gas exploration sites that won’t be developed for between four and 10 years seems like really mixed messages that we are sending to the market.
The burning of fossil fuels including gas is a key driver of global heating. Last year the International Energy Agency said exploitation of new fossil fuel basins had to stop in 2021 to limit heating to 1.5C, a goal set out in the Paris agreement.
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Chaney: case for gas exports super profits tax
Independent MP Kate Chaney says there is a good case to be made “for a short-term super profits tax on gas exports” to “make sure that we are looking after the most vulnerable”.
The most vulnerable at the moment is not our gas companies.
However Chaney says whatever approach Australia takes to its gas prices and shortages needs to be “short-term”.
I think that [a windfall tax] would be potentially a better solution than the export controls or price controls that end up being quite hard to reverse, but obviously the second tier of options would be those export controls or price controls in.
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‘No sense’ to tax cuts, Remeikis says
Guardian Australia’s political reporter Amy Remeikis is on the ABC Insiders panel, where talk has focused on gas prices and the tax cuts.
Remeikis: There is no moral commonsense, economic, anything justification for these tax cuts. They were bad policy when they were introduced.
David Speers: Not even at the middle end?
Remeikis: There is no sense to them. There isn’t. Because when you look at the cost to the budget and what people will have to forgo, because if you don’t think that we are not going to get into some sort of austerity situation to pay for them, then you are kidding yourself.
We are already having conversations about whether we can afford the NDIS or not, and that is absolutely also abhorrent when you think about what the NDIS represents and what it is meant to be. It [the tax cuts] was bad policy when it was introduced. It is even worse policy now.
Asked about the risk of Labor breaking a promise it took to the election, she says:
How people interpret the broken promise is on us, the media. If we hound them, then that becomes the narrative which is also bad policy, so we have a responsibility as well.
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Herald Sun’s curious editorial choice
There is a saying that news doesn’t work backwards but today’s Herald Sun has made a curious editorial choice.
The entire front page *and* a two-page spread are dedicated to…the steps Dan Andrews fell on over a year ago.
— Belinda Barnet (@manjusrii) November 5, 2022
Yes, that is three pages of prime news real estate for steps pic.twitter.com/2y0BndC2be
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is expected to begin a press conference any moment now and it is anticipated he’ll have thoughts.
Guardian Australia’s Victorian state correspondent Benita Kolovos will have the latest as it comes in.
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Burke hits back at employer group
The workplace relations minister Tony Burke has joined the prime minister Anthony Albanese in hitting back at a threat by an employer group to launch a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign against the workplace relations changes.
Burke said he had been meeting with a range of business groups over the past week, but the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association had not contacted him. Burke questioned whether the group’s membership wanted to pay for “a political campaign”.
Burke said an advertising campaign would not “make this government not care about people’s wages”.
The leaders of the Nationals David Littleproud is on Sky News now. He calls the concessions announced by Burke as “baby steps”. Littleproud argued employees might get a “sugar hit” from higher pay but this might have an impact on employment or prices at the checkout.
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Workplace relations bill to be amended
The workplace relations minister Tony Burke has agreed to amend the government’s workplace relations bill, including the way voting works in the expansion of pay deals covering multiple employers.
Speaking to Sky News, Burke said he had been meeting with business groups each day last week. One of amendments that has now been “locked down” will change how voting works on multi-employer bargaining. The concession aims to address employers’ concerns that votes in bigger workplaces could overwhelm vote share of smaller employers.
Burke said the votes would be counted employer by employer - including when it comes to voting on whether to pursue multi-employer agreement, potential industrial action and the approval of the final agreement.
This puts an end to the argument that you’ll end up with workplaces that didn’t want to be part of an agreement but somehow got roped in some way, or didn’t want to be part of industrial action. If you vote against any of the stages at that business level, then you’re not part of it.
Burke said also considering grace period of six months prior to multi-employer bargaining.
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Workplace relations minister Tony Burke has spoken to Sky News this morning and independent MP Kate Chaney is speaking to ABC Insiders.
We’ll have the latest as it comes.
Coming up on #Insiders with @David_Speers:
— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) November 5, 2022
• 🔎 Kate Chaney MP interviewed
• 📸 Fleur Anderson
• 🛋️ Amy Remeikis, Clare Armstrong, and Dana Morse
See you at 9am #auspol pic.twitter.com/dfjaGWegOf
Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
New South Wales emergency services have conducted 25 flood rescues overnight following 253 requests for help as the state struggles with renewed flooding. Nearly 100 warnings have been issued across the state, including 21 emergency warnings, 58 watch and act notices and 18 warnings at advice level. The developing situation comes after central-west NSW on Saturday marked its biggest floods since the 1950s.
Police in the ACT are continuing to search for an eight-year-old boy after the body of a young woman and another boy were found in Yerrabi Pond in Gungahlin. A member of the public first raised the alarm after finding the bodies, believed to be a mother and son. Divers have been in the water while a search is also being conducted of the surrounding bushland.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs, taking the blog through the day. With so much going on out there, it’s easy to miss stuff, so if you spot something happening in Australia and think it should be on the blog, you can find me on Twitter at @RoyceRk2 where my DMs are open.
With that, let’s get started ...
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