What we learned today, 13 June 2022
We’re going to close this live blog now. Thanks for your company, comments, and correspondence on the journey. Maybe the real news was the friends we made along the way.
Be well, all of you.
- Looming blackouts and power shortages in Queensland and NSW have dominated news today.
- Wild weather and massive swells have battered south-eastern Australia.
- The NSW premier has said he wants to scrap the “worst tax” – stamp duty – in favour of a land tax.
- Independent member for Kooyong Dr Monique Ryan has urged supporters who have received threatening anonymous letters to report them to the police.
- Shane Warne, Ash Barty and Meg Lanning have led the list of honourees in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
- There may or may not have been a game of football at the MCG. You’ll have to look elsewhere on the Guardian for details.
Updated
Threats against the New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, have almost tripled over three years, amid a rise in conspiracy movements and a backlash against vaccination.
Instant Karma’s gonna get you... (see my mild sledge of Collingwood earlier in the afternoon). Pies beat the Dees in Sydney last year too. Geeze.
That last quarter...
FT. pic.twitter.com/Hbndl5TMsP
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 13, 2022
Aemo forced to intervene due to failure to plan for changing energy market, Chris Bowen says
A spokesperson for climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen has told the Guardian’s Peter Hannam:
The minister has been in regular contact with both the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) and the Queensland minister, Mick de Brenni over the course of Monday.
This situation has been brought about by further unscheduled outages, which has meant the price cap has applied. This has, in turn required further interventions by Aemo.
Aemo has been active in requiring generators to dispatch more power, which appears to have avoided the need for major load shedding in the short term.
Aemo will continue to work with authorities in relevant states and with generators to minimise the risk of disruption to energy users.
This is a challenging situation for the National Electricity Market (NEM) and will need to continue to be actively managed over coming days.
Again, we are seeing the results of a decade of failure to plan for the rapidly changing energy market.
Updated
Aemo evokes power to alleviate lack of reserve conditions
The Australian Energy Market Operator has issued a statement, saying while there is sufficient physical generation capacity in Queensland today, it has been forced to “tak(e) steps to address a critical electricity supply shortfall presently forecast for 6pm to 8pm AEST today”.
On Sunday, electricity prices in Queensland reached a cumulative high price threshold of $1,359,100 (accumulated over seven days), triggering an administered price cap of $300/MWh under the National Electricity Rules.
As a result, the available offers from generators were cut back, leading to a forecast supply shortfall.
Aemo has said that in order to maintain power system security and reliability, it was invoking its power under the National Electricity Rules, including to direct generators, to alleviate the lack of reserve conditions.
“At this stage, these efforts have provided sufficient generation to cover the lack of reserve 3 shortfall,” Aemo said.
But the regulator forecast potential problems beyond Queensland for this evening.
The cumulative high price threshold is forecast to be exceeded in some other NEM regions this evening.
AEMO will continue to monitor reserve conditions closely in Queensland, and more broadly across the NEM, providing further updates should conditions change.
Updated
'Worst tax any state can have': Dominic Perrottet seeks to phase out stamp duty
The NSW premier has signalled his ambition to abolish stamp duty, calling it the “worst tax any state can have” and a barrier to first home buyers entering the market.
The proposed reform would give home buyers in NSW the choice to pay stamp duty or an annual property tax based on land value and usage.
Once a property is moved to the new system it would remain subject to the yearly land tax, phasing out stamp duty over time.
“Our government is focused on one thing and that’s helping people get into the housing market,” Dominic Perrottet told media at Goonellabah in regional NSW on Monday.
“I believe stamp duty is the worst tax that any government can have. It is a massive impediment for people getting into the housing market.”
The premier stressed the policy had not been formally announced, and his government could not make changes to the one-off tax without approval from the federal government.
He said the state and federal governments should seize the opportunity for reform in response to the pandemic and the economic challenges posed by inflation.
NSW Labor criticised the proposal, saying switching a one-off stamp duty payment for a yearly-land tax payment would lead to typical families paying $2,400 a year in taxes.
“I don’t know where Mr Perrottet thinks that working families could find the money to pay him an annual land tax on their home that lasts forever,” shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey said.
“Our modelling shows that the typical family in Sydney will start paying $2,400 each year from next year if Mr Perrottet introduces this tax.”
Mookhey called on the premier to rule out introducing the policy before the June 21 budget.
Updated
Peter Hannam has been all over these looming electricity crises ...
And tomorrow two periods of possible electricity supply gaps in QLD… pic.twitter.com/5zxhIrtvvi
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Updated
Jacinda Ardern’s cabinet gets a shake up
From Ben McKay in Wellington for AAP:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shaken up her cabinet in the hope of improving her government’s response to gang violence.
Ardern announced the departure of two long-serving MPs on Monday, using the vacancies as the premise for a ministerial reshuffle.
Departing politics will be speaker Trevor Mallard - first elected in 1984 - and Kris Faafoi, who shouldered the justice, immigration and broadcasting portfolios.
The prime minister also made the decision to strip Poto Williams of her police portfolio, saying she had “lost focus” and would be moved to conservation and disability issues.
Gang-driven crime is on the rise in Auckland, which has been tied by the opposition National party to Williams as an underperforming minister.
Into the breach goes Chris Hipkins, the leader of the house and one of Ms Ardern’s closest allies, who was previously handled the Covid-19 portfolio.
Mr Hipkins is handing that portfolio across the cabinet table to Ayesha Verrall, an infectious diseases specialist.
Faafoi’s portfolio has been shared among existing cabinet members, with Michael Wood adding immigration and Willie Jackson taking broadcasting.
Kiritapu Allan, who took a leave of absence last year after a cervical cancer diagnosis, has been given the justice ministry.
Faafoi’s departure has allowed Priyanca Radhakrishnan to step into cabinet.
The departure of Mallard also follows opposition calls for him to go.
The 67-year-old has polarised as speaker, coming under fierce scrutiny for his handling of an anti-mandate occupation of parliament grounds in February.
As speaker and responsible for the land, he played annoying music - including Baby Shark and an off-key recorder version of My Heart Will Go On - over loudspeakers in an attempt to drive away protesters.
(James Blunt even offered his services...)
Give me a shout if this doesn’t work. @NZPolice https://t.co/AM2dZ6asMS
— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) February 12, 2022
The move - which ran contrary to police advice - emboldened the occupation, which lasted 24 days and ended in violence and arson.
Ardern said Mallard would take up a European diplomatic posting, previously reported to be New Zealand’s ambassador to Ireland, later this year.
Labour will nominate deputy Adrian Rurawhe as the next speaker.
Updated
Man charged after allegedly making 3D-printed firearm
From the Western Australian police:
Detectives from the Drug and Firearm Squad have charged an 18-year-old man with a number of firearm offences after a search warrant was executed at a home in Bayswater.
On Friday 3 June 2022, detectives attended the home on Slade Street and located a fully functioning 3D-printed firearm, along with a 3D printer, suppressor, ammunition and a barrel manufacturing station.
A number of gel blasters were also located during the search.
It will be alleged the man manufactured the firearm using the 3D printer and readily accessible materials. He does not hold a valid firearms license.
The 18-year-old man from Bayswater has been charged with unlicensed manufacture of firearms/ammunition; possessing a prohibited weapon; unlicensed person possessing a firearm/ammunition; possession of contrivance known as a silencer.
He is due to appear before the Perth magistrates court on 20 June 2022.
Updated
State energy minister urges Queenslanders to switch off appliances
Keeping an eye on the Big Freeze at the G (raising money to fight MND), and wondering if the big chill is going to extend up the east coast later this evening.
The Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni has taken time to look up from his energy market screens to say:
The Australian Energy Market Operator has said the forecast possible shortfall in energy generation this evening and tomorrow morning with the cold weather is being managed through its market mechanisms and is confident the gap will be resolved contingent upon appropriate response from market participants.
I understand the Queensland electricity transmission provider has asked that consideration is given to turning off unused appliances, and this will provide more comfort in the system.
Commercial and industrial users are also contributing by managing energy use around peak demand, as they ordinarily do.
Queenslanders have conserved energy in situations like this before as recently as last year and I’m confident Queenslanders will be able to do it again.”
So, if you’re north of the Tweed, do your bit for the state ...
Updated
Blizzards and hazardous swells have hit much of Australia’s south-east as the bureau of meteorology issued surf and wind warnings for several states on Monday.
Updated
Authorities confident Queensland won’t experience blackouts
It’s going to come down to the wire, so to speak, for this energy squeeze in Queensland. While we have been told authorities are confident that the state won’t have blackouts this evening as the sun sets, it is still looking a bit close.
Just after 3pm AEST, the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) estimated the maximum load “forecast to be interrupted” at 1,147 megawatts. Better than the peak shortfall of 1,454MW earlier forecast, but the gap had widened from an interim assessment of 809MW.
Some saw cat-and-mouse work at play when Aemo set a price cap overnight of $300/MW-hour, with capacity dropping out quickly.
"Interesting" how about ~2GW of capacity suddenly unavailable following application of administered pricing.
— Dylan McConnell (@dylanjmcconnell) June 13, 2022
Seems some generators gaming the compensation regime. pic.twitter.com/4lKA3gGYhJ
On the plus side, that is presumably spare capacity that can be ordered back should the shortfall remain.
With big users be asked to bid for rewards to power down (a market known by its ugly Rert name), Queensland may sneak through this evening.
As for New South Wales (which is mostly on holiday today) the power pinch will mostly come tomorrow. At the latest look, the tightest time might be 8pm tomorrow, when there is a meagre gap of 50MW.
But it won’t take much to widen that shortfall, as we’ve seen.
Updated
Sports stars face the Big Freeze slide for MND fundraiser
Not even renowned fighter Justin Langer’s trademark icy glare was as cold as the chilly plunge that faced him at the end of the Big Freeze slide.
But as the Australian cricket great hurtled towards the ice bath dressed as Rocky Balboa and emerged drenched, a wide grin appeared.
Langer said he could not have been more honoured to accept Neale Daniher’s invitation to be one of the sliders in Big Freeze Eight, held before the Collingwood-Melbourne AFL clash on Monday.
Featuring sporting greats and media identities in fancy dress, the slide was back at the MCG for the first time in three years, promoting fundraising for the fight against motor neurone disease.
Daniher has become a public face of the disease in Australia since he was diagnosed in 2013.
“When Neale asked me, I couldn’t get here quick enough,” Langer said.
“He’s one of the great gentlemen I’ve met and one of the toughest blokes I’ve met.
“It’s a great privilege to be here. What a cause for a great man.”
Langer, who met Daniher through their joint affiliation with West Coast more than a decade ago, was due to fly back to Perth an hour after taking the plunge.
He declined calls to do so in his soaking Rocky outfit.
Winter Olympic gold medallist Jakara Anthony and retired AFL champions Eddie Betts, David Neitz and Neale’s eldest brother, Terry Daniher, were all among the latest batch of Big Freeze sliders.
Which #BigFreeze8 costume was your favourite?@hamishblake, @ashbarty, Terry Daniher and @d_neitz were among those to take the plunge to support @FightMND at the @MCG today.
— Australian Associated Press (AAP) (@AAPNewswire) June 13, 2022
📸 | @barbour_scott - @aap_photos#AFLPiesDees #FightMND pic.twitter.com/eZxTIhQY4M
But the biggest roar from the huge crowd was for retired tennis star Ash Barty, a self-confessed “absolute child”, who selected her costume from a raft of Disney-inspired options.
The reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion settled on Rafiki, a supporting character from the Lion King.
At the end of the slide, she held up a toy Simba and presented him to the crowd, mimicking Rafiki.
“I hope I performed a little bit better on the tennis court but this is just the most beautiful day for the right reasons,” Barty said.
“Neale is an incredible man and bringing awareness to such a beast is so important.
“I hope we can all do our thing, get behind it and put your beanie on.”
Well done, @ashbarty 👏❄️
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 13, 2022
Show your support for @FightMND: https://t.co/0o4WH61cXh pic.twitter.com/7BBmmHMIes
There was a personal touch to the Big Freeze slide for entertainer Rhonda Burchmore, who pulled off an impressive Poison Ivy.
“I lost my sister to motor neurone disease and I figure a couple of minutes of torture is worth it to raise awareness,” Burchmore said.
“I know she’d be laughing up there at her big sister today.”
Updated
SMH apologises over Rebel Wilson column
Sydney Morning Herald columnist Andrew Hornery has admitted he made mistakes in his approach to Australian actor Rebel Wilson’s new relationship, her first with a woman. Tory Shepherd reports:
Updated
Monique Ryan says supporters received 'threatening' letters
Supporters of the newly elected independent member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan, have been receiving, in Ryan’s words, “misogynistic, racist and threatening” anonymous letters in their mailboxes.
She has urged anyone who has received a such a letter to go to the police.
Ryan said in a statement:
Over the past three weeks, some of my supporters and campaign volunteers have received threatening handwritten anonymous letters in their mailbox.
When my office was first made aware of this, we informed the Australian Federal Police and Victoria police. Based on advice from the AFP, we have advised anyone who has received one of these anonymous letters to contact their local Victoria police station.
In recent days, several more of these anonymous letters have been placed in supporters’ mailboxes. Their contents are misogynistic, racist and threatening.
It is extremely disappointing that people are being targeted for exercising their democratic rights. These cowardly anonymous threats are very distressing for the people who receive them.
We will provide assistance to anyone who receives a threatening anonymous letter. Our advice from the AFP to anyone who receives a letter like this is to immediately contact Victoria police and give them the letter and any relevant security camera footage, if available.
Updated
National Covid-19 update
Here are the latest coronavirus case numbers from around Australia on Monday, as the country records at least 11 deaths from Covid-19:
NSW
- Deaths: 3
- Cases: 4,600
- In hospital: 1,287 (with 40 people in ICU)
Northern Territory
- Deaths: 0
- Cases: 110
- In hospital: 18 (with 1 person in ICU)
Queensland
- Deaths: 1
- Cases: 2,513
- In hospital: 358 (with 5 people in ICU)
South Australia
- Deaths: 2
- Cases: 2,022
- In hospital: 244 (with 5 people in ICU)
Tasmania
- Deaths: 0
- Cases: 489
- In hospital: 49 (with 3 people in ICU)
Victoria
- Deaths: 3
- Cases: 5,079
- In hospital: 444 (with 23 people in ICU)
Western Australia
- Deaths: 2
- Cases: 4,802
- In hospital: 253 (with 7 people in ICU)
Australian navy ships to deploy throughout Indo-Pacific
Five Royal Australian Navy ships will set sail from Australia over the next three weeks for regional presence deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
HMA ships Canberra, Waramunga and Supply will participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2022 (RIMPAC 22), in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
HMA ships Sydney and Perth, supported by HMAS Supply, will work with regional partners and participate in Exercises Pacific Vanguard and Pacific Dragon.
Exercise RIMPAC 22 runs from 29 June to 4 August and will see about 25,000 personnel from 26 nations participate, with the ADF also deploying two RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft, mine warfare and clearance diving capabilities, and a joint landing force.
Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond said for the Australian navy, working with regional partners was “critical for remaining an agile and ready force”.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with like-minded partners to test our interoperability and responsiveness.”
The ADF said: “Routine regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia’s commitment and engagement with the region and play a vital role in Australia’s long-term security by upholding a rules based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies and developing capability and interoperability.”
Updated
100,000 lightning strikes!
Aemo looks to big users to close power gap in Queensland
More on the electricity front, with the Australian Energy Market Operator activating the scheme that rewards some big users for powering down.
So @aemo has activated its scheme to pay power users to cut demand… pic.twitter.com/gH5fghNQ69
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
The Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) (not to be confused with rort) scheme is usually associated with summer peak loads, but it’s a sign that this winter’s crunch is pretty bad this season particularly in Queensland.
Now I’m hearing that there will be a 2.30pm (AEST) internal briefing with Aemo to sort out where things stand in Queensland. I’m also picking up that Aemo will soon be able to alert the market that it’s confident there will NOT be a supply gap this evening.
Still, with conditions so tight, it won’t take a lot to put a possible shortfall back on the regulator’s radar.
Updated
Northern Territory and ACT Senate seats to be declared
Northern Territory and ACT voters are poised to find out who will represent them in the Senate for the next three years.
The Australian Electoral Commission said the capture and verification of preferences for the territories’ Senate races had concluded and would be distributed on Tuesday morning.
The four successful candidates will then be announced.
It is expected the ACT seats will go to Labor’s Katy Gallagher, who has been appointed finance minister in the Albanese government, and independent David Pocock.
The former Wallaby is set to defeat erstwhile minister Zed Seselja, becoming the first person from outside a major party to win a Senate seat for the ACT.
Two Indigenous women – Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy and the Country Liberal party’s Jacinta Nampijinpa Price – are expected to take the NT Senate seats.
Senator McCarthy previously held her seat, while Price defeated former CLP senator Sam McMahon, who lost her party’s endorsement and unsuccessfully ran as a Liberal Democrats candidate.
The AEC said state results for the Senate would be available “soon”.
It is expected Labor will have 26 senators and will need the support of 12 Greens senators and Pocock to pass legislation and motions in the 76-seat upper house from 1 July.
On Monday afternoon the AEC had formally declared the results in 67 lower house seats, with most of the 151 seats expected to be formalised by the end of the week.
It is expected Labor will go into the 47th parliament with 77 seats, up from 68 at the 2019 election.
The Liberal-National coalition will hold 58 seats, down from 77 at the last poll.
The crossbench will comprise four Greens, 10 independents, one Katter’s Australian party and one Central Alliance MP.
Updated
So @aemo has activated its scheme to pay power users to cut demand… pic.twitter.com/gH5fghNQ69
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Updated
NSW may face power shortfall tomorrow, Aemo says
As we’re on a national grid (well, the eastern 80% of Australia’s population anyway), troubles in the energy sector in Queensland don’t always stay in Queensland. (Or ditto, when there’s a snag in, say, Victoria.)
Now from the Australian Energy Market Operator comes a market notice of another level three lack of reserve tomorrow evening, this time for New South Wales:
Not very helpfully, NSW might be facing a power shortfall too at about 7pm, @AEMO_Energy says pic.twitter.com/QZ6UaJaeEr
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Again, a market notice is meant to alert generators to get their figurative skates on, and get ready to step up. At 409 megawatts that forecast supply gap is about one unit at a coal-fired power plant (and we know many of those are offline right now).
The critical time for that gap is 7pm AEST.
Have to wonder whether the energy savings measures – if there are any needed – will be turning off Vivid Sydney for a stint. BYO torches and candles perhaps?
Updated
I hear ya Philip...
I am sitting in a scarf and puffer jacket inside my house (not helped by my absent-minded children constantly LEAVING DOORS OPEN to the elements). Also, for reasons beyond my comprehension, our very old house has windows that are too small for the apertures they are supposed to be covering.
Updated
SA records two Covid deaths and 2,022 new cases
South Australia’s daily Covid summary is in. The state has reported two Covid deaths, with 244 people in hospital with the virus and five of those in ICU. There were 2,022 new cases recorded overnight.
South Australian COVID-19 update 13/06/22.
— SA Health (@SAHealth) June 13, 2022
For more information, go to https://t.co/XkVcAlWPSN or contact the South Australia COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787. pic.twitter.com/eINn8kL0wh
Updated
Power warnings in Queensland
A warning by regulators of a more than 1400 megawatt electricity shortfall in Queensland by 5:30pm AEST today is no small thing to sort out.
Normally, the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) would put out the lack of reserve notice and the suppliers would respond. The fact we have a level three notice out suggest that there are no takers (and in fact the size of the shortfall has almost tripled since the first notice went out).
Paul McArdle, an expert with consultants Global-Roam, says the issue is that so much coal and gas-fired generation capacity is offline. (Last night, it was almost 5000MW between those two, and the 2000MW of solar wasn’t supplying much as you’d expect.)
Part of the reason is that some of the units are offline for repairs or maintenance, made more complicated by Covid staffing and supply disruptions.
Another issue is that as of last night Aemo had also imposed a price cap of $300/MW-hour because certain cumulative price thresholds had been exceeded. McArdle estimates those caps will last another week, and will be affecting NSW plants exporting into Queensland. (NSW all moved much closer to having its own price caps imposed overnight.)
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent global energy prices higher, the cost of uncontracted gas and coal (and oil) has soared. At $40 a gigajoule of gas, for instance, a gas-fired power station would spend about $400 to produce a megawatt-hour electricity – or less than the $300/MW-hour they would paid today (and for another week at least).
Similarly some coal plants would also have to pay inflated spot prices of coal, and might see little financial incentive to do with the price limit in place.
McArdle reckons Aemo will be ringing up Rio Tinto’s Boyne Smelter and other big energy users to cut back before this evening’s pinch.
‘The problem, though, the energy squeeze across eastern Australia “is going to last a long, long time”, he said, not least because winter has only just begun.
Updated
Lincoln Crowley sworn in as first Indigenous supreme court judge
From Marty Silk for AAP:
As a young man, Lincoln Crowley may not have known if the supreme court of Queensland existed, but he understood fairness, and he understood justice.
The Warramunga man has become Australia’s first Indigenous supreme court judge after being sworn in, in Brisbane on Monday.
Justice Crowley said he didn’t take any classes in legal studies at high school in Charters Towers in the 1980s.
Nor did he spend much time thinking about the court he would sit on. In fact, he doesn’t think he even knew it existed.
“But I knew what was fair and what was not,” the new judge told his swearing-in ceremony in Brisbane.
“I knew it was not fair when I applied for a part time job after school at a local shop and later found out that the manager threw my application in the bin, while saying: ‘They’re Aboriginal, aren’t they?’
“And I knew it was not fair when teachers suggested that I wouldn’t amount to anything and when others judged me, and my worth, and potential without even knowing me.”
Crowley was inspired by his father, a retired army officer and one of the ADF’s first Indigenous majors.
His dad encouraged his children to be educated, work hard and make something of themselves.
Crowley said he always resisted measuring himself with “someone else’s yardstick”.
He was admitted to the bar in 2003 and worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Legal Service, and the NSW Crown Solicitors Office.
Crowley has been a crown prosecutor for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in Queensland.
He was a private counsel for the NSW DPP, and served as senior counsel assisting with the disability royal commission.
The bar association president, Damien O’Brien QC, said Crowley was highly respected in the legal community, and especially by aspiring students.
O’Brien said for too long Indigenous Australians have lacked a voice within the legal system.
The senior judiciary hasn’t reflected the import role of First Nations people as the custodians of the country, he said.
“Your honour’s elevation to become the first First Nation superior court judge in this land is an important step in a much longer process to ensure that this historical role is rectified,” O’Brien said.
“I can tell you right now, the barristers of Queensland are extremely proud that you are one of our own.”
Back when he was studying law, Crowley distinctly remembers feeling he wouldn’t fit in in the legal profession, which seemed like an exclusive club at the time.
“Times have changed, though,” he added.
His appoint as a judge comes 30 years after Margaret White became the first female supreme court judge in Queensland, and since the momentous Mabo land rights decision.
While he hopes one day that the appointment of an Indigenous judge isn’t remarkable, Crowley said some have asked on social media why his “Aboriginality” is such a big deal today.
“The answers to these questions are pretty obvious: diversity matters,” he said.
He said the administration of justice was advanced by having judges who represented Australia’s diverse communities and their life experiences.
He also hopes his appointment inspired other First Nations people to take up the legal profession.
“I will strive to do justice in every case,” Justice Crowley said.
“To my mind that is the most important objective in the law, and the one thing our community expects judges of this court will deliver.
“In the end, justice is what it’s all about: always was, always will be.”
Updated
Severe weather warning for WA’s southern coast
There is a severe weather warning for a large stretch of WA's southern coastline. The bureau is forecasting damaging winds of up to 70km/h, gusting 100km/h. https://t.co/eqQhfm8kB1 pic.twitter.com/5A6Uz1da5f
— Calla Wahlquist (@callapilla) June 13, 2022
Updated
NSW premier announces SES funding boost and signals stamp duty changes
Afternoon all. Thank you kindly Cait for your stewardship.
Now, as we await Collingwood’s thoroughly deserved drubbing – it will be no cakewalk this afternoon – we have some details on the announcements the NSW premier made earlier today, from our friends at AAP:
The SES will receive a funding boost of almost $133m in next week’s New South Wales budget, with a new incident centre to be headquartered in Lismore, the epicentre of recent devastating floods.
The premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced the $132.7m funding increase from flood-hit Goonellabah on Monday, as an inquiry into the state’s emergency response continues.
“We know that events will occur in the future but we can’t make the mistakes of the past ... [we must] make sure our communities are resilient when the next natural disaster occurs,” he said.
A new incident control centre will be built and staffed in Lismore as part of the ramping up of the SES’s presence in the Northern Rivers region.
Nearly $59m will be spent on upgrading 18 critical priority unit facilities across NSW.
Nine people died across the state in the record-breaking floods that lasted for weeks and inundated large swathes of the region.
The premier has also signalled he wants to abolish stamp duty to make it easier for new homeowners to enter the market.
The reform would give homebuyers in NSW the choice to pay stamp duty or an annual property tax based on land value and usage.
Once a property is moved to the new system it would remain subject to the land tax, phasing out stamp duty over time.
Perrottet spent much of his time as treasurer attempting to scrap stamp duty in NSW.
He has argued stamp duty, which can be the biggest out-of-pocket expense for homebuyers, impedes people from entering the property market.
Government-affiliated thinktank Committee for Sydney (CFS) welcomed the reported commitment.
“Phasing out stamp duty is the most important tax reform that the government of NSW could undertake,” the CFS deputy chief executive, Ehssan Veiszadeh, said on Monday.
“The problems with stamp duty is that it’s a tax on moving home ... it makes it harder for people to adjust where they live based on things like changing family size or getting a new job,” he said.
Updated
With that, I will pass the baton to Ben Doherty who will keep you company for the rest of the day. Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying nice and warm. (And go Pies.)
Liking the splash of colour added to the usual Pies fan tones.. #fightmnd pic.twitter.com/keFWm0ZXIk
— Heidi Murphy (@heidimur) June 13, 2022
Updated
Matt Kean denies claims he told journalists to ask about Katherine Deves
Earlier, New South Wales Liberal state minister David Elliott blasted the NSW treasurer, Matt Kean, for “treachery”.
A story in the Australian newspaper over the weekend reported Kean had encouraged media travelling with former prime minister Scott Morrison to keep asking questions about controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.
NSW Liberal minister Matt Kean responds to David Elliott's serve: says the messages in question were "light hearted banter" and claims he never asked journalists to ask any questions
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 13, 2022
"David Elliott's got my phone number, I haven't spoken to him about that" pic.twitter.com/Q0pl609Q7B
Updated
Looks like the projected power shortfall in Queensland is getting worse.
Without more generation coming into the market, supply is 1,454MW short of forecast demand at 5.30pm AEST, the Australian energy market operator (Aemo) says.
Updated @AEMO_Energy alert on Queensland possible power shortfall… now expanded to 1454Mw (h/t @WattClarity ) pic.twitter.com/Muzq6RdDm7
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Paul McArdle, an analyst with Global Roam who runs the Watt Clarity website, says that amount is about Brisbane’s demand. Not meeting that supply would be “catastrophic,” he says.
By putting out those market notices, the aim is to prod generators to supply more energy. Unfortunately, as there are price caps in place at $300 a MW-hour, there are not enough takers – so far.
Here is what Aemo says in its latest market update:
@AEMO_Energy has also updated their market report... useful context for what's going on. #auspol #EnergyCrisis pic.twitter.com/tCSYgmVIfg
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Going to be a busy afternoon in Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni’s office, you’d have to think.
Updated
Deputy prime minister en route to Japan
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, is currently flying from Singapore to Japan, after his meeting yesterday with China’s defence minister marked the first high level contact with a Chinese ministerial counterpart in more than two years.
In a statement issued moments ago, Marles said he would visit Japan from Monday to Wednesday in his first visit to north Asia since he assumed the defence portfolio last month.
The statement said Marles would meet his counterparts and key defence and national security figures “to discuss our shared approach in the Indo-Pacific”.
That will include a meeting with Japan’s defence minister, Nobuo Kishi, at Japan’s defence ministry “to affirm his commitment to the Australia-Japan Special Strategic Partnership”.
Marles said:
I am delighted to be in Japan as one of my first international visits as deputy prime minister. Australia and Japan share a vision for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, one where the sovereignty of all states is respected.
Japan is a critical partner in achieving our regional objectives. Our partnership continues to grow as we pursue new and ambitious avenues for cooperation, including through the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in January.
The statement said Marles would also meet a range of Japanese academic and industry representatives “to discuss the complex challenges facing the Indo-Pacific and the need for innovation and collaboration to address them”.
For a recap on yesterday’s break in the diplomatic deep freeze with China, see our news story:
Updated
Western Australia reports two deaths, 4,802 new Covid cases
WA Health has released today’s Covid update.
There have been 4,802 new cases detected in the 24 hours to to 8pm last night and two women in their 80s have died.
The deaths date back to 5 June but were reported to WA Health yesterday.
There are 253 people being treated in hospital with the virus including seven people in ICU.
This is our WA COVID-19 update for Monday, 13 June 2022.
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) June 13, 2022
For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/gIGAhoXMnm https://t.co/0XmF2Outzn pic.twitter.com/WYTzyFcqPt
Updated
Eighth Big Freeze day at the MCG
Collingwood and Melbourne are set to battle it out this afternoon at this year’s Queen’s Birthday public holiday game while raising funds to fight motor neurone disease.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing go down the #BigFreeze8 slide? ❄️
— AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2022
Support @FightMND: https://t.co/c9BFb1wuIk pic.twitter.com/oVNqyGDJbB
To mark the occasion, Collingwood have crafted this amazing piece of Royal photoshop. The Queen truly looms larger than life here.
AFL come up against the reigning premiers and @collingwoodsn fight to keep their finals dream alive.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) June 12, 2022
Come out in force, Magpie Army 🤝 pic.twitter.com/8aMYMlOHeg
Updated
Caroline Kennedy: new ambassador 'grateful' to represent US to 'vital ally Australia'
Incoming US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, says she is grateful for the opportunity to represent her country to a “vital ally”, AAP reports.
Kennedy, the daughter of the late president John F Kennedy, was sworn in on Friday in New York, the US embassy in Canberra confirmed today.
“On Friday, I was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia. I am grateful to President Biden for his leadership and for giving me the chance to represent America to our vital ally Australia" -Ambassador Kennedy (1/2) pic.twitter.com/dvRZmpLxVb
— U.S. Embassy Australia (@USEmbAustralia) June 12, 2022
"I am excited to work with @SecBlinken and colleagues in the State Department to implement U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific at this critical time. Can’t wait to get there!” - Ambassador Kennedy#USwithAUS 🇺🇸🇦🇺
— U.S. Embassy Australia (@USEmbAustralia) June 12, 2022
The US Senate confirmed Kennedy, a former ambassador to Japan, in May.
The author and lawyer succeeds Arthur Culvahouse, who left the position in early 2021, when former Republican president Donald Trump left office.
Her appointment comes as the US and Australia deepen cooperation in the region to counter China’s growing influence.
Updated
An abnormally high tide has the potential to cause minor flooding along the lower Hastings River at Settlement Point from tonight through to Thursday.
Swells of up to five metres are expected in parts of New South Wales, causing widespread coastal erosion.
⚠️ Initial minor flood warning issued for the #HastingsRiver at #SettlementPoint. Minor flooding likely on the evenings abnormally high tide. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/4JdDLkBKRX
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) June 13, 2022
This was Bronte Beach captured by AAP this morning:
Perrottet: past mistakes can’t be repeated
Perrottet says there are “obviously” ongoing short term challenges in Lismore being addressed in relation to housing and mental health.
But in addition to that there’s a long journey to go.
I have committed that I will be here every step of the way now and into the future. We currently have, as many will know, a review under way by Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller and my expectation is that that report will be coming back to me shortly.
I don’t want a political report. I know local members and local community organisations and members of the local community have all had input in relation to short-term, medium-and long-term solutions. We need it make sure we build back better in the Northern Rivers.
Perrottet says “events will occur in the future” but the same mistakes that occurred last time can’t be repeated.
That’s going to take some long-term thinking and some long-term planning.
Updated
NSW premier Dominic Perrottet announces $132m funding for SES
The New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet is speaking in Lismore now, announcing a record $132 million of investment into the SES to ensure it has “the resources to protect our communities”.
He also announces two incident control centres in the west and north of the state, with one to be based in Lismore.
We want to ensure that the State Emergency Service has the equipment they need to keep people safe. It’s obviously been a very difficult time for the communities in the Northern Rivers. Our government is committed. We will be here every step of the way.
Updated
In Victoria, premier Daniel Andrews has announced the locations of an additional eight BreastScreen Victoria services. The sites will offer preventative breast scans and specialist treatments to find cancer early.
Five new permanent screening services will be rolled out in Whittlesea, Casey, Greater Geelong/Surf Coast Shire, Melton and Moreland by 2025.
Three temporary sites in Craigieburn, Pakenhamand Hoppers Lane will also be converted into permanent sites with greater capacity.
The funding will support the expansion of BreastScreen Victoria’s Reading and Assessment services (RAS) in Parkville and Monash, and attempt to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women accessing services.
Breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by almost 2% a year since 1994. But in 2020, 4,575 Victorian women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 766 died from the disease.
Minister for health Martin Foley:
When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is the key to survival. That’s why having a free, two-yearly screen is so important and could save your life.
Quite a bit going on in the energy area these days, including Malcolm Turnbull’s intervention this morning on ABC’s RN Breakfast.
More about that in earlier blog posts, but also in this article:
We’ve got price caps on in Queensland (a pretty rare thing for the Australian Energy Market Operator to impose), but they also have a flurry of market noticesout too. This one from 9.34am (Aest) is the most concerning ...
@AEMO_Energy warning about a level three lack of reserve later this evening in Queensland a bit of a worry…(though the aim is to prod the market for a response)… pic.twitter.com/9CGC2DBeVr
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) June 13, 2022
Generators usually respond to such notices but it won’t be good if at 5.30pm this evening if some 500Mw of demand isn’t served. A blackout remains unlikely but we’ll keep an eye on it.
The fact there are also a bunch of other ‘lack of reserve’ forecasts, at levels 1 and 2, for Queensland and NSW today, means a bit of scrambling will be going on. Having 2000MW of black coal capacity offline in Queensland overnight wasn’t helping, nor is having 5/11 of AGL’s coal fleet out of action isn’t either.
For a broader look at the issues, including what’s ahead for new federal energy minister Chris Bowen, this analysis from the weekend might be useful too:
Updated
Victoria’s Brett Sutton and Jeroen Weimar miss out on honours
Victoria’s chief health officer, Brett Sutton, and Covid-19 commander, Jeroen Weimar, both missed out on Queen’s Birthday honours this year.
The premier, Daniel Andrews, said he didn’t think Sutton, who has gone on leave for a month from today, would be too bothered by the omission.
Premier Daniel Andrews says he doesn't know if Victoria's CHO Brett Sutton was nominated for a Queen's birthday honour. Australia's former chief health officer Brendan Murphy, NSW CHO Kerry Chant and Queensland's former CHO Jeannette Young all got a nod. https://t.co/lB6DrHntn6
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) June 13, 2022
"Professor Sutton has done an amazing job and knowing him very well, I don't think that he'd been troubled by that. I think he's far more focused ... on getting the job done not necessarily on gongs. But again, that's not a matter for me," Andrews says.
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) June 13, 2022
Updated
Mary-Louise McLaws responds to Queen’s Birthday honour
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws has posted on social media following the announcement she has received the AO as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours today.
She says it’s been her “privilege”, with the help of the media, to guide the nation through the pandemic.
In January, McLaws was diagnosed with a brain tumour and has stepped back from the limelight to be cared for by family and friends.
Prior to her diagnosis, the epidemiologist and advisor to the World Health Organization was providing expert Covid advice to Australians.
I am honoured to receive the AO today. It has been my privilege, with the help of the media, to assist Australians during the pandemic through infection control. Thank you for your support and for looking after each other. Remember, get a booster shot!
— Mary-Louise McLaws (@MarylouiseMcla1) June 13, 2022
Updated
Queensland records one death, 2,513 new Covid cases
Queensland Health has released today’s Covid update. There have been 2,513 new cases detected and one further death.
There are 358 people being treated in hospital with the virus including five people in ICU.
Today we have recorded 2,513 new COVID-19 cases.
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) June 13, 2022
Sadly, we have reported 1 death in the past 24 hours.
Full details➡️ https://t.co/rKHIwroZeI pic.twitter.com/WOoTq7IcQf
Victoria donates $250,000 for motor neurone disease research
The Victorian government has also announced it will donate $250,000 to help FightMND reach its target of raising $2 million by half time of today’s AFL match between Melbourne and Collingwood.
FightMND was founded by former AFL player and coach, Neale Daniher, in 2014 to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) and to raise money for vital research to find a cure.
Over the past eight years, FightMND has raised more than $55 million through its annual Queen’s Birthday Big Freeze event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Volunteers gather @MCG for the return of the Big Freeze in front of a big crowd . Such an important day for Neale Daniher , his family, @FightMND ..and for Melbourne . 6pm #7NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/h5DKyJqXeC
— NickMcCallum7 (@NickMcCallum7) June 13, 2022
The donation builds on $6 million previously donated by the Victorian government to the Big Freeze and FightMND since 2014.
In a statement the premier, Daniel Andrews, said:
It’s hard to think of a more inspiring person than Neale Daniher – the work he has done for others when faced with a devastating diagnosis is truly remarkable.
It’s great to be back at the MCG today and we’re proud to support Neale’s fight. Every day it brings us closer to finding a cure to this terrible disease.
Daniher thanked the Victorian government for its ongoing support.
These funds will be invested in urgent MND research to find better treatments and a cure for this beast of a disease.
Updated
Nightmarish scenes.
PERISHER VALLEY: The car park at Perisher Valley has reached capacity. If you're heading to Perisher, Kosciuszko Rd is closed from Alpine Way. Avoid the area and use the ski tube on Alpine Way instead. pic.twitter.com/DJtiliUCkb
— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) June 12, 2022
— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) June 13, 2022
AAP photographer Bianca de Marchi has been out at Bronte Beach this morning snapping some pictures of the wild swell.
epa10010293 Members of the public watch the large swells at Bronte Beach in Sydney, Australia, 13 June 2022. EPA/BIANCA DE MARCHI AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/EPA
Victoria announces grants for mRNA research projects
The Victorian government has announced $2 million in grants for 12 new mRNA research projects, including a possible vaccine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
The minister for medical research, Jaala Pulford, on Monday announced the first round of recipients from the government’s mRNA Victorian Research Acceleration Fund, which includes the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, who are partnering with Monash University to develop a vaccine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease - the most common cause of dementia.
There are an estimated 487,500 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to almost 1.1 million by 2058.
Monash University and Alfred Health have also received a grant to help develop a treatment for muscular dystrophy, a disease that affects one in 20,000 children.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the technology behind the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines and their success in tackling the pandemic has led researchers to look at expanding its use.
The Victorian government has committed $50 million to establish an mRNA industry in the state. Last year, Moderna announced it will establish a large-scale manufacturing and research facility in Melbourne – its first in the southern hemisphere.
Victorian scientists and manufacturers recently also created Australia’s first mRNA Covid-19 vaccine candidate, with clinical trials now under way.
In a statement, Pulford said:
mRNA-based treatments have the potential to change people’s lives, and that’s why we’re backing our world leading scientists to do this incredible research.
These grants are supporting our researchers to do incredible work, that in future could prevent and treat all types of illness from cancer to autoimmune diseases.
Updated
Don’t try this at home, or in the sea.
Our chopper cam captured this wild ride on Sydney's Northern Beaches, as experienced surfers braved the massive swell. 🏄♂️
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) June 13, 2022
The entire NSW coastline is being battered with a hazardous surf warning in place for today and tomorrow. #9News
LATEST CONDITIONS: https://t.co/HMYFm6Fdji pic.twitter.com/SZT7ivGbgE
Dangerous weather for Australia's east coast
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued hazardous surf and wind warnings for Australia’s east coast after heavy swells hammered beaches across the weekend and one person died in blizzard conditions in Tasmania.
The alerts have been issued across New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania with high seas battering southern-facing coastlines.
Big Sunday.
— Buntz#23..🙏🙏⚡✝️✝️ (@Bergermeister23) June 12, 2022
Collaroy. 😎😎 pic.twitter.com/YW1z6V03XJ
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Jackson Browne said the frost was brought by winds launching off the Antarctic coast and hitting Australia the very next day.
Instead of winds travelling west to east as they normally do in the mid latitudes, we saw a lot of north-south movement.
Looking back at some of the satellite imagery, you can see where the Antarctic sea ice begins off the coast and these winds were sitting near the edge.
These winds really rocketed across the southern ocean onto Tasmania.
The slow moving high pressure system dusted the Tasmanian alps with snow down to 400m but also “whipped up” the oceans, creating high swells across southern Australia.
Browne said this “southerly shove of energy” is now moving northwards into Gippsland with areas such as Mallacoota expected to be experiencing high seas on Monday.
These waves were also buffeting southern-facing beaches along the New South Wales coast towards Byron but conditions are expected to ease as this wave energy dissipates into the Coral Sea.
However, Browne Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island are currently “being walloped” by swells of seven to nine metres, and the west coast of New Zealand is bracing for waves of eight to ten metres.
Updated
In New South Wales, renewed river rises are occurring at Booligal where levels are expected to exceed the minor flood level (2.4 metres) today.
A second minor flood peak near 2.5 metres is possible towards the end of this week.
⚠️ Minor #Flood Warning updated for the Lower #LachlanRiver at #Booligal where minor flooding is expected from Monday. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/ym8fNhSax0
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) June 13, 2022
Experts to discuss ‘remarkable impact’ of pandemic on mobility
Experts will gather in Wollongong over the next two days to present their findings on the “remarkable impact” Covid-19 has had on personal, social and professional lives across Australia, AAP reports.
The agenda will focus on the universal hiatus in mobility brought about by the pandemic.
While catastrophic, Covid-19 has provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom of movement for everyday life and “what this means in a world of overlapping crises”, said convenor Dr Theresa Harada.
From remote working to home deliveries, decreased use of public transport and pop-up cycling lanes, adapted practices have brought to light the hidden aspects of mobility justice.
Essential workers and those in precarious employment were exposed to higher levels of risk from Covid-19 because they did not have the option to work from home.
Those with disabilities have also faced harsh times due to infrastructural and social barriers that have prevented them from moving freely.
The University of Wollongong, Geographical Society of NSW, Australian Mobilities Research Network and Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space are hosting the symposium.
Updated
Tides are also hazardous in Queensland:
Big evening tides near or slightly above HAT (Highest Astronomical Tide) along the southern Qld coast this week. Localised tidal flooding possible in susceptible, low-lying areas, especially about #Brisbane bayside & nearby suburbs. Qld Gov tide data here: https://t.co/NTG1nh2iTa pic.twitter.com/cwe50gKF3E
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) June 12, 2022
Dangerous weather in parts of WA and NSW
In Western Australia, an intense low pressure system is generating damaging winds across parts of the south-west, with a severe weather warning still in place as the low tracks eastward.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely through parts of the south-west. Winds are expected to spread east today.
The BoM said the front was expected to produce dangerous weather only seen once every three to four years in the south-west of the state.
Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Katanning, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker and Narrogin.
Some mesmerising cloud swirling around a low pressure system to the south of the state. This system brought some damaging wind gusts to the southwest corner of the State - #CapeLeeuwin reported a gust of 120kmh just after 6pm yesterday. A Severe Weather Warning is still current. pic.twitter.com/ZgeqLf8cXI
— Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia (@BOM_WA) June 12, 2022
Meanwhile, hazardous surf conditions continue in New South Wales. Swimmers have been urged to stay away from the surf this long weekend with waves of up to five metres expected along the coast.
Hazardous surf conditions along the #NSW coast, #NorfolkIsland & #LordHoweIsland have been generated by a low pressure system over the southern Tasman Sea. Conditions in these areas could be dangerous so it's important that people stay away from the surf: https://t.co/jhFV6u5ts0 pic.twitter.com/VoQePyrgPY
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) June 12, 2022
Areas affected include Byron coast, Coffs coast, Macquarie coast, Hunter coast, Sydney coast, Illawarra coast, Batemans coast and Eden coast.
Updated
Queensland releases Local Thriving Communities plan for Indigenous groups
The Queensland government has released its Local Thriving Communities action plan in a step towards “self-determination, equality and culture” for 19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in the state.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships Craig Crawford said the plan was the “next significant milestone” in the reform journey.
Traditionally, government has taken a top-down approach to decision making. The action plan ... sets out workable solutions underpinned by the principles of self-determination, participation, equality and culture.
Local thriving communities ... draws on the strengths of community and culture, working together with First Nations leaders and communities to co‑design and implement reform, and establish local decision-making bodies.
The independent decision-making bodies will offer a representative voice to engage the Queensland government’s investments and community decisions.
Updated
The capture & verification of preferences for the ACT Senate has concluded with the distribution of preferences set to occur at 10am tomorrow.
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) June 12, 2022
The two successful candidates will be announced here and via a media release. #ausvotes2022
In addition to the ACT, the capture & verification of preferences for the NT Senate has also concluded.
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) June 12, 2022
The distribution of preferences for the NT is set to occur at 11am (local time) tomorrow. The final result will be announced here and via a media release. #ausvotes2022
Updated
Tasmania weather alert issued
In Tasmania, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a road weather alert for the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands and East Coast districts as icy weather continues.
Tasmania’s State Emergency Service warned yesterday it was experiencing a “high number of requests for assistance”, particularly in the north-west of the State:
Crews have been busy since Saturday afternoon and are working through the requests as quickly as possible. Please be patient.
Eight people were rescued from blizzards and extreme winds on the summit of Tasmania’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington on Saturday night as winds, rain and below-average temperatures moved across Australia’s east.
Updated
⚠️Final #Flood Warning issued for the #WarregoRiver at #FordsBridge where river levels fell below the minor flood level on Sunday. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/UggMBO97eV
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) June 12, 2022
A final flood warning has also been issued for the Bogan River at Gongolgon.
Updated
Prof Anne Green given Companion of the Order of Australia
Anne Green is one of several female scientists given the country’s highest recognition for her work, which has included a pioneering role in physics, AAP reports.
When Green began her career studying the stars, women were such a rarity in the male-dominated field that special provisions had to be made:
When I first went to the telescope to observe, I was given the professor’s room because it was the only one with a shower; they hadn’t even considered that there would be women astronomers.
Professor Green’s 50-year career in astrophysics and astronomy has been dotted with firsts.
She was the first female PhD physics student at Sydney University, receiving her doctorate in 1973. She went on to become one of the first female radio astronomers and the university’s first female head of physics.
Much of her work involved mapping the Milky Way and studying the remnants of exploded stars, known as supernovae.
Green was one of several female scientists to be recognised with the top award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
She was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia for her contributions to science as a researcher, educator and mentor.
I’ve had opportunities in my career that, in hindsight, I’m gobsmacked about, but every time I’ve been offered an opportunity, I’ve accepted the challenge. That’s something I’ve always said to young scientists, particularly women, to take the challenge when it’s offered.
Australia’s chief defence scientist, Tanya Monro, was recognised for her contributions in the field of photonics, while Antarctic researcher Patricia Selkirk was singled out for her contributions to science and conservation.
Updated
NSW minister David Elliott reportedly blasts ‘treachery’ of colleague Matt Kean
NSW Liberal state minister David Elliott has blasted colleague Matt Kean for “treachery”, in the latest salvo in an extraordinary civil war brewing inside the Coalition in the wake of the federal election.
Radio station 2GB reported Elliott’s fury at a story in the Australian newspaper over the weekend, which reported that Kean – the NSW treasurer – had encouraged media travelling with former prime minister Scott Morrison to keep asking questions about controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.
The newspaper reported Kean had sent a Twitter message to a TV journalist, suggesting she ask questions of NSW minister Natalie Ward when she appeared alongside Morrison at a press conference in May.
The Australian reported federal Liberals were upset at Kean’s actions, after he’d earlier called for Deves to be disendorsed.
On Monday, Elliott gave comments to 2GB about the issue.
“Matt Kean’s behaviour is nothing short of treachery and will be repaid in kind. I’m disgusted,” Elliott said, according to 2GB host Ben Fordham.
Elliott also said “it’s the sort of thing I have come to expect from a certain former Liberal MP” – which Fordham claimed was a reference to Malcolm Turnbull, a regular critic of his former colleagues.
Updated
Anthony Albanese has tweeted an official shout out to health workers recognised in this year’s Queens Birthday Honours list.
The Queen's Birthday 2022 Honours recipients represent the best of Australia. It’s been a tough few years with floods, fires and COVID-19. A special congratulations to the health professionals, first responders and volunteers who helped Australians through these times of crisis.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 12, 2022
It comes as Victoria today announced the first round of recipients for mRNA research projects with $2 million shared in grants for Victorian scientists.
Successful recipients include technology for muscular dystrophy and an mRNA vaccine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Victoria will soon become the first place in the southern hemisphere to manufacture mRNA vaccines, with Moderna set to establish a large-scale manufacturing facility in Melbourne.
Victoria records three deaths, 5,079 new Covid cases
Victoria’s department of health has released today’s Covid update.
There have been 5,079 new cases detected and three further deaths.
There are 444 people being treated in hospital with the virus including 23 people in ICU.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 12, 2022
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/8ZLA2dujQl
NSW records three deaths, 4,600 new Covid cases
NSW Health has released today’s Covid update.
There have been 4,600 new cases detected and three further deaths.
There are 1,287 people being treated in hospital with the virus including 40 people in ICU.
COVID-19 update – Monday 13 June 2022
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 12, 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:
- 96.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 95% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/xLDO1grNqH
Chris Bowen has Zoom call with John Kerry
Labor’s climate change minister Chris Bowen has met American climate change envoy John Kerry, promising the two countries will be “key partners” on the environment.
The pair met for a Zoom call that appeared to be from their respective home offices, judging from a screenshot tweeted by Bowen on Monday morning:
“Under our new government, Australia and the US will be key partners, working together to tackle [the] climate emergency and build the jobs of the future,” Bowen tweeted.
Thanks for the call this morning @ClimateEnvoy @JohnKerry
— Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris) June 12, 2022
Under our new Government, Australia and the US will be key partners, working together to tackle to climate emergency and build the jobs of the future.
🇦🇺🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Im3BpANciK
In Bowen’s other role as minister for energy, he’s facing calls to do more to shore up Australia’s gas supply – including from former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who this morning suggested the new government should look at a new gas reservation policy, or potentially face “wholesale prices $400 a megawatt and higher.”
Updated
Standing proud in the Nadesalingams’ Biloela back yard is a rusty old Hills Hoist.
Birds squawk in the paperbark trees lining the road as mum Priya strolls in and out of the kitchen, determined to make sure we are looked after, offering us tea and water.
The girls, Tharnicaa, 5, and Kopika, 7, are out of sight for just a few moments before we find them throwing dirt in the air like confetti, soil stained on their jean shorts, running around the Hills Hoist. Kids being kids.
Kopika lets out a scream and friends of the family rush over with spray for an ant bite.
Brendan Murphy: early days of the pandemic were ‘quite terrifying’
Dr Brendan Murphy appeared on Sunrise this morning in the wake of his Companion of the Order of Australia award.
“It’s a very nice feeling,” he said, reflecting on the early days of the pandemic.
It was such an extraordinary time, and things were moving so quickly early ... the advice to the various governments at the time were really monumental.
It was quite terrifying ... we would do what the data was [saying], the experts together provided advice. In the end, Australians have done very well and turned up and got their vaccinations and we managed to live through some significant lockdowns and have come out of this better than many other countries.
Murphy said when the virus was spreading around the world, he was “pretty anxious” but his role was to provide information and reassure.
We live in a great country with a great health system and I was confident we would be able to get our way through this, we still are not out of it, Covid is still here ... if you haven’t had that third dose vaccination, have it.
Updated
Independent Kylea Tink pushes for parliamentary code of conduct
Independent MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink is appearing on Radio National on a crossbench push for a binding parliamentary code of conduct.
She says she was “quite shocked” to discover there wasn’t a code of conduct for parliamentarians.
Ideally it would apply to every single person that works in the building and I think it should be based on values Australians expect us to model.
There definitely needs to be some sort of overarching ... mechanism in Parliament House ... the reality is just a code isn’t going to fix an environment that is fundamentally toxic ... I’m keenly aware culture change is one of the hardest things to bring about.
I think the influx of people like me into parliament this term is what’s most exciting to bring this about ... with the potential to see things for what they are.
Tink says if the crossbench gets things right, we could be a looking at an “evolution” in politics and how it operates in this country.
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ADF personnel arrive in PNG to support election
More than 130 Australian defence force (ADF) personnel have touched down in Papua New Guinea at the request of the country’s government in the lead up to national elections.
The commander of ADF operations in the south-west Pacific, Maj Gen Scott Winter, said the ADF would be working closely with the nation’s electoral commission, defence force and police:
Our personnel are providing specialist planning, logistics and air transport support to PNG authorities to assist with their national election.
This mission is enabled by the capabilities of the ADF, particularly the Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and C-130J Hercules aircraft. These aircraft will support the transportation of election material and personnel prior to, during and post the election period.
It follows a controversial visit to Papua New Guinea by China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in the midst of the island’s election.
The meeting came a few days after China’s proposed economic and security deal collapsed. His visit was criticised by the former Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’Neill, who is campaigning to take back the top job and said no agreements should be signed with China before the national election.
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Former Asio boss says new government brings ‘opportunities’ after China-Australia meeting
Speaking of China, former director general of Asio Dennis Richardson appeared on Radio National this morning in the wake of Richard Marles’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart.
Richardson said it was “noteworthy” that both sides had taken an opportunity to make contact and pinned it down to Australia’s change in government.
What do you attribute this to - is it just a due to the change in government?
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) June 12, 2022
"it's overwhelmingly because it's a new government..[they] don't bring the barnacles, the bruises and the baggage..so a change of government after a decade does bring opportunities"
-Dennis Richardson
On the $830 million settlement made with Naval Group over the decision to scrap the French submarine contract, Richardson said he thought the amount would be higher.
I think [it’s] well spent in terms of moving on and properly compensating the French ... so far, so good, it would be difficult to fault the government in anything it’s done internationally up to this point.
The Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie said he could have got a better deal, what do you make of that?
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) June 12, 2022
"well if they could have got a better deal, why didn't they do it while they were in office?"
- Dennis Richardson, Former Director-General of ASIO
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‘We have to stand up for Australia’: Barnaby Joyce on China
Asked if the Coalition made a mistake to have almost three years of distance between the two nations, Joyce said “we have to stand up for Australia”.
We have to ... be honest and tell the Australian people how it is. If you don’t you’re making the biggest fault ... by not advising the Australian people of [a] change in circumstances and a change in threat.
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Plibersek on China-Australia relations: ‘Talking is always better than not talking’
The environment minister Tanya Plibersek and the Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce appeared on Sunrise earlier discussing the defence minister Richard Marles’s in-person meeting with China’s defence minister.
Asked if it signalled a step forward in diplomatic relations, Plibersek replied:
Talking is always better than not talking ... there continue to be differences in the relationship and ... Australia will stand up for our human rights values, our national interests. And in these meetings, it is important to continue to talk about our interests and values ... to raise issues.
Richard Marles stood his ground.
Joyce said “similar to Tanya” he welcomed the discussions but wanted “actions”:
If they want to set up military bases near us and put lasers on to our air force patrols and put aluminium shards into the engines which could have brought down that aircraft, that’s a threat.
I like the words but let’s see the actions, the actions of a step down from this push into our area, that they stop the military might.
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Turnbull calls Dutton a ‘belligerent blusterer’ over French submarine deal
Turnbull also again lashed out at opposition leader Peter Dutton and former prime minister Scott Morrison for the bungled submarine deal with France.
This weekend, the Albanese government agreed to pay $830m in a settlement with France’s Naval Group over the controversial decision to scrap the project.
Turnbull called Dutton a “belligerent blusterer” who “wrecked a submarine contract ... deceived the French president [and] misled the American president”.
We are now in a situation where we don’t have a marine contract at all.
Turnbull said the conduct of both leaders was “shameful” and “did enormous damage” to Australia’s relationship with France.
It isn’t the first time Turnbull, who announced the deal with France when he was prime minister, has been frank with his words on submarines.
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Malcolm Turnbull calls for controls on gas exports and prices
Former prime minister Malcom Turnbull appeared on Radio National this morning, calling upon Anthony Albanese to work with state governments to impose temporary gas controls on export and price controls.
Turnbull created the gas trigger under his prime ministership in 2017, which he said was envisioned in a “very different” scenario to today.
We need to recognise this is a different problem in a different era.
Right now the problem is explosion in the international gas price, collapse in a large part of the coal fired generation in Australia and a very cold winter ... it’s a perfect storm.
👇👇👇👇 Former PM @TurnbullMalcolm on @RNBreakfast has called for 90 days of controls on volume and price for gas. He says there will be much screaming from Industry but it’s an emergency. #auspol
— Patricia Karvelas (@PatsKarvelas) June 12, 2022
Turnbull said it would be “resented” by the gas industry but the federal government needed to ensure gas was available on Australian soil.
We have a crisis at the moment ... they should be decisive today as I was. The minute they say they’re going to do it the gas companies will find the gas and agree to offer it at lower prices.
Unless you’re prepared to stare them down … we’ll have wholesale prices $400 a megawatt and higher.
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Good morning – Monday 13 June
It’s a public holiday, and where better to be than keeping cosy on the blog.
Health experts who led the nation’s Covid response, late cricket great Shane Warne and tennis legend Ash Barty are among those recognised in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list.
Ninety two medical professionals joined this year’s Covid honours roll, with former chief health officer Dr Brendan Murphy, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant and epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws a few of the household names recognised for their work during the pandemic.
Former Queensland chief health officer (now Queensland governor) Jeannette Young was also awarded an AC.
Some 46% of those recognised this year were women, the second highest number in history.
Meanwhile, the defence minister Richard Marles has met with China’s defence minister Wei Fenghe at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The meeting was significant as it’s the first time Australia has had ministerial contact with China since 2020 – almost three years ago.
Marles said the discussion, which lasted an hour, was “full and frank”.
And NDIS providers and peak bodies have welcomed a planned crackdown on fraud and other criminal activity inside the scheme.
In an interview on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday, the NDIS minister Bill Shorten confirmed the incoming Labor government would take action on the “disturbing” trend.
Caitlin Cassidy here to keep you company. I’m on twitter at @caitecassidy or you can reach me at caitlin.cassidy@theguardian.com.
Let’s dive on in.
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