Goodbye from us
We’ll be wrapping up the live blog for the day now. Thanks for staying with us on this brisk Sunday. The blog will be back tomorrow morning. Goodnight and stay safe.
Arrest made over death of woman struck by two cars at Woy Woy
New South Wales police have arrested a man after he allegedly struck a woman on the state’s Central Coast overnight.
The woman died after she was struck by a second car along Ocean Beach Road at Woy Woy on Saturday night.
She was initially struck by a car heading south and was then thrown into the roadway when she was struck by a second vehicle.
The driver of the first car allegedly did not stop; the driver of the second car stopped and rendered assistance.
NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived on the scene to find the woman critically injured but despite the efforts of first responders she died at the scene.
Police seized a vehicle after executing a warrant on a property in the Central Coast area after efforts to identify the man.
A 20-year-old has since been arrested and is currently at Gosford police station.
Updated
Keating calls Nato head a ‘supreme fool’ over plan to open office in Asia
Paul Keating has waded once more into foreign policy, this time attacking Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg as a “supreme fool” for his push to expand Nato’s reach into Asia. Nato has said it intends to open a liaison office in Tokyo.
In a statement on Sunday, Keating said French President Emmanuel Macron was right to caution against straying from Nato’s “design and focus” saying the alliance had prevented Europe from achieving “peaceful unity” at the end of the cold war.
Keating said “Europeans have been fighting each other for the better part of three hundred years” and warned that “exporting that malicious poison to Asian would be akin to Asia welcoming a plague upon itself”.
Of all the people on the international stage the supreme fool among them is Jens Stoltenberg, the current Secretary-General of NATO. Stoltenberg by instinct and by policy, is simply an accident on its way to happen.
Keating also said China represented a fifth of the world’s population and that Stoltenberg “conducts himself as an American agent more than he performs as a leader and spokesperson for European security”.
Emmanuel Macron is doing the world a service putting a spike into Stoltenberg’s wheel – reminding all of us that Nato is a military organisation, not a civil one and an organisation focused on Europe and the Atlantic.
Updated
Queensland police add cocaine to roadside drug test list
Motorists in Queensland will now be tested to see if they have cocaine in their system, with the drug added to the list of illicit substances that roadside police drug vans are set up to detect.
The state had the country’s highest road toll last year, with 299 lives lost.
Sixty-one people were killed as a result of crashes that involved a driver or rider who had taken drugs.
Government data shows an increase in the number of people with cocaine in their system after a serious crash in the state rose from 3.6% between 2018 and 2019 up to 7.1% between 2020 and 2021.
The figures are taken from hospital data.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said there has been a 30% climb in drug driver detections compared to the previous five-year average, and authorities had to act.
Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol exhibit impaired judgement, memory, coordination and reaction time.
Choosing to drive when affected by drugs is a decision that has a direct consequence on your life and those around you.
The move to add cocaine to the list of testable substances comes five years after New South Wales introduced it as a part of its roadside testing regime.
Queensland’s roads minister Mark Bailey said one in four drivers currently tested are returning a positive result for drugs.
It is shocking to think that a quarter of all random drug tests in our state return a positive result, this is unacceptable.
If you’re behind the wheel with drugs in your system, you’re not only a danger to yourself but to every other Queenslander and we make no apologies for coming down hard.
People caught driving with drugs in their system face licence disqualification, fines of up to $2167, and jail time for repeat offenders.
– AAP
Updated
Man dies after falling from shipping container
A man has died after falling off a shipping container in Adelaide’s north-west.
The 43-year-old Victorian man fell several metres at the Coghlan Road site in Outer Harbour about 12.30am on Sunday.
Emergency services were called but the man died at the scene.
It is believed he was not employed at the site.
Two other men were arrested in relation to being unlawfully on the premises and have been charged with unrelated firearm offences.
Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death but it is not being treated as suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
– AAP
Updated
Complaints to eSafety commission triple
Hundreds of young children are being seriously bullied online, with complaints to the eSafety Commissioner more than tripling in the past four years.
Children aged eight to 13 made close to 740 complaints to the commissioner in 2022, up from about 200 reports in 2019.
In May this year alone, the commissioner received 230 complaints of bullying online, including reports of people posting nasty comments and offensive pictures.
“We’re pleased that more Australian children and young people know we’re here to support them when platforms fail to act,” Acting eSafety Commissioner Toby Dagg said.
But the number of complaints from children in school years five, six and seven is concerning and continues to grow.
Dagg urged parents to establish boundaries around internet usage to ensure their young children are not exposed to harm.
– AAP
Updated
Sydney set for warm winter week as world records hottest average temperatures ever
If you’re living in Sydney and have looked at the Bureau of Meteorology forecast over the next week, you might have noticed the outlook is will be positively balmy.
Down south Melbourne might be hitting 16C, but the five-day forecast in Sydney has the mercury hovering around 20C.
These are unusual numbers for the dead of winter as the maximum temperature during July has historically been 16C according to the BoM’s records.
But it’s a similar story in Melbourne. It may be wet and rainy but the average maximum for this time of year is 13.5C, meaning it is usually colder and wetter.
The temperatures come after the world recorded its hottest week ever – for more on that story read the full report below.
Updated
Rare book goes to auction
A book published within 50 years of the printing revolution and featuring one of the earliest acknowledgements of the existence of Australia is to go under the hammer in Melbourne
The first illustrated edition of Saturnalia by Macrobius is expected to fetch $120,000.
The rare 1483 work showcases an acclaimed and detailed world map, which includes a great southern landmass labelled “Antipodum, nobis, incognita” or “the Antipodes unknown to us”.
As a representation of the scholar’s fifth century writings, the famous map is considered among the most influential of pre-Renaissance interpretations of the world as Macrobius’ views held favour during the intellectual development of the West, for nearly a millennium.
The depiction of the globe is split in two, with Europe and the balancing Antipodes surrounded by ocean at the edges. It is also the first known printed map showing the ocean’s currents.
Saturnalia is among a trove of rare books being brought to the Melbourne Rare Book Fair, with interest expected from some of Australia’s leading libraries, museums and private collectors.
Other highlights include a first edition of Francisco Javier de Viana’s account of Alejandro Malaspina’s voyage from California to Alaska.
An extremely rare first edition of Philip Parker King’s Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia will also be offered for sale.
The selection of 70 rare books also features early examples of convict literature including the first published account of Australia by a woman, A Voyage Round the World, in the Gorgon Man of War by Mary Ann Parker from 1795.
- AAP
Updated
Reasons for RBA rate pause to be examined
Commentators will run a fine-tooth comb through what Philip Lowe has to say next after the Reserve Bank’s decision to keep interest rates on hold this month.
The central bank has been raising rates to rein in inflation and in July kept them steady at 4.1%.
The call by the RBA board had economists divided, with many expecting to see another 25 basis point hike.
The governor’s statement that accompanied the decision had some labelling it a “hawkish pause”.
While Lowe’s comments included a reference to the possibility of tightening, it also stripped out most of the commentary about upside inflation risks.
Lowe’s speech at the Esa National Conference in Brisbane on Wednesday is expected to shed some light on the likelihood of more interest rate pain but the title of the talk suggests the focus will be on the review into the bank.
The independent review was handed down in April and called for a rejigged governance structure, namely the creation of two separate boards – one responsible for governance and the other for monetary policy, which sets interest rates.
Leaders from Australia’s big four banks will also make public appearances this week at a parliamentary committee.
ANZ and NAB are expected to front on Wednesday and the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac on Thursday.
They will explain how they are balancing the interests of borrowers, depositors, shareholders and the wider community.
– AAP
Updated
Police have found a missing boy
A 10-year-old boy who went missing from his home in the northern Perth suburb of Balga has been found.
Police had urgent welfare concerns for the autistic and non-verbal boy who was last seen at 8am this morning.
In an update, police said they have found the boy safe and well.
Updated
Winds reduce Sydney airport to single runway
A Sydney airport spokesperson has confirmed that they have moved to single runway operations and has asked passengers to remain in contact with their airlines.
On the advice of AirServices Australia, Sydney Airport has moved to single runway operations. While the impact is minimal, there are some flight delays and cancellations.
Passengers should speak to their airlines to get the latest information on the status of their flights.
Some airlines are understood to be experiencing delays of up to one hour.
Passengers will be notified if their flights are affected.
Updated
‘Seriously cute’ population of rare native rodent found
A detection dog has unexpectedly discovered a new population of rare native rodents in Melbourne’s outer east.
The previously unrecorded broad-toothed rat population was found by a four-year-old labrador called Moss who was searching the Coranderrk Bushland near Healesville Sanctuary.
Moss was searching in an area when he alerted his trainer to grass-filled, bright green animal scat.
Scientists confirmed it came from the broad-toothed rat, a native species known for its chubby cheeks, fluffy fur and short tail.
Zoos Victoria’s Sakib Kazi said the rats were notoriously hard to trap but adorable.
I challenge you to have a look at their face and not immediately fall in love.
They are seriously, seriously cute.
- AAP
Updated
Traditional owners lead reintroduction of previously-extinct quoll
Traditional owner groups have emotionally returned a previously-extinct marsupial to land in western Victoria.
The eastern quoll is only found in the wild in Tasmania after it became extinct on the Australian mainland in the 1960s.
But conservation groups are bringing the genetically-bred quolls back, with scientists releasing seven marsupials onto Tiverton sheep station in Dundonnell last year.
Dozens of others have also been reintroduced to regional NSW.
But traditional owners, the Eastern Maar people, this week helped conservation group Odonata bring another 12 quolls to Tiverton.
Eastern Maar woman Vicky Couzens said the experience was unlike anything she had done before.
It has made me very emotional, to do it with my grandchildren is just so special.
Odonata’s biodiversity director Annette Rypalski said there’s hope the western Victorian project will lead to the survival of the quoll on the mainland.
Recent monitoring efforts indicate the eastern quoll numbers are now on the rise.
The 12 new individuals will also supplement genetics of the population and therefore strengthen the population’s ability to deal with threats such as climate change.
- AAP
Migrants and young people likely to support voice: new poll
New polling from the Australia Institute has found support for the Indigenous voice to parliament has found migrants and young people most likely to support the reform.
In a survey of 1004 Australians about the upcoming referendum, the poll found a majority – 52% – will vote yes to alter the constitution to incorporate the Indigenous voice to parliament.
Migrants were most likely to support the voice with 56% of those not born in Australia say they will vote yes, 27% saying they will vote no, and 17% saying they did not know how they would vote.
Nearly three out of four young people aged 18-to-29, or 73% said they will vote yes with just 15% saying they will vote no.
The poll found support decreased with age, with 50-59-years-old even split between yes and no, and the majority of those above 60 saying they will vote no (51%).
Dr Richard Denniss, executive director at the Australia Institute said it was clear the next generation was leading the way.
Our research shows new Australians and young Australians are most optimistic about making Australia the best it can be, and most likely to support the voice.
Young Australians ought to talk to their parents and grandparents about why they so strongly support the yes vote and their hopes for the future of our nation.
Updated
Auction clearance rates up
Auction clearance rate reaches five-week high across all capital cities even as the number of houses going under the hammer has fallen according to Core Logic’s weekend summary.
Just 1,418 homes went up for auction this week, about 8.1% lower than the week before and 12.9% lower than the number at this time last year.
Perhaps due to the lower volumes, nearly three in every four homes sold with the clearance rates hitting 74.5% – 4.2% higher than last week’s rates.
So far 1,066 results have been collected but in the major capital cities, Melbourne had 564 homes up for auction with 72.8% of 448 results so far returning a successful result.
In Sydney 564 homes went up for auction, down from 676 last week but with 75.6% reporting a successful result.
Of the other capital cities, activity fell by 8% in Adelaide, and 19.8% in Brisbane but rose by 2% in Canberra and Perth. No auctions were held in Tasmania.
Updated
Draft framework devised for use of ChatGPT in government schools
Earlier the education minister, Jason Clare, was also asked about use of ChatGPT in classrooms.
Clare said that just as encyclopaedias “got blown away by the internet”, now artificial intelligence and chatGPT will take use of technology to the “next level”, allowing students to “use the internet to create content for yourself”.
He told Sky News:
Non-government schools are using it at the moment. Government schools aren’t, they’ve banned it at the moment. But this is the sort of thing that students are going to need to learn how to use properly. You can’t just put it away and assume that students won’t use it. But at the same time, I want to make sure that students are getting the marks they deserve, and can’t use it to cheat. I also want to make sure that privacy is protected. The last thing we want is our children on Chat GPT putting things in and then in the afternoon, they get an ad on TikTok or on snapchat based on the information they put in.
So ministers talked about this, we’ve developed a draft framework about how this could be rolled out in schools next year and we’ll put that out the next couple of weeks to get feedback from teachers and principals and parents and students. ...
[Non-government schools] are using it for classroom assessments, for example. And one of the things that this framework says is We might need to change the way in which we examine ... in which we assess students. So that we make sure that we’re measuring what students are learning and they can’t use this to sort of bluff the system.
Updated
Strong winds close runway at Sydney airport
Safety precautions have been enacted at Sydney Airport after gusty crosswinds have forced the airport to return to single-runway operations.
Airservices Australia made the call in accordance with regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) following the rough weather.
The organisation does not anticipate that the decision will result in delays and departures from the airport show services continuing on time.
However, some social media uses have reported long lines at the check-in.
We will bring you more as the situation develops.
Nightmare @SydneyAirport @VirginAustralia staff doing their absolute best. pic.twitter.com/LuueCo8lSC
— DorkyDingo (@DorkyDingo) July 8, 2023
Updated
How robodebt played out
The Royal Commission into the robodebt scheme delivered its report on Friday, marking the biggest story of the week. Here are a few photos from how it played out.
More support for Ukraine
Education Jason Clare also hinted in his appearance that Anthony Albanese’s Nato trip will include further support for Ukraine.
He said:
It’s an important meeting. I think it’s [been] 500 days yesterday since the Russians invaded Ukraine, and this doesn’t look like it’s ending soon. We’ve invested almost a billion dollars so far in support of Ukraine. I think when you look at what’s happening in Ukraine, to end this on Ukraine’s terms it’s going to require all of the countries of the world to work together to support Ukraine. At the moment, we are the the biggest non-nato investor or supporter of the effort in Ukraine except for Sweden, who was about to become part of Nato and the prime minister has been very clear that there’s more to come.
Updated
‘Shocking and disgraceful’: Chandler-Mather
The Greens housing spokesperson, MP Max Chandler-Mather, also appeared on Sky, speaking about the housing bill and the robodebt report.
Asked about the royal commission report, Chandler-Mather said:
Oh, it’s shocking and disgraceful and what we know as a lot of people have pointed out now is destroyed lives and taken lives. I think it also speaks to broader problem though, around the way often welfare recipients are treated by federal governments. We know that debt collection and income averaging has occurred even before the robodebt scandal and the reality is that these are already people in desperate situations, we know right now, for instance, they’re receiving money well below the poverty line.
They’re already desperate, scared [and] vulnerable. Making tough choices between feeding their families or paying the rent. And then to have this, you know, $18,000 to $20,000 debts rock up at their door when they have no idea about them. Of course, that’s going to cause devastation. But I think going forward hopefully some of the structural change that comes out of this is recognising that the role of government in this situation, for people living in desperate poverty is to provide them a good safety net not treat them like criminals.
Updated
Thanks extended to ‘brave people’ who came forward in Robodebt debacle
Finally, Linda Burney is asked her thoughts on the Robodebt royal commission’s report. She says she does not know what’s in the sealed section but thanked those who came forward to share their stories in the lead up.
She also says “there has to be consequences”.
Labor had been raising these issues as far back as 2016. The commissioner has said that this was cruel, it was unlawful and it made innocent people feel like criminals, and I spoke to so many people when I was the Shadow Minister for Human Services.
We knew the algorithm was unjust and unfair and that there was no human involvement in it. This is a shocking indictment of it not being stopped, and it just says to me there has to be consequences. I can’t articulate exactly what they should be because I don’t know what’s in the sealed section, but the brave people that came forward over this issue, I just say thank you.
Updated
Burney in no doubt voice referendum will succeed
Asked about what happens if the referendum fails, Linda Burney says she has no doubt it will succeed.
There will be, in my view, - and I’ve said this many times - I have enormous faith in the Australian people, and I don’t say that because I’m supposed to say it, I say it because I really believe it, and I believe that this will be a successful referendum.
It will be a successful referendum.
Updated
Racist throwback to Jim Crow days in America
Burney says the advert that ran in the Financial Review encouraging a “no” vote on the referendum over the Indigenous voice to parliament was “totally unacceptable”.
I think Matt Kean, the Shadow Health Minister in New South Wales, really nailed it, David, where he likened it to a racist throwback from the Jim Crow days in America, but it was also incredibly sexist and it is something in the words of Matt Kean, the ‘no‘camp has every right to have a say, but there are better ways of doing it.
Updated
What about the date for Australia day?
Burney is also asked about whether the voice will give advice about changing Australia day.
I know Aboriginal Australia and I know that people know what the important issues - things like what I’ve identified - education, health, housing, jobs - and Josie Douglas who is this remarkable Aboriginal woman in the central land council put it perfectly: We are about changing lives, not changing dates.
Updated
Will the government legislate what the voice can and can’t advise on?
Speers asks again whether the government will legislate what the voice can or can’t advise on.
The voice is an independent body chosen by Aboriginal people to represent their views and their voices in Canberra, and I will respect that independence.
Using her example of Indigenous birthing on country, Burney is asked if there appears to be a divergence of opinion between her department and the advice from the voice.
Well, I have enormous experience, as you know. I would be listening to both, and trying to make sure that what goes forward is what will work for Aboriginal young people in school. This is not complex. I mean, I am in Launceston today and will be doorknocking with Bridget Archer this afternoon. I’m speaking tomorrow afternoon with Peter Gutwein at the University of Tasmania, and it is about listening to people, about showing respect, and, as I say, this is about bringing ideas forward that make a practical difference to the lives of Indigenous people and everyone agrees that that needs to happen.
Updated
Referendum on the voice is needed
Linda Burney says the referendum is necessary to stop the voice from being “gotten rid of by the stroke of the pen”.
The legislation that will follow this will determine the composition of the voice, the functions of the voice and ultimately the establishment of a voice. That is what the legislation is about.
Burney says any legislation that would set the scope of the body will come through “respectful discussion with the voice” and though she has identified priority areas, she says “obviously there are other issues like baby birth weights, like life expectancy”.
Updated
Voice to focus on disparity
Linda Burney says she can “assure people watching” that the “issues the voice will be focused on are issues that worry the people watching this show – the disparity – and that’s what we are going to be focusing on.”
Remember this voice is not just about advising the government. It’s also about advising the parliament. So if there is legislation, for example, coming through the parliament that directly affects Aboriginal people, the parliament could seek the views of the voice. There is nothing to lose from this proposal, but there is so much to gain.
Updated
Linda Burney says the voice will bring fresh insight
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has told ABC Insiders that she wants a “two-way relationship” with the voice saying the body will provide fresh insight onto what seem like “intractable problems”.
Burney was asked about how she identified health, housing, jobs and education as areas where the body may have valuable input.
The relationship that I want with the voice is a two-way process, David [Speers], one of respect, one of listening to fresh ideas about intractable problems. The issues around obviously baby birth weights, the issues around life expectancy, of course, are important, but let’s look at the community development program. It is a jobs program. It is affecting a thousand communities, and it is failing. It is absolutely failing, and not one size fits all - 1,000 communities. Those were the points I was making.
Updated
Education minister lashes Peter Dutton over Robodebt
The education minister, Jason Clare, has spoken to Sky News on Sunday where he spoke about the Coalition’s reaction to the robodebt royal commission report, saying opposition leader Peter Dutton had shown “all the empathy of a rock” in responding to it.
He told Sky News:
The fact that Peter Dutton on the day that this came down, went straight to politics showed that this bloke doesn’t get it. It’s not about that. It’s about Jennifer [Miller]. It’s about people like her. You know, a number of people lost their live others tried to take their own life, ended up in hospital and they’re still dealing with that. That’s the real human consequence of this. And that should always be kept in mind here. This was, i think now proven any legal scheme that operated For four and a half years ... You can go back further than late 2017 from late 2016, early 2017 they knew this computer system was sending our bills to people who didn’t owe them. And yet they kept on, going it showed that they didn’t give the stuff. How could you keep sending bills to people that they didn’t know when the system or when the evidence at least was showing that that it was wrong.
Clare said that Scott Morrison, his ministers and bureaucrats “are going to have to live with this on their conscience for the rest of their lives.”
Trade Minister Heads To Europe For “Difficult” Trade Negotiations
Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell is also heading to Europe on Sunday to head up negotiations with the European Union about a possible Free Trade Agreement.
As a bloc, the EU is Australia’s third-largest trading partner, with total two-way trade worth $97 billion in 2021-22.
Farrell will meet with his counterpart Executive Vice-President and European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, as well as the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski.
Farrell said that “negotiations remain difficult and have reached a point where issues vital to Australia’s national interest must be improved”.
A trade agreement with the EU would unlock an overall market of 445 million people and a GDP of $24 trillion.
Concluding an ambitious trade deal between like-minded partners is important at a time of mounting geo-political uncertainty.
The Government remains strongly committed to the best possible deal for Australian businesses, farmers, workers and the broader community.
I am prepared to persist even if it means the negotiations extend into the second half of this year.
Prime Minister heads to Europe for security meetings
Anthony Albanese will fly out of Perth bound for Europe and security talks as Ukraine marks the 500-day anniversary of war with Russia.
The prime minister will get down to business on Monday in Berlin, where he will meet Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The pair is expected to discuss Ukraine’s struggle against the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as economic and business issues including modernisation of industry and clean energy.
Australia’s pitch for a free trade agreement with the European Union is also likely to feature.
Albanese’s next stop will be the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where he, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and the leaders of Japan and South Korea have been invited to share their views on regional and global security.
The presence of the so-called “Indo-Pacific Four” is part of a NATO push to promote relations with like-minded partners across the globe in order to “address cross-cutting security issues and global challenges, as well as to defend the rules-based international order”.
Albanese is expected to meet with a number of European leaders including Ukrainian’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Saturday marked 500 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Australia announced an extra $110 million in support just over a week ago, bringing total assistance to $790 million.
- AAP
Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese will head to Europe to take part in security talks as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaches its 500-day anniversary. Albanese will meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Germany, attend a meeting in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius with other leaders from south-east Asia and the Pacific, and travel to Brussels to help negotiations for an Australian-European fair trade agreement.
Trade minister Don Farrell will also travel to Europe today to help guide negotiations over the free trade agreement. In Brussels he will meet with executive vice-president and European commissioner for trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, and the EU commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski. Negotiations remain difficult but the government says success would give Australian businesses access to a $45tn market.
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 ...
