What we learned today – Thursday 11 January
We are going to wrap up the live blog for today. Here were the main events:
Queensland students were left in limbo as tertiary offers were delayed.
The prime minister credited lower-than-expected inflation to government policies.
NSW issued a Covid warning with cases at a 12-month high.
David Pocock urged the government to support South Africa’s ICJ case accusing Israel of genocide.
Dutton called for a Woolworths boycott after the supermarket stopped stocking Australia Day merchandise.
Sydney registered its highest dew point on record.
Enjoy your Thursday evening.
The minister for agriculture, Murray Watt, has also quipped back at Peter Dutton’s call for Australians to boycott Woolworths after it dropped Australia Day merchandise. Watt said:
Our government is focused on supermarket prices.
Peter Dutton is focused on the thongs supermarkets sell.
Our government is focused on supermarket prices.
— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) January 11, 2024
Peter Dutton is focused on the thongs supermarkets sell. pic.twitter.com/diIkj1uLZJ
Guardian Australia asked Woolworths for their response to the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, calling for shoppers to boycott the supermarket after it stopped stocking Australia Day merchandise.
A Woolworths Group spokesperson said:
With food at the heart of our grocery business, our focus is on offering customers food and produce for all occasions, including Australia Day.
The supermarket giant yesterday cited the gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise over recent years as well as “broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community” as part of the decision not to produce additional themed merchandise.
Tasmanian garden wins prize for world’s ugliest lawn
Kathleen Murray is the proud winner of the first World’s Ugliest Lawn competition after the Swedish contest to encourage water-saving, environmentally-friendly gardening went global.
Murray’s lawn in Sandford, Tasmania, beat competition from parched grass patches in Germany, France, Canada, Croatia, Sweden, the US and the UK.
Read more here:
And you can read our full wrap of how the draw is playing out this Australian Open here:
De Minaur to play Raonic in Australian Open first round
And in the men’s single draw these are who the Aussies are facing in their opening rounds:
Alex De Minaur v Milos Raonic (CAN)
Alexei Popyrin v Marc Polmans
Chris O’Connell v Cristian Garin (CHI)
Aleksandar Vukic v Jordan Thompson
Thanasi Kokkinakis v Sebastian Ofner (AUT)
Adam Walton v Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)
James McCabe v Alex Michelsen (USA)
Max Purcell v qualifier
Rinky Hijikata v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
James Duckworth v Luca Van Assche (FRA)
Jason Kubler v Daniel Elahi Galán (COL)
– with AAP
Updated
The Australian Open draw is out and here are the players the Aussies will face in the opening rounds in the women’s singles draw:
Ajla Tomljanović v Petra Martić (CRO)
Daria Saville v Magdalena Fręch (POL)
Kim Birrell v Jeļena Ostapenko (LAT)
Olivia Gadecki v Sloane Stephens (USA)
Taylah Preston v Elina Svitolina (UKR)
– with AAP
Updated
Queensland road repairs on skids as rain and possible cyclone loom
Heavy rain has sparked fears far north Queensland roads hit by giant landslides may collapse as the region braces for more wild weather, AAP reports.
Work has begun to clear debris strewn across the Douglas Shire’s Cape Tribulation Road network north of Cairns, including a giant 56-metre landslide.
The area was one of the worst hit after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused record flooding just weeks ago.
But road work may be jeopardised by heavy rain with a tropical low – and possibly another cyclone – set to form in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr said:
We have extensive landslides. We need extra crews to assist. This work needs to be done quite quickly because there is a lot of weight on the roads. The longer it is there the more chance there is of collapse.
Updated
More than 20 Kayakers for Palestine this morning formed a blockade line to prevent the departure of an Israeli cargo ship.
The ZIM Danube container ship was set to depart the Port of Melbourne today and is now surrounded by kayakers who have spray-painted “stop the genocide” on the side of the ZIM ship.
The blockade comes as the UN’s international court of justice prepares to hear South Africa’s case accusing the Netanyahu government of genocide, and having genocidal intent, in Gaza.
Israel has called the allegations “a despicable and contemptuous exploitation” of the ICJ and urged the court to reject it.
Updated
WA warned to prepare for heatwave conditions
More weather news on the opposite end of the country with people in parts of Western Australia being warned to prepare for extreme and severe heatwave conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology alert issued on Thursday forecast sizzling temperatures in the high-30s to mid-40s in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions, AAP reports.
In the Pilbara, Marble Bar will be hot, with 44C forecast for Friday and 46C on Saturday and Sunday.
A low-intensity heatwave is expected in Perth, with top temperatures of 37C on Friday, 39C on Saturday and 37C on Sunday.
Hot conditions are also expected in much of the state’s south-west, with Busselton tipped to reach highs of 38C on Saturday and Sunday.
In the north, Broome is forecast to swelter for four days with tops of 36C on Thursday and Friday and 35C over the weekend.
Showers and gusty thunderstorms are likely in the Kimberley, through to Sunday.
An extreme heatwave is also predicted for parts of the Goldfields, with temperatures in Kalgoorlie expected to climb to 37C on Saturday, 38C on Sunday and 40C on Monday, when rain is also forecast.
Updated
Sydney registers highest dew point on record
For my fellow sufferers of frizzy hair in Sydney at the moment, the dew point – rather than humidity – might be to blame, with the city recording its highest on record.
According to Weatherzone meteorologist, Ben Domensino, Sydney registered its highest dew point on record, based on hourly observations, after reaching 25.9C at 11am.
What is a dew point you may ask? According to the Bureau of Meteorology:
Dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled in order to produce condensation (dew). It represents how much moisture is in the air: the higher the dew point temperature, the greater the atmospheric moisture content.
#BREAKING - #Sydney has today registered its highest dew point on record, based on hourly observations, after reaching 25.9ºC at 11am. Sub-hourly dew points have gone as high as 26.7ºC so far, although these can't be compared to historical data. Phenomenal obs for Sydney. https://t.co/jqVunTG8mL
— Ben Domensino (@Ben_Domensino) January 11, 2024
Updated
St Vincent’s said it shared the frustrations of patients and other affected people, but that its work to investigate the incident continued. Today’s statement continued:
We know that our staff, patients, residents, partners and the public want to know the status of the investigation. They particularly want to understand what, if any, sensitive personal information has been stolen by the cyber criminals.
We recognise that it may be frustrating and difficult to hear that this work is ongoing and that answers are not yet clear. We also feel that frustration.
The hospital says it has no evidence that any kind of sensitive personal information has been stolen, but that it would “activate a comprehensive response plan and offer support services to those affected” if that situation changes.
We have established a dedicated support line – 1300 124 507 – and email address – stvincentscybersafety@svha.org.au – for anyone who wants to contact us.
St Vincent’s hospital says it still believes no personal information of patients was stolen during the cyber breach they reported in December, but has staff monitoring the dark web for any data being shared online.
The hospital reported “suspicious activity on our network” on 19 December, notifying state and federal regulators of the incident. But the health provider said in a statement today that “since the morning of Wednesday, 20 December we have not detected any activity by the cyber criminals”.
It said:
At this stage of the investigation, there has been no evidence that the stolen data contains any sensitive personal information.
Our monitoring activities have not detected evidence of any stolen data being posted on the dark web. We have also been undertaking necessary system response and remediation activities.
Updated
Thanks Mostafa, good afternoon from a very humid Sydney!
Updated
And with that I leave the blog with Natasha May. Thanks for reading.
Forrest’s Squadron Energy commits to 14GW of ‘green electricity’
Billionaire Andrew Forrest has today committed to developing a pipeline of renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 14 gigawatts. (Australia’s biggest coal-fired power plant, Eraring, is about 2.8GW.)
No dollar sum has been announced, but Forrest’s Squadron Energy has signed a $2.75bn “green strategic alliance” with GE Vernova for wind turbines, so we assume most of the capacity will be in windfarms.
Part of that supply presumably will be tied up in the Uungula Wind Farm, with Squadron announcing work had started on today.
The 69-turbine farm near Wellington within NSW’s Central West-Orana renewable energy zone, will generate (so to speak) 260 jobs and inject $40m into the local economy, the company said.
“The time for talk is over, we are investing right now in Australia’s green energy transition and creating jobs and economic development for regional Australia,” Forrest said.
“No longer will we have to rely on expensive, volatile, planet destroying fuels. We will have secure and inexpensive energy from a huge new industry for Australia.”
Updated
Dutton calls for Woolworths boycott after supermarket stops stocking Australia Day merchandise
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has actively called for a boycott of Woolworths over its decision to stop stocking Australia Day merchandise – a move the supermarket says is due to a lack of demand from customers.
Rightwing media outlets and politicians have voiced outrage over the decision of Woolworths and Big W to no longer sell the goods ahead of 26 January. The company said the decision was linked to what it called a “broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community” – but that it was a business call.
“There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years,” Woolworths said in a statement, adding that Big W sold Australian flags in-store year-round, and would continue to do so.
But the decision, predictably, was criticised as “woke” by opponents, indicating the stores should still stock the goods – even if people weren’t buying them. In a 2GB interview this morning, Dutton called the move an “outrage”.
“If [customers] don’t want to celebrate Australia Day, well that’s a decision for them, but I think people should boycott Woolworths. I would advise very strongly to take your business elsewhere and go to IGA or Coles or Aldi,” he said.
“I think until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public.”
Dutton claimed without evidence that big business CEOs like Woolworths’ Brad Banducci and former Qantas boss Alan Joyce were “out to try and please the prime minister with these stupid decisions”.
“For Woolworths to start taking political positions to oppose Australia Day is against the national interest, the national spirit,” the Liberal leader alleged.
Updated
Alleged murder plot against Western Sydney rap group foiled
Police have arrested two men over an alleged plot to kill four members of Western Sydney drill rap group ONEFOUR.
A 26-year-old man was allegedly coordinating an off-shoot criminal cell who were taking on contract work – sometimes from rival criminal networks – to carry out serious and violent crime such as murders and kidnappings on their behalf, according to a NSW police statement.
Police are alleging the criminal cell were conspiring to murder four high-profile men from Sydney’s north-west on behalf of another network; Guardian Australia understand the targets to be the drill rap group ONEFOUR.
At about 6.10am this morning, strike force detectives arrested the 26-year-old man in Cartwright and he was taken to Liverpool police station, where he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm offences, and large commercial quantity of prohibited drug supply. A 20-year-old in Sadleir was also arrested and taken to Liverpool police station where he is expected to be charged with the same offences.
Search warrants were executed at homes in Riverstone and Ashcroft. Police have also applied for an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old man who is believed to be overseas.
Additionally, police will allege the group were linked to a kidnapping in March 2023, and an alleged attempted kidnapping over a 722kg importation of cocaine seized by police in Ryde.
In December 2022, State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission established Strike Force Tromperie to investigate the activities of an international criminal syndicate hailing from Lebanon. Twenty-eight people have been charged for organised crime-related offences and remain before the courts.
Updated
Victoria has record wet start to 2024
The first nine days of 2024 were Victoria’s wettest since records began in 1900, with an average of 62mm falling across the state since 1 January.
Bureau of Meteorology data shows the area-averaged 62mm of rain from 1 January to 9 January beat the previous opening nine-day record of 50mm set in 1970.
Victoria’s wettest January on record was 2011, followed by 1941, 1963 and 1991.
Updated
Victoria police treating tobacco store fire in Altona as ‘targeted attack’
Victoria police are urging witnesses of a suspicious fire to come forward, after a suspicious fire was reported at a tobacco store in Altona.
In a statement, Police say the incident occured at the store, on Pier street, just before 4am on 11 January.
“It’s believed offenders smashed the front window before throwing jerry cans into the premises and setting it alight.”
“The store sustained minor damage.”
Police say a burnt out white ute located in a car park off Altona Road just before 5am is likely linked.
They are treating the fire as a “targeted attack” and will look at any possible links to other recent fires.
You can read more at the link below:
Updated
Albanese government refuses to reveal stance on UN genocide case against Israel
Staying with South Africa’s case against Israel in the ICJ for a moment: the Albanese government has so far refused to reveal its position on the case, telling Guardian Australia in a statement it would be “inappropriate” to comment on matters before the international court.
However, a Dfat spokesperson said the Australian government would continue to share concerns with Israel over the language some of its officials have used.
Within South Africa’s 84-page application are examples of inflammatory comments made by top Israeli officials since the conflict began on 7 October, which South Africa argues show “genocidal intent”.
One example used is comments by the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, who said on 12 October it was “an entire nation out there that is responsible”, in reference to those living in Gaza, and that Israel “will fight until we break their backbone”.
The Dfat spokesperson said:
We have conveyed to Israeli counterparts our concern about such remarks on several occasions in the past and will continue to do so. While Australia has reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, we have said consistently that the way it does so matters. We regularly press Israel on the need to respect international law and protect civilian lives.
Only a handful of countries, including Malaysia, Turkey and Bolivia, have so far offered their support for South Africa’s case while the US has strongly criticised it.
Updated
David Pocock urges government to support South Africa’s ICJ case accusing Israel of genocide
The independent ACT senator David Pocock says he’s “strongly supportive” of South Africa’s case at the UN’s international court of justice against Israel and has urged the federal government to support the claims accusing the Netanyahu government of genocide, and having genocidal intent, in Gaza.
The first hearing into the claims will be heard at The Hague later today and a provisional ruling is expected to be released within weeks. Israel has called the allegations “a despicable and contemptuous exploitation” of the ICJ and urged the court to reject it.
Pocock said on Thursday he had received “thousands of emails from Canberrans” who are “deeply concerned” about the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza.
Pocock said:
Given the extraordinary scale of civilian casualties and human suffering in Gaza and the serious allegations against Israel, I am strongly supportive of the need for a credible and robust examination of Israel’s conduct under the Genocide Convention.
The ACT senator also urged the government to confirm they will comply with any ruling and support its enforcement. A provisional ruling in South Africa’s favour would require Israel to significantly rethink its military campaign in the besieged strip. It would also force countries around the world to consider how they respond to the court, which arbitrates matters in line with the global rules-based order.
The latest figures from Gaza’s health ministry show more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel’s military campaign to destroy militant group, Hamas.
The conflict began on 7 October after Hamas launched a surprise attack against southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 200 hostages.
Updated
Victorian communities still under threat from flooding
AAP is reporting that communities remain under threat from flooding in Victoria as the clean-up continues in other towns.
Watch and act alerts were in place on Thursday morning for the Goulburn River from Seymour to Shepparton, as well as Bendigo and Bullock Creeks downstream of Minto.
Authorities believe about a dozen houses could be flooded when waters peak at Shepparton on Friday morning, prompting the SES to doorknock about 300 homes.
The Goulburn River is expected to escape any significant rainfall over the coming days but storms with the potential of heavy rainfalls are brewing in the east and north.
SES deputy state duty officer Shane McBride urged people to stay vigilant and stay away from flood waters.
Murky water is travelling through waterways popular with holidaymakers such as the Murray River and Yarra River which is connected to Port Philip Bay, where several beaches remain unsuitable for swimming.
“Flood waters are very dangerous, very toxic,” McBride told AAP.
“You don’t know what’s in there, you don’t know what’s below there, it’s very hard to see at the bottom especially when driving through flood waters.”
There were two more water rescues overnight, bringing the total to 54 since the emergency started on Sunday morning.
Updated
NSW issues Covid warning with cases at 12-month high
NSW Health has issued a warning to stay “Covid-safe” amid a surge in cases across the state.
The latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report for the fortnight ending 6 January 2024 showed that Covid transmissions are currently at a “higher level” than during last winter’s peak.
They also say that case levels in Sydney are approaching levels not seen since December 2022. The PCR test positivity rate for Covid-19 in NSW for the week ending 7 January is 17.9%. Test positivity for flu is 3.6% and RSV is 1.6%.
They also say that while emergency presentations with the virus remain high, the proportion of presentations requiring admission to hospital has been declining, suggesting that while there has been an increase in cases, there hasn’t been an increase in the severity of the disease.
The chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, urged residents to remain vigilant:
Currently, the Omicron variants EG.5 and JN.1 appear to be driving the majority of transmission in the community, with JN.1 increasing in prevalence, in line what we have seen in other countries.
While there is no evidence to suggest these variants cause more severe disease the overall increase in case numbers puts more people, especially vulnerable people, at risk from Covid-19.
No one wants to see high levels of transmission in the community, but we do know what works to limit transmission in these circumstances and I am calling on the community to do those simple things that will make a big difference.
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Labor announces Jodie Belyea as candidate for byelection in seat formerly held by Peta Murphy
Earlier in the PM’s presser, Anthony Albanese announced that community leader Jodie Belyea will be the Labor candidate at the upcoming federal byelection in the Victorian seat of Dunkley.
The byelection was triggered by the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy, who died in December after a long battle with cancer.
Belyea is the founder of volunteer group Women’s Spirit, which work to support disadvantaged women. and said she intended to carry on Murphy’s work. She told reporters on Thursday:
I’m not going to necessarily be Peta, but I am going to lean into her legacy, committed to making a difference. I have big shoes to fill.
I’m not a career politician. I am not interested in playing politics. What I am interested in is creating a community that works together through working with governments at all levels.
Updated
No Australians known to be caught up in PNG civil unrest: PM
Amid the civil unrest in PNG, the PM has said that the government are not aware of any Australians caught in the conflict.
PNG’s defence force are working to restore order after rioting and looting tore through Port Moresby following a peaceful demonstration outside parliament over a payroll issue for public servants that deteriorated.
Albanese said there have not been any requests for aid, nor any reports of any Australians there, although he admitted the advice he has received so far it “imperfect”.
The advice I have as of this morning – and of course, it’s not perfect advice, because of the nature of some of the troubles that have occurred there over the last 24 hours – is that our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure that Australians are looked after.
We continue to urge calm at this difficult time. We haven’t had any requests from the PNG government at this time
The advice that I have – and as I said, it’s not perfect advice, and not every Australian is on a register in PNG, so it is imperfect advice – but at this stage, we have not been made aware of, as of early this morning, of any Australians being caught up in the conflict.
Updated
Government fences off Rozelle Parklands after asbestos discovery
As Catie McLeod reported yesterday, the finding of some asbestos in playground mulch in new parklands in Sydney’s Rozelle triggered a closure of those areas just a couple of weeks after they had been opened:
This morning work crews were back to erect temporary fences around the whole zone even though NSW’s roads minister John Graham had said the asbestos was of “low risk”.
The parklands had begun to get a bit of use, while the bike lane – now shut – shaved about a kilometre off round trips to the city for cycling commuters compared with the alternative route over Anzac Bridge.
All a bit niche, of course, but it’s the latest kink in what’s been a troubled $20bn project.
Traffic through the adjacent Rozelle Interchange is generally smooth during the summer lull but locals and others are no doubt bracing for a return to lengthy morning delays once holidays wrap up.
Rozelle Parklands are now completely closed after asbestos found in playground mulch… pic.twitter.com/95HCFOQUo2
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) January 10, 2024
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PM says government’s ‘principled’ position on Gaza made ‘very clear’
Finally, the PM is asked two questions about the conflict in Gaza, the first being if Australia could do anything to stop Iran’s “meddling” in the enclave (without the reporter clarifying what they mean by meddling and where).
Albanese says he and his government have made their position “very clear”:
Iran should stop meddling. And Iran is playing a very destructive role in the region. Australia will continue to, through Penny Wong, make our position very clear. We want to make sure that there is not a widening of the conflict. There have been too many innocent civilians in Israel and in Gaza affected by this conflict.
The second question was about Labor’s relationship with Arab communities, some of whom have reportedly said they won’t be voting Labor at the next election due to the government’s response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Here, Albanese said Labor had taken a “principled” position, but failed to actually address the question, and Labor’s relationship with Arab Australian communities:
Well, we take a principled view going back to our opposition to what occurred with Hamas’ actions in Israel. We condemn, unequivocally, we make no apologies for that. We’ve also been very clear about speaking out for the need to protect innocent lives – whether they be in Israel or in Gaza.
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PM pushed on whether he is ‘running away’ from failure of voice referendum
Next up the PM is asked about a comment from Noel Pearson, who reportedly told an event that Indigenous affairs are in a worse state than they were prior to the voice referendum.
The PM is pushed on whether he is “running away” from the failure of the voice referendum, and what his plan B is.
Albanese begins by reiterating his disappointment at the referendum result, but fails to lay out any new plans on Indigenous affairs, instead rattling off what the government has already done:
I was disappointed by that outcome. I took responsibility for my role in accepting that request. But we continue to, as I said, on the night in October, that we needed to look at new ways to achieve the result of advancing reconciliation and Closing the Gap.
It is unacceptable that we have life expectancy gaps, that there’s a greater chance of an Indigenous young male going to jail than going to university.
So that’s why we’ll continue to work through, and to give one example – in the National Skills Agreement, the first National Skills Agreement reached between the commonwealth and states and territories in a decade, there was no agreement on skills. It’s quite extraordinary at a time where we know that there are skills shortages as a result in this country [of] the negligence of the former government.
We have specific programs in there to deal with giving Indigenous Australians to gain those skills, in their interest, but also in the interests of the nation.
In addition to that, we just in the last week have advanced our plan for remote housing as well. We had, as part of our Housing Australia Future Fund, a specific program for remote housing. And we continue to engage right across the board on Indigenous affairs.
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Albanese reiterates government’s consideration of mandating supermarket code of conduct
Next, the PM is asked about Coles reportedly cutting some meat prices by 20%, and whether that indicates there is evidence they are overcharging customers.
Albanese responds by saying his government “will act”.
We want to make sure that every single reduction in costs to the big supermarkets gets passed on to the customers. They have a responsibility to do so. And we will act.
We have had the review by Dr Emerson announced. We’re also having action being undertaken by the ACCC. In addition to that, there’s a Senate inquiry.
We know that at a time when people are doing it tough, the big supermarket chains have been making record profits. And we know that there’s something out of sync there.
And we say to all of the supermarket and to big business, they have a responsibility to look after customers. And my government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. We know at the moment, the code of conduct is a voluntary one. It’s industry-led. But we’re prepared to look at mandating, if that is necessary. So it’s a good thing that we’re seeing the pressure that the government is placing on supermarkets reducing costs at the supermarket checkout.
Updated
PM credits lower-than-expected inflation to government policies
Anthony Albanese has stepped up in Melbourne for a presser, and begins by discussing the fee-free places at Tafe.
Albanese says the scheme will put “downward pressure” on cost of living by making “something free” and by“ dealing with the longer-term … supply chain issues.”
The PM also claimed it was his government’s policies that led the charge against lower than expected inflation figures released yesterday:
So it fulfils both of the objectives which we have had.
In yesterday’s release by the ABS, on the inflation figures, they singled out government policy – whether it was the energy price relief plan, whether it be fee-free Tafe, or other measures which have made a difference, and which is why it is a contributing factor to that lower-than-expected figure that we saw in the inflation figures yesterday.
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Queensland students in limbo as tertiary offers delayed
The main tertiary education offer round for Queensland year 12 graduates has been pushed back, leaving students waiting an extra four days to know what universities they have been accepted into.
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre has moved this week’s offer round from today to Monday 15 January “to allow more processing time for applications,” according to a QTAC statement shared to social media yesterday.
Applicants will have until Friday 19 January from Monday to respond to their offers.
QTAC has been contacted for comment.
Updated
All aboard the Elvis Express
As is tradition, the Elvis Express has left Sydney for Parkes for the annual Elvis festival, and we have the pics to prove it:
The six-hour train journey will take them to Australia’s biggest celebration of the King (and the biggest attraction at Forbes).
The festival is in its 31st year, and is celebrating with the theme of Jailhouse Rock. It usually attracts 25,000 visitors to the small farming town and brings in $13m.
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Shooting witnesses urged to come forward
Sticking with the shooting in Nowra, police are hoping any witnesses will come forward to help them with their investigation.
In their statement, they say they believe a “number of people” were in the vicinity, around or near a medical clinic on Junction Street about 2.40pm yesterday, and are asking them to contact Crime Stoppers:
A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police believe there were a number of people in the vicinity who may have witnessed the incident; they are appealing for those people to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Just before 1pm yesterday, police were called to the clinic after reports a patient produced a firearm. And just after 2.40pm, the patient came out of the premises, armed with the firearm, and confronted officers.
He was shot and immediately treated by officers and paramedics but died at the scene.
Updated
Rents stabilise
As mentioned, AAP is reporting that the average asking price for rentals has steadied across the combined Australian capitals, ending a record stretch of 10 consecutive quarterly increases.
The cost of renting a house or unit in Melbourne, or a unit in Sydney, has also stabilised after significant periods of growth.
December quarter data released on Thursday by property website Domain showed Sydney remained the most expensive place to rent a house, with an average weekly asking price of $730.
But the Sydney recorded no quarterly increase in the average weekly unit rent of $680 for the first time in two and a half years.
Melbourne experienced no growth at all in house and unit rental asking prices, remaining steady at $550 and $520 a week respectively.
Not all capital cities experienced a slowdown, as Brisbane house rents rose to another record high of $600 a week.
Domain’s chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said while tenants remain under pressure, there is a glimmer of hope that conditions are easing.
Overall what we’re seeing is a slowdown in rental growth across Australia. Some cities are still rising in rents, but largely speaking we’re seeing a slowdown in the pace of gains. We’re starting to see a shift in rental dynamics and I think that is going to continue into 2024.
Rental prices remain at a record high average of $600 for a house or unit across capital cities.
Updated
Good morning
Good morning, Mostafa Rachwani with you to take you through the day’s news. We start in Nowra, where police are appealing for witnesses to yesterday’s shooting to come forward.
NSW police have issued a statement saying a critical incident investigation is under way after officers shot a man holding a medical clinic hostage.
Police say they believe there were multiple people in the vicinity who witnessed the episode and are urging them to come forward.
Elsewhere, AAP is reporting that average rent has steadied across capital cities, ending a record stretch of 10 consecutive quarterly increases.
December quarter data released on Thursday by the property website Domain showed only Brisbane recorded an increase in rents, with prices remaining steady in Sydney and Melbourne.
We will bring you more as it comes.
