What we learned today, Sunday 14 July
And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here are the main things we learned today:
The suspected assassination attempt of former US president Donald Trump has dominated the news today. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, responded to the incident, saying: “There is no place for violence in the democratic process. I am relieved to hear reports that former president Trump is now safe.”
Albanese also said, when asked about political violence, that some of the political protests in Australia have “crossed the line”, and they “need to be called out unequivocally and opposed”.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, also has commented on the shooting at the Trump campaign rally, saying “violence has no place in society”.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, played down the prospect of an early Australian federal election as speculation mounts, saying “The election time is a matter for the prime minister” in an interview this morning.
The industrial relations minister, Tony Burke, said “everything is on the table” in addressing allegations made in the Nine newspapers about criminal elements in the construction industry and the CFMEU.
And the bodies of a man and a woman have been found in a major river in inner Melbourne. Police are trying to determine if the deaths are linked or suspicious.
Thanks so much for your company today. We’ll be back with you bright and early tomorrow for another week of live news. Good night.
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This is very good from Peter Hannam – on pumped hydro and Florence the boring machine:
Matthew Flinders, the flute-playing, cat-loving explorer who circumnavigated Australia, has been reburied in Donington.
Matthew Flinders, one of the great British navigators of all time, has at last returned to rest in his home village, Donington, in Lincolnshire.
— Keith Conlon (@KeithConlon) July 14, 2024
Congrats for streaming the service in St. Mary and the Holy Rood Church. See the event on YouTube:https://t.co/MaD7ZuuqfB pic.twitter.com/Ma0F4cIQwk
Cheryl Leavy writes:
In a room not dissimilar to the police interrogation rooms I’ve seen in movies, I sat alone and listened.
Funding boost of $200m needed to help diabetics grappling with cost of living
AAP reports that Diabetes Australia Group says a funding boost of $200m is needed to subsidise technology for diabetics who can’t afford devices which can help monitor and deal with the chronic disease.
The group has published a report with economic modelling that suggests the investment would help nearly 40,000 people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Over the next four years, the group says, the commonwealth budget should include $130m to expand access to subsidised insulin pumps and $70m for subsidised continuous glucose monitoring devices for those with type 2 diabetes.
Cases of the chronic disease are rising, with a 32% increase recorded in the decade since 2013, affecting 5% of Australians (roughly 1.5 million people), according to the government.
The charity’s chief executive, Justine Cain, says the funding is needed as diabetes technology is too expensive for some Australians:
There are so many Australians struggling with the rising cost of living, that are missing out on life-changing and potentially life-saving diabetes technology.
The fund would also have economic advantages, she said.
If we can reduce the number of people who develop diabetes-related complications like stroke, heart attack, blindness and kidney disease – we could reduce the economic burden on our health system by billions of dollars each year.
The research comes after the federal government published a report on 3 July about the state of diabetes, after a year-long inquiry by the standing committee on health, aged care and sport.
One of the 23 recommendations aimed at strengthening the response to diabetes and obesity was expanding subsidised access to insulin pumps for all Australians with type 1 diabetes.
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Two bodies found in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River
AAP reports that the bodies of a man and a woman have been found in a major river in inner Melbourne. Police are trying to determine if the deaths are linked or suspicious.
A passerby discovered the man’s body in the Maribyrnong River near Saltriver Place in Footscray, close to the Footscray Wharf, at 9am on Sunday.
About 90 minutes later, another member of the public found the woman’s body nearby, in the water at Smithfield Road in Flemington. Police said in a statement:
Police are investigating to determine whether the deaths are suspicious and whether there are any links between the pair.
Neither body has been identified.
Investigators have appealed for anyone with information or footage from the area to come forward.
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For anyone in need of some light relief today, here’s Sian Cain’s cracking 10 Chaotic Questions with Michelle Visage:
From Australia’s ambassador to the US (and former prime minister), Kevin Rudd:
— Kevin Rudd AC (@AmboRudd) July 13, 2024
Here’s AAP on industrial relations minister Tony Burke’s comments earlier on the construction union:
Hefty fines to apply to unsafe lithium-ion batteries under NSW government proposal
AAP reports that New South Wales is proposing new standards for lithium-ion batteries in an attempt to combat “the fastest growing cause of fires”.
The batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters caused 90 fires in the state in 2022 and 2023, with better testing and certification to be required.
Products that don’t meet the new standards could be hit with $825,000 fines for corporations and $82,500 for individuals.
NSW Fair Trading is also running a consumer education campaign, showing unsafe charging practices and other ways that are contributing to the surge in fires.
Fair Trading minister Anoulack Chanthivong says the rise in lithium-ion battery fires was “alarming” and requires swift action from the government.
“The reality is devices like e-bikes are here to stay … imposing higher standards means that consumers will have access to the products they want with the confidence that they’re safe,” he said.
“As the popularity of lithium-ion batteries grows, we can’t afford to let them continue to go unregulated in our community … failing to act poses a huge risk to lives and property in NSW.”
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Infant formula a ‘milk myth that needs to be busted’
AAP reports that there are calls to scrap marketing guidelines for infant formulas:
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) wants the voluntary, self-regulated industry agreement on the marketing of formula to be removed because it does not cover drinks for children between 12 months and three years. AMA president, Prof Steve Robson, said:
We need to scrap this voluntary code and replace it with the evidence-based best practice code.
Toddler milks are unnecessary, unhealthy and deceptively marketed as beneficial – they are a milk myth that needs to be busted.
Instead, the AMA suggests the introduction of a legislated, mandatory code covering children up to the age of three, in line with the World Health Organization’s international rules that covers formulas for children up to three.
The call for stricter marketing rules is in response to a consultation on the extension of the Manufacturers and Importers (MAIF) Agreement for five more years.
A request was lodged by the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) which is the body for the major manufacturers and ingredient suppliers of infant formula and toddler milk and responses are now being heard.
The Australian College of Midwives also says the rules covering baby formula are not fit for purpose.
The group’s submission to the consultation says that the government should introduce compulsory legislation and penalties should be introduced for non-compliance.
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‘Crossed the line’: PM says some protests at MPs’ offices ‘need to be called out’
Albanese is asked about election-related violence here, in light of protests at MPs’ electorate offices. He says such things can escalate, that some of the protests have “crossed the line”, and they “need to be called out unequivocally and opposed”.
He is asked if the Australian federal police will reach out to MPs, and he says they’ll put in place appropriate measures. And he says it would be a “tragedy” if politicians had to stop going around in public out of fear for their safety:
One of the things that I find about our great democracy is the great privilege … of being able to chat with people who aren’t expecting to see you. You get a different level of feedback, because it’s very real. It’s not staged for the cameras. You get to engage.
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PM urges people seek out credible news sources
Albanese says he was concerned before this morning’s events about the need for respectful political discourse and “conflict fatigue”. And he urges everyone to “exercise caution when reading unverified reports of the events” and to seek out credible news sources:
We all need to be on guard against those seeking to use misinformation to create division and this is a time for unity. It’s a time for calm.
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PM flags ‘lessons to be learned’ on security from Trump rally shooting
Albanese is asked about any potential changes to security processes here, and he says security agencies will look at the events:
There is a great deal of cooperation, as Five Eyes partners, between Australia and the United States and I am sure there will be lessons to be learned.
I say again though, we must lower temperature of debate. There is nothing to be served by some of the escalation of rhetoric that we see in some of our political debate … it is a phenomenon not unique to the United States. We should be able to have political discussion and do it respectfully, and that is really important.
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PM on Trump rally shooting: ‘An inexcusable attack under the democratic values that Australians and Americans share’
Albanese says those at the rally were “all participating in the democratic process” and labels the shooting “inexcusable”:
In Australia, as in the United States, the essence and the purpose of our democracy is that we can express our views, debate our disagreements and resolve our differences peacefully. We do so with respect for each other and in the spirit of a shared love of our country. Any act of violence is an affront to that and must be condemned unequivocally.
This was an inexcusable attack under the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure. These values are ones that unite our two countries. It is the basis of our alliance … all Australians stand with our friends in the United States at this difficult time.
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‘Shocked’: PM on Trump assassination attempt
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking from Parliament House in Canberra, and says he’s “shocked” by this morning’s events:
Along with all Australians, I was shocked by the terrible scenes at former president Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania.
I am relieved by the news that the former president is safe and doing fine and I wish him and his family well. I applaud the swift work of US security agencies. I am also saddened by reports that a member of the audience has lost their life, and other attendees have been injured and I send my condolences on behalf of Australia to their loved ones at this time of grief.
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‘Violence has no place in society’: Dutton on Trump rally shooting
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has commented on the shooting at the Trump campaign rally. He said “violence has no place in society”, and:
I send my best wishes to former president Trump after this shocking attempt on his life. It is a relief to see his statement, and I wish him a speedy recovery.
Dutton is in the US, after attending the Australian American Leadership Dialogue in Washington DC. His office said last week he would be in the US until Tuesday, taking three days personal leave after the leadership forum.
I send my best wishes to former President Trump after this shocking attempt on his life. It is a relief to see his statement, and I wish him a speedy recovery.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) July 14, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are for the spectator killed and others hurt.
Violence has no place in society.
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Teen dead after car crash in NSW
A crash has left one teenager dead and another fighting for life, AAP reports, as a search is under way for two missing passengers after an allegedly stolen car crashed on the NSW south coast.
The car hit a power pole at an intersection in Woodstock, near Ulladulla, at 6.45am on Sunday.
Police said the dead boy, whose age has not been revealed, was driving at the time of the crash.
Paramedics treated him at the scene but he was unable to be revived.
Another male teenager was airlifted to Sydney children’s hospital at Randwick in a critical condition.
Officers were told two other passengers fled the crash scene and police are hunting for them.
A crime scene has been set up at the intersection as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone with information about what happened or relevant dashcam footage has been asked to contact investigators.
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From former prime minister Tony Abbott to the former president:
Shocked by today’s news. It’s never right to try to settle a political argument with a gun. After the shooting of Donald Trump, everyone should remember that in a stable democracy the things that unite us are always more important than anything that divides us. Meanwhile, thank…
— Tony Abbott (@HonTonyAbbott) July 14, 2024
Stay safe, people!
Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) July 14, 2024
For people in parts of West and South Gippsland, Central and South West Forecast Districts.
Stay informed: https://t.co/T05ONtwAm3 pic.twitter.com/8NhxAEJ5w2
Travelling vet nurses to the rescue – gallery
These pictures! Beauty and heartbreak with the people who care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals:
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Cars set on fire in NSW
Eight vehicles were set on fire in the Hunter in the early hours of this morning. NSW police are appealing for public help after emergency services were called to Brentwood Street, Muswellbrook. Police said in a statement:
All vehicles were destroyed in the fire however, there were no reports of injuries, and no structures were damaged.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and police are appealing for anyone with information or relevant dashcam vision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says there is “no place for acts of violence in democracies”:
Australians are shocked by the attack on former President Trump in Pennsylvania.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 14, 2024
I’m pleased he is now safe. My thoughts are with him, his family and the families of innocent victims.
There is no place for acts of violence in democracies. https://t.co/DLYKmjvpBN
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Graham Readfearn has taken a look at the sacred site at Doongmabulla Springs:
Josh Butler has wrapped up the reactions to the “concerning and confronting” incident at the Donald Trump rally:
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From the acting opposition leader, Sussan Ley, (the incident is now being investigated as a potential assassination attempt):
Australians and Americans share a commitment to freedom and democracy.
— Sussan Ley (@sussanley) July 14, 2024
The attempted assassination of former President Trump is a shocking breach of these values.
It is not who we are.
Our thoughts are with him, his family and the American people during this difficult time.
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A glorious description of our bearded Bovidae from Mandy McKeesick:
The goats are a motley, multicoloured lot; some have beards, others sport mohawks or woolly mops, long hair or short. There are curved horns, tufty tails and soft eyes.
‘Everything is on the table’: Burke on addressing CFMEU allegations
The industrial relations minister, Tony Burke, says allegations in the Nine newspapers about criminal elements in the construction industry and the CFMEU are “absolutely abhorrent”. He’s written to the secretary of his department asking for advice:
I’m effectively going to be looking at three things. The advice on the extent of my powers. The allegations as they’re revealed. And finally the extent to which the union itself acts immediately and effectively. If they don’t, I will.
On Insiders, Burke says “everything is on the table” and that he has asked for advice on deregistering the union. “If it’s what needs to be done,” he says. He’s asked the department to advise him on the thresholds of his power. Host Patricia Karvelas asks him why Labor abolished the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC)
Burke says the ABCC didn’t fix the issues in the sector. “The whole concept of it was wrong from the beginning,” he said. It would “push people into their corners” and empower the most militant players.
Every year of the ABCC, productivity in the construction industry went backwards. You can compare the days lost to industrial disputes when the ABCC was in place to what we have now. It has now fallen by 30%. The outcomes for productivity are better now because we abolished the ABCC. What these allegations make clear is there is more to be done.
Karvelas asks Burke if he’ll halt taxpayer funded projects with links to the allegations of criminality. No one “has any interest” in halting construction projects, he says. He says the “criminal element needs to be gone” and he is ready to act.
And he says he couldn’t care less about the money that flows to Labor through the unions. He wants workplaces to be free from bullying and “thuggery”. “The fact that taxpayer money is involved in some of these sites gives us extra leverage,” he says, but there are other ways to fix the situation.
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Pee perpetrator pinged by Parramatta police
Apologies to anyone breakfasting.
NSW police say a man has been charged after allegedly urinating on food products. In a statement, police said the man allegedly entered a business on George St, Sydney, at about 11.40pm on Monday. They said a 22-year-old man was arrested early this morning and will appear at the Parramatta bail court today:
Police have been told the incident caused more than $300 in damage to produce, and extensive work was undertaken over several hours to decontaminate the area.
He was taken to Gladesville police station where he was charged with [contaminating] goods with intent to cause public alarm, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and offensive conduct while upon non-prescribed inclosed lands.
(Apologies for the legal jargon in that quote, by the way!)
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Burke acknowledges ‘deep frustration’ within Islamic community on Gaza
Back to Insiders, briefly – Tony Burke has been asked about the soon-to-be-announced anti-Islamophobia envoy and whether the government had trouble finding the right person.
He says the government would have liked to have made the announcement at the same time they announced Jillian Segal’s appointment as an antisemitism envoy. He says there was no point rushing the appointment “even though we would have liked to have been able to” announce them together. “It’ll happen when it’s ready,” he says (several times).
There’s “deep frustration” within the community, Burke says, because they want Labor’s stance on Gaza to be stronger.
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From the shadow foreign minister, Simon Birmingham:
Politically motivated violence never has a place in free democracies.
— Simon Birmingham (@Birmo) July 13, 2024
Thoughts go to all victims of the appalling shooting in the US. Whatever your politics, candidates & supporters have a right to safe assembly.
Once again, many Australians will be grateful for our gun laws.
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Reactions from Australian politicians to the events at Donald Trump’s rally are starting to come through:
An appalling situation. Images being flashed around the world of a bloodied former President Donald Trump defiant as he is whisked away from a rally by Secret Service Agents changes the entire US Election campaign. What America needs now is unity as a moment in history unfolds.🇺🇸
— Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) July 13, 2024
Footage from Trump rally incident
Nobody wants to see the word iconic overused … so let’s just say this footage will become a defining moment of the US election campaign, and beyond. Here’s how the incident at former president Donald Trump’s rally unfolded:
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‘Concerning and confronting’: Albanese on Trump rally shooting
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has issued a comment on the incident at Donald Trump’s rally. He said in a statement:
The incident at former president Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania today is concerning and confronting.
There is no place for violence in the democratic process. I am relieved to hear reports that former president Trump is now safe.
Follow our live coverage:
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Tony Burke on democratic principles
Mis- and disinformation has (of course) already started sprouting on social media. Burke says it can be very difficult to undo, once that sort of stuff spreads:
Every democracy, the starting point is that we have a shared set of facts. That is … why it is important for me not to speculate in any way. More information will come through. I guess the two principles for any democracy have to be … a shared set of facts and people to be free from violence.
ABC has just broken into that interview with more coverage of the Trump situation, we’ll make sure we get everything to you when we can.
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‘Violence plays no part in any democracy’: Tony Burke
Tony Burke says he’s pleased with reports that former president Donald Trump is safe. He says:
I hope everybody involved at the rally is safe there as well. It’s a reminder [of] how important it is that violence plays no part in any democracy.
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The industrial relations minister, Tony Burke, will be up on Insiders shortly. If it wasn’t for the unfolding situation in Pennsylvania, I’m sure the first question would be about John Setka, who stepped down as secretary of the CFMEU’s Victorian branch this week.
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Rules-based system ‘under pressure’: Richard Marles on China
The defence minister, Richard Marles, is in the United Kingdom, where he has met with UK secretary of state for defence, John Healey. Aukus is obviously at the top of the agenda.
Marles has been looking at some submarine work, saying it is a “fantastic example that Aukus is happening, it’s happening today”. He was asked about the threat from China, and said the rules-based system was under pressure, and also referred to Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
The Albanese government is “very determined to make sure that we have a significant uplift in our military capability”, he said.
The federal government has announced a $250m package for Ukraine.
Marles is asked about the US president, Joe Biden’s “mental faculties”. He said the government is confident about Biden and his administration. He said:
The election in the United States is ultimately a battle for the American people and whatever happens in November, I’m confident that Australia’s relationship with America will remain strong and I’m confident that we’ll continue to see American leadership in the world and in the Indo-Pacific.
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Our US colleagues will keep bringing you all the news on the Trump rally incident as it happens on our live blog – here is our full report and what we know so far.
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Chalmers brushes off speculation over early federal election
Just back to treasurer Jim Chalmers, who was talking to Sky News before the Trump rally incident … he was asked about the chances of an early election – speculation has ramped up in recent days as prime minister Anthony Albanese has announced candidates. Chalmers was not giving anything away. “The election time is a matter for the prime minister,” he said, before smoothly switching topics. He said:
The big focus in the near term is rolling out these tax cuts.
“Check your pay slips,” Chalmers said.
This is all about ensuring people can earn more and keep more of what they earn.
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We’ll bring you all the news from the US as it happens. Sky News is interviewing a man who says it looked like Donald Trump was bleeding from above his ear. It’s now an active crime scene – but unfortunately the feed from the rally (which is in Pennsylvania) has cut out.
‘Extraordinary scenes’: Jim Chalmers responds to incident at Trump rally
Morning, all! We’re off to a hectic start already, with breaking news from the US presidential campaign trail.
Donald Trump has been whisked off stage after chaos and the noise of shots or an explosion were heard at a political rally.
Footage from the United States shows former president Trump collapsing in front of a screaming audience, before being hustled off stage by the Secret Service. First, what sounded like the pop of gunfire rang out, then Trump went down before re-emerging looking dishevelled and raising a fist to the chanting audience.
It’s not clear if it was gunfire, or fireworks, or something else.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers was live on Sky News when the news broke.
“These are extraordinary scenes,” he said:
I hope that former president Trump is ok.
You can see the professionalism with which the Secret Service has responded … it’s heartening to see his arm was up and he was mobile.
It’s not clear yet whether he’s been injured. Follow our live coverage here:
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