What we learned; Wednesday 28 June
And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s what we learned today:
Ads for online gambling should be banned across all media and at all times within three years to combat the manipulation of an “impressionable and vulnerable audience”, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.
The gambling ad ban plan has already come under fire from the crossbench, who are urging the federal government to act sooner.
The gambling industry’s peak body, Responsible Wagering Australia, has criticised the recommended advertising ban as “shortsighted and ineffective”.
According to a bombshell statement to the parliament’s audit committee, lobbying firm Synergy 360 proposed a structure designed to allow Stuart Robert to profit from government contracts he helped win for its clients, an allegation Robert has rejected. NDIS minister Bill Shorten has said the allegations are “very serious and deserve further investigation.”
May’s CPI increase was the lowest in 13 months, at 5.6%. Some investors believe the Reserve Bank is more likely to pause next week rather than hike its official rate again, but others tip it to raise interest rates again over the next couple of months.
The Australian Energy Regulator today revealed that 1.3% of residential customers, or almost 90,000 people, were participating in hardship plans in the March quarter, a proportion that now exceeds pre-Covid levels.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, will hold talks with the prime minister of Solomon Islands during a two-day trip to the Pacific island country this week.
The NSW government has flagged plans to introduce amendments to anti-discrimination legislation making vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity unlawful. It’s been criticised by the Greens, who say it is an ad hoc measure and the whole legislation needs an overhaul.
Taylor Swift fans across Australia madly rushed to nab one of the roughly 250,000 tickets on sale for her Sydney and Melbourne shows today as the second tranche of presale tickets went live this morning.
Thanks for your company this afternoon. See you tomorrow.
Updated
Australian space lasers could help with moon mission
The first human mission to the moon in more than a half century could have an Australian connection, with researchers developing a new “super-fast laser” technology to communicate with spacecraft, AAP reports.
Scientists behind the $6.5m TeraNet project say its optical technology will be 1000 times faster than the radio waves currently used to communicate in space.
The network, due for completion in 2026, will include two fixed ground stations at the University of Western Australia in Perth and the town of Mingenew, in WA’s mid west, as well as a mobile station initially deployed at New Norcia.
One of the first commercial optical communications networks in Australia, its primary function will be to transfer data to and from satellites.
But its capacity for high-speed communication in deep space could also be utilised during Nasa’s Artemis II mission in 2024.
The first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, it will take the first woman and first person of colour to the lunar surface.
Updated
WA minister upstaged by possum protest
I’m not entirely sure where to start with this one – Western Australia’s environment minister, Reece Whitby, has been bitten by a possum while announcing a new feral cat baiting scheme that involves poison-shooting robots.
According to The West Australian, the minister was holding the possum while explaining how the new technology would protect native animals, by detecting feral cats and shooting them with poison gel, which they then lick off.
The possum objected to being a prop in this particular announcement, biting the minister and at one point attempting to climb on to his back, before being removed by a wildlife carer.
Updated
Fears grow for Belgian tourist missing in north-west Tasmania
The search continues and fears are growing for a missing Belgian tourist after her car was found at a bushwalking track in north-west Tasmania, AAP reports.
Celine Cremer, 31, was last seen in Waratah near Cradle Mountain on 17 June and was reported missing on Monday.
A wide search was launched around the Philosopher Falls Track area after crews found her vehicle in the car park.
Inspector Anthea Maingay said the missing woman was an inexperienced hiker who was only prepared for a light day of travel:
At this stage, it’s looking like she’s just lost.
There’s nothing else to indicate there’s anyone else involved at this point in time.
Rescuers on the ground and in a police helicopter are battling poor weather, including light snowfall. They will reassess search plans later on Wednesday evening.
The walking track has been shut and anyone who was in the car park since 17 June has been asked to come forward.
Updated
Need to catch up quickly on all the day’s news? Check out today’s afternoon update from Antoun Issa – he’s crunched everything that’s happened today into digestible, bite-sized pieces!
Presale tickets for Taylor Swift’s Melbourne concerts are sold out now, folks.
— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) June 28, 2023
Updated
Shorten acknowledges Stuart Robert ‘strongly denied’ Synergy 360 allegations
Bill Shorten has been speaking on ABC TV about the recent allegations regarding Stuart Robert – that a lobbying firm, Synergy 360, proposed a structure designed to allow Robert to profit from government contracts he helped win for its clients.
Shorten says:
I want to say I know that my former colleague has strongly denied any wrongdoing. That point of view deserves to be heard …
I want the truth to come out. The reason why we have an anti-corruption commission is it has powers that an ordinary department does not have, to compel evidence and whatnot and resources … We’re not going to leave matters lying and drive past the issue …
I must also stress, the [committee] will be fiercely independent.
You can read more on this issue here:
Updated
A vital international student service is being defunded this Saturday, the same day a cap on student visa working hours is being reimposed.
The NSW International Student Intake, Assessment, Referral & Support Service (IAR) is losing its funding two years in to its establishment to provide support to visa holders during the pandemic.
Asha Ramzans, spokesperson for Sydney Community Forum and the IAR said it had provided “crucial support” for students as the only service dedicated to their welfare in the state. IAR supported around 450 students in its first year.
Ramzans said:
Defunding support services amid a cost of living crisis, when international students are struggling to pay rent or buy groceries, will have devastating consequences.
The problems facing international students, like workplace exploitation, discrimination in the housing market, lack of access to services like family violence support or healthcare, won’t just stop at the end of this financial year.
The only thing that will be stopped is our ability to provide support for international students facing these crises.
From 1 July, a cap on working hours of international students is being reintroduced, with visa holders able to work 24 hours per week.
Google alleged to have misled advertisers over viewership numbers, report claims
Google may have misled dozens of business and government advertisers about the viewership of ads running on third party websites and apps, while charging for them, a new report has claimed.
Google’s TrueView is the company’s proprietary video ad product that is displayed not only in YouTube but on third-party sites and apps across the internet. Users can skip the ad after five seconds, but an advertiser only gets charged if a user watches 30 seconds – or the length of the ad if under 30 seconds – and if the video is playing audio, and isn’t activated by a user passively scrolling past it on the page.
Advertising research organisation Adalytics reported this week that its research identified that many advertisers paying for TrueView ads running outside YouTube on other websites and apps might not be getting what they paid for.
The firm reviewed the ad campaigns of over 1,000 brands across the internet, and found many of the TrueView ads did not meet Google’s own guidelines, including some ads that were run in small video players in the corner or at the side of the screen, some which were fully muted, had no actual video content between ads, or ran with little interaction or activation from the user.
Read the full story here:
Updated
Ticketek says it repelled over half a billion bots attempting to scalp tickets
More Taylor Swift news: Ticketek has told Guardian Australia that with today’s Frontier presale event, the ticketing company repelled more than half a billion bot attempts – which come from scalpers trying to get tickets.
More than 4 million people across Sydney and Melbourne were trying to secure tickets today, the Ticketek spokesperson said.
Updated
Is this a T*ylor Sw*ft cartoon from First Dog on the Moon or is it about climate crisis? You decide.
Greens MP says proposed anti-discrimination measures ‘ad hoc’ and entire Act should be amended
Back on the proposed religious discrimination measures in NSW:
The Greens’s spokesperson for anti-discrimination and member for Newtown, Jenny Leong, has called the move an “ad hoc addition” to the state’s anti-discrimination law, saying the legislation needs to be overhauled, not tweaked.
Leong said:
Right now we are seeing a disturbing increase of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and aggression online and on the streets.
But instead of prioritising protections against discrimination and vilification for the LGBTQIA+ community and sex workers - the amendment introduced today only inserts broad religious protections in the Anti-Discrimination Act.
We should be amending the Anti-Discrimination Act to remove exemptions that allow religious organisations and small businesses to discriminate.
Under this bill, the NSW Labor government will further embolden conservative religious organisations, groups and commentators by introducing broad protections for ‘religious activity’ - which is not clearly defined.
This legislation also fails to define religious belief and does not limit discrimination to ‘natural persons’.
Updated
Independent MP Kate Chaney pleads for government to act on gambling ads
The independent MP for Curtin, Kate Chaney, who was a member of the parliamentary committee that looked into gambling harm and handed down its report today, is now urging the federal government to adopt the report’s recommendations.
In a statement earlier today, Chaney said she was most particularly concerned that they adopt the recommendation to phase out advertising from gambling apps and websites.
Chaney said:
Australia has a gambling problem. And it is getting worse. We spend more per capita on gambling than any other nation, totalling $25bn annually. That is about $1,300 each Australian adult spends on punting, every single year.
From the evidence my committee colleagues and I heard, we know this can have a dramatic impact on peoples’ lives … I’ve heard too many harrowing stories from my electorate alone …
No matter your age, Australians are being bombarded with adverts from gambling apps and websites. It must stop.
All eyes are now on the government to accept these recommendations. The major parties have accepted $1.7m from gambling companies last year alone. Will the government act now?
Updated
Sportsbet says total ban on gambling ads ‘beyond a proportionate response’
Gambling company Sportsbet has responded to the parliamentary inquiry’s recommendations that gambling advertisements be banned, saying a total ban is “not the answer”.
In a statement released this afternoon, Sportsbet said it acknowledged and supported “many recommendations to further improve consumer protections” including a ban on commissions and “the use of data-led intervention tools” but said the ban on advertising “goes beyond a proportionate response”.
Sportsbet CEO Barni Evans said:
We understand changing sentiment on advertising, and we made that very clear during the inquiry. We believe an approach that significantly reduces the number of ads rather than complete bans would respond to community concerns, while still supporting sport and media.
It is important that any changes in regulation recognise that gambling is a lawful form of entertainment enjoyed responsibly by millions of Australians.
We will continue to work constructively with the government and all parties to encourage evidence-based solutions that are effective.
Updated
Thank you for sticking with me through a busy morning of inflation rate updates, gambling report reactions, and Taylor Swift ticket frenzy.
I’ll be passing on to Steph Convery who will take you through the rest of the day.
Updated
Woolworths to remove junk food from checkouts
Woolworths supermarkets pledges to remove children’s lollies and chocolates from its checkouts, AAP reports.
The group will strip their checkouts of children’s confectionary in a bid to help customers make healthier choices. Children-aimed products in particular – like Chupa Chups, Kinder Surprise and Caramello Koalas – will no longer be available beside tills.
Instead, the retailer will offer healthier food choices with a health star rating of 3.5 or above from the end of July.
“These are small but important steps in the right direction as we work to make healthier choices easier for our customers,” Woolworths supermarkets’ managing director, Natalie Davis, said.
Updated
Energy hardship on the rise, energy regulator says
The Australian Energy Regulator today provided more proof that price pains were hitting some households. Some 1.3% of residential customers, or almost 90,000, were participating in hardship plans in the March quarter, a proportion that now exceeds pre-Covid levels
Average hardship debt has increased by $137, or 8%, to $1,871, compared with a year earlier.
“The cost of living crisis is putting enormous pressure on people on low incomes and the situation is set to worsen with energy bills rising by up to 25% from 1 July in some parts of the country,” ACOSS’s CEO, Cassandra Goldie, said.
Our surveys show that 65% of people on income support are cutting back on heating and 60% are going without essentials like food and medication to afford their bills.
Heating might be on a few peoples’ minds today, with Sydney and Melbourne currently shivering at about 10C and Hobart 9C. For Sydney, it’s the coldest day - so far with a top of 12C - since 1 July last year, according to Ben Domensino at Weatherzone.
Updated
ANZ sticks to its July and August rate rise prediction despite headline inflation dive
ANZ, one of Australia’s big four, doesn’t see enough in the May CPI numbers to budge them from their view that the Reserve Bank will strap on its rate hiking boots for both its July and August meetings.
Yes, the headline rate decreased to a 13-month low of 5.6% but even the trimmed mean inflation measure decelerated from 6.7% in April to 6.1% last month.
So far, so good.
However, the underlying rate barely budged (down to 6.4% from 6.5% in April), and there were other recent economic numbers offsetting the inflation optimism, said Adelaide Tumbrell, an ANZ senior economist.
These include the rapid increase in unit labour costs in the year to the March quarter of 2023, future increases in electricity prices; and ongoing wage increases.
St George, part of Westpac, similarly is retaining its prediction that the RBA will hike again next week. They cite “pressures from the tight labour market and elevated past inflation, coupled with increased spending by governments in 2023-24” for their call.
Updated
Bill Shorten details timeline regarding Stuart Robert allegations
Back to the NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, who spoke in Canberra on allegations involving the outgoing member for Fadden, Stuart Robert.
Shorten was asked if this is the first time he has been made aware of the allegations related to United Marketing.
That is the first time I’ve seen a signed statement today. As I detail, there has been several reports I’ve given to parliament. There has been a string of leaked emails. I don’t know if there has been a reference to United marketing in an earlier email, there are quite a lot of them. It is clear that they will be checking whether or not these contracts and a relationship with Synergy360 have been done properly.
Shorten steps through the timetable of allegations and investigations so far. First, the Watt review is revealed by media. Then the heads of his agencies propose Watt do an independent review, who says he is limited by what he can determine because he can only see one side of transactions. But Watt does say that one in five of the contracts he reviewed have some problems with them.
“That was 19 contracts worth millions of dollars,” Shorten says. The audit committee then had a look at the matter.
“And as we have gone along different allegations and facts have emerged. There is no doubt that further investigations are required and we’re not interested in a whitewash.”
Stuart Robert has denied the allegations.
Updated
Melbourne presale on Swift tickets kicks off
Taylor Swift fans will want to be “swift” this afternoon with the Melbourne presale having kicked off at 2pm.
It’s the third chance for fans to get a hold of tickets after a limited American Express release on Monday and a Sydney presale which went live at 10am and has since sold out.
More than 800,000 clicks were made by 8.30am. Swift is performing two Melbourne shows with a capacity of around 200,000 in total.
Ticketek has warned fans, particularly the hordes of office workers logging into their work computers, to be careful with IP addresses which are considered as a single user.
IP addresses are often identified to prevent bots and ensure safety and fairness - buyers are only allowed to purchase four tickets.
Updated
An update for the Swifties in Sydney: all general pre-sale tickets have sold out.
— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) June 28, 2023
But fret not! Some more VIP packages are still available, and more tickets will be available in Friday’s general sale.
Australian government aware of Russian activity on embassy land today
My colleague Daniel Hurst reported earlier that a diplomatic vehicle was back on the site of Russia’s proposed new embassy. The Russians left the site on Monday after an early loss in their high court challenge against laws designed to terminate their lease on national security grounds.
Earlier today, one of the gates at the site was open and a vehicle with diplomatic plates was parked near a small demountable in which a Russian official had been squatting until leaving on Monday.
We have confirmed that the Australian government is aware of the Russian government’s activities on the site today, which are being appropriately monitored.
Updated
Key research body welcomes call for gambling ad ban
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has also welcomed the push to ban gambling advertisements. Earlier this year, its research into the influence of gambling promotions was highlighted as a concern by the communications minister, Michelle Rowland.
The research found that 38% of the adult population gambled at least weekly. Three in four Australians gambled at least once during the past 12 months and, of those, almost half (46%) were classified as being at some risk of harm from wagering.
Dr Kei Sakata, the acting executive manager of the Australian Gambling Research Centre at the AIFS, said the parliamentary inquiry had listened to its warnings:
We welcome the recommendations announced today. In particular, we applaud the recommendation to ban all gambling advertising within three years; this is a critical step in reducing gambling harms – and our research shows the majority of Australians would support this move.
Updated
Fears grow for Belgian woman missing in Tasmania
Fears are growing for Belgian woman Celine Cremer who’s been reported missing after her car was found at a remote walking track in northern Tasmania, AAP reports.
Cremer, a Belgian tourist, was last seen in Waratah near Cradle Mountain on 17 June and was reported missing on Monday.
A large search was launched around the Philosopher Falls Track area after crews found her vehicle in the car park.
Rescuers are battling poor weather, including light snowfall. It is hoped a police helicopter can join the search later today.
The walking track has been shut and anyone who was in the car park since 17 June has been asked to come forward.
– AAP reports
Updated
Shorten says some claims on statement to JCPAA ‘was news to him’
NDIS minister Bill Shorten speaks more on the signed statement to the The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) by “an individual with knowledge of Synergy 360’s operations” Anthony Daly, which makes allegations about Synergy 360’s operations with Stuart Robert, outgoing member of Fadden. Robert has denied the allegations.
Shorten says some of the claims in the statement released today “was news to me”:
I have to go back and refresh my memory but I felt that some of the detail today was news to me. Sometimes you hear rumours swirling around. There is a lease of a critical building, which could be what is referred to, and I don’t know, coming up. I have asked the agency to give me advice.
On what building is being referred to:
Centrelink, Services Australia, has a lot of offices around the place. There is a building in Tuggerah Lakes which is leased and I want to understand all the arrangements.
Updated
Shorten describes allegation of Centrelink resources being redirected as ‘disturbing’ and ‘not proven’
In answering questions from press, NDIS minister Bill Shorten repeats that he is “disturbed by the allegation,” which was made under parliamentary privilege, against Stuart Robert, outgoing member of Fadden.
Our chief political correspondent Paul Karp asks NDIS minister Bill Shorten:
What evidence is there about the allegation that Stuart Robert directed Centrelink resources towards the company of John Margerison? Did the Watt review look into that?
Shorten says:
That is a very disturbing allegation and it is not proven. But it is correct that we have some leases of property. Services Australia leases much of its delivery systems, from leased properties.
I’m disturbed by the allegation. I don’t know if its true.
Immediately today, since the uploading of this, I asked for further information concerning leases that might be referred to in the statement.
Updated
Shorten awaits advice on ‘most appropriate avenues’ for Stuart Robert allegations
More from NDIS minister Bill Shorten on allegations involving Stuart Robert, the outgoing member of Fadden.
Asked if it would be quicker to refer the matter straight to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Shorten confirms he awaits advice from his agency on what the “most appropriate avenues to satisfactorily investigate” the matter are.
I do need to caution that this government absolutely respect the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Ultimately, it is up to the Commissioner what they investigate.
Updated
Shorten says allegations involving Robert need ‘further investigation’
NDIS minister Bill Shorten is speaking in Canberra on allegations involving the outgoing member for Fadden, Stuart Robert.
Shorten says:
The allegations that a former member of parliament, could be financially benefiting by the arrangement outlined in the statement are very serious and deserve further investigation.
I do note, of course, that Mr Roberts’ strenuous denial as to the truth of that matter.
The lobbying firm Synergy 360 proposed a structure designed to allow Stuart Robert to profit from government contracts he helped win for its clients, according to a bombshell statement to the parliament’s audit committee.
Robert immediately rejected the allegation “in the strongest possible terms”, noting it was made only under parliamentary privilege. He said there was “zero evidence” in the submission.
For more background, read Paul Karp’s coverage here:
Shorten says to press:
These are serious allegations before a parliamentary committee and do require further investigation. So, I have asked my agency, Services Australia, to advise what the next appropriate avenues are including implications for my agency, where a former public servant of the agency is referred to.
Further, given that this is in relation to the conduct of a former member of parliament, my agency has limited means to further investigate of itself. So I do call upon anyone else, who may have information in relation to these matters, to provide it to the JCP double a at the earliest possible time.
Updated
Record insurance jump, most costly food point to a mixed inflation basket
As posted earlier, the May headline number will probably come as a relief in Sydney’s Martin Place because the Reserve Bankers will be more inclined to hit the pause on lifting the cash rate at the July meeting next month.
Borrowers will be among those joining in the relief outbreak.
But a closer look at the inflation numbers brings a more mixed picture. Yes, automotive fuel was down 8% but that compared with a bounce higher in April of 9.5%.
A whole bunch of food items were notably higher, such as dairy products rising 15.1% (apparently we’re short of cows), up from a 14.5% rise in the year to April. Bread and cereals were 12.8% more expensive, up from the 11.4% increase in April.
Yes, holidays were cheapers once we got over the Easter break, but we’ll see how the current school break lifts costs for June.
And at the end of the ABS was this note, reflecting the bill shock many of us are experiencing:
Insurance prices rose 14.2% in the twelve months to May, up from 8.7% in April. This is the strongest annual rise on record reflecting higher premiums for house, home contents, and motor vehicle insurance.
Anyway, you can also follow on at home as we update our inflation article:
Updated
Chalmers confirms budget surplus will be bigger than $4.2bn May forecast
Addressing media, the federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, confirms the budget surplus will be bigger than the $4.2bn forecast in May:
We are now supremely confident, not just that there will be a surplus in 22/23, the first in 15 years, but also then it will be bigger than we predicted.
This is what happens when you’ve got a government which takes its responsibilities to manage the budget and manage the economy the right way seriously.
We have shown remarkable spending restraint, which would be unrecognisable to our predecessors. We’ve banked almost all of the upward revisions to revenue. We found $40bn in savings and reprioritization. And we shown spending restraint right across the budget.
Chalmers did not confirm a number.
Updated
Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale says the office mood is “sour” as staff are still waiting to secure Taylor Swift tickets, almost two hours after they went live.
Sour mood in the Bennelong office today. No one has had success in securing Swift tickets…yet #TaylorSwift #auspol
— Jerome Laxale MP (@jeromelaxale) June 28, 2023
It’s looking the same in other offices:
Everyone in #Sydney RN #TaylorSwift #ErasTour #Ticketek 😍 pic.twitter.com/AP5a0FJ02X
— Flyfromnearby (@flyfromnearby) June 28, 2023
Most offices around Australia today look like this right now. pic.twitter.com/9wBhSYPcxk
— Tobi Loftus (@tobiloftus) June 27, 2023
And my family dining table isn’t any different:
Update: the family Taylor Swift ticket station still stuck on the loading page 🤧 #erastour #ticketek pic.twitter.com/qD7h53h6qB
— Rafqa Touma (@At_Raf_) June 28, 2023
Updated
Diplomatic vehicle spotted on blocked Russian embassy land near Parliament House
I’ve done a drive by and can tell you a diplomatic vehicle is currently on the block of land where the new Russian embassy was to be built in Canberra before the federal government passed laws blocking it.
One of the gates is open and the vehicle with diplomatic plates is parked near the small demountable where a Russian diplomat had been squatting until he left the site on Monday, an hour after the high court dismissed Russia’s initial attempt to hold on to the site while a constitutional challenge is held. It’s possible the vehicle is there to recover items left inside the demountable. Things appear relatively calm and an Australian federal police vehicle is nearby watching on.
Updated
May’s CPI increase was the lowest in 13 months, ABS says
The headline inflation rate in May at 5.6% was the lowest annual pace since April last year and investors have immediately taken that to mean the Reserve Bank is more likely to pause next week rather than hike its official rate again.
The dollar lost about a quarter of a US cent to dive to just above 66.4 US cents. Stocks extended their gains to be about 1% higher for the day. (Higher interest rates tend to dent company profits.
Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said:
While prices have kept rising for most goods and services, many increases were smaller than we have seen in recent months.
The underlying inflation rate at 6.4%, once you strip out volatile price changes, was actually little changed on April’s 6.5% but markets jumped on the headline number.
Housing continued to be a bane for many, with rents up 6.3% in the year to May from 6.1% in the 12 months to April.
Automotive fuel retreated 8%, taking into account the shift a year earlier when the then Morrison government halved the fuel excise rate, cutting 22 cents off the price of each litre of petrol. That base change is now in the rear view mirror.
Updated
‘Shortsighted and ineffective’: Gambling lobby criticise ad ban
The gambling industry’s peak body, Responsible Wagering Australia, has criticised the recommended advertising ban as “shortsighted and ineffective”.
RWA represents some of the biggest gambling companies in the country. In a statement, the group’s chief executive Kai Cantwell argued the change may lead to punters seeking unregulated offshore markets.
This argument was hotly contested during the parliamentary inquiry. It appears to have been rejected by the committee.
Here’s a statement from Cantwell:
RWA members, along with broadcasters and major sporting codes have publicly acknowledged that there is a growing desire in the community to see less gambling advertising.
However, blanket bans – even in a phased roll out – are short sighted, ineffective and are not the answer.
We know that strict changes – like blanket bans and banning inducements, such as bonus bets – often prove ineffective in addressing problem gambling, with Australians instead turning to illegal offshore markets as they seek out these options.
Swifties still landing Sydney presale tickets almost two hours after launch
Presale tickets are still available to Taylor Swift’s Sydney shows however some categories are selling out.
Just more than an hour after tickets went live, Guardian Australia had confirmed there are still tickets fans can get their hands on.
However some categories are running out, so Ticketek is advising fans to try new categories.
Last we heard there were tens of thousands of fans in the queue. Again, there will still be general release tickets available on Friday however the numbers haven’t been released.
— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) June 28, 2023
Around half a million fans will be able to see Swift across her Melbourne and Sydney shows, and about 250,000 in Sydney alone. Melbourne’s second presale will be made available at 2pm.
Updated
Inflation rate falls to 5.6%
Australia’s monthly inflation rate retreated in May, easing fears the Reserve Bank will hoist its key interest rate again at next Tuesday’s board meeting to curb price rises.
The consumer price index last month increased at an annual rate of 5.6%, the Australian Bureau of Statistics saud. Economists had expected the measure to drop from April’s 6.8% level to 6.1%.
Updated
Bill Shorten dismisses using co-payments to rein in soaring costs of NDIS
National Disability Insurance Scheme minister Bill Shorten has dismissed using co-payments or means testing as a way to rein in the soaring cost of the NDIS program.
The NDIS is expected to blow out to about $60bn a year by the end of the decade, sparking calls to make it more sustainable to ensure its longer-term viability, AAP reports.
Asked if co-payments or means testing would be considered on ABC RN breakfast, Shorten said: “No.”
To be honest, I’m not going to pretend I’m going to give it too much oxygen.
The challenges in the scheme … (are) to make sure that every dollar that in this scheme gets to the people for whom it was originally designed.
Shorten said the NDIS needed longer-term planning and that there was too much focus on annual plans.
".. The NDIS shouldn't be the only life raft in the ocean"
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) June 27, 2023
- @billshortenmp pt 3
For a lot of people with a permanent disability, it’s dehumanising to be asked: “Are you still blind? Do you still have Down’s syndrome?”
If we tackle spiralling price costs and price gouging by companies and service providers, I think then we can also lower the trajectory of growth.
Shorten also said he did not accept there were tens of thousands of people on the scheme who shouldn’t be on it.
Updated
Fresh inflation figures may steer RBA’s next move
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will give us consumer price inflation figures for May at 11.30am (Aest) that will be among the last data releases before the Reserve Bank board gathers next Tuesday for its monthly rates meeting.
To be sure, the monthly CPI numbers are treated with a bit of caution by the RBA since the survey is less comprehensive than the quarterly one. (A clue is on the ABS’s website homepage, which highlights the quarterly numbers, not the most recent month.)
Economists estimate April’s surprisingly high headline CPI at 6.8% will retreat to 6.1%. As for many statistics, the headline number may dominate the initial reaction but what the RBA cares more about is the underlying measure. The ABS’s CPI excluding more volatile items was a less scary 6.5% in April, and this is probably the number to focus on today.
Depending on your source, investors were rating the chance of another RBA rate rise next Tuesday as a one in three chance (Reuters) or about one in four (ASX).
Among the multitudes anxious about what the RBA will do next will be those selling their properties.
The latest quarterly Pain and Gain report by CoreLogic suggests the share of those homes sold for a loss is on the increase, with more of that trend likely to come.
Read more here:
Updated
‘Three years is far too long’: MP Wilkie calls for immediate ban to gambling ads
Crossbench MP Andrew Wilkie has also called for an immediate ban to gambling advertisements, rather than after three years as recommended by the parliamentary inquiry.
Here’s the statement he released a short time ago:
The inquiry’s 31 recommendations on limiting gambling harm are a welcome development. The banning of all online gambling advertising within three years is especially valuable as it will go a long way to help curb the negative influence of gambling.
However, the government must go a step further and implement these changes as quickly as possible. Three years is far too long to continue allowing gambling advertising to fester in our community.
The community has had a gutful of gambling being promoted and normalised through advertising. Too often people, including children, are bombarded with targeted advertising campaigns on television, billboards and worst of all, their phones.”
Updated
NRL encourages an ‘evidence-based approach’ to mitigating gambling harms
A spokesperson says the NRL encourages an “evidence-based approach” to mitigating the risks of gambling harm, after today’s gambling report:
The NRL recognises the significant stakeholder and community interest in gambling. The NRL is committed to ensuring our approach reflects this interest, while also encouraging a holistic, evidence-based approach to mitigate the risks of gambling harm more broadly.
We have participated in the current parliamentary inquiry into gambling harm and look forward to further consultation with Government as it develops its response to the recommendations.
Updated
Frontier confirm Friday last chance for Taylor Swift tickets
In the words of Taylor Swift, if you’re worried you’ve missed out on presale tickets, it may not be a “Cruel Summer” next year after all.
Ticketek Australia has confirmed with Guardian Australia that general release tickets will still be available on Friday for punters who’ve missed out on presale Sydney tickets, despite the record demand this morning.
Almost half a million tickets will be available across Swift’s Sydney and Melbourne shows, still shy of the 800,000 in a queue from 8.30 this morning.
Of course, some of these users may have been on multiple devices to double their chances. If you’re one such person, good luck, don’t give up, Swifties.
going through the great war trying to get taylor tickets in australia #TaylorSwift #TheErasTour #TheErasTourAustralia pic.twitter.com/6fmzkP73cE
— isis persephone🦋🐝 ERAS TOUR 5/12 & 5/28 (@fandomclexa) June 28, 2023
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Gambling ban is ‘soon, but not soon enough’, says Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel, community independent member for Goldstein, says the changes to gamblings ads recommended in today’s gambling report are “soon, but not soon enough”:
I appreciate the diligent efforts of the committee and welcome their acknowledgment that gambling advertising is doing real harm right now, especially to young people.
The report acknowledges that gambling advertising is such a social problem, such a risk to the community, that it should be banned but not for another three years.
Given the committee has acknowledged the extent of the problem, the government should act now and ban all gambling advertising wherever it appears as soon as legislatively possible.
Daniel urges the senate pass her private member’s bill to “ban gambling advertising from radio, broadcast television, pay TV and their streaming services”.
That would establish the government’s bona fides – whether the Minister for Communications meant what she said when she stated that: “The status quo is not good enough.”
Updated
Blanket ban on gambling advertising not reasonable, industry sources say
Some gambling industry sources who are not authorised to speak publicly have criticised a parliamentary inquiry’s recommendations for a blanket ban on gambling advertisements, arguing it is unreasonable.
The gambling industry is very competitive and some smaller companies believe they are being punished because larger players have saturated the broadcast market with ads for many years.
Others believe the recommended ban on inducements, rather than generic advertising, could force a bigger change in the industry. Gambling companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars providing incentives to punters to spend more.
Here’s how the inquiry’s report defines inducements:
Inducements are a type of marketing used by online gambling operators to attract new customers or to encourage existing customers to gamble. Inducements are offered via advertising and direct messaging and include offers such as deposit matches,61 multi-bets, bonus bets, rewards programs and early cash-outs. 62 Inducements are effective in marketing gambling, especially to young people, because they encourage a belief that gambling isn’t risky and that gamblers are minimising losses.
This type of direct targeting would be banned if the government accepts the inquiry’s recommendations.
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‘I didn’t expect that’: Gambling harm reduction advocates welcome ad ban recommendation
The chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, has said the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into gambling harm are much stronger than many expected.
Costello, who has been one of the most vocal campaigners for reform, said he did not think the committee would recommend a complete ban on advertising after a three-year transition period.
I didn’t expect that. I thought politics would get in the way. I am intrigued that there was no dissenting report.
This was a bipartisan committee that, in a very refreshing way, took on the powerful vested interests who usually do their deals in secret.
It was a public inquiry that so clearly heard what the public was saying and made recommendations consistent with that.
This is an issue that is too important to become a political football, we urge both major parties to give this bipartisan support to these recommendations today.
Updated
Thousands of Taylor Swift fans secure tickets as Ticketek site holds up
Ticketek has confirmed with Guardian Australia tens of thousands of customers have successfully secured tickets to the second Taylor Swift presale, just under 20 minutes after access went live.
and that positive news will be that jess and ella will be attending the eras tour in sydney, australia pic.twitter.com/XHXZD2hJ0h
— camryn (@trampoline2007) June 28, 2023
Other fans are struggling to gain access to the site as it struggles under the weight of almost one million users. There are about 250,000 tickets available for the three Sydney shows, and about 200,000 for the Melbourne shows. Presale will open for the Melbourne shows at 2pm.
So even if you weren't looking to get a Taylor Swift ticket this morning, you can't get on Ticketek anyway 😂. Good luck Swifities #ErasTour #Australia pic.twitter.com/1z4Cnuy5xz
— Rhiannon Hoffman (@whereisrhee) June 28, 2023
HURRYRYEYEYYE UPPPPPPP #ticketek #taylorswift #ErasTour pic.twitter.com/ZXCo4dhXS1
— oNeL 🤷🏽♂️🕺🏼 (@FixedTruth) June 28, 2023
Customers are successfully purchasing. Please be patient and don't refresh your browser.
— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) June 28, 2023
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Swift Ticketek queue breaks Australian record
The Ticketek website is running as planned this morning as far as we can tell despite an estimate of 10 times the traffic it was hit with on Monday when a first limited presale for Taylor Swift tickets were released.
It’s a tense time for fans waiting to gain access.
Guardian Australia’s resident Swiftie Bridie Jabour says everyone in her group chat is lighting candles.
The internet is also panicking.
My cousins have been queuing for Taylor Swift tickets since 6am … thoughts and prayers pic.twitter.com/mfge5yZBkP
— Rafqa Touma (@At_Raf_) June 28, 2023
10:02 and I’m in the trenches @Ticketek_AU PLEASEEE LET ME IN #ErasTour pic.twitter.com/1coqKTs0ST
— princess (@boringsob) June 28, 2023
AUSTRALIA ARE YOU READY FOR THE GREAT WAR OF 2023 #TaylorSwiftErasTour #ErasTour #Help
— LolaJean (@misshulkhagan) June 27, 2023
A spokesperson for Ticketek told Guardian Australia all was running to schedule so far despite unprecedented demand in the queue this morning.
There were more than 800,000 people waiting in the lounge queue at 8.30am, with only about 250,000 tickets available.
This number is a national record in Australia.
Updated
Taylor Swift fans scramble as presale tickets go on sale
Taylor Swift fans across Australia, and probably New Zealand are madly rushing to nab one of the roughly 250,000 tickets on sale for her Sydney shows, with the second round of presale tickets going live at 10am.
The singer’s Eras tour has had Swifties in a frenzy since Monday, when a limited American Express presale with the official seller Ticketek was plagued by problems, with the Amex site crashing half an hour before tickets were due to go on sale.
Guardian Australia’s newsroom has several super-fans vying for tickets, with various strategies. One reporter is planning on “panicking and getting whatever I can”, while another has a “kinda basic” gameplan with one tab open on their computer connected to wifi, and the Ticketek app on their phone connected to 4G.
“I feel insane, but of course this is the only way to feel.”
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Coalition to ‘carefully examine’ online gambling report
The shadow communications minister, David Coleman, on the gambling report out today:
We note the report, You win some, you lose more, has been released by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs following its inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.
The committee report includes the Coalition policy to ban gambling advertising from one hour before to one hour after live sporting events.
The Coalition will carefully examine the committee report and its recommendations.
We will then consider any proposed legislation which the Government chooses to bring forward.
Updated
Victoria to establish inquiry into abuse at Beaumaris primary school in the 1970s
The Andrews government is establishing a special inquiry into the abuse suffered by children at a Victorian state school in the 1970s.
Guardian Australia earlier this year revealed that survivors of child sexual abuse at Beaumaris primary school in the 1970s were pushing for a formal apology by the state government.
Andrews said it was vital to “hear and believe” victim-survivors:
Having your truth recorded forever is a very important thing.
The special inquiry will document the historical experiences of victim-survivors at the school and make recommendations to the state government.
Andrews had previously committed to delivering a formal apology to those abused in institutional settings. He said a seprate apology would be made for the abuse suffered at Beaumaris Primary School.
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Gambling witnesses welcome ‘significant day’ for reform
Recovering gambling addicts who told their story to a parliamentary inquiry into online wagering have welcomed the committee’s recommendations to the government, including a complete ban on advertising after a three year transition period.
Mark Kempster received sports gambling advertisements despite requesting a lifetime ban from betting. Earlier this year, he described the $13,770 fine for the company’s “serious breach” as “disgusting” and ineffective.
Kempster is hopeful the government accepts all of the inquiry’s recommendations and acts quickly.
It’s a pretty significant day for people like myself to be able to see that all the pain and harm we went through without addictions will be extremely minimised moving forward with the recommendations.
The main outcome I and most others who provided evidence to this inquiry wanted was a full ban of gambling advertisements and inducement and the committee has pretty much provided this in the report which is amazing.
Gambling companies have acted with such little duty of care for so long to the harm they have caused in society and will now be relegated back to their correct space in society.
I am really pleased to see the recommendation regarding a levy being placed on all gambling companies to pay for a national strategy into harm deduction.
They have profited on the most vulnerable of society for so long and they will now be made to pay for this and actually take some responsibility for the harm they are causing.
Debate has begun on the NSW government’s plans to make vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity unlawful.
President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Josh Pallas, says moving on religious vilification before a complete review of the Anti-Discrimination Act is “bad policy making”.
Moving on religious vilification before a complete review of the Anti-Discrimination Act is bad policy making. The Act needs major work. The AG should ditch this bill and make the referral to the Law Reform Commission todayhttps://t.co/YKTbJPFJo7 #nswpol #nswlaw @nswccl
— Josh Pallas (@joshpallas) June 27, 2023
NSW planning minister to developers: stop “crap” housing proposals
The NSW planning minister Paul Scully has told property developers “don’t put up rubbish” proposals for “crap” housing that people don’t want to live in.
Speaking to a packed conference of developer chiefs at the Property Council of Australia’s housing summit on Wednesday morning, Scully said “the social licence for development has been diminished over time because of rubbish proposals”.
“What we really need from people who are putting up proposals is good proposals. Don’t put up rubbish. Like seriously,” Scully said. “It’s really hard to argue, ‘you want density but I’m going to build crap’. Don’t do it.”
We have to build in a more sustainable manner more generally, we have to think about the people who live in these homes and how they’re going to interact and pay for the operating costs of those homes long into the future.
Scully said government and private developers had a duty of “creating spaces where people want to live in”.
We have a responsibility to not only the current generation of house but also the future generation that are going to inherit the buildings that we’re building in the moment.
NSW planning minister criticises zoning laws prohibiting terraces being built in suburbs
The New South Wales planning minister, Paul Scully, has criticised residential zoning laws that prohibit terraces, townhouses and manor houses from being built in suburbs.
Speaking to the Property Council of Australia on Wednesday, Scully said it has recently come to his attention that 85% of low density residential R2 zoning across metropolitan Sydney – marked by low density housing where the objective is to protect the single dwelling character – “prohibit either or both manor houses and terrace houses”.
Scully said manor houses – single buildings comprising three or four dwellings which can be up to two storeys with each dwelling attached by a common wall or floor – as well as terraces and townhouses will be important in helping achieve housing targets.
He said:
Townhouses and manor homes are part of the history of Sydney, yet in many places they are being stopped from being part of its future.
Now let’s just say we’re able to put a semi on 5% of those 85% of (R2) zone lots. That would deliver 67,500 new homes which is more than 20% of what we need to build by 2029.
This infill development would also allow people opportunities to stay in their communities and neighbourhoods through different stages of their life.
Scully also flagged the planning department was exploring using artificial intelligence to speed up the development approvals process, with a focus on weeding out applications with elements likely to trigger a rejection so as to free up the system to deliver more timely approvals.
Updated
Our political reporter Josh Butler isn’t as amused by Taylor Swift puns in political announcements as I am:
Sparing a thought for every political staffer and public servant being forced by their boss to shoehorn Taylor Swift references into all their announcements and social media posts today
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 27, 2023
Me too, RonniSalt. Me too.
I had you down for a bit of a Swiftie too Josh
— RonniSalt (@RonniSalt) June 27, 2023
‘Gambling ads should be banned by footy finals’, says Greens senator
Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens senator, says the government must commit to gambling ad reforms immediately, ahead of footy finals season:
Gambling ads should be banned by footy finals time.
Gambling addiction fuelled by advertising wrecks lives, communities and sport. The power and donations of the gambling lobby also infect our democracy.
These recommendations are welcome but the Greens are concerned that the Government has not backed them immediately. The communications minister can and should act immediately to crack down on gambling ads.
Updated
Commercial TV criticises 'kneejerk' move to ban gambling ads
The pushback against the gambling ad ban proposed by the parliamentary inquiry has begun.
Bridget Fair, Free TV Australia, chief executive said:
While we appreciate that there are concerns in the community regarding the volume of gambling ads, kneejerk moves to implement outright bans will ultimately hurt viewers and the television services they love.
These services are available to every Australian no matter where they live or how much they earn and they are only possible because of advertising revenue.
Commercial television spends more than $1.5bn on Australian content every year, providing Australian audiences with more than 25,000 hours of free local trusted news, Australian drama and entertainment, vital coverage of national emergencies and live and free sport.
Many of the sports broadcasting deals have been agreed to beyond the three year phase out period for advertising.
The government has quite rightly said that it will take its time to consider the committee’s report before responding. Now is the time for a considered response to this important issue.
Our industry is ready to work constructively with the government on measures that would reduce the amount of gambling advertising on television and other platforms, while ensuring that the industry can continue to deliver high quality content to all Australians.
Measures like frequency caps would be a better and more targeted approach to respond to any community concern around volume of advertising. This would build on the current restrictions on gambling advertising, including the existing ban on gambling advertising in live sport before 8.30pm and strict limits in sport after that time. Any further restrictions on gambling advertising must be offset by reductions in the regulatory burdens on commercial broadcasters. In particular, removing spectrum fees which are completely out-of-step with other countries that have already abolished such fees decades ago.
Updated
Frontier Touring puts anti-scalping measures in place for Swift tickets
Frontier Touring announce anti-scalping measures ahead of the Taylor Swift Eras tour tickets sale (going live in less than an hour).
Reselling and/or advertising for resale of any ticket for more than 10% above the face value of the ticket is prohibited.
“Scalpers be warned: If you break [the rules], we’ll have to take your tickets away!”
Victoria and NSW are helping us take steps to combat scalpers with Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour tickets! These rules are in place to help keep tickets in the hands of fans 💜 Scalpers be warned: If you break them, we’ll have to take your tickets away! pic.twitter.com/b1Itl41wpD
— Frontier Touring (@frontiertouring) June 27, 2023
Updated
Qantas announces more structural changes as it overhauls leadership
Qantas has announced a raft of structural changes as it overhauls its leadership ahead of Vanessa Hudson taking over as group chief executive from Alan Joyce in November.
The airline will create a “chief people officer” to “bring together human resources and industrial relations functions, which are currently split”. Recruitment for this role is under way.
Rob Marcolina, the current executive of strategy, people and technology, will move into the chief financial officer role, filling the vacancy left by Hudson when she graduates to CEO in November. Markus Svensson, the current chief customer officer, will replace the retiring Andrew David as CEO of Qantas Domestic from September.
Catriona Larritt has also been appointed to the expanded chief customer and digital officer, while Andrew Monaghan will become the airline’s first chief risk officer. Elsewhere, John Gissing will retire as CEO of regional arm Qantas Link in November, with recruitment under way for a successor.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Qantas’ future leadership plans to take effect from November is that Olivia Wirth is set to remain as CEO of Qantas Loyalty. Wirth had hoped of being selected to succeed Joyce, but lost out to Hudson at the last hurdle, with speculation she might leave the airline as a result.
Updated
Victorian senator promotes Labor’s $286m investment in the arts sector
Federal labor senator for Victoria Jana Stewart says “we’re supporting the arts,” and I say Tis The Damn Season to do so with a bit of Taylor-Swift-wordplay.
Here is how Stewart promotes the government’s investment in new Creative Aus, Music Aus and Creative Workplaces bodies:
We know All Too Well that that the arts sector was left with Bad Blood after a decade of neglect under the Liberal government.
— Senator Jana Stewart (@JanaStewartVIC) June 27, 2023
That's why the Albanese Labor Government is investing in our Bejeweled new bodies - Creative Aus, Music Aus + Creative Workplaces #auspol #TSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/CEh1vw1TuR
Stewart continues:
The Australian arts sector is Out of the Woods now thanks to this milestone in the Albanese Labor Government’s $286m investment in Cultural Policy: Revive.
Future legislation will also embed a First Nations led body within Creative Australia. I hope you’re … Ready For It.
Updated
Tabcorp welcomes online gambling ad restrictions
Tabcorp, Australia’s largest gambling company, says today’s online gambling report recommending ad restrictions are important “for the sustainability of our industry”.
Tabcorp chief executive officer, Adam Rytenskild, says:
This is an important moment for the sustainability of our industry. The proliferation of gambling advertising has gone too far. Families do not want to be bombarded with gambling advertising when they are watching TV at home.
Tabcorp welcomes the committee’s recommendation for a nationally consistent regulatory framework. All wagering operators should have to adhere to the same regulations.
Tabcorp committed to not advertising on free to air television between 6.30am-8.30pm from next year as part of its submission to the report inquiry. They also called for a national regulator.
Updated
Police confirm search for missing Tasmanian woman is ongoing today
The search for missing woman Celine Cremer is ongoing today, the Tasmania department of police, fire and emergency management have confirmed.
On Monday, police received a concern for welfare report for the Belgium woman, who is travelling Tasmania, driving a white Honda CRV. She has not been in contact with family or friends since 12 June.
Yesterday, police searched the Philosopher Falls track area at Waratah. Her vehicle was located unattended in a car park.
Search and rescue members, assisted by a police drone, have been conducting searches in the area.
More to come.
Updated
Photographer arrested in Tasmanian forest where Swift parrot is being logged
The habitat of the Swift (parrot, not singer) is under threat because of logging in Tasmania – and a wildlife photographer Rob Blakers has been arrested in protest.
Good morning only to swift parrots- their breeding habitat is still being ruthlessly logged in Tasmania despite their critically endangered status pic.twitter.com/36euP6UwhD
— Dr SWIFT PARROT (@teamswiftparrot) June 27, 2023
Last summer, Blakers spent time in the Eastern Tiers forest reserve (two hours’ drive north-east of Hobart), climbing trees to take photos of the critically endangered swift parrot. He estimates 30 (4% of the estimated remaining wild population) nesting and feeding in the area.
On Tuesday, Blakers returned to the same patch of forest planning to get arrested as part of a logging coupe against the Tasmanian government logging agency, Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
Read the full story from Adam Morton here:
Updated
Government to consider gambling ad report
Anthony Albanese’s government has received the final report of the inquiry into online gambling, “welcomes the report” and “will now consider the Committee’s 31 recommendations,” according to a statement from Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland.
Rowland says the Government is committed to ensuring that online gambling occurs within a “robust legislative framework with strong consumer protections”.
This report provides a comprehensive review of online gambling, and outlines options to reduce gambling harms in Australia.
The Government will now consider the report and its recommendations in full, and in consultation with key stakeholders, before outlining proposed reforms.
Move to ban religious vilification in NSW
Inciting hatred, contempt or ridiculing someone because of their religious beliefs is set to become a crime in NSW, AAP reports.
The NSW government has flagged plans to introduce legislation making unlawful vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity.
This would provide faith communities with similar protections granted to members of diverse and multicultural communities.
Multiculturalism minister Steve Kamper says religious vilification is on the rise:
This is unacceptable.
Members of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths have all raised concerns about the growing levels of intolerance towards members of their communities.
Updated
‘Get a life’: Bill Shorten condemns Taylor Swift ticket scalpers
Taylor Swift tickets join the conversation between Bill Shorten and Patricia Karvelas on ABC RN this morning.
Shorten, the minister for government services, tells ticket scalpers to “get a life”.
My gut reaction is anyone who’s seeking to carve a margin above the registered price is being opportunistic. It’s not behaviour I support. I know that in the past different governments and put in limits on what scalpers can do.
I just say to people who think that it’s good to rip off a family or some teenage girls who want to go and listen to TayTay you know, really, is that your business model? Really? Get a life.
Updated
Ads for online gambling should be banned to protect ‘vulnerable’ children, a parliamentary inquiry finds
A parliamentary inquiry recommends ads for online gambling be banned across all media, at all times, within three years, to combat the manipulation of an “impressionable and vulnerable audience”.
After 40+ hours of public hearings, our committee report is out today, recommending a ban on ads for online gambling. Now it’s up to Govt - will they respond, despite the $50m in donations to major parties from gambling co’s in the last 10 years? #auspol https://t.co/tqoCK9ebKp
— Kate Chaney (@ChaneyforCurtin) June 27, 2023
After months of debate about betting ads (including prime minister Anthony Albanese calling them “annoying”), the inquiry provides a blueprint to shut them down entirely.
You can read the full details from Paul Karp here:
Updated
AFL coach uses hall of fame induction to advocate for voice to parliament
Port Adelaide’s only AFL premiership coach has used his hall of fame induction to advocate for Indigenous footballers and a ‘Yes’ vote in the Voice referendum, AAP reports.
Mark Williams says he remains in football because he loves of working with people from all backgrounds.
The Aboriginal people, I absolutely love. I really admire the AFL for talking and standing up for the ‘Yes’ vote for the voice.
I am saying we have to do the right thing and understand how bloody hard it is for the Aboriginal players to make their way in the AFL.
Updated
Historical societies say banning hate symbols could impact history preservation
Historical societies are also concerned about the proposal to ban Nazi and Islamic State symbols, AAP reports. They worry it will limit education and the preservation of history, and impact memorabilia value.
The bill would make it an offence to sell, rent or lease memorabilia containing the banned symbols. (Displaying the symbols for journalistic, educational or artistic purposes would be exempt from the ban.)
But Geelong military re-enactment group and historical society say a blanket approach would impact re-enactors who purchase and display the items, and did not acknowledge nuances associated with Nazi memorabilia.
In a joint submission to the committee examining the proposal, they said:
Modellers need to be able to purchase these items (and) symbols, let alone the basic right of Australian citizens to partake in the legitimate hobby of collecting modelling military items.
Updated
Islamic Centre raises ‘deep concerns’ over its flag’s inclusion in proposed ban of hate symbols
Faith groups aren’t happy about a proposed law to ban hate symbols, AAP reports. They worry the ban will have consequences for religious practice.
If passed, the criminal code would be amended to prohibit hate symbols (including the Nazi hakenkreuz, the Nazi double sig rune and the IS flag). People who display the insignia would face the prospect of prison time.
The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, says it would send a clear message that there is no excuse for displays of hate in Australia.
But the Canberra Islamic Centre raised “deep concerns” over the flag’s inclusion.
In a submission to the committee examining the proposal, the Canberra Islamic Centre president, Ilyas Rahaman, said:
The words inscribed on the Islamic flag are sacred words and written by Muslims on a daily basis.
These words are taken directly from our scripture, the Holy Quran, and therefore cannot be subject to a ban.
No explanation was provided in the legislation about its background or meaning, and the Muslim community was not given an opportunity to explain the misappropriation of the Islamic flag by the terrorist organisation, they said.
Ramahan says the Muslim community condemns IS, but the flag did not belong to or represent the terrorist group. He requests the flag be removed from the proposed ban.
Updated
Marles heads to Solomon Islands for security talks
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, will hold talks with the prime minister of Solomon Islands during a two-day trip to the Pacific island country this week.
China’s signing of a security agreement with Solomon Islands in the run-up to the Australian election last year became a topic of intense political debate, with the then Labor opposition accusing the then Morrison government of dropping the ball in the Pacific.
Marles will fly to the capital, Honiara, today. During the two-day visit he is expected to make the case that Australia and Solomon Islands are “enduring partners” whose future prosperity and security are “closely linked”.
Marles, who is defence minister, will meet Australian and Pacific personal deployed to the regional Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF). According to an Australian government statement, the SIAF “demonstrates that when the Pacific family works together, we can respond to the peace and security needs of our region”.
The statement said Marles would meet the prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, and a range of government and community leaders to discuss mitigating the effects of climate change and boosting collective maritime security.
Marles said:
I look forward to visiting Solomon Islands for the first time in my capacity as deputy prime minister and minister for defence. This visit will build on the longstanding partnership between our two nations, shaped by enduring connections, shared values and our joint efforts towards a secure and prosperous Pacific region.
Our partnership is more important than ever. That is why we will continue to ensure Australia’s engagement across all sectors – including on jobs, health and security – is responsive to Solomon Islands’ needs and fit-for-purpose.
Updated
Three Australian unis rank in QS World’s top 20 list
Three Australian universities have made the top 20 of QS World University Rankings – and six are in the top 50.
The University of Melbourne ranked 14th (a historic high for any Australian university). The University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney tied for 19th place.
Making the top 50 are The Australian National University (34), Monash University (42) and the University of Queensland (43).
You can read the full story from Caitlin Cassidy here:
Updated
Thanks to Martin Farrer for manning the blog this morning.
I’m Rafqa Touma, and I’ll be rolling the news updates through the morning. Let’s get into it.
Budget surplus likely to eclipse $4.2bn forecast in May, says Chalmers
More on the budget surplus and the treasurer, Jim Chalmers’, speech this morning, as reported by Australian Associated Press:
The surplus is likely to eclipse the slender $4.2bn forecast in the May budget, as a combination of higher revenues and lower payments has paved the way for the first budget surplus in 15 years, but the budget’s time in the black is likely to be fleeting.
The budget is expected to return to deficits after this financial year as commodity prices fall and the labour market cools, although the size of these forecast deficits has shrunk compared to earlier predictions.
Updated
Budget surplus bigger than expected, says Chalmers
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is addressing the Northern Territory property council breakfast on Wednesday, giving a significant new update on Labor’s back in black budget.
In May Chalmers handed down Labor’s first full-year budget which projected a $4bn surplus this financial year.
On Wednesday, Chalmers said:
We said in May that we expected all this to result in a surplus for 2022-23 – the first in 15 years. We were deliberately cautious and conservative, restrained and responsible when it came to this, given this history.
So, I’m pleased to say that two days out from the end of the financial year, we’re still on track. In fact, we’re in a significantly better position than we forecast. Today, I can reveal that we’re expecting the surplus will be bigger than forecast in May.
We welcome this – and not because we’ve been waiting to screen print a few thousand bumper stickers. Or sell a whole bunch of Back in Black mugs. But because it means delivering on what we’ve set out to do, rebuilding our buffers and taking more heat out of the economy just as it’s needed to combat inflation. A better budget position will help us to build a better economy, and a better country – one that gives working people the security, stability and prosperity they deserve.
Updated
NSW Fair Trading to investigate Viagogo after Swift resale tickets soar
We have more from Steph on the Swift frenzy coming your way today:
The New South Wales’ government’s consumer affairs office has confirmed it’s investigating resales of Taylor Swift concert tickets on reselling platform Viagogo.
The investigation comes after this masthead reported on Tuesday that tickets to Swift’s Sydney and Melbourne concerts were being sold through Viagogo at hugely inflated prices – in some cases up to 249% the cost of the most expensive VIP ticket packages – just hours after an exclusive, limited presale opened on Monday.
New South Wales’ anti-scalping laws restrict ticket resales to a maximum of 110% of the value of the original ticket price.
A spokesperson for NSW Fair Trading told Guardian Australia that the department was “making active inquiries into Taylor Swift tickets being sold on Viagogo”.
The spokesperson said:
In 2021, NSW Fair Trading issued a public warning telling consumers not to deal with Viagogo after receiving hundreds of complaints against the Swiss-based company, many of which related directly to allegations of illegal ticket reselling.
NSW Fair Trading has received 62 complaints and 49 inquiries from consumers about Viagogo in the past year.
On Tuesday, the Victorian government moved to designate the Swift concerts as “major events”, triggering anti-scalping provisions in state legislation after tickets to Melbourne shows were seen listed on resale sites for more than $3100.
Viagogo told Guardian Australia on Tuesday:
[We are] monitoring the on-sale for Taylor Swift and the inventory on our site from sellers closely to ensure fulfilment and that these tickets are abiding by local laws, in line with our guarantee. We are actively reviewing listings and will take action as necessary.
Swifties gear up for second day of presale tickets for Australian Eras tour
Taylor Swift fans are gearing up for a second presale ticket frenzy, scheduled to begin at 10am today.
This second tranche of tickets will be made available to members of Frontier Touring, and demand is expected to be even higher than it was earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Ticketek, the official ticketing outlet for Swift’s Australian Eras tour dates, told Guardian Australia that the company expected at least 10 times the amount of people attempting to access tickets on Wednesday as they experienced on Monday, with the limited American Express presale.
Monday’s presale was plagued with problems after the Amex site crashed half an hour before tickets were due to go on sale for the Sydney shows.
The general release of tickets for Swift’s Melbourne and Sydney shows in February 2024 is scheduled for Friday.
The Ticketek spokesperson had the following advice for fans hoping to snag a ticket at either remaining sale event this week:
Queueing is a necessary part of the purchasing process. A way of ensuring fair access to tickets for all fans.
Fans must remember to not leave the Lounge page or refresh their browser. The page will refresh itself frequently to let more fans through to purchase.
Once fans are in the Lounge, they should sit tight and wait to be let through to the event page. And then once they’re through they need to remember to keep an eye on the timer and complete their purchase within the time frame.
✨More to know! ✨
— The Eras Tour (@TSTheErasTour) June 27, 2023
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour kicks off tomorrow! Make sure you’re prepared for PRE-SALE !
Sydney - 10AM
Melbourne - 2PM #SydneyTStheErasTour #MelbourneTStheErasTour #TSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/sKctdyrh5E
Updated
Welcome
Morning and welcome to our live news coverage. This is Martin Farrer bringing you some overnight news developments before my colleague Rafqa Touma gets started on the main business of the day.
In some good news, three Australian universities have made the top 20 list of world’s best – the first time Australian institutions have made the highest echelons of the rankings. Academic reputation, employment outcomes, international research and sustainability have helped the University of Melbourne (14th), and the universities of Sydney and New South Wales (joint 19th) climb the list compiled by the prestigious QS World University Rankings. Mark Scott, vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, which jumped 22 places, said they were “outstanding results”.
We’ll be hearing a lot about the cost of living today with the inflation figures from May due out at 11.30 this morning. The good news is that the rate is expected to fall again from the 6.8% recorded in April to 6.1% last month. The bad news is that bringing the rate down further towards the “normal” band between 1 and 3% could take a lot longer. In addition, some commentators think the Reserve Bank could still hike rates again next week in order to make sure price rises keep coming down.
And speaking of economic matters, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is expected to announce today that the 2022-23 budget surplus revealed in May is looking even bigger than forecast. He’s happy about that, he is due to say, because it means “delivering on what we’ve set out to do”.
But the really important news is that there are more Taylor Swift tickets going on sale today. There is likely to be a lot of interest, to put it mildly. Ticketek, the official ticketing outlet, is urging fans to be patient and follow the queueing system online. More coming up.
