What we learned, 20 October 2024
With that we’re wrapping up the blog. Before we go, here are the major stories from Sunday:
King Charles and Queen Camilla have made their first appearance on their visit to Australia, attending a Sydney church;
The Queensland LNP has officially launched its election campaign, with the family of a stabbing victim helping to open the event;
The Queensland opposition leader promised to introduce mandatory isolation periods for children in youth detention if they assault guards;
In his first address since landing in Australia, King Charles praised democracy and the legacy of governmental process in a speech to NSW parliament;
Labor senator Murray Watt dismissed the federal Coalition’s proposal to remove housing efficiency regulations to speed up development as a “road to nowhere”.
Jane Hume has backed in Peter Dutton over an exchange with an ABC journalist where the leader of the opposition accused the ABC of being “activist”.
We’ll pick things up again tomorrow.
Updated
Tasmanian premier reshuffles cabinet after two ministerial resignations in one week
Tasmania’s government has promised to maintain the state’s momentum after reshuffling cabinet after the departure of two ministers in the space of a week.
The premier, Jeremy Rockliff, announced on Sunday the return of former minister Jacquie Petrusma and the addition of former Sorell mayor Kerry Vincent, in changes forced by the resignations of his deputy and then finance minister.
As the government approaches the 200-day mark since being elected … I am confident that the refreshed cabinet will keep Tasmania moving forward.
When asked during the announcement whether a reshuffle so early in a parliamentary term will mean certainty, Rockliff said: “It’s an indication that we’re getting on with the job.”
Petrusma will be given the health, veterans’ affairs and Aboriginal affairs portfolios, the latter of which she has previously held, while Vincent will become minister for infrastructure and local government.
Michael Ferguson resigned as deputy premier and treasurer on Monday as pressure mounted due to his oversight of delays and cost blowouts in the delivery of new $900m Spirit of Tasmania ferries.
The already unsteady minority government was rocked again on Friday when Nic Street said he would be leaving his ministerial position after facing mental health struggles. He was the minister for finance, local government, and sport and events.
The premier’s portfolio has been halved in the reshuffle, with the infrastructure portfolio given to Vincent and the small business and consumer affairs portfolio handed to Felix Ellis.
Guy Barnett, who took up the role of deputy premier the day after Ferguson resigned, adds treasurer to his job description while retaining the roles of attorney-general and justice minister.
The new fiscal portfolio could offer a significant challenge to the Treasurer after the state budget forecast net debt more than doubling to $8.6bn in 2027/28.
Asked about balancing the roles, Barnett told journalists he was “very confident” and does not “mind hard work”.
– AAP
Updated
New Zealanders emigrating in record numbers, with almost 5% of population leaving in last two years
New Zealand is experiencing never-before-seen levels of emigration, with a large number of Kiwis heading for Australia.
In the year to August, Stats NZ reports a record 134,000 people migrated from New Zealand. In the year before, 115,000 did so, meaning a quarter of a million people, or almost 5% of the population, have left in the past two years.
New Zealand saw 188,800 migrant arrivals in the year to August 2024 (down 17% on the same period in 2023) meaning net migration was a gain of 53,800 people.
The ABS holds data on the number of NZ citizens moving to Australia, which is running at the highest level in over a decade.
In the year to March, about 47,000 made the move, for a net loss of almost 30,000.
This is largely viewed a function of New Zealand’s post-pandemic economic malaise, in and out of recession for two years. However, privately, some New Zealand leaders hold concerns Australia’s open door is exacerbating the brain drain.
The finance minister, Nicola Willis, has sought to blame the country’s previous Labour government for the situation.
It’s a reflection of the situation the country was left in after six years of a Labour government.
We had an economy that had a dire cost-of-living crisis, inflation out of control, interest rates had skyrocketed, and that has had a punishing effect on the economy.
The opposition leader, Chris Hipkins, meanwhile, says emigration is a “vote of no confidence in the current government”.
In the building and construction sector we are seeing an exodus of talent, there 10,000 fewer jobs in that sector now than … just one year ago.
A lot of those people are highly skilled people who are in demand around the world so they’ve jumped on a plane and they’ve got other work.
– AAP
Updated
Residents in nuclear target areas mixed on Coalition plan to replace coal-fired power plants
Some nights, when the wind blows from the east, Yvonne Johnstone goes to sleep to the hum of the Tarong power station. Occasionally, she finds ash from the coal-fired plant scattered among the vegetables and fruit trees of her five-acre block. “It forms a ring,” she says.
As if it’s gone up in a cloud and then fallen.
Johnstone doesn’t think twice about it – but what of federal opposition leader Peter Dutton’s proposal to build a nuclear reactor within cooee of her smartly painted, corrugated iron home?
Dutton and the Coalition’s proposal is to build seven nuclear power plants across Australia along with two proposed small modular reactors. The opposition wants them in Tarong and Callide in Queensland; Mount Piper and Liddell in New South Wales; Collie in Western Australia; Loy Yang in Victoria; and the former site of the Northern power station in Port Paterson, South Australia. The sites are mostly in Coalition seats.
The Queensland LNP’s leader, David Crisafulli, facing an election, has been steadfast in his defiance of Dutton’s plan for the Queensland sites. He says he would oppose them if elected at the 26 October poll and has repeatedly ruled out repealing the state’s nuclear ban under any circumstances.
But Dutton, a fellow Queenslander, has previously suggested overriding state legislation.
“When you hear nuclear, of course you start to panic,” Johnstone, a retired biscuit factory worker, says. “But I’m sure that they can’t just have something that dangerous in a suburb.
I’m a person that buries her head in the sand, I suppose, and gets on with what I want to do.
For more on this story, read the full feature story by Guardian Australia’s Joe Hinchliffe:
Updated
Swing to independents in ACT election shows ‘growing appetite’ for change, David Pocock says
Independent senator David Pocock has been buoyed by the outcome of the ACT election, which rewarded independent candidates over the traditional parties.
Pocock said that the swings away from the major parties in the ACT and NSW showed the public had a desire for change.
This shows there is a growing, rather than a diminishing, appetite from Australians for people in parliament who are there to directly represent the community, not major parties or vested interests.
The finance minister (and former ACT chief minister), Katy Gallagher, meanwhile, said that while Labor had continued its reign in the territory, the outcome showed that people were looking away from the major parties, saying: “It could continue”.
We’re going to have to campaign hard to hold those (Canberra-based) seats and in the Senate as well.
There’s a rusted-on Liberal vote in this town. Senator Pocock took Green-Labor votes, he only took a very small percentage of Liberal votes.
– AAP
Updated
Analysts on the lookout for jobs comments from RBA deputy governor
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s second-in-command will have an opportunity to opine on a robust jobs readout as anxious borrowers await good news.
A fireside chat with RBA deputy governor, Andrew Hauser, is on the agenda at the Commonwealth Bank’s global markets conference on Monday, where he is likely to face questions on the labour market.
Any insights into the trajectory for interest rates will be welcomed by stretched borrowers, with hopes for cuts earlier than the February 2025 – or later – timeline pencilled in by most economists.
The 64,100 jobs added to the economy comfortably beat expectations and the unemployment rate held at 4.1% from a downwardly revised figure in August.
September’s inarguably hot labour market figures sparked questions for the inflation outlook and when easing could be expected.
– AAP
Updated
Auction activity remains stable
Auction activity has remained stable this weekend with 2,510 auctions to be held.
This is just below the 2,598 held last week and a gain on the 2,463 auctions that occurred at the same time last year.
Based on results collected so far, CoreLogic’s summary found that the preliminary clearance rate was 67.5% across the country, which is higher than the 65.7% preliminary rate recorded last week but well above the 60.8% actual rate on final numbers.
Across the capital cities:
Sydney: 713 of 978 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 70.5%
Melbourne: 754 of 1069 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 69.2%
Brisbane: 170 0f 227 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 47.6%
Adelaide: 82 of 145 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 72%
Canberra: 45 of 71 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 55.6%
Tasmania: One auction to be held.
Perth: Seven of 19 auctions held.
Updated
Stripping Mike Pezzullo of Order of Australia honours should have been more ‘transparent’, Jane Hume says
The shadow finance minister, Jane Hume, says the decision to strip an Order of Australia honour from former top bureaucrat, Mike Pezzullo, should be more transparent.
Speaking on Sky this morning, Hume said:
I feel that perhaps if we’re going to create integrity and trust in the merit system, well, perhaps these decisions should be made transparent.
Pezzullo’s appointment as an officer to the Order of Australia was stripped on 26 September 2024, according to a document signed by the official secretary to the governor general, but not publicly available until Thursday.
The former home affairs department secretary was sacked in November 2023 after an independent inquiry found he had breached the government’s code of conduct at least 14 times, including for using his power for personal benefit. The inquiry had been probing a series of text messages he had sent to a Liberal party insider in an alleged attempt to influence political processes.
On Friday, Pezzullo said the decision to remove his appointment didn’t “amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world”.
The finance minister, Katy Gallagher, told Sky on Sunday the decision was a matter for the Council of the Order of Australia and played no role in it.
[Pezzullo] was a long-term, career public servant in Canberra. He did many good things, but this is a matter for the council. They’ve had a look at it, they’ve considered it against their criteria and they made a recommendation to the Governor-General.
Updated
Royals’ tour of Sydney concludes, heads to Canberra tomorrow
King Charles’s formal itinerary has concluded for the day, after a visit with the governor-general, Sam Mostyn, and the NSW governor, Margaret Beazley.
Just one photographer and one TV camera were allowed to accompany the king on the reception at Admiralty House – the official residence of the governor-general in Kirribilli.
Locals had their first chance to spot the king outside St Thomas’ Anglican church earlier today, prior to his speech at NSW parliament house. Tomorrow, he’ll be off to Canberra, where there is a packed schedule.
The trip will start with an official greeting party with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, after which he will lay a wreath in the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial. The king and queen will then greet the public on the way to the For our Country memorial, followed by a trip to Parliament House.
Later in the afternoon, the royal couple will plant a tree each on the grounds of Government House, and head to the Botanic Gardens where they’ll hear about the impacts of climate change on flora.
Updated
ABC journalists’ questions to Dutton not biased but ‘activist’, Hume says
Sky host, Andrew Clennell, asked whether Jane Hume would “caution” the opposition leader over his reaction as the federal election campaign nears.
Hume responded:
I think that the questions that are being asked of Peter Dutton potentially come from a more activist position, an ideological position, and particularly from the national broadcaster, we would expect a level of balance in not just their reporting, but in the way that the questions are framed.
Hume dismissed the suggestion Dutton’s response was related to the journalists’ gender, before saying there would be no cuts to ABC funding.
Hume said she didn’t think the ABC journalists were “biased” but thought “they were activists”.
That’s very different.
Updated
Jane Hume defends Peter Dutton over testy exchange with ABC journalist
The opposition finance spokesperson, Jane Hume, has defended Peter Dutton’s recent clashes with ABC journalists, claiming the questions took “activist” and “ideological” approaches.
At a press conference in Western Australia on Friday, ABC journalist Bridget McArthur asked how the opposition leader could claim there was wide support for a nuclear reactor in Collie, a town in the state’s south-west.
Dutton responded: “How do you know that they don’t [support it]?”
My first tango with Peter Dutton. Sadly didn’t get a whole lot of time for questions. Costing/timeline for costing for nuclear still TBC https://t.co/e1w4wRl6F3
— Bridget McArthur (she/her) (@bridgemac1) October 18, 2024
The journalist said she had spoken to a number of people in Collie while adding she hadn’t seen Dutton speak to a “single member of the public”.
Before being cut off, Dutton accused the ABC journalist of being an advocate: “You can all be advocates and play your games …”
The reporter said:
I don’t have a bias, you might have a bias against the ABC … I ask [energy minister] Chris Bowen the kind of questions I ask you and I promise you I don’t [have a bias].
Dutton replied:
Well, you can be an advocate or be a journalist, but I think the ABC, using taxpayers’ money …
The journalist disputed the question as coming from an advocacy position, saying she wanted to know why Dutton hadn’t “met with the people”.
Dutton responded:
I think your job is to be impartial.
Updated
Australia reviewing all military export permits to Israel
Australia is carrying out a review of all 66 defence-related export permits for Israel that were approved prior to the Gaza conflict.
Guardian Australia understands the review is being done in a similar manner to the UK government’s recent reassessment of arms licences to Israel, with the outcome to be announced “in coming months”.
Sources said the Department of Defence was weighing up each permit on a case-by-case basis and considering how it fits with Australia’s international obligations, including with respect to human rights.
A defence spokesperson confirmed the review was progressing:
As circumstances in the Middle East evolve, Australia continues to scrutinise pre-existing export permits to Israel to ensure they align with our calibrated approach.
The federal government has repeatedly stated that Australia “has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the conflict began and for at least the past five years”, and it continues to maintain that position.
But the government has faced criticism for failing to be transparent about what each permit covers. It has also defended Australia’s supply of parts for the global supply chain for the F-35 fighter aircraft. Israel has used F-35 aircraft in Gaza.
For more this story, read the full report by Guardian Australia’s Daniel Hurst:
Updated
Status quo ‘not an option’, Jacinta Allan says of taller buildings plan
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has announced that her government will intervene in the planning process to build thousands more homes near public transport centres across Melbourne.
In a press conference today, Allan said her government would increase density in 50 inner-Melbourne areas near public transport to help them “become places where we can build more quality homes”:
This is where these homes should go, close too public transport, close to jobs and services and schools, and close to opportunity, particularly for those who might want to live in the area where they grew up, they might want to live close to mum and dad or other family, because that’s where we get our support from.
The premier also took aim at Liberal party members who attended the press conference as part of a protest citing concerns about alleged plans to build 20-storey tower blocks in the area:
The status quo is not an option. We are faced with a choice. We are faced with a choice in 2024 we can either continue to accept the status quo, we can continue to respond to the loudest voices who want to block, who want to block every single project, like the Liberal party have done for year upon year, or we can take a choice and go down a path of facing into those challenges, working with industry on their challenges, but most importantly, working with the Victorian community to build more homes, to provide more opportunities for Victorians to be able to get into a home, start a family, build their long-term wealth and have the secure future that they deserve.
Under the plan “taller buildings” of between 10 and 20 storeys near the stations will be allowed, and low-rise apartments and townhouses of between three and six storeys alongside existing homes in the “walkable catchments” surrounding them will be allowed.
The premier describe claims that the government will allow significant numbers of 20-storey high-rise apartments as “mischief” saying that the government will engage in a “street by street, community by community” consultation process about “how to build more homes in the right locations with the train services, the tram services, the local infrastructure, the schools and open space that go alongside building communities, alongside building homes:
Why would anyone want to stand in the way of addressing this most critical issue that young Victorians face week in, week out.
Updated
Fellowship program established with donation from king
The Association of Commonwealth Universities will launch a fellowship program for those looking to work on issues affecting island nations who are members of the British Commonwealth.
Known as Commonwealth small island development nations, or “Sids”, these countries are some of the most vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks.
The announcement has been timed with King Charles’ visit to Australia and will open up opportunities for mid-career professionals, undergraduates and PhD students to access support to work on issues including climate change and inequality.
The king’s Commonwealth fellowship programme has been “inspired” by the king and established with a personal donation from the monarch. Activities included in the program will take place in-country and emphasise local impact and retaining skills and talent.
King Charles said the program was an extension of his belief in “the power of education to improve lives and unite communities across the Commonwealth and beyond”:
There is so much we can learn from one another as we work together within the Commonwealth to tackle the major challenges of our age and, as these Fellowships do in Small Island Developing States, to address them where they are felt most acutely.
It is my fervent hope that these new Fellowships will play a significant role in furthering the free exchange of knowledge and advancing the spirit of mutual support that lies at the heart of our Commonwealth - today, tomorrow and towards a brighter future for all.
Prof Colin Riordan, ACU secretary general and chief executive, said the program would provide important opportunities:
Creating opportunities and facilitating knowledge exchange are at the heart of what we do, and drawing on our longstanding expertise in scholarships and the local knowledge of our member universities in Commonwealth Small Island Developing States, we are proud to work in partnership with our members in a range of Commonwealth countries to support the delivery of this important SIDS-focussed legacy programme in His Majesty’s name.
Updated
Teal independent claims Liberal heartland seat of Pittwater in NSW byelection
A Climate 200-backed independent is on track to secure a comfortable victory in the latest contest between the Liberal party and teal candidates.
The Liberals were defending three heartland seats in northern Sydney byelections on Saturday, and were on track to easily hold two of those as votes were counted on Saturday night.
The independent Jacqui Scruby, a Climate 200-backed former adviser to federal MPs Zali Steggall and Sophie Scamps, opened up a large lead over Liberal opponent Georgia Ryburn in Pittwater.
Late in the evening the NSW Electoral Commission reported Scruby was ahead with 55% of the two-party preferred count.
While the rising cost of living played a role in the campaign, much of it whittled down to who was from the area known as the “insular peninsula”.
For more on this story, read the full report:
Updated
Investigators give all-clear after bomb threat on Wellington-to-Sydney flight
Australian federal police have given the all-clear after a bomb threat onboard a plane stuck on the tarmac at Sydney airport.
A member of staff raised the alarm after a safety issue was detected on a plane carrying 150 passengers from Wellington at 5.40pm yesterday.
An AFP spokesperson said the plane had been “isolated” at the end of the tarmac while an investigation took place:
About 4.50pm yesterday, AFP members at Sydney Airport responded to reports of an incident on board a flight enroute to the airport.
Upon landing, the aircraft was isolated at the end of a runway away from the airport’s terminals.
A thorough search of the aircraft, as well as the luggage and all passengers on board, was undertaken and nothing suspicious was found.
Investigations are continuing. The AFP will provide updates at the appropriate time.
Updated
Murray Watt repeats government’s stance ruling out changing tax concessions for investment properties
Murray Watt was also pressed on ABC’s Insiders this morning about the Albanese government’s appetite to change tax concessions for residential property investors.
The housing debate has revolved around whether changes to capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing could help get more Australians into home ownership.
It was Labor’s policy between 2016 and 2021 to halve CGT discounts from 50% to 25% and to limit negative gearing to newly built homes only. It was dumped after former leader Bill Shorten took the proposal to two federal elections and lost.
The topic reared its head again this week after some federal Labor MPs suggested reducing CGT discounts could help win back voters after backlash against Anthony Albanese’s decision to buy a $4.3m waterfront home on the NSW Central Coast in the middle of a housing crisis.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, appeared to definitively rule out negative gearing on Thursday but other frontbenchers have been more cautious on their phrasing.
Still, Watt wasn’t willing to budge today, despite repeated attempts by the show’s host, David Speers.
Watt said it was “not part of our plan”:
I haven’t received any [department] advice to my knowledge that [CGT or negative gearing changes] will make a substantial difference to housing supply.
Asked whether he personally supported keeping the generous tax concessions, he said:
I haven’t put that case within government … as the owner of one home that is heavily mortgaged to the bank, [benefiting from negative gearing and CGT concessions is] not something that I’m planning to do any time soon. And as I say, I haven’t put that view forward to my colleagues, and I’m not aware of my other colleagues having decided to do that either.
Updated
Labor senator dismisses Coalition housing policy as 'road to nowhere'
The workplace relations minister, Murray Watt, appeared on ABC’s Insiders program this morning where he dismissed the opposition’s new housing policy as “pretty much exactly the same” as Labor’s.
Yesterday Peter Dutton announced a $5bn housing plan to kickstart greenfield housing developments across the country on a “use it or lose it” basis.
The funding, in the form of grants and concessional loans, will go to industry and local and state governments to enabling infrastructure like water, power, sewerage – a role usually left to state and territory governments.
Dutton also announced a 10-year freeze to building code changes, if elected. The opposition claims up to 500,000 houses could be built as a result of the plan.
Similarly, the Albanese government’s housing support program has offered $500m to state, territory and local governments until mid-2025 as part of its pledge to build 1.2m homes by the end of the decade.
Watt said today:
It’s pretty revealing that after all of this time, the only plan that Peter Dutton has put forward is pretty much exactly the same plan that we’ve had operating for months … what [Dutton]’s talking about is a road to nowhere. He’ll provide the infrastructure works – the same works that we are providing – but he won’t be providing the housing, which we’re providing, at the end of those roads.
Updated
How the king’s visit to NSW parliament unfolded
Several hundred people lined Macquarie Street to watch King Charles’s arrival at the NSW state parliament. He stepped out of a black car wearing a beige suit and a pale pink pocket square, and was greeted at the entrance by the NSW governor, Margaret Beazley, and state parliament dignitaries.
He was visiting to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the NSW upper house.
First, he was led by the legislative council president, Ben Franklin, to a new painting in the parliament’s lobby by the Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung artist Kim Healey, which was commissioned to mark the legislative council’s bicentenary. It features the Southern Cross, to guide both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It’s the first Indigenous artwork in parliament.
The king asked whether it was painted; Franklin answered in the affirmative.
He then moved to the dining room, where the premier, Chris Minns, the chief justice, Andrew Bell, and parliamentarians were waiting.
Police trumpeters played as he walked into the room. He was introduced as the king of Australia, and, as someone shouted “hooray”, one of the guests laughed. Many of the parliamentarians held up their phones to photograph him as he walked to the lectern. He spoke to a few as he walked into the room.
King Charles was introduced by Franklin, who described the monarch’s visit as a privilege.
The king then addressed the gathering.
After departing, he stopped for a moment to greet people in the crowd, shook hands with several of them and thanked them for their good wishes.
– Jordan Baker, pool reporter
Updated
Marking the passage of time
King Charles said democracy had an “extraordinary capacity for innovation, compromise and adaptability, as well as stability”.
The king first visited Australia six decades ago, and he said it had continued to uphold “strong representative tradition”.
In the spirit of marking the “passage of time”, he presented an hourglass speech timer to the parliament, to “bear witness” on parliament’s next chapter.
Updated
‘Democratic systems must evolve to remain fit for purpose,’ king says
King Charles continued to reflect on how original council members were “squeezed into the old government house” and moved into borrowed rooms in the current building:
From that vantage point, regardless of their optimism, it was no doubt impossible to imagine what is now the vast and vibrant state of New South Wales, which has grown and evolved alongside this legislature, to reflect on the story of this institution and this state is to see the promise and power of representative democracy.
Generations of voices have been brought together throughout discussion and debate, grappling with each day’s challenges and opportunities, holding power to account and driving meaningful change. Democratic systems must evolve, of course, to remain fit for purpose, but they are nevertheless essentially sound systems.
Updated
King praises democracy and legacy of governmental process in speech to NSW parliament
King Charles wasted no time at NSW parliament today, arriving at the bicentenary luncheon and departing in less than 10 minutes.
The guests stood for his arrival and departure and were instructed to remain seated throughout proceedings, with many eagerly filming the event on their iPhones and iPads (yes, someone brought an iPad).
His speech celebrated democracy and the legacy of Australia’s governmental process, with some reminiscing on his previous trips to the nation before he became sovereign:
Having been with you for your 150th anniversary, I am delighted and proud to be able to return to the parliament of New South Wales in order to celebrate the occasion of your bicentenary.
It is fascinating, I think, to reflect back to 200 years ago, and thinking about those times makes me wonder what that inaugural handful of members of the New South Wales legislative council would make of this parliament today, and of how this great state has progressed.
Updated
King presents speech timer hourglass to NSW parliament
King Charles has given a short address to the NSW parliament where he presented a gift to the chamber:
It is, in fact, an hourglass. A speech timer …
[laughter]
to sit in the chamber and bear witness to the legislative council’s next chapter.
So with the sands of time encouraging brevity …
[laughter]
it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as sovereign and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long.
Updated
Crowds queue for glimpse of royals at Sydney church
As the king and queen left the church, they were greeted by hundreds of cheering people, all hoping to catch a glimpse or snap a photo.
Among them were Helen Hetrelezis and her brothers, who arrived at the church at 7.45am – almost three hours before the church service. Their efforts paid off and Hetrelezis was granted a few moments with Camilla after church:
We spoke about her visit, I asked the queen about her stay, she said she was enjoying Sydney very much.
In an unplanned moment, the king and queen went to greet the crowds on the other side of the church, with police scrambling to ensure they were protected.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel said it was a “delight” to have the royal couple attend the local service:
It has been a great pleasure and privilege. It was lovely for this local church to welcome the sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla.
As the royal couple were whisked away in their motorcade, their staff carried dozens of flowers and gifts, while crowds cheered.
Updated
Queensland stabbing victim’s family join LNP election campaign launch
The family of stabbing victim Vyleen White has helped the Queensland Liberal National party to launch its election campaign.
The LNP is promising to introduce “adult time for adult crime” amid claims of a youth crime “crisis” in the state.
White’s death in February was one of several events that has pushed law-and-order issues to the forefront of the campaign.
White’s daughter, Cindy Micaleff, told the crowd of LNP candidates and members in Ipswich she spoke to both the premier, Steven Miles, and the opposition leader, David Crisafulli, after her mother’s death.
She said Crisafulli came alone, with no cameras, and listened to her father:
In our family’s hour of need, both men came to our home. But there was only one who is a true leader.
We as a family will not allow her death to be in vain.
Updated
Queensland opposition leader flags mandatory isolation periods for children in youth detention
Queensland LNP leader, David Crisafulli, says the party will introduce “mandatory isolation periods” for young people who assault youth detention workers.
Crisafulli has announced a new “detention with purpose” policy, which will put children in isolation for bad behaviour. He also says education in youth detention will be compulsory.
There have been longstanding concerns about the amount of education children receive in Queensland’s youth detention system; much of that has been due to the extent that children are kept in isolation.
Crisafulli said children in detention would be punished – for example having televisions removed from their cells – if they do not behave:
Access to food is a human right … access to a television is not.
It’s a privilege. And it should be earned with good behaviour, it should be a reward for good behaviour.
This policy is not about money. It’s about demonstrating a new way. It’s about showing kids they have the structure to turn their life around.
Updated
Guests are arriving for the NSW parliament’s bicentenary luncheon and it’s quite an affair, with native floral bouquets and branded royal chocolates on the tables. Among them is the premier, Chris Minns, and a number of state MPs lucky enough to nab an invite. A logo created for today’s events encourages attenders to:
Reflect, celebrate, imagine.
Updated
More from royal couple’s Sunday service at Sydney church
King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during an intimate Sunday morning service at St Thomas’ Anglican church in North Sydney.
Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped around the church’s property, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church, children waving Australian flags cheered and shook hands with the couple. The queen, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given flowers by the church minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, as she entered the church.
Once inside, the royal couple were bathed in sunlight that poured through the door and stained glass windows. Dozens of phones pointed in their direction while excited whispers echoed through the room.
Despite the important guests, the service was restricted to the local congregation, with only a few special guests allowed to attend, including Australia’s governor general, Sam Mostyn, and the governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley.
Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the king and queen, along with a hope the upcoming commonwealth heads of government meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.
He also asked for world peace and an end to wars.
The service also featured hymns, prayers and readings from the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Acts 8:26-40).
Finally, the church’s minister, Michael Mantle, thanked the king and queen for their attendance and said it was an honour to host them.
The royal couple also signed two Bibles in black pen, including one that belonged to Australia’s first minister, Richard Johnson, who was also the chaplain for the first fleet.
– Laura Chung, pool reporter
Updated
Affluent areas along train lines to be rezoned in Victorian government housing push
The Victorian Labor government is set to seize planning control of some of Melbourne’s most affluent suburbs in an effort to build thousands more homes, setting the stage for a fight with the opposition and local governments.
The premier, Jacinta Allan, will announce an overhaul of planning rules in 50 inner-Melbourne areas located near public transport, including in Brighton, Malvern and Toorak, to allow for greater density.
She will argue young people are now “locked out” of these areas – despite being close to jobs, transport and services – due to low availability and high property prices.
Twenty-five of the 50 new “activity centres” to be unveiled on Sunday include Armadale, Hawksburn, Malvern and Toorak stations on the Frankston railway line, Auburn, Hawthorn and Glenferrie on the Belgrave-Lilydale line and North Brighton, Middle Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham on the Sandringham line.
For more on this story, read the full report from Guardian Australia’s Benita Kolovos:
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King to address NSW parliament
King Charles is fresh off a church service and about to address the NSW legislative council on his third day down under. Australia’s first parliament is celebrating its bicentenary as the oldest parliament in Australia, and what better occasion is there to welcome our monarch?
His majesty won’t be eating but the luncheon program is quite a showstopper, with entrees of chargrilled asparagus and marinated octopus followed by barramundi or confit of duck and lemon meringue pie with native desert lime. Reporters are being offered triangle sandwiches and complimentary mints.
Formalities will be held with the king, followed by an address from the winner of the inaugural NSW parliament regional public speaking competition, Sophia Huckel, chair of Australian history at the University of Sydney, Prof Kirsten McKenzie, and leader of the government in the legislative council, Penny Sharpe.
After his address, the king will be off to receive the governor general, followed by the governor of NSW.
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Queensland LNP launches election campaign
The Queensland LNP’s campaign launch is about to get under way.
The polls appear to be tightening but most still predict that the opposition leader, David Crisafulli, will be elected premier in a week’s time.
Abortion rights have become a key campaign issue and pro-choice and union protesters have gathered outside the event at Ipswich, which is normally Labor heartland.
Some protesters have been calling out at LNP candidates, asking them “How are you going to vote?”, amid the prospect of a conscience vote on abortion and party candidates refusing to outline personal views.
Voters go to the polls on 26 October.
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ACT Labor extends record run to hold government in territory election
Australia’s “forever government” has lived up to its name, with Labor retaining power to extend its record reign in the ACT beyond a quarter of a century.
The ACT Labor leader, Andrew Barr, already the longest-serving political leader in the country, fended off a negative swing and an independent surge to win his third election as chief minister.
While there was still more counting to be done, he told supporters he was confident he could once again form a progressive government with the support of a five-member crossbench:
“We will take the progressive, practical and proven policies we have taken to this election and enact them in government with the support, I hope, of a progressive crossbench that sees value in investing in public housing, public health and public education.
With more than three-quarters of votes tallied, the ABC’s election guru, Antony Green, predicted Labor would cling on to their 10 seats while the Greens would hold three, amounting to the 13 needed to form government in the 25-member legislative assembly.
The Liberals were on track to pick up one seat under their leader Elizabeth Lee, matching Labor on 10, but still saw their share of the vote decline by 0.7%.
For more on this story, read the full report:
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Royals visit Sydney church as Australian tour begins
King Charles and Queen Camilla have made their first public appearance in Australia.
The royals briefly met with children outside St Thomas Anglican church in North Sydney before attending a church service.
The couple flew into Australia on Friday but spent two days recovering from the flight, making Sunday morning their first appearance.
Crowds turned out for a chance to meet the king and queen before an official meet-and-greet at 11.30am.
The couple was also met by a small group of protesters, with one holding a sign that read “decolonise”.
The trip marks King Charles’s first trip to Australia since becoming king. The itinerary has been heavily pared back due to the king’s cancer diagnosis – the treatment for which has been stopped to enable the trip.
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Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday Guardian live blog.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are kicking of their first visit to Australia since the coronation in 2022. The itinerary, which was tightened after the king’s cancer diagnosis, began on Sunday with a church service at St Thomas’ Anglican church in North Sydney.
Labor has declared victory in the ACT election, extending the party’s two-decade hold over the nation’s capital despite a swing against it. The ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, retains the position he has held since 2014 and his party will secure power with the Greens, who have held on to three seats, with two others going to independents.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs and I’ll be taking the blog through the day.
With that, let’s get started …
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