What we learned: Thursday 3 October
With that, we will bid farewell to the blog for the day. Thanks for being with us and, as always, we’ll be back first thing tomorrow.
Here were the major developments of the day:
The pro-Palestine vigil planned for 7 October will be going ahead after organisers revealed it has become a standing vigil, which does not require a form 1 application.
The mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said “shutting down protests is not the answer” and called for protests to be allowed to go ahead, while the premier, Chris Minns, said that stopping the pro-Palestine and Lebanon rally planned for Sunday could protect Sydney’s “critical infrastructure”.
The Australian federal police is investigating nine complaints over alleged public displays of prohibited symbols in Victoria after weekend protests in Melbourne against Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
Acclaimed pianist Jayson Gillham has filed legal proceedings against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the federal court. Gillham, whose performance with the MSO was cancelled after a dedication on stage to Palestinian journalists who had died in the Gaza conflict, alleged that he was “silenced for speaking the truth – that Israel targets journalists”.
And the Australian National University has proposed a reorganisation of its academic structure, with vice-chancellor Prof Genevieve Bell admitting the university is facing “a substantial financial challenge”.
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Continued from previous post:
A Greens spokesperson said the PWSS had been “essential” in supporting MPs and senators’ offices to maintain safe workplaces “despite the challenging nature of political work”.
The PWSS is the independent service established after the Jenkins review into parliament’s culture.
The leader’s office has no legal power to resolve disputes between staff and any individual Senator’s office, and if any member of staff raises a complaint, they are encouraged and offered support to pursue it through the independent PWSS, and that occurred here. The Greens will not comment on any individual cases in relation to staff.
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Bandt cuts press conference short after being questioned about allegations of bullying against senator
Greens leader Adam Bandt has cut a press conference in Perth short after declining to answer a series of questions about steps his office had made to investigate allegations made against the party’s WA senator, Dorinda Cox.
Bandt was responding to a Sydney Morning Herald report on alleged bullying by Cox. The report said 20 staff had quit her office in three years and that several had lodged formal complaints with the parliamentary workplace support service and Bandt’s office alleging a hostile culture.
Bandt told reporters any time a staff member came to him or his team with an issue, it was taken “very seriously”, while neglecting to say whether Cox would keep her First Nations portfolio or if an investigation would be launched.
Senator Dorinda Cox, who was not present at the press conference, told Guardian Australia she was “very proud” of her team and the “hard-working people” that had been a part of it since her election in 2022.
I have continued to work respectfully and collaboratively with my colleagues and team, and will continue to work to incorporate a holistic work life balance to our offices. I continue to be very grateful to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) for the work they do in helping offices across the country, including mine, despite what can be challenging circumstances both politically and personally.
Continued in next post.
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NSW Greens: democracy has ‘won the day’
The New South Wales Greens have backed the supreme court’s decision for a pro-Palestine protest to go ahead as a vigil, declaring democracy has “won the day”.
Earlier, it was revealed a NSW police application to prohibit pro-Palestine assemblies in Sydney on 6 and 7 October had failed.
Following a day of hearings and negotiations between police and the Palestine Action Group (PAG), it was agreed the assemblies would go ahead as a vigil and police would withdraw its application.
Greens MP and spokesperson for justice, Sue Higginson, said the NSW police force had used “poor judgment and use of public resources”.
Once again a grassroots community justice movement has stood up for and defended our democracy and the fundamental right to protest in the courts against the strong-arm of an emboldened law-and-order state.
The right of all individuals to exercise freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully has won the day, but the reality is, it should never have been on trial. If protest was enshrined into law in NSW as it is in other states and territories, the NSW police force would not be so emboldened to attempt to remove these rights.
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Sydney pro-Palestine rally organisers to hold Sunday protest and Monday vigil after negotiations with NSW police
The pro-Palestine vigil planned for 7 October will be going ahead after organisers revealed it has become a standing vigil, which does not require a form 1 application.
They also revealed that the protest schedule for Sunday has been approved by police after organisers made changes to the route of the procession in last-minute negotiations.
On the steps of the NSW supreme court, Amal Naser of the Palestine Action Group claimed victory in their stoush with NSW police, saying all of the plans will be going ahead.
This is a good moment for democratic rights as well as the fight for Palestinian liberation. We ultimately got everything we wanted.
We had a strong case and we were going to win anyway. We’ve reached a good outcome, and it’s what we’ve been saying all along. We have the right to protest, and we need to protest now more than ever.
The route we are marching is a route we have marched dozens of times before, and it’s a route we are happy with.
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Thanks for your work Cait Kelly. It’s Caitlin Cassidy here (Cait #2) until stumps.
Parties engaged in ‘good faith process’ during difficult time, judge says
In the supreme court, the parties have reached an agreement, but we are waiting for more detail on that.
The summons was dismissed and there is about to be a press conference outside court. We will bring you that as it comes.
Before court was adjourned, the judge said:
Can I just say this, it is apparent to me from the evidence that over the course of the last typical 51 weeks, the commissioners, the defendants … have engaged in very difficult times, in a good faith process to seek to manage the balance, on the one hand, of a right to peaceful assembly with on the other hand, legitimate concerns about public safety.
It is to the credit of the parties that they have done so.
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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra responds to news of legal action by pianist
The MSO has responded to news pianist Jayson Gillham is taking action against it in the federal court. In a statement, MSO said:
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has today been served with a statement of claim by Jayson Gillham commencing proceedings in the Federal Court.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is reviewing the court documents and will respond at the appropriate time.
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IMF: phasing out tax breaks could create a fairer tax system
The International Monetary Fund has found “tax breaks, including from capital gains tax discount and superannuation concessions, could be phased out to generate a more equitable and efficient tax system”.
In a statement, Greg Jericho, chief economist at the Australia Institute said:
The IMF has just confirmed what everyone knows – the tax concessions on superannuation and the capital gains discount make Australia less fair and should be reformed.
The capital gains discount and negative gearing have distorted Australia’s housing market for a quarter of a century.
As a result, home ownership rates are declining as fewer and fewer people can afford to buy a house.
Reforming these tax concessions would allow more Australians to realise their ambitions of owning a home and make Australia a fairer country.
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Back in the NSW supreme court, Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees is being asked whether their marshals will be able to handle the planned protests on the weekend if they go ahead.
Lees says “they’ve managed very well” if you look at the record of the past 50 weeks of protests.
Lachlan Gyles, representing the police, suggested they had not managed a crowd “of this nature” where there was a lot of heightened emotions.
Lees said:
I don’t think that’s true. We’ve been dealing with a whole series of very emotional and devastating moments. For the last year.
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Man charged over FriendlyJordies firebombing granted bail
A man charged over the firebombing of Jordan Shanks-Markovina – better known by his online alias of FriendlyJordies – has been granted bail, AAP reports.
Andre Stepanyan is one of two men charged over an alleged arson attack on Shanks-Markovina’s Bondi home in November 2022.
Stepanyan, who is charged with destroying property in company and participating in a criminal group, appeared for a bail hearing in the NSW supreme court on Thursday.
The 38-year-old was allegedly the driver behind the wheel of a black Mercedes that took at least two passengers to the house.
His lawyer Bianca Barnes said:
I think an issue at trial is going to be whether or not he had any knowledge of what was happening.
There was no evidence Stepanyan was associated with any criminal groups at the time of the firebombing in November 2022, Barnes added.
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Sydney Metro maintenance workers to strike on Friday morning over pay increases
Maintenance workers on the Sydney Metro service are set to strike and picket the entrance of Tallawong metro station from 7am to 9am tomorrow after contractor Alstom’s refusal to provide reasonable wage increases, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union says.
AMWU NSW state organiser Nathan Everson said commuters needed safe, reliable transport and rail workers deserved a fair pay deal.
Workers at Alstom have been maintaining rolling stock for the past five years, delivering an essential service to the community.
The protected action will undoubtedly have an impact on the new service.
Workers would prefer not to have to take protected industrial action, particularly following the NSW Government showcasing the new Metro service in August, but they don’t feel as if they have a choice at this stage.
Private contracting on major transport projects has become a prominent issue for our workforce. Workers are undervalued and unsafe as a result. This comes as no surprise considering how the Minns Government have been treating Nurses, Teachers, and Firies.
Workers deserve better, commuters deserve better, and we call on the NSW government to step in and do something about it.
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Planned protest a ‘tinderbox’, police assistant commissioner tells Sydney court
In the supreme court hearing on the pro-Palestine protest in Sydney this weekend, the assistant commissioner, Peter McKenna, who is the police commander for the area, said the situation was a “tinderbox” because the planned protest would go near the Great Synagogue in Sydney’s CBD.
McKenna:
It would be provocative to re-enter near the Great Synagogue, especially given the significant number of people I expect. Hard for police to ensure public safety.
Things that come to us that would see clear provocation or even placing people in positions where often it only takes one or two people to say the wrong thing … it could be a tinderbox and something significant we would have to deal with.
It’s understood the protest has previously gone near the synagogue.
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AFP investigating nine complaints over alleged public display of prohibited signals in Victoria
The AFP has put out a statement about protesters allegedly carrying photos of Hezbollah flags and portraits of leader Hassan Nasrallah during weekend protests in Melbourne against Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
In a statement, the AFP said:
The AFP’s Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command (in Victoria) has established Operation Ardvarna, which is investigating nine complaints of allegedly publicly displayed prohibited symbols in Victoria while potentially inciting or advocating violence, or hatred, based on race and religion.
The nine reports originate in Victoria and have been provided by Victoria Police (3) and to the National Security Hotline (1), Report of Crime (portal) (4) and proactive investigation into a media article (1) allegedly identifying an individual. It is likely the number of investigations will increase, and some state and territory police agencies have their own investigations underway.
The process for AFP investigators includes triaging and assessing referrals, identifying persons of interest, developing investigation plans to assist ongoing investigations and to provide strategies for disruption and/or overt activity.
While state and territory police agencies primarily focus on public order management for protests, the AFP has offered or is providing support to agencies ahead of expected protests over the coming days.
The nine investigations undertaken by the AFP are a priority. However, the community can be assured that the AFP is also continuing to focus on its primary role that it does 365 days a year – that includes investigating and disrupting terrorism, radicalisation, foreign interference and espionage.
The AFP is committed to keeping the community informed on protest investigations.
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The NSW supreme court hearing has returned.
Lachlan Gyles, representing the police, said what they are effectively dealing with is an informal form 1, based on what is proposed.
He said the difference between this and the prior proposal is “there is less controversy about it” in terms of the “suitability”. He also said the “area of contention is going to be much narrowed.”
Arjun Chhabra, representing the organisers, earlier said the 6 October protest would begin at Hyde Park, rather than Town Hall.
He said clients were seeking protection, not authorisation for the 6 October rally.
Because the onus is on plaintiff to obtain prohibition, as opposed to the defendant, currently, authorisation.
Thanks for joining me on the blog today, Cait Kelly will take you through the rest of the NSW supreme court hearing – and the rest of our rolling coverage today. Take care.
The court has adjourned for another 10 minutes.
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Organisers abandon plans to hold pro-Palestine vigil in Sydney on 7 October
The hearing has now resumed in the NSW supreme court.
Arjun Chhabra, representing the organisers, said part of the amended form 1 proposal included beginning the 6 October protest at Hyde Park, rather than Town Hall.
He said organisers have abandoned their plans to hold a pro-Palestine vigil on Monday 7 October.
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Parties hoping resolution on Sunday’s protest can be reached outside court
In the NSW supreme court, senior counsel Lachlan Gyles – representing the police – said there has been a proposal for an “alternative manner of operation” for Sunday’s event, and parties wish to discuss whether a resolution may be able to be reached.
Arjun Chhabra, representing the defendants, requested 15 minutes to discuss this.
Justice Jeremy Kirk said the choice he had was “binary” – either he makes a prohibition order or he does not.
He recognised that there were “legitimate and weighty concerns on both sides” and having some discussion was “sensible”, granting a 15-minute adjournment.
Court will return at 2.20pm.
Updated
Supreme court hearing begins
The hearing has begun at the NSW supreme court into two events planned for 6 and 7 October, which the NSW police are attempting to prevent.
A pro-Palestine rally is planned for Sunday, and a candlelight vigil for Monday, which is a public holiday in NSW.
As Mostafa Rachwani reported yesterday, Sydney police told organisers they had safety concerns over the expected crowd size and potential hazards at Town Hall including “the recent addition of over a dozen planter boxes”.
But protest organisers have said the move to block events from going ahead was “a political attack on our right to protest” – and said pointing to the planter boxes was an “obvious red herring”.
We’ll bring you the latest as the hearing continues.
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Protesters gather outside NSW supreme court ahead of hearing
A crowd of pro-Palestine protesters have gathered outside the NSW supreme court, with the hearing into NSW police’s attempt to block the protest this weekend due at 2pm.
People have arrived with banners and flags to show their support for the cause and to protest against the police submission to have the rallies organised for 6 and 7 October cancelled.
Chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Hands off Lebanon” have started around the entrance to court. A traditional tablah drum has begun ringing out across the square, in time with the chanting.
A strong police presence surrounds the entry to court, with members of the Palestine Action Group, the organisers of the rallies, due to arrive soon.
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Hybrid vehicles in fast lane as petrol cars slow down
Motorists are putting the brakes on new vehicle purchases, with sales of petrol, diesel and electric cars slowing down significantly in Australia.
But as AAP reports, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales continue to accelerate despite the downturn, and large vehicles remain the most popular models for consumers.
Figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show petrol vehicle sales fell 17.5% during the month, diesel vehicles were down 12.3%, but hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles bucked the trend.
Motorists bought more than 13,500 hybrid vehicles in September – a 34.4% rise compared to the same period in 2023 – and more than 2400 plug-in hybrid cars, representing a rise of 89.9%.
A hybrid vehicle, the Toyota RAV4, also claimed the title of Australia’s bestselling vehicle for September, followed by Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes.
Electric vehicles did not fare as well as their low-emission cohorts during the month. Combined sales figures from the FCAI and the Electric Vehicle Council showed Australians bought more than 6,400 EVs during the month, down 27%, which represented 6.6% of all new vehicle sales.
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Minns defends decision to attend vigil with Jewish community on 7 October
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has defended his decision to attend a candlelight vigil on 7 October to show solidarity with the Jewish community, while insisting a vigil for Palestine planned for the same night should not go ahead.
At his press conference earlier, Minns said he would go to the vigil with the Jewish community and that “some” Muslim leaders “may expect me” to attend.
So the suggestion that me attending a rally for the Jewish community would somehow upset the sensibilities of the Muslim community – there were many Muslim leaders in NSW that issued a public condemnation of that terrorist activity on that day, who were concerned about it [and] saw it as a crime, and offered sympathy and solidarity with the Jewish community in Sydney as a result. So some of them may expect me to be there.
Minns said the organisers of the pro-Palestine and Lebanon vigil planned for Monday night had said in submitting the paperwork required to lawfully hold the gathering that they were expecting 200 people to attend.
But he said a “reasonable person would suggest” it was “unlikely” that only 200 people would go, and there was “genuine police scepticism” that the event could be contained.
Twelve months ago in Sydney, there was meant to be a vigil in the days following the October 7 terrorist attacks, this is prior to Israeli activity in Gaza. It ended up being an unlawful march through the streets and a major protest – some would term it violent protest – on the steps of the Opera House.
I think that would cause huge harm to social harmony in NSW and it’s reasonable for the government and the police to try and prevent those scenes being repeated.
More than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, died on 7 October. More than 41,000 people have been killed in Gaza, mostly civilians, one in 55 of the prewar population. More than 700 people have died in Lebanon in the recent wave of Israeli attacks.
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Sydney mayor calls for pro-Palestine protest to be allowed to go ahead
The lord mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, has said “shutting down protests is not the answer” and has called for protests in Sydney to be allowed to go ahead.
A pro-Palestine rally is scheduled for Sunday and a candlelight vigil for Monday, but the NSW police have brought a case to the supreme court to try to block these. The hearing kicks off at 2pm, in about half an hour.
In a statement, Moore said:
We don’t approve or facilitate protests or rallies in our LGA – NSW Police are responsible for permits and ensuring safe management – but we stand ready to help. If we’re required to move planter boxes to ensure safety, for example, we will.
The community has been gathering, peacefully, every week for the past year. I know that larger crowds are expected this weekend, but I am hopeful that the Police permit and support the community to do so once again.
The statement comes as an open letter has been signed by 42 human rights groups and community organisations, calling on the NSW police commissioner to facilitate the protests.
Signatories include the Human Rights Law Centre, Community Legal Centres NSW, Amnesty International Australia, NSW Council for Civil Liberties, and Jewish Council of Australia.
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Aussie women say they’re not educated on contraception
The vast majority of Australian women fear they have insufficient education on contraception despite more than two-thirds opting to use some form of birth control, AAP reports.
The fresh insight has been released by assistant minister for health and aged care, Ged Kearney, in the new national Contraceptive Choice 2024 survey.
Of the more than 1,000 Australian women aged 18 to 45 questioned, 34% said they were not using any form of contraception.
Seventy per cent said they believed they did not have correct or enough education on contraception and 32% of those under 24 regularly experienced anxiety about their current method.
In the survey, 36% of women said they had experienced a pregnancy scare and 42% said they had taken emergency contraception.
Among the barriers for women in trying a new method, 42% cited side effects while 21% were worried about costs and the time needed to switch methods. A separate 17% said they didn’t know enough to make informed decisions about new options.
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Pianist whose concert was cancelled following Gaza comments files legal proceedings against MSO
Acclaimed pianist Jayson Gillham has filed legal proceedings against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the federal court.
Gillham, whose performance with the MSO was cancelled after a dedication on stage to Palestinian journalists who had died in the Gaza conflict, alleged that he was “silenced for speaking the truth – that Israel targets journalists”.
In a statement regarding the legal action, Gillham said:
This situation goes beyond just artistic freedom; it strikes at the heart of our right to free speech and the role of art in addressing important social issues. The MSO’s extreme reaction to factual statements highlights a disturbing trend of silencing voices that speak to uncomfortable truths.
The pianist argues that MSO’s actions constitute direct discrimination based on political belief, violating his human and workplace rights protected by the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Victoria) and Fair Work Act 2009 (Commonwealth).
Gillham said he was compelled to pursue legal action “after the MSO rejected reasonable requests to remedy the situation”. He said:
This battle is about ensuring that artists can perform with integrity and without fear of censorship or reprisal. More broadly, it’s about defending everyone’s right to express opinions on important issues without being silenced.
The MSO has been contacted for comment.
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Minns says stopping pro-Palestine and Lebanon protest important to protect ‘critical infrastructure’
Returning to the press conference Chris Minns held earlier today, the NSW premier claimed that stopping the pro-Palestine and Lebanon rally planned for Sunday could protect Sydney’s “critical infrastructure”.
When a journalist put to Minns that the police wouldn’t be able to stop people from congregating en masse in Sydney’s CBD if they chose to go ahead with the protest, the premier said he “wouldn’t make that claim”.
I’m not going to go through chapter and verse what police tactics will be. But it does give the police the power to ensure that a mobile protest doesn’t take place through Sydney streets as it would be an unauthorised march.
And that may be important in protecting critical infrastructure for the city, or ensuring that we don’t have an unfortunate conflict on Sydney’s streets.
NSW police have vowed to stop a protest planned for Sunday 6 October and a candlelight vigil scheduled for Monday 7 October from going ahead.
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Two peregrine falcon chicks hatch at Collins Street skyscraper in Melbourne
Two peregrine falcon chicks have hatched in Melbourne, witnessed by all who watch the iconic Collins Street live feed.
The two chicks hatched early this morning, as observed on the live feed. The mother is currently huddling over her chicks, dutifully waiting for a third to hatch.
Peregrine falcons have treated a ledge on top of 367 Collins Street as home for more than three decades, but cameras made them a social media phenomenon. The cameras were turned back on in August for the new breeding season, as the first egg was laid.
As Adeshola Ore reported, last year’s eggs were unable to hatch after the female stopped incubating, likely due to a territorial dispute – but there was high hopes for this season.
You can follow along with the livestream here, or read more about the yearly tradition below:
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Australians in Lebanon facing difficult decisions as authorities urge them to leave
Australians are being urged to leave Lebanon and take up offers of more than 500 extra commercial airline seats, but for some families, it’s not that simple.
AAP has spoken with one Lebanese Australian, who wished to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, who described the heartbreak and emotional toll of worrying about her relatives.
Both sides of her family are from Lebanon, with three generations living across Beirut and the nation’s north. Thankfully, those in the mountainous north are safe, she says, but a full-scale invasion could change this.
“Those in Beirut are going hour by hour, day by day,” she told AAP through tears, saying the airstrikes were not in their areas, but they could hear the constant explosions.
Some of our relatives are elderly and frail and won’t be able to leave. No one in my family would travel out here and leave their mothers, their fathers, their cousins, their aunts, the elderly.
Her family would “move heaven and earth” to evacuate elderly people to the northern village they’re from, but this may not be feasible even in the worst-case scenario due to the 24-hour care requirement they’re receiving in Beirut, she said.
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Air freight workers secure pay deal in win for union’s ‘same job, same pay’ push
Qantas freight workers will be almost $7,000 a year better off thanks to a deal struck by the Australian Services Union (ASU) which would see the wages of Australian Air Express workers lifted to match those of their Qantas Freight counterparts.
ASU national secretary Emeline Gaske said the deal was another win for the union’s “same job, same pay” campaign:
Workers at Australian Air Express, a wholly owned Qantas subsidiary, work alongside their colleagues at Qantas Freight doing identical work every day.
Yet those working for Australia Air Express have been receiving significantly lower wages than their counterparts at Qantas.
For far too long, employment loopholes like these have been exploited by unscrupulous employers to short-change workers, and it’s time these dodgy arrangements ended.
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Chinese media outlets name man they claim is suspected of pouring hot coffee on baby in Brisbane
Queensland police have faced questions on 4BC Radio about the naming of a man by Chinese media outlets as someone who allegedly poured hot coffee on a baby in Brisbane.
A warrant was previously issued for the arrest of a 33-year-old foreign national, accused of the alleged attack at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner on 27 August.
QPS acting assistant commissioner Andrew Massingham was asked about the Chinese media outlets reports, and said the international search is continuing.
Sometimes these posts can be a distraction to what we’re attempting to achieve, but that search will continue until we locate that person.
Asked if the reports would affect the investigation, Massingham responded:
Those things always need to remain confidential up until the time we go public with the information.
In a statement, Queensland police said they were “unable to provide any further information or context around this investigation at this time”.
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Here’s some more details from Peter Hannam on the latest International Monetary Fund assessment report, which said extra government spending could inject “additional stimulus” into the Australian economy and risk the RBA having to lift interest rates:
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LNP leader makes health announcement as Labor premier forgets candidates’ name
Queensland premier Steven Miles and opponent David Crisafulli have spent another day in the regions.
Miles made a major gaffe in Mirani, near Rockhampton, when he forgot the name of the local Labor candidate, Susan Teder.
The Labor leader held press conferences yesterday and today in the Katter’s Australian party-held electorate without her. Miles said he would “find out” where she was, before being prompted by deputy leader Cameron Dick.
Meanwhile, LNP leader David Crisafulli stayed in the Rockhampton area for the second day straight, where he made a youth mental health commitment.
Crisafulli said he would spend $50m building two new step-up step-down clinics, one of them in central Queensland:
The reason why is there’s currently no facilities for young people between Cairns and Brisbane that’s a very, very big area, and to have a dedicated one in Rockhampton is a big step forward in acknowledging how serious the challenges are and how vast that distance is, and also the pressures that the Rockhampton hospital is under.
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NSW premier says protest on 7 October ‘not the right thing to do’
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has said the candlelight vigil scheduled for 7 October in Sydney should not go ahead. Speaking to reporters earlier, he said:
We remain committed to the idea that holding a protest on Monday – which is obviously the anniversary of October 7, which was a devastating terrorist attack on Israel and has had huge ramifications for those who live in Sydney who are concerned about family, friends and community members in that part of the world – is not the right thing to do.
[It’s] hugely unsympathetic to those who are going through pain at the moment and not in keeping or in recognition of the fact that, yes, there’s have been protests taking place in Sydney, but surely one of the other 364 days of the year would be more appropriate.
It’s worth noting that a protest is planned for Sunday 6 October and a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Monday 7 October.
Josh Lees, a member of the Palestine Action Group Sydney, told ABC RN earlier today that the vigil was “mainly about the chance for Palestinian and Lebanese people to come and grieve for the thousands of people who have died”.
More than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, died on 7 October. More than 41,000 people have been killed in Gaza, mostly civilians, one in 55 of the prewar population. More than 700 people have died in Lebanon in the recent wave of Israeli attacks.
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Nedd Brockmann to begin record attempt today
Nedd Brockmann, one of the fastest to run across Australia, will begin his attempt at a record today – hoping to become the fastest time to cover 1,000 miles (1,610km) on foot.
The current record stands at 10 days, 10 hours, 30 minutes and 36 seconds, set in 1988.
In a May social media post, Brockmann said he was aiming to raise $10m to help Aussies experiencing homelessness, writing:
This record has stood since 1988, and for good reason. To break it down, that’s roughly 160 kilometres a day for 10 days in order to break the record … Yes, 403 laps of the 400m Olympic park track a day.
He’s set to begin the run at 4pm, which will be live streamed on TikTok.
Brockmann made headlines in 2022 when he ran from Cottesloe to Bondi in 46.5 days, as part of an epic 3,800km charity run.
A previous version of this post said Brockmann was the fastest to run across Australia. Chris Turnbull, from Sydney, is the fastest, completing the run in 39 days.
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Jacinta Allan responds to comments from Dutton claiming she has power to stop protests
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has responded to Peter Dutton’s comments about a pro-Palestine protest planned for the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.
Dutton argued that Allan has the power to halt the protests. This is despite Victoria police saying they do not have the power to prevent the protest from going ahead, after NSW police launched legal action to prevent the demonstration in Sydney from occurring.
Speaking to reporters, Allan said police “already have all the powers they need” to respond to protest activity:
Attending a protest on October 7 is not something that is appropriate in any way. I’m not going to cut across operational decisions.
Allan said police have the powers to arrest people who may be displaying terrorist flags and are in discussions with the Australian federal police.
Anthony Albanese and Allan have urged pro-Palestine protesters not to hold demonstrations on the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.
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Damaging winds forecast for parts of Eyre Peninsula
The severe weather warning for damaging winds about South Australia has been updated to include parts of the Eyre Peninsula.
The Bureau of Meteorology said damaging winds around 60-70km/h, with peak gusts in over 90km/h, are forecast this morning and afternoon, with the risk easing in the late afternoon.
#SevereWeatherWarning for South Australia has been updated to include parts of the Eyre Peninsula.
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) October 3, 2024
Locations which may be affected include #PortLincoln, #Ceduna, #Wudinna, #Elliston, #Cleve and #Nullarbor.
Warnings: https://t.co/Ltjrbij56g pic.twitter.com/dnxYzshHzq
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NTEU says restructure plan for ANU ‘another kick in the guts’ for staff
The National Tertiary Education Union has labelled the ANU’s restructure plans – which includes job cuts – as “another kick in the guts” for staff.
Earlier, we brought you news that the ANU was proposing a restructure amid financial challenges, with “unavoidable” job losses as part of that.
NTEU ANU branch president Millan Pintos-Lopez said today’s announcement was “completely inconsistent” with recent actions taken in relation to the College of Health and Medicine. Under the proposal, this would be disestablished despite the university spending $16.75m on land for a new health precinct in July 2023.
Only three weeks ago, the ANU announced the appointment of Christine Nixon to lead a review of gender equity and culture within the College. Two weeks ago, the Dean, Professor Russell Gruen, stepped down. Staff are right to feel let down by the chaos and confusion.
Division secretary Dr Lachlan Clohesy said that communication and consultation has been “poor throughout”.
Staff are sick of these pronouncements from the Chancelry tower, with little to no consultation, which have a huge effect on people’s lives.
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Pace of rental price growth slowing, as Sydney remains most expensive capital to rent a home
The latest PropTrack market insight report, released today, shows the pace of rental price growth is slowing as more available stock comes to market.
Median advertised rents rose by 7% over the past year to $610 per week, representing the weakest annual rental price growth since September 2021, the report said. Other key findings include:
Capital city advertised rents rose 1.6% to $640 per week over the quarter, while regional rents grew by 1.9% to $540 per week.
Capital city rents increased 6.8% over the year, the weakest growth since December 2021, while regional rents rose 8% year-on-year.
Annual growth in unit rents (9.1%) remained stronger than annual growth in house rents (6.9%), with the gap narrowing to just $20 per week.
Hobart, regional NSW and regional Tasmania were the only markets to see stronger rental growth over the past year compared with the year prior.
The report said Sydney remains the most expensive capital city to rent a home, with the median advertised rent unchanged over the quarter and 5.8% higher over the year, taking rents to $730 per week.
Melbourne had the cheapest rent out of all the capital cities (median advertised rent of $570) except for Hobart. The report states:
Although the pace of rental growth is slowing and more stock is available for rent, supply remains low. However, we anticipate more balanced conditions in the coming months
Updated
ANU proposes restructure amid ‘substantial financial challenge’
The Australian National University has proposed a reorganisation of its academic structure, with vice-chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell admitting the university is facing “a substantial financial challenge”.
The university has proposed a restructure. It said all 42 schools, centres and institutions would be retained, with eight to be moved to different colleges within the university.
The number of colleges will be reduced from seven to six, with the College of Health and Medicine to be disestablished. The new College of Science and Medicine will host the university’s science and medicine activities, and three colleges will be renamed to reflect new or expanded areas of focus.
Bell said it was “ not going to be possible to grow our way out of persistent operating deficits by enrolling more students”.
This change proposal has not been taken lightly. We will make all attempts to minimise the impact on our community, however some job losses will be unavoidable.
We recognise this is hard, but these are changes we have to make. Without structural intervention, the University will not be financially sustainable.
The changes will take effect from 1 January 2025.
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Dutton claims Victorian premier has power to stop protests
Peter Dutton claimed that the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has the ability to stop a pro-Palestine protest from taking place this weekend, ahead of 7 October on Monday.
But yesterday, Victorian Police said they have no powers to halt the rally. (See more in yesterday’s blog here).
Dutton pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic response when police were deployed, and said the premier should “have the same resolve in relation to this issue”.
He said:
I think the premier of Victoria had great capacity – she was part of a government that deployed the police force here in Victoria during the course of Covid to enforce the rule of law, and I think the Victorian Labor party should have the same resolve in relation to this issue, and I’m sure there are laws available and that will be an issue for the premier.
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Asked if the Coalition would provide military aid to Israel if elected, Peter Dutton said:
We provided support to Israel in the past in terms of intelligence sharing, and I don’t think Israel requires the support of Australia in terms of defence material and supplies.
But the best thing that we can do at the moment is to provide Israel with that moral support because they’re at threat from an attack from people who don’t share our values.
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Dutton echoes calls for Australians in Lebanon to leave
Peter Dutton echoed calls from the government for Australians in Lebanon to leave “as quickly as possible.”
It’s been going on for months. It was predictable that we were going to see the circumstance we’re seeing in Lebanon … But I would just say to people, please, heed the advice of the Smart Traveller website, of the prime minister, of the minister for foreign affairs and exit Lebanon as quickly as you can, and as safely as possible.
Dutton said he was happy with news the government has planes in place for Australians to leave.
We support the government in the work that they’re doing in that regard.
Dutton says Marles's call for Middle East ceasefire is 'the appeasement path '
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, is speaking to reporters in Melbourne.
He was asked about Richard Marles’s call for a 21-day ceasefire in the Middle East, and responded:
If he wants to go down the appeasement path of Anthony Albanese that’s an issue for him. Frankly, I think he diminishes himself by being at odds with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and our partners otherwise.
The calls for a 21-day ceasefire were backed by the US and France, as well as the UK, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
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Masseuse charged with three counts of sexual touching in NSW
A masseuse has been charged with sexual touching in central west New South Wales.
In June, police began investigating reports a man – who worked as a masseuse at the time – had allegedly inappropriately touched a 38-year-old woman during an appointment in Orange.
In August police received a second report that a 55-year-old woman had allegedly been inappropriately touched at the same premises. And in September, police received a third report a 34-year-old woman was allegedly inappropriately touched at the premises.
Yesterday police arrested a 60-year-old man at Orange police station and charged him with three counts of sexually touching another person without consent.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Orange local court on 24 October.
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Faruqi calls on media outlets to conduct independent racism reviews
The deputy leader of the Greens, Mehreen Faruqi, says all media outlets should conduct anti-racism training and commission independent racism reviews.
This follows the release of the Race Reporting Handbook today – developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission and Media Diversity Australia – as well as the racism review conducted by the ABC. You can read more about this below:
Faruqi said the ABC’s independent review found systemic racism at the national broadcaster, but “the ABC are not the only ones”.
People of colour are dehumanised daily in Australian media, and we’ve seen more and more diverse journalists leave the profession due to their workplaces being unsafe. This has to change, and it has to change now.
Faruqi said the handbook was a “step in the right direction” but “the impetus for change must come from the media outlets.”
The consequences of not dealing with the racism in Australian media is the further erosion of audience trust.
IMF backs RBA’s ‘restrictive’ interest rate policy
The International Monetary Fund has just concluded its annual “mission” to examine the state of the Australian economy, and it’s delivered comments that the Albanese government probably won’t be too happy about.
Yes, the economy remains “resilient” and GDP growth should start to accelerate. However, the time for cutting official interest rates hasn’t yet arrived:
The RBA’s decision to maintain its restrictive policy stance in the near-term is appropriate.
A key reason is that underlying inflation is not on a certain path to drop back to within the 2%-3% target range, and governments at all levels aren’t doing as much as they might to help. In doing so, early interest rate cuts are less likely.
“The FY2024/25 Commonwealth budget is projected to deliver a positive fiscal impulse based on the mission’s estimates,” it said, adding that “state and territory budgets have proven more expansionary than expected in the near-term, incorporating further cost-of-living support and infrastructure spending”.
We’ll shortly get a briefing from Lamin Leigh, IMF’s Australia mission chief, who will be asked about these and other conclusions.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, though, said the fund had “endorsed the Albanese Government’s responsible economic management”. He said:
The government’s primary focus is to get on top of our inflation challenge without ignoring the risks to growth and the IMF has backed this strategy.
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Man dies in Queensland coalmine machinery incident
A worker is dead and another is seriously injured after a machinery incident at a central Queensland mine, AAP reports.
Paramedics were called to the Oaky Creek coalmine at Tieri, west of Rockhampton, following reports of injuries after a machinery incident about 4.30pm yesterday.
A man in his 30s suffered significant head injuries and died at the scene, Resources Health and Safety Queensland said. A second man in his 20s suffered life-threatening head, arm and leg injuries and was airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital.
Resources Health and Safety Queensland is investigating, with chief executive Rob Djukic stating “our thoughts are with the colleagues, friends and families of both workers.”
An RSHQ coal inspector has issued a directive to isolate the incident scene while we investigate.
Glencore, the operator of the mine, said the incident occurred when the two employees were carrying out maintenance works. Glencore’s Australian coal arm CEO Ian Cribb said:
Our deepest sympathies go out to both workers’ families, friends and colleagues. This is devastating for our entire Oaky Creek workforce, and we are providing support services and counselling.
Operations at the mine have been suspended while authorities investigate.
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Wong questioned on whether changes needed to Australia’s protest laws
Penny Wong was questioned on Australia’s laws relating to protest, with a reporter noting that Victoria police said they can’t move people on from protesting as they would not be breaking the law. (See more in yesterday’s blog here).
Asked if all states and territories should have uniform laws in place for protests, Wong said:
Well, I would hope we wouldn’t need them. I would hope that, you know, we would exercise our rights in this democracy for peaceful protests respectfully and peacefully.
I would hope we wouldn’t need to change the law and that’s what I would urge for all Australians.
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Wong condemns alleged flying of Hezbollah flags at protest
The foreign affairs minister said she condemned the alleged flying of Hezbollah flags at a rally last weekend. Wong said:
People need to understand what they are saying when they do that – they are promoting an organisation that is a terrorist organisation. That is not conducive to harmony in Australia, to social inclusion and social cohesion.
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Wong says 7 October ‘not an occasion for protest’
Penny Wong was also asked how concerned she is about protests planned for 6 and 7 October. She echoed comments from the PM yesterday, and said it is “not an occasion for protest”.
October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish lives in a single day since the Holocaust. It’s a day of grieving and a day of remembrance and should be honoured as such, and I would hope that Australians would ensure that it can be honoured with respect and solemnity.
It is a solemn occasion. It’s not an occasion for protest.
The Palestine Action Group says it has planned a candlelight vigil for 7 October in Sydney. A rally is scheduled for Sunday 6 October.
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Wong says Israel has ‘right to defend itself’ but urges adherence to international law
Taking questions from reporters, Penny Wong was asked how Israel should respond to the missile attack from Iran.
She said that “Israel has a right to defend itself against Iran’s attack” and continued:
We continue to condemn Iran’s behaviour in region, its destablisation of the region, its support for many of the actors in the region including Hezbollah.
I again make the point that all – we always urge adherence to international law in all of our statements in relation to the Middle East.
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Additional seats secured for Australians to return from Lebanon
Penny Wong also reiterated calls for Australians in Lebanon to leave, and take “whatever option is available to you”.
She said 1,700 Australians and their immediate family are registered with Dfat and have indicated they wish to leave Lebanon.
Wong confirmed that 80 seats have been secured on flights that are leaving today, and only 35 of those seats have been taken up.
She also said an additional 500 seats have been secured for Australians and their immediate family on two flights to Cyprus, which will be leaving on Saturday.
What I would say to Australians who wish to leave – please take whatever option is available to you. Please do not wait for your preferred route …
If you are able to secure a seat on a flight, please take that seat. If you have a seat on today’s flight, don’t delay. Now is not the time for you to wait and see, now is the time to leave.
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Penny Wong addressing the media in Geelong
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is speaking to the media in Geelong in Victoria.
Commenting on the escalation of violence in the Middle East, Wong said the strikes by Iran are “a dangerous escalation and we condemn them fully”.
It is rightly condemned by all who seek de-escalation and a ceasefire.
Under international law, Israel has a right to defend itself against these attacks and as you know Australia always urges adherence to international law …
We have been clear that the cycle of violence cannot continue and we have urged all parties to show restraint and de-escalate.
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Man shot four times in Sydney’s west as police probe possibility of gang links
A man has been shot four times in various parts of his body overnight amid questions about whether there are links to Sydney’s underworld.
As AAP reports, the 28-year-old was found with gunshot wounds about 10.50pm last night in Winston Hills, near Parramatta, according to police.
He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition where he remains under police guard. Specialist forensic police are expected to examine the scene this morning.
The circumstances pointed to a targeted shooting but it was too early to tell if it was gang-related, police told AAP. The link to a car fire in nearby Northmead is also being investigated.
An SUV was found alight about 11pm and could not be salvaged, despite firefighters’ best efforts.
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Search for sailor continues after boat washed ashore near Hobart
Tasmanian police are continuing their search for a 70-year-old man after an unoccupied boat washed ashore Kingston Beach yesterday.
The man has been reported as missing by his family, with indications he boarded the vessel alone in the morning.
Acting inspector Peter Borish said a white flybridge cruiser with a small inflatable dingy attached washed onto the beach around 2pm yesterday.
Police conducted a “significant search of the area” yesterday, he said, “and these search efforts will continue today”. Marine resources and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were used.
Information to date indicates the man boarded the vessel alone at the Derwent Park Marina and departed around 7am. The man, aged in his 70s, has now been reported as missing by his family.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
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NSW supreme court to hear police application to stop pro-Palestine protests
The push by NSW police to stop two pro-Palestine demonstrations from taking place this long-weekend will be heard in the state’s supreme court today.
The matter is listed for 2pm. The Palestine Action Group has said on Instagram it will hold a rally outside the court at 1.30pm.
For more on the court action, you can read this piece from Mostafa Rachwani below:
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First test flights completed at Western Sydney airport
The first plane has taken off and landed at what will be Australia’s next international airport, AAP reports.
A test pilot hit the milestone in a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft at Western Sydney International airport after completing a series of landing and take-off runs during daylight, dusk and evening conditions yesterday.
The trial comes ahead of the introduction of larger passenger planes which are scheduled to begin using the runway from late 2026.
The airport will open with one runway and will be able to cater for up to ten million passengers a year from day one of operations.
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Weather warnings in WA, SA and NT
Let’s take a look at some of the weather warnings across the country today.
In Western Australia, a severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for much of the south coast.
Damaging winds around 60-70km/h with peak gusts around 100km/h are likely along the coastal fringe. The system is expected to be windier than typical and unusual for this time of year, the Bureau says.
There is also a separate coastal hazard warning for damaging surf conditions.
In South Australia, a severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for western parts of the state today. The risk is expected to ease by the mid to late afternoon. Locations which may be affected include Ceduna, Wudinna, Maralinga, Cook, Nullarbor and Streaky Bay.
And in the Northern Territory, a severe heatwave warning remains in place for Daly and the Tiwi Districts. Maximum temperatures in the high thirties to low forties are forecast. Severe heatwave conditions are set to persist until at least early next week in Daly.
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Sydney protest organisers ask attendees not to bring Hezbollah flags
Josh Lees said rally organisers were asking those attending not to bring Hezbollah flags, because “they could be deemed illegal, and because we don’t want people to face arrest or legal troubles.”
I personally would not fly that flag, I don’t politically agree with Hezbollah, but we defend people’s right to hold pieces of cloth, yes, and I don’t think that the way it’s being talked about is at all reasonable in the media.
As I said, there’s no discussion of banning the Israeli flag, whereas that is a state that’s actually carried out far greater acts of terrorism and is right now starting another war on Lebanon, the fourth invasion of Lebanon in Israel’s history.
So we should have some perspective [when] we’re talking about Hezbollah and flags, about what’s really going on.
For more on this topic, you can read our explainer from Tory Shepherd below:
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Pro-Palestine rally organiser says Sunday protest will go ahead regardless of court outcome
Josh Lees, a member of the Palestine Action Group Sydney, also spoke with ABC RN about the planned pro-Palestine rally in Sydney, scheduled for Sunday.
He said the group would be going ahead with the protest “regardless of what happens in the court”.
He also said the event planned on Monday 7 October would be “a small candlelight vigil to commemorate those that have been killed over the past year”.
It’s mainly about the chance for Palestinian and Lebanese people to come and grieve for the thousands of people who have died, and for their loved ones …
Host Patricia Karvelas asked whether victims of the 7 October Hamas attack would also be recognised at the vigil. Lees said people were welcome to mourn whoever they want:
October 7 is also when the genocide in Gaza began. That’s when Israeli leaders proclaimed their intention to go in and level Gaza, to starve it, to bomb it to hell. So this is also the date that marks the beginning of the genocide in Gaza. And you know, I wonder if you are putting the same question to those organising memorials for the Israeli victims of October 7, are you demanding that they mourn the 42,000 dead Palestinians?
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Marles weighs in on pro-Palestine protest planned in Sydney
The deputy prime minister was also asked about comments from the PM yesterday, that 7 October is “not a time for demonstrations to occur.”
Richard Marles said he “condemn[s] in the strongest possible terms” anyone “seeking to protest in support of terrorist organisations”, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
I think it’s also worth observing that October 7 is the anniversary of a tragic and solemn day, a day on which innocent people lost their lives, the single largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. It is a moment to commemorate that, and to commemorate that with all the solemnity which is appropriate for that occasion …
There are laws applied that will apply here as well. And the authorities, principally the state authorities who implemented these laws, are clearly acting as we speak. Now, that’s where we’re at at this moment.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president, Nasser Mashni, previously said the protests were essential “expressions of solidarity” for communities in Australia looking to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Updated
Marles calls for diplomacy to address growing violence in Middle East
Richard Marles continued, clarifying his stance to ABC RN and saying it was “completely appropriate” to call for diplomacy:
Countries have a right to defend themselves. No one is suggesting anything different to that, and we have been consistent about Israel’s right to defend itself from the outset.
The engagement in one’s own defence, it is important that that is done proportionately, and that is because we do not want to see steps taken which give rise to an escalation in this conflict, and that is exactly why we condemn the actions of Iran in firing these missiles.
That said, it is really important that we – as a member of the international community – are articulating in the strongest possible voice the need for diplomacy to be engaged in to see it into the hostilities. And we’re doing that as well, and that’s that’s completely appropriate.
Updated
Marles says Middle East conflict is causing ‘unacceptable’ loss of life
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, is speaking with ABC RN from New Zealand where he is meeting with regional counterparts.
Asked about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and whether “ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are now dead”, Marles said the “continued violence in the Middle East is obviously giving rise to enormous threat to civilian life”.
I think the international community is desperate to see an end to this violence, and certainly that’s how we’re exercising our international voice.
Marles was asked if he agrees with US president Joe Biden, that the IDF should respond with a proportional response.
He responded that Israel has been the subject of attacks from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, and “we condemn those attacks in the strongest possible terms”. He said:
Israel has a right to defend itself. Every country has a right to defend itself, and to do so in a proportionate way. That said, we are calling for a ceasefire, along with the United States, along with other members of the international community.
The continued violence in the Middle East is giving rise to … unacceptable numbers of civilian lives lost, and the ongoing violence is a threat to civilian life. And we, along with international community, urge an end to this.
Marles said that “this is the moment for diplomacy” and “we need to see every effort being made to try and bring about an end to the hostilities in the Middle East, because because of the extraordinary loss of civil in life that we’ve seen as a result of this.”
Updated
Palestine advocate says planned protests ‘not provocative’
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, spoke with ABC News Breakfast earlier and was asked about comments from the prime minister yesterday that 7 October was “not a time for demonstrations to occur”.
A pro-Palestine protest is planned for 6 October in Sydney and a vigil planned for 7 October – but NSW police have applied to the state’s supreme court to attempt to prevent these from going ahead.
Mashni said he doesn’t accept a rally would be “provocative”:
We have [been protesting for] 51 weeks in a row, [and it’s been] absolutely peaceful. Millions of Australians have come out, it’s not provocative at all.
What’s provocative is the fact that our government isn’t listening to tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of Australians, who have signed petitions, called their MPs, have done everything they’re supposed to do within this democratic framework to say ‘enough’ …
If my neighbour was beating his dog I can’t keep saying [something]. At some point I’m compelled to jump the fence and grab his hand.
Asked about the supreme court decision, Mashni said he has “faith in our judicial system”.
Updated
Almost 550 drug overdoses in Victoria in 2023
A new report from the Victorian coroners court shows that 547 Victorians died from overdose last year.
This is close to the 550 overdose deaths recorded in 2022, which marked the highest annual number recorded in the past decade.
Some key findings included in the report include:
Men are on average twice as likely as women to die from overdose, and people aged between 35 and 54 are most at risk.
Metropolitan Melbourne accounts for approximately three-quarters of overdose deaths.
A majority (71.5%) of overdose deaths involved multiple drugs in 2023.
The five top contributing drugs to overdose deaths were diazepam (213 deaths), heroin (204 deaths), methamphetamine (164 deaths), alcohol (153 deaths) and pregabalin (78 deaths).
From 2014–23 the proportion of Victorian overdose deaths involving illegal drugs increased, from 41.3% in 2014 to 59% in 2023.
Most overdose deaths are unintentional. In 2023, 395 of the 547 overdose deaths were unintentional, 114 were intentional and in 38 cases intent was unable to be determined based on the evidence available at the time of coding.
The Victorian state coroner, John Cain, said the overdose deaths were “preventable” and that “we must strengthen our public health response and increase access to supports and treatment”.
Drug-related harms are complex and are driven by a variety of factors including changes in drug use, availability and regulation. That is why coronial data is so integral to understanding how best to target resources and save lives.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Alcohol and drug hotline: 1800 250 015
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Advocates concerned aged care homes not meeting direct care targets
Cota Australia, a leading advocacy group for older people, says it is concerned by new data showing six out of 10 aged care homes are falling short on their mandatory minutes of direct care and registered nurse targets.
Data from April to June, released today, shows many aged care homes are failing to meet their direct care targets. Chief executive Patricia Sparrow said increasing the mandatory minutes of care was a key recommendation of the royal commission into aged care, and a “substantial” piece of reform last year.
The fact that too many older people are still not getting the mandated minutes of care is a real concern … Basic direct care isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s crucial and the absolute minimum we should expect for older Australians in aged care.
Care minutes are the amount of direct care people in residential care receive from RN, enrolled nurses and nursing assistants. This month aged care providers are expected to increase their care minutes to an average of 215 minutes per resident, per day, including at least 44 minutes of care provided by a registered nurse.
Sparrow said it was especially concerning compliance rates in for-profit aged care homes are significantly lower than those run by not-for-profit providers – only 23% of for-profit providers met both their RN and total care minutes in the quarter.
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High fire danger rating for Queensland today
In Queensland today, the fire danger rating is sitting at high in most parts of the state.
The high fire danger rating means there is a heightened risk of fire, with people urged to stay alert in their area. The fire department said:
If you had plans to grind, slash or mow today please reconsider … If work needs to happen today, be alert and make sure you have water on hand to extinguish any spot fires.
If you had plans to grind, slash or mow today please reconsider.
— Queensland Fire Department (@QldFireDept) October 2, 2024
The Fire Danger Rating is sitting at HIGH in most parts of the state, which means there’s a heightened risk of fires.
If work needs to happen today, be alert and make sure you have water on hand to extinguish… pic.twitter.com/zOus2SrKsc
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Good morning
And happy Thursday – many thanks to Martin for kicking things off for us. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today.
If you have any thoughts, tips or feedback, you can reach out via X, @emilywindwrites, or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
Let’s go.
Impromptu haka leaves Jahrome Hughes with a tear in his eye after Dally M
An emotional Jahrome Hughes has admitted he had a tear in his eye after Melbourne teammates launched into a haka to honour his Dally M Medal, AAP reports.
In scenes reminiscent of fellow New Zealander Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s win in 2018, Melbourne winger Will Warbrick took over the Dally Ms to celebrate Hughes’ award.
After holding off James Tedesco by one vote and landing the first big individual honour of his career, Hughes watched as Warbrick launched into a haka alongside Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa and Canberra prop Joseph Tapine.
“That meant a lot,” Hughes said.
To see that brought a tear to my eye. For them to do that is truly special. For myself, my culture and family, it just topped off an awesome night.
For more on the awards read our full report:
Updated
Miles and Crisafulli to participate in live TV debate for Queensland election
Queensland premier Steven Miles and opposition leader David Crisafulli will lock horns in an election debate as Queenslanders prepare to head to the polls, AAP reports.
The top-job hopefuls will go head-to-head on the Nine Network at 7.30pm (AEST) in Brisbane tonight before a second debate at the Queensland Media Club 10 days before the election.
Both leaders kicked off their campaigns in regional centres where key issues such as cost-of-living, health, housing and crime are pertinent.
Polls are pointing to a change of government on 26 October, with the Liberal National party leading 56% to 46% on a two-party preferred basis.
The premier and senior ministers announced on day two of the campaign that Labor would establish a state-wide publicly-owned energy retailer if re-elected.
The retailer would use existing infrastructure and be up and running within 12 months, the premier said.
Crisafulli pledged $30m towards an agriculture innovation fund to attract research opportunities to improve the sector.
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Federal government to target 'shrinkflation' at supermarkets
The Albanese government is looking at cracking down on “dodgy discounts” by supermarkets who reduce product sizes but maintain or increase prices as part of its campaign against misleading and deceptive pricing in the sector.
The government will consult on changes to strengthen the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Price Unit Code, which requires larger supermarkets and grocers to provide cost per unit breakdowns on price tags within stores and online.
The code means, for example, price tags for laundry detergents are broken down by cost per litre to allow consumers to compare products. Fresh produce price tags must also show price per kilogram or grams.
The government announced it would consult on the following changes:
Improving readability and visibility of unit pricing in stores,
Addressing inconsistent use of units of measure across supermarkets,
Whether to expand the scope of retailers covered by the code,
More specific prominence and legibility requirements, and
Improving the use of unit pricing in cross-retailer price comparisons.
The ACCC will also be funded to launch a consumer awareness campaign on how unit pricing can help Australians get better deals.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese said “tackling ‘shrinkflation’ through stronger unit pricing and new penalties is part of our plan to get a better deal for Australians”.
We are also making changes to make sure the ACCC is a tough cop on the beat, while also encouraging more competition and making sure there are significant consequences for supermarkets who do the wrong thing.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Emily Wind with the main action.
Annual rent increases for houses have hit multi-year lows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, suggesting a relentless stretch of rising rents may have peaked, a new report has found. Renters are still feeling the pinch from record high prices but the data from Domain revealed the lowest September quarter growth rate since 2019 for houses and 2020 for units.
Speaking of cost-of-living issues, the Albanese government is looking to crack down on shrinkflation, the phenomenon where items in your shopping basked get smaller while staying the same price. More on that in a few minutes.
Peter Cain, the ACT’s shadow attorney general, has apologised “wholeheartedly” for a 2002 workbook he wrote which paints an ahistorically rosy picture of how Christian settlers helped First Nations peoples.
Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, will promise his state’s households they will always have the cheapest power prices of all mainland states in the national electricity market if Labor is elected this month. He will announce a plan today to use the firm to create an “energy price guarantee” that Queensland household bills would remain the lowest outside Western Australia. Later he faces off against his LNP rival David Crisafulli in a televised debate.
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