The day that was – Thursday 28 September
We will wrap up the live blog here for the night.
Here’s a recap of the news of the day:
Prominent yes campaigner Thomas Mayo says he was shocked to be challenged to a boxing match by boxer and former rugby league player Anthony Mundine, saying it should never descend into violence.
The federal government says China is clearing the way to resume imports of Australian hay, another step in the improvement of the trading relationship.
Transport minister Catherine King received a departmental brief with advice about Qatar Airways’ push for extra flight permission six months before she decided to reject the request.
The Federal Court has scuttled plans by the oil and gas company Woodside to begin seismic blasting for its proposed Scarborough offshore gas development in Western Australia after finding the work had not been properly approved.
The AFL club the Fremantle Dockers have rejected a supporter-driven campaign for it to end its partnership with the gas and oil company Woodside and extended the sponsorship for two years.
The ACT supreme court will not hear Shane Drumgold’s challenge to the Sofronoff inquiry until February next year.
In her first outing as Victoria’s 49th premier, Jacinta Allan said she was surprised at her predecessor Daniel Andrews’ sudden decision to resign.
Townsville is set to become “the home of our armoured vehicles and army attack and medium lift aviation” and the army’s overall presence there will grow.
The crisis support line for First Nations people has been inundated with calls indicating rising levels of distress and trauma as the Indigenous voice referendum draws closer and the debate gets uglier.
Until tomorrow, enjoy your evening.
Updated
Penny Wong cooks up yes vote support with celebrity chef Kylie Kwong
Penny Wong has enlisted some celebrity power on the hustings as the foreign minister seeks to warm up support for an Indigenous voice to parliament, AAP reports.
With less than three weeks until the referendum for constitutional change, Wong spoke with voters in Sydney on Thursday afternoon with TV chef Kylie Kwong in tow.
The pair spoke about why they’re voting yes on a visit to the culturally diverse community of Zetland in the city’s south.
The foreign minister will continue campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote at community town hall event in suburban Hurstville later on Thursday.
Earlier, she spruiked the voice at a mid-Autumn celebration, observed by East Asian communities, in Burwood with local Labor MP Sally Sitou.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is also on campaign trail in Sydney, where he will attend a ‘yes’ concert in Marrickville with rock band Hoodoo Gurus.
Albanese will go to the Inner West Says Yes event hosted by local mayor Darcy Byrne, and will take part in a panel discussion with screen director Rachel Perkins and journalist Ray Martin.
Updated
China’s ambassador to Australia tries to dispel concerns about Chinese economy
China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, spoke at an event in Sydney to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Xiao appeared eager to dispel concerns about China’s economic slowdown. The topic has been on the mind of the Australian treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who recently told Guardian Australia that China’s slowdown was “the sharpest point of risk” in the current economic outlook.
Xiao said:
I especially want to talk about the Chinese economy. Since the reform and opening up, China’s economy has developed rapidly and achieved remarkable results.
However, since the beginning of this year, amid a sluggish world economy recovery and complex external challenges, China’s economic data have presented some fluctuations, yet some western media selected certain data to judge the overall situation of China’s economy, exaggerated the challenges faced by China’s economic development, and even chanted China’s collapse. It should be recognised that, due to the impact of three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is normal for China’s economic recovery to be characterised by undulating progress sometimes with twists and turns.
Xiao argued that the latest economic data for August in China showed “a stronger momentum of stabilisation and rebounding”. Xiao also said China’s large market and “huge domestic demand potential, as well as continued economic recovery, will deliver major benefits to Australia and countries across the world”.
But the ambassador added this pointed warning at a time when countries including Australia are trying to reduce risk in supply chains:
All countries should join hands to promote an open world economy. No one should engage in beggar-thy-neighbour practices, building “a small yard with high fences”, or creating closed and exclusive clubs. Decoupling and chain breaking serve no one’s interest.
Updated
China’s ambassador to Australia says relationship at ‘critical stage of stabilisation and improvement’
Let’s return to the earlier story about China clearing the way for imports of Australian hay, the latest step in the easing of trade tensions.
The announcement coincided with an event in Sydney in which China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said the relationship between the two countries was currently “at a critical stage of stabilisation and improvement”.
Xiao said the recent meeting in Jakarta between the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and China’s premier, Li Qiang, had “a very constructive bilateral meeting”.
Xiao noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of then prime minister Gough Whitlam’s “historic” trip to China (that trip occurred in late October to early November 1973):
Not long ago, prime minister Albanese announced his plan to visit China later this year. This visit will take place at a significant moment as our two countries are standing at the start point of another 50 years of our bilateral relations. It’s my belief that his visit will certainly exert an important influence on the sound and stable development of China-Australia relations in the coming years and decades.
We hope and believe that as long as our two sides adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic ties, transcend differences, respect each other and achieve mutual benefit, we will surely be able to promote the steady and long-term growth of China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Xiao said the arrival of more Chinese tourists in Australia would “further boost the development of Australia’s tourism industry” and added that there were other potential economic opportunities:
China has a complete green industrial chain that covers lithium ore processing, lithium battery production, electric vehicle manufacturing, and photovoltaic and wind power equipment manufacturing. Emerging industries such as e-commerce are also developing rapidly. This means our two countries have great potential to expand cooperation in areas such as climate change and clean energy.
Updated
Qantas pilots in WA to strike for 24 hours over pay
Qantas pilots who operate passenger, charter and fly-in-fly-out (Fifo) services in Western Australia will stop work for 24 hours next week, as workers negotiating a new pay deal complain of wages “significantly lower” compared to other airlines.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (Afap), which represents pilots employed by Network Aviation – a subsidiary of Qantas Group which operates Qantas Link, Fifo and charter services for the airline in Western Australia – said it notified Qantas management on Thursday afternoon about the stop work action.
Members will proceed with a 24-hour stoppage of all work on Wednesday 4 October. More than 85% of Network Aviation pilots are Afap members.
The stop work action could affect more than 50 flights, including on Qantas Link routes from Perth to regional WA towns such as Exmouth, Karratha, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie, as well as to mine sites.
The Guardian understands many pilots at the Qantas subsidiary are on base award rates, earning what entry level pilots could expect despite greater performance expectations.
Senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said the Afap “is disappointed that we have had to take this action”. Aitkens said:
Network pilots are paid significantly lower than pilots at comparable airlines. The Afap has been genuinely negotiating and trying to reach an agreement with Qantas management but the company remains unwilling to revisit its inflexible wages policy instituted under the former CEO [Alan Joyce].
Updated
Three young men killed in car crash south of Perth
Three men in their early twenties, including two brothers, have been killed in a car crash south of Perth, AAP reports.
Kody, 24, and William Bell, 21, and 24-year-old father-of-two Jaziah Thomas all died when their Audi crashed into a Kia on Sixty Eight Road in Baldivis at 5pm on Wednesday.
A fourth man in the Audi is in a serious condition while the driver of the Kia was treated for minor injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Matson said investigations were ongoing into what caused the crash.
“The loss of one life on our roads is a tragedy, to lose three ... from the one crash including two brothers, is incomprehensible,” he said on Thursday.
Tributes have begun flowing for the three young men, with Thomas’ partner saying she had been left broken by the news.
“It still doesn’t feel real and I keep waiting for you to just walk through the door and it breaks me apart to know you’re not going to,” she posted on Facebook.
“I don’t know how I can live without you, I just want you to come home.”
The fatalities bring WA’s road death toll to 124.
Updated
Yes leader Thomas Mayo says he will only be fighting ‘with words’ after Mundine comments
Prominent yes campaigner Thomas Mayo says he was shocked to be challenged to a boxing match by boxer and former rugby league player Anthony Mundine, saying it should never descend into violence.
Mundine opposes the Indigenous voice to parliament.
Mayo told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing he is “absolutely not” a boxer, and he’s only fighting for his fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to get better results in education, employment and health.
That is what I am fighting for and I am doing it with words and with [messages] of solidarity with other Australians. We should never descend into violence and some of the awful things we have seen.
I want this to be respectful. I want this to be amicable and civilised and I hope we don’t see it as anything other than that.
He said it was shocking to see the challenge, and he is focused on having respectful discussions with Australians up until the referendum date.
Mayo said he was disappointed to see prominent no campaigner Warren Mundine to seemingly endorse the proposed fight on social media.
You would think he would not condone such threats of violence but again, I think it is too important for Australians to see just what the no campaign is about there, it is chaotic, it is dishonest, I am just going to continue on.
Fair Australia told the ABC that Warren Mundine’s tweet was lighthearted.
You can read our earlier story below.
Updated
Government guidelines needed on facial recognition at stadiums, Choice says
Consumer group Choice says the decision by Melbourne’s AAMI Park to use facial recognition technology to identify and eject people banned from the venue showed the need for government guidelines on the use of the technology
Choice spokesperson Jarni Blakkarly told AAP that fans should be informed when it is in use at venues.
We would hope to see this information also being prominently displayed at (AAMI Park) for people who might not be reading press releases.
Victoria police or authorised officers would eject banned people from AAMI Park if they were detected through the technology, football club Melbourne Victory said.
Updated
Education minister not ‘hung up’ on falling uni rankings ‘because it is all dependent on methodology’
The education minister, Jason Clare, is on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing and is asked about the global ranking of universities and Australia’s universities falling in the rankings.
Clare says Australia punches above its weight in terms of universities, but he says the rankings are aligned with international student numbers, which plummeted during Covid and are only now just back at 2019 numbers.
If there is a direct correlation between rankings and student numbers then you would expect you would see a difference next year. It really all depends on the different ranking companies and the methodology they use.
I don’t want to get hung up on the rankings per se, because it is all dependent on methodology.
I want us to get hung up on making sure we make university more affordable, for Australian students, we tackle cost of living issues that a lot of students face.
Updated
Marles on Timor-Leste’s China ties: ‘We are focusing on our own bilateral relationship’
The defence minister, Richard Marles, is asked about the Timor-Leste comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and whether it undercuts Australia’s role as a security partner with Timor-Leste.
Marles says Australia has a long history with Timor-Leste and various defence exercises have been conducted and there’s a military relationship with the country that will continue. But he notes that Timor-Leste is a sovereign nation and they have the right to have a talk with any country they want to.
He said:
What we need to be making sure is that we are focusing on our own bilateral relationship. We’re investing in it and we are confident about that in respect to Timor-Leste.
Updated
China lifts trade restrictions on hay as relationship improves
The federal government says China is clearing the way to resume imports of Australian hay, another step in the improvement of the trading relationship.
But the government will continue to press for the removal of other remaining trade blockages, including tariffs on Australian wine and restrictions on lobster.
The government says the deal follows ongoing talks between Australia’s Department of Agriculture and the General Administration of Customs China’s (GACC), and involve the registration of establishments for import into China.
According to official figures, Australia’s exports of hay and chaff to China were valued at $78m last year, down from $160m in 2020, meaning China was Australia’s third biggest market for the product.
The Australian trade minister, Don Farrell, said:
This is another positive step forward, but there is more work to do.
I will continue to persevere and press for all outstanding impediments to be removed as soon as possible.
The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, said:
Following the resumption of the trade of timber and barley, this is more good news for Aussie farmers. The department has been working tirelessly on a resolution for many months in the lead-up to today’s announcement.
We are working hard to remove the existing impediments and restrictions on other important commodities like beef, wine and lobster.
Updated
ADF shake-up to provide an incentive for people to join and stay in defence, Marles says
The defence minister, Richard Marles, is on ABC’s afternoon briefing to discuss the announcement of moving ADF troops and equipment up to Townsville.
As Daniel Hurst reported this morning, Townsville is set to become “the home of our armoured vehicles and army attack and medium lift aviation” and the army’s overall presence there will grow.
Marles says the move will see “much more focused and effective results”.
Asked whether it would lead to people leaving the ADF because they do not want to move, Marles says it provides an incentive for people to join and stay in the defence force.
He said:
What we are going to do is make sure that we have three world-class combat brigades with clear tasks defining what those combat brigades are about and that is really the best thing we can do to provide an incentive to people to pursue a career in the army and also to stay in the army for their careers.
… By having a focus of heavy armour here in Townsville, by having in Darwin a light and agile brigade, and in Brisbane having a brigade that is halfway between those two.
Updated
Here’s the full report on the derailment at Cockington Green Gardens, from my colleague Christopher Knaus.
NSW premier says bowls club rent hikes will benefit walking trails
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has defended the government’s decision to jack up the rent for a number of bowling clubs operating on crown land, saying the extra revenue would help repair fire trails and walking tracks across the state.
Asked about rent at Bondi Bowling Club jumping from $22,000 to $95,000 per year, the premier said the club’s rent was last reviewed in 2009 and the government needed to fund important work on other public land.
He said:
This is government land. It’s owned by the taxpayers of NSW. All the money that’s generated as a result of rent goes to government services. It goes to the management of walking tracks … as well as fire trails and all of the important and necessary work that’s required to prepare NSW for a bushfire season.
The eastern suburbs club was one of 360 of 11,000 crown land leaseholders to have their rent increased more than $2000 per year.
The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, accused the government of a “shameful money grab” that could affect the viability of clubs.
Updated
ABC says no threat to headquarters when man broke glass and speedstile
The ABC said there was no risk to the Ultimo headquarters when a man broke some glass and a speedstile trying to get into the foyer on Wednesday evening.
And an unrelated IT upgrade at the ABC’s Melbourne site resulted in some staff not getting into the building.
“A person damaged a speedstile while trying to get through the foyer,” an ABC spokesperson said. “He was immediately monitored by security and arrested by police and did not pose a threat to the site.
“An unconnected issue that emerged overnight during routine IT maintenance meant some staff swipe cards weren’t recognised. Security was not compromised.”
Updated
University of Melbourne staff to go on strike for a week
University of Melbourne students will be without their tutors for a week as a dispute over pay and conditions ramps up, AAP reports.
Staff who are members of the National Tertiary Education Union will go on strike from midday on Monday until midnight on Sunday next week.
The university’s union members last went on strike in August, when some staff stopped work for half a day and others took a week or more off, the union said.
“Victoria is seeing unprecedented strike action in universities because staff have had enough of being denied fair pay, secure jobs and safe workloads,” the union’s national president Alison Barnes said.
University of Melbourne acting union branch secretary Chloe MacKenzie said there were still too many areas management had failed to engage constructively on, despite some progress since staff last went on strike.
The university had also failed to budge on members’ demands for cultural awareness and safety training, with all the unions’ qualms culminating in staff taking the drastic step to go on a week-long strike, Mackenzie said.
Union members working at RMIT would also strike for a half-day on Thursday and hold a rally, before linking up with their University of Melbourne peers, who were planning to march, the union said.
The University of Melbourne and RMIT have been contacted for comment.
Updated
Bob Carr warns environment movement ‘in danger of fading’
The former New South Wales premier Bob Carr has warned the environment movement is “in danger of fading” in the face of massive challenges protecting habitats from population pressures and climate change.
The state’s longest serving premier made the statement as he backed an alliance of conservation groups calling for tougher environmental protections and an overhaul of the state’s land-clearing laws.
Read more below:
Updated
Disability royal commission’s report to be laid bare
The disability royal commission’s final report will be released tomorrow after being delivered to governor general David Hurley today, AAP reports.
More than 10,000 Australians provided evidence to the inquiry through written submissions, private sessions and public hearings over four-and-a-half years.
People shared experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, has promised the government will closely examine the report recommendations:
We will take this report seriously. Inclusion needs to be embedded right across community because that is how we ensure people with disability are properly included and inclusive across our whole society.
The report should highlight the human rights breaches experienced by people living with a disability in every state and territory, People with Disability Australia president Nicole Lee said.
Our laws must change so disabled people have equal access to human rights just like everyone else.
We need robust laws that ensure our basic rights are upheld – like our right to be educated alongside our peers, to live independently in the community, to not be subjected to physical restraint, seclusion or forced treatment.
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John called on the government to commit to resourcing the royal commission’s recommendations.
We’ve shared our experiences, our darkest moments with the commission, all with the intention of improving the lives of millions of disabled Australians.
With no government funding committed towards the implementation of the disability royal commission recommendations, we are all holding our breath and expecting our governments to answer our calls for change.
Updated
Temperature Check column: Extreme weather will put MPs to the test on climate change, but some have already failed
As Australia stares down the barrel of a hot summer and a rising risk of heatwaves and bushfires, politicians are going to have to get to grips with answering the obvious question. What is climate change doing to our weather extremes?
The Coalition’s shadow social services minister, Michael Sukkar, was given an early test last week and he roundly failed.
Read more:
Updated
Illegal $1m found in car boot in Perth will aid crime prevention
Almost $1m in illegal cash found in a car boot in Perth will go to funding community programs after being confiscated by police, AAP reports.
The Australian federal police made the discovery when they intercepted a car at City Beach in October 2022 as part of a money laundering investigation.
In the boot, officers found two vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing bundles of cash worth $998,850.
The man behind the wheel, now 35, was working as a courier for criminal groups attempting to launder large amounts of money generated from criminal activities.
After seizing the cash, police soon discovered it grossly exceeded the man’s observed income and expenditure.
He pleaded guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and was sentenced to three years and six months in prison in the Perth district court in August.
The confiscated funds will be distributed to crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs or other law enforcement initiatives across Australia.
Updated
Hot pies, cold drinks, hot weather
AFL grand final day in Melbourne is going to be a hot one.
Hot and dry conditions are set to build over much of southern Australia, just in time for the long weekend in VIC.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) September 28, 2023
For the latest forecasts and warnings go to https://t.co/vU0V1xcQr4 or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/M7LiA0sDaJ
Updated
Melbourne's AAMI Park deploys facial recognition technology after pitch invasion
Melbourne’s AAMI Park will join the list of Australian stadiums using facial recognition technology after a disastrous A-League pitch invasion last year, AAP reports.
Soccer club Melbourne Victory flagged the technology would be rolled out ahead of the 2023/24 A-Leagues season to identify people banned from entering the stadium, and stop those who otherwise pose a security threat.
The decision was made after a derby match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City was suspended in December when more than 150 spectators stormed the stadium’s pitch.
AAMI Park’s conditions of entry were updated to reflect the use of facial recognition, Melbourne Victory said.
As of Thursday, the venue’s conditions of entry stated the stadium and the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct was fitted with electronic surveillance including facial recognition technology.
The precinct includes AAMI Park along with Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, Centrepiece and Kia Arena.
Victoria police or authorised officers would eject banned people from AAMI Park if they were detected through the facial recognition technology, Melbourne Victory said.
Consumer advocacy organisation Choice in July this year said several Australian stadiums were using facial recognition including the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Qudos Bank Arena.
Updated
And with that I leave the blog in the hands of Josh Taylor. Thanks for reading.
Four injured in miniature train derailment at Canberra's Cockington Green
A miniature steam train has derailed at Canberra’s Cockington Green, injuring at least four people.
The incident occurred at about 10am this morning, with ACT Policing and Worksafe ACT soon on the scene.
Emergency services assessed nine people on the scene, with four treated by paramedics, before being taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Entry to the miniature garden park has been made free as the train is not operating.
ACT policing are calling for witnesses with any video footage to come forward, to help the investigation.
Updated
Crane collapses at new Sydney fish market site
A crane has collapsed at the new Sydney Fish Market construction site, with a man taken to hospital with back injuries.
Emergency services were called to the construction site on Bridge Road in Glebe about 12.30pm today after the arm of the crane failed.
Paramedics have attended to the injured man and he will be transported to hospital shortly.
The site has been evacuated and locked down for the rest of the day while Safe NSW conducts an investigation.
Updated
Indigenous crisis support line inundated as voice debate gets uglier
The crisis support line for First Nations people has been inundated with calls indicating rising levels of distress and trauma as the Indigenous voice referendum draws closer and the debate gets uglier.
The helpline 13YARN offers 24/7 culturally safe, free and confidential support with trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support workers for First Nations people feeling overwhelmed, distressed or experiencing difficulties coping.
As Australians prepare to go to the polls on 14 October, nearly 18% of 13YARN callers during the past four weeks have sought support citing racism, abuse and trauma as the reasons behind their distress compared to less than 10% during the same period last year.
A spokesperson for 13YARN said that calls have been increasing and three of the top 10 busiest weeks have occured in the past five weeks.
In the period between March to June 2023, distress, abuse and trauma related calls more than doubled with the helpline seeing a 108% increase in callers reporting abuse/racism/trauma as a driver of their distress compared to the same period last year.
First Nations people wanting support can call 13YARN (13 2 76).
Updated
Privacy reforms will impose ‘unreasonable’ burden on small business, Michaelia Cash says
One of the main planks of the government’s privacy reforms is ending the small business exemption to privacy law, which Labor has agreed to in principle. Although there are conditions including a phase-in period, consultation and compensation, the Coalition are not happy.
The shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, has labelled the burdens being imposed on small business as “disproportionate and unreasonable”.
She said:
It would be appalling but not surprising if Labor’s new privacy laws target small businesses by imposing more complexity and costs at a time when they are already struggling.
We all want better protection for our information, but we’re talking about imposing a complex and difficult regulatory regime on hairdressers and mechanics, and potentially making them pay civil penalties if they make a mistake. This government has an ambivalent, bordering on hostile attitude to small businesses. They keep hitting small business with complexity, confusion and costs on multiple fronts - just look at the proposed industrial relations laws.
But Kate Bower, a consumer advocate at Choice, said that “for ordinary people it makes no difference the size of the business involved in a data breach”.
She said that all consumers, whether their information is held by a small or large business should be protected against unfair use of data. Bower cited two thirds of real estate agents who aren’t covered by privacy law despite holding very sensitive and personal information.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to work with small businesses to ensure the exemption is removed fairly and to give them adequate time [to adjust],” Bower said.
Updated
Uluru Dialogue blasts Warren Mundine over 'abhorrent leap to encouraging violence'
The Uluru Dialogue group has accused the no campaign of an “abhorrent leap to encouraging violence” after the comments of Warren Mundine and Anthony Mundine regarding yes campaigner Thomas Mayo.
As we brought you earlier, former boxer Anthony Mundine, who does not support the voice to parliament, recently said he wanted to “beat [Mayo] up real good because he needs to be taught a lesson”.
After those comments were reported by the Daily Mail, the no campaign leader Warren Mundine tweeted a screenshot of a Daily Mail Facebook post of the article with a boxing glove emoji alongside the caption: “I want to see that!!!”
The language was criticised by Labor minister Murray Watt.
Mayo tweeted a response of sorts last night, saying “the only fighting I’m doing is for a better future for all Australians, using words, patience, understanding and acts of love and solidarity”.
The Uluru Dialogue, the group behind the Uluru statement from the heart, was scathing of Warren Mundine’s tweet.
“While Yes leader Noel Pearson spoke yesterday in the National Press Club of uniting Australians in love of country for a more positive future, no leader Warren Mundine publicly endorsed threats of violence against other Yes spokespeople,” the group said in a statement.
“Could there be a clearer illustration of the choice for Australian people on 14 October?”
The Uluru Dialogue said a vote for no is a “vote for the status quo”.
“It means more of the same: shorter life expectancies for Indigenous Australians and more wasteful, ineffective programs from government. It guarantees decades of talking about things we can fix now, with goodwill and good sense.
“A vote for Yes is a vote for better futures. Yes means the opportunity for all Australians to build a united future for our children and grandchildren.”
Updated
Chris Minns wishes Jacinta Allan well in new role as Victorian premier
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has wished Jacinta Allan all the best after her appointment as the Victorian premier yesterday.
Asked if he had spoken with her yet, he said:
“I haven’t had a chance to speak to the new premier of Victoria but I wish her all the best. What a privilege, what an honor to be the premier of Australia’s second-largest state.”
Updated
Shane Drumgold’s legal challenge to Lehrmann inquiry findings set down for February
The ACT supreme court will not hear Shane Drumgold’s challenge to the Sofronoff inquiry until February next year.
The court has also heard the ACT’s chief minister Andrew Barr is now holding for safekeeping 180,000 documents related to the inquiry.
Drumgold, the former director of public prosecutions, is challenging findings that were critical of his handling of the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
The challenge is still in its early stages and came before the court on Thursday to set down dates for the filing of evidence and other preliminary matters. The court set down a date to hear the judicial review application on 12 and 13 February next year, though that may change depending on the availability of an outside judge, Victorian court of appeal justice Stephen Kaye, who is yet to be appointed.
The court also heard a disagreement about the process of discovery – a legal process used to obtain relevant documents. Drumgold wanted a more general process of discovery, but lawyers for inquiry head Walter Sofronoff asked for a process of discovery narrowed by categories of documents. The court favoured Sofronoff’s approach after hearing Barr holds 180,000 documents related to the inquiry, which would need to all be examined in a more general process of discovery.
Lehrmann denies raping Higgins and pleaded not guilty at trial. His trial was aborted due to juror misconduct and a retrial was called off due to concerns about Higgins’ mental health.
Updated
Alan Joyce will be summoned to Senate inquiry once back in country, McKenzie says
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce could still appear before a Senate inquiry to answer questions about his dealings with the federal government in the lead up to its decision to reject Qatar’s proposed expansion in Australia.
Senate committees can summon witnesses to appear before it but only if they’re in the country. Joyce has told the committee he can’t attend as he’s overseas in Europe.
Nationals senator and committee chair Bridget McKenzie said on Thursday afternoon the former airline chief would be summonsed by the commitee once he touched down on Australian soil.
We will be summonsing Alan Joyce, as he seems to be the only one that can add to so many of this committee’s inquiries on his return to Australia.
The committee is due to deliver its report on 9 October so the days are running down before Joyce can appear.
Separately, McKenzie’s Coalition colleague, Senator Simon Birmingham, expressed frustration at answers bureaucrats from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet provided.
In particular, he said officials had failed to properly prepare for questions they likely knew that would be asked.
It creates a type of risk in terms of how Senate committees may respond in future and so I will be following up with PM&C as to how they prepare for Senate committees in the future.
McKenzie again described the federal government as running a “protection racket” for Qantas, closing the hearing by saying:
Just extending Senator Birmingham’s commentary, the protection racket has continued and unfortunately our public service has been dragged in to protecting Qantas on behalf of this government.
Updated
Retail turnover records tepid rise in August
Retail sales rose 0.2% in August, representing modest turnover that dropped from the 0.5% lift recorded a month earlier.
The result shows consumers are restraining their spending after a sharp lift in borrowing rates.
Ben Dorber, ABS head of retail statistics said:
Considering how high inflation and strong population growth has added to retail turnover in the past year, the historically low-trend growth highlights just how much consumers have pulled back in response to cost-of-living pressures.
The retail trade figures will help inform the Reserve Bank board discussion when it meets next week, representing the first rate decision under new governor Michele Bullock.
While the RBA is widely expected to keep the cash rate at 4.1%, the economy has experienced a recent rebound in inflation, increasing the likelihood of another rate hike in the coming months.
The 0.2% seasonally adjusted retail trade figures, which removes trading spikes, can be volatile, with the last several months showing seesaw figures.
Updated
Transport minister’s office blocked department from sharing key diary dates to Qatar inquiry
Transport minister Catherine King’s office has blocked bureaucrats in her department from providing a senate inquiry with information about her diary and scheduled meetings.
The senate select committee on bilateral air agreements has been examining meetings King held with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka in early 2023, after King had received a brief from her department about Qatar Airways’ request to almost double its capacity into Australia.
On Wednesday, Hrdlicka told the inquiry she met with King in January and spent five minutes at the end of their meeting discussing the Qatar Airways bid. She said King had also told her Joyce had been in touch for a meeting regarding the Qatar bid and was “not happy”.
On Thursday, senators asked department of infrastructure and transport officials details of King’s discussions. Marisa Purvis-Smith, deputy secretary of transport, said her team had asked King’s office about providing the details of her calendar, in relation to questions about a meeting with Joyce on or around 23 January. Purvis-Smith said King’s office had responded:
The MO [minister’s office] view is not for the department to answer re the minister’s diary. The question should be directed to the minister.
Senator Simon Birmingham expressed frustration at King’s office position, and raised the prospect of calling King – who is currently on leave – to appear before the committee at some time.
If the attitude of minister King and her office is they’re not going to tell the department then there are precedents for house of representatives ministers to appear before senate committees before and it looks like minister King should think very carefully about doing so to actually address this question.
Updated
Sri Lankan cricketer cleared of Tinder date rape
Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of raping a Tinder date through the act of “stealthing”.
Judge Sarah Huggett acquitted the 32-year-old as he sat at Sydney’s Downing Centre district court on Thursday listening to the decision.
The judge said when handing down the verdict:
The evidence establishes that there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom during intercourse because that intercourse was continuous.
Huggett found that the alleged victim, who cannot be legally named, was an intelligent witness who did not deliberately give false evidence but was motivated by a desire to paint the cricketer in an unfavourable light.
I find that the evidence regarding the complaint far from supports the complainant. Rather it undermines the reliability of her evidence.
Gunathilaka and the woman matched on the dating app and met for drinks at Opera Bar in November 2022 before having pizza together in the Sydney CBD and then catching a ferry to the woman’s eastern suburbs home.
The woman accused him of various acts of aggression and violence such as slapping her on the buttocks, forcefully kissing her and bruising her lips, and choking her during sex.
• In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732)
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Minister sat on advice for six months before rejecting Qatar Airways
Transport minister Catherine King received a departmental brief with advice about Qatar Airways’ push for extra flight permission six months before she decided to reject the request.
Department of infrastructure and transport officials appearing before the senate select committee on bilateral air rights on Thursday morning told senators that after Qatar Airways began the process of applying for an almost doubling of its capacity, the department invited Qantas and Virgin to provide input on the decision.
The inquiry has so far heard Qantas opposed the extra air rights, while Virgin Australia – a partner of Qatar Airways – was in favour of the request.
The department then completed a brief on the Qatari request, and sent the advice to King’s office on 4 January. Negotiations did not take place with Qatar over the request. King then formally rejected the request on 10 July.
The department officials are unable to answer questions on the substance of their brief because King has previously claimed public interest immunity on the matter.
Separately, the department of foreign affairs and trade’s, Ridwaan Jadwat, first assistant secretary of the Middle East and Africa Division, told the inquiry that foreign minister Penny Wong’s office had asked for input on the Qatar Airways request, which DFAT provided to Wong on 24 January.
Updated
Court blocks Woodside plan for seismic blasting in WA offshore gas development
The Federal Court has scuttled plans by the oil and gas company Woodside to begin seismic blasting for its proposed Scarborough offshore gas development in Western Australia after finding the work had not been properly approved.
Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper had launched legal action against the offshore petroleum regulator, Nopsema, over its approval of the seismic work, arguing consultation with traditional owners had been inadequate.
Justice Craig Colvin this morning judged in Cooper’s favour.
#BREAKING: The Federal Court has thrown out Woodside Energy’s approval to conduct seismic blasting for its Scarborough Gas Project, after a legal challenge by Traditional Custodian Raelene Cooper.
— Environmental Defenders Office (@EDOLawyers) September 28, 2023
This means Woodside no longer has an approval to conduct the seismic blasting.
Nopsema and Woodside have been asked for their response, including whether the company plans to appeal the judgment.
Woodside plans to develop the Scarborough gas field for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Estimates for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the project will produce over its lifetime range from 880m to 1.6bn tonnes.
Environment groups including Greenpeace have also raised concerns about dredging near sensitive turtle habitat and the effects of seismic blasting on endangered whales.
More to come at Guardian Australia shortly.
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Around 400-500 Army personnel to be sent to Townsville, Marles says
Marles has been asked about the movement of soldiers, and said that Townsville will see an increase of around 400-500 personnel, while Adelaide will see a decrease in numbers in the short-term, before building back up in 2027/28.
We will see similar numbers as we currently have today in both Darwin and Brisbane. There are obvious challenges, for example, in relation to housing here which is where we will see the greatest growth, we are working with the Defence Housing Australia in relation to that, along with the Queensland government.
It is a challenge but we do have time. This is not happening immediately. This is a restructure that, as I said, will occur over the next two to three posting cycles, so we have five to six years in order to bring this into effect.
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Army restructure to see ‘highest tech capabilities’ in Adelaide, Marles says
Marles has continued, saying that the restructure will result in soldiers and defence personnel having to move from Brisbane and Adelaide to their new brigade bases.
He said that a 10th brigade will also be based in Adelaide, which will be “future-focused” and with key future long-range strike capabilities consolidated there.
This will be the cutting edge of army technology, alongside that will be the re-tasking of the first armoured regiment which will be focused on bringing through into quick operation the newest technologies and innovative practices for the army. What that will mean is that we have our highest tech capabilities in Adelaide close to the defence industrial base which exists there.
We will have our three combat brigades in our northern bases which is exactly what the Defence Strategic Review sought in the recommendations that it made, the recommendations which were accepted by the government. This is an important step forward for our army.
This builds an army which will be able to protect, which is what we are seeking to do as a result of the defence strategic review and this is the basis upon which we will be creating the army we need for Australia’s future.
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Australian military to be ‘army of the future’ after ‘major restructure, defence minister says
Deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles has stepped up for a presser to announce a “major restructure” of the Australian military.
Marles said the government wants to ensure Australia has the “army of the future” and the involves moving from having a series of combat brigades to just three brigades:
As a result of this restructure, what we will see is that the first brigade, based in Darwin, which will be light, agile, easy to deploy.
The third brigade, which is based here at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, will have a focus on heavy armour, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, it will bring to bare the greatest lethality in any conflict.
And the seventh brigade, based in Brisbane, will be between the two. It will have a heavy motorised capability, but will also be able to deploy quickly.
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Allan to step up yes campaigning now she’s premier
Jacinta Allan confirms she’s backing the yes vote in the Voice referendum:
I am supporting the yes vote, because it’s all about listening and then from that listening, you get better results and better outcomes from listening to people who are directly affected by the decision making processes and outcomes that elected representatives go through. That’s what I’ll be supporting yes.
And she’ll be stepping up her campaigning now she’s premier:
I had actually been planning to be with Linda Burney in Bendigo yesterday … obviously other circumstances took over, so I’ll be looking at my forward diary, we’ve got parliament next week and we’ll take a look at my diary and how I actively support the campaign.
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Victoria’s new cabinet in place by Tuesday, new premier says
Allan says the new cabinet will be in place before parliament returns on Tuesday:
Out of respect to my colleagues, I intend to have those conversations directly with them over the coming days and my intention is to have a new cabinet in place on Tuesday.
She confirms Tim Pallas will continue on as treasurer.
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New Victorian premier to ‘build on’ Daniel Andrews’ election commitments
Jacinta Allan tells reporters she intends to keep every election commitment Daniel Andrews took to the November poll but will also work on her own new policies:
We intend to deliver the commitments that the Labor team has made to Victoria, but of course in coming weeks and months as we swear in a new cabinet and continue to work and consult with colleagues and the Victorian community, there will be the opportunity to further build on that program … the approach that I will take will be built on that consultation with colleagues that community.
She confirms she will no longer hold the transport infrastructure portfolio once she unveils her new cabinet in coming days:
I will continue the approach that premiers have traditionally taken and I will only hold the position of premier, noting of course, that all business of government is the responsibility of the premier and the buck does stop at the premier’s door and that’s a responsibility I intend to carry.
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Jacinta Allan’s first press conference as Victorian premier
We’re standing by for Premier Jacinta Allan’s first press conference since she was sworn in.
Interestingly she’s decided to hold it at a level-crossing removal in Pakenham, in Melbourne’s south-east, which is firmly in her comfort zone given her role as transport infrastructure minister.
She’s flanked by six MPs from the southeast.
Premier Jacinta Allan spruiking level crossing removals in her first press conference since being sworn in. More via @GuardianAus live blog. pic.twitter.com/DmNg9LuRRH
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) September 28, 2023
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Victoria’s First People’s assembly proof of why voice will benefit nation, Burney says
The Indigenous Australians minister, Linda Burney, says Victoria’s First Peoples’ assembly shows the benefits of listening to Indigenous communities, as she campaigns for the proposed voice to parliament referendum
Burney met with Victoria’s First Peoples’ Assembly on Thursday morning in Melbourne. The assembly is the democratically elected Indigenous body in the state. It will begin negotiating a state-wide Indigenous treaty with the Allan government in the coming months.
Burney says Victoria’s assembly shows “change is happening”:
There is a representative body in Victoria who are leading this discussion ... and you know what? The sky hasn’t fallen in.
There is a lot to look to in Victoria in terms of where we go nationally.
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Fremantle Dockers extend gas company sponsorship to 2025, despite fan campaign
The AFL club the Fremantle Dockers have rejected a supporter-driven campaign for it to end its partnership with the gas and oil company Woodside and extended the sponsorship for two years.
The relationship had been the focus of a campaign that accused Woodside of being a “climate wrecker” that was greenwashing its reputation through its financial support for the club. More than 8,000 people had signed a petition calling for the deal to be scrapped.
In a statement, the club said the two “proud WA organisations” had agreed to extend sponsorship arrangements until 2025. Woodside has been a Fremantle Dockers sponsor since 2010.
Fremantle president Dale Alcock said the fossil fuel company had provided the club with “great strength and stability for more than a decade”.
The decision to extend our partnership with Woodside takes into account the significant and positive long-term relationship we have together. This includes a shared commitment to addressing complex challenges such as climate change.
Speaking on behalf of Dockers supporters who had called for the sponsorship to be dropped, Greenpeace campaigner Sophie McNeill said it was a “sad day in Freo’s history”. She said Woodside was “aggressively pursuing new oil and gas projects all over the world”.
Woodside are just in the business of buying mates here in WA through sponsorship deals, hoping they will be fooled into believing they are good guys when they are actually pursuing incredibly harmful projects.
Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill said the company was “excited to continue our longstanding partnership with the Fremantle Football Club”.
Updated
University recovery linked to international students post-Covid, Universities Australia CEO says
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said Australia’s results on the world stage showed the need to continue recovering the international student sector post-Covid.
Phil Baty, The Times Higher Education chief global affairs officer, said Australia and New Zealand’s strict lockdowns weighed heavily on university performances.
Covid-19’s impact on the flow of international students to our shores is evident in the data, but we don’t expect this to have a lasting impact as our international education sector continues to recover.
We need the full support of government to continue performing these vital functions, which is why the Australian Universities Accord must deliver the funding and policy settings we need to thrive.
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Government needs to take ‘big bold action’ on university reform, Greens say
The Greens have urged the federal government to take “big bold action” on university reform after the 2024 Times Higher Education rankings prompted a “red light call” for the sector.
Almost all of Australia’s top 10 universities dropped places in this year’s ranking, with just one institution remaining in the top 50 and six in the top 100.
Education spokesperson senator Mehreen Faruqi said the rankings were “yet another wake up call” for universities and the federal government that tinkering around the edges wasn’t sufficient to reform the sector.
Big, bold action is needed to reimagine universities as public places where staff and students thrive. Funding cuts, fee hikes, systemic wage theft and rampant casualisation have eaten away at the very foundations of our universities.
The over reliance on international students as cash cows must end. The government must step up and properly fund our universities for learning, teaching and research.
Updated
Albanese denies he’s given up on voice referendum
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has been asked about his comments to Katharine Murphy on the Australian Politics podcast that pressing ahead with the referendum will have been worth it even if Australians reject the voice on 14 October because it has brought Indigenous disadvantage front and centre in the national conversation.
On 4RO Radio, Albanese was asked if he was raising the white flag. He replied:
Not at all. I’m very hopeful that the voice will be carried. I think that when people look at what the question is, it’s a very clear, simple question. It is to recognise Indigenous Australians as the first Australians in our nation’s founding document. That’s the first thing. And the form of recognition they’re asking for is just a non-binding advisory group. There’s nothing scary about having a group of people who can just give advice on matters that affect them.
And the reason why you would do that is because you get better outcomes. I mean if I’m going to make a decision about Central Queensland and about what is occurring in the local community there in Capricornia, it is better if I actually talk to people there on the ground rather than bureaucrats in Canberra making decisions. And that is all this is, it doesn’t change the decision, making process of the parliament ... it won’t be a funding body. It won’t run programs, it is just non-binding advice. And I believe if we do this we will get better outcomes because we know that the programs that work for Indigenous Australians whether they be Indigenous rangers program, or whether it be community health programs that have that local input or whether it be justice reinvestment programs. We know the ones that were are the ones that ask and involve Indigenous Australians. And that is why there’s nothing to fear here and fear is a powerful emotion but doesn’t lead you anywhere.
Updated
Jacinta Allan, the Essendon supporter
And perhaps the most important question in Victoria - who does she barrack for in the AFL? Allan says, like Daniel Andrews, she supports Essendon:
Although the rest of my family are Hawthorn (supporters) so I probably know more about the fortunes of the Hawthorn Football Club from time to time, than Essendon.
She says she’s going to back Collingwood in the grand final.
I’ve got a soft spot for [them], I know that’s probably alienated a lot [of listeners] but I think Collingwood is a club with a great history.
Updated
Allan spruiks level crossing success, outlines wait on Melbourne airport rail link review
Epstein asks Allan, what project has actually been delivered on time and on budget. She replies:
Level crossings.
And how about Melbourne airport rail, will that happen, given the federal government has paused the $5bn investment they were going to make in the project, as part of its infrastructure review?
Allan says:
We’re waiting to see what the federal government is coming back to us with the federal review. And we look forward to that opportunity to discuss the review with them ... They’re a 50-50 funding partner and so we need to see the results of that review and also have really productive discussions with them about what the forward work programme looks like for Victoria.
And what’s important here for me, particularly over the last eight and a half years, much of that time working with the previous federal Liberal-National government, times were tough. We had to go it alone on Metro Tunnel. We had to go it alone on level crossings. We had to go it alone on the West Gate Tunnel, the big projects. If we were north of the Murray, we would have had a 50-50 funding partner in the previous government but we didn’t. We had to push on in recognising we couldn’t wait for the politics of Canberra to catch up with all the need here in Victoria. We pushed on with those projects. And now we do have a partner in Canberra.
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Allan on her record as transport minister amid Victoria’s infrastructure overhaul
Allan is being asked about the cost overruns on projects she’s overseen as transport infrastructure minister - Epstein says no one has presided over as many “blowouts” as her. Allan replies:
I will put to you a very different view. No one has presided over a programme this big, that is transforming our transport network and the projects we are working on, many of which have been talked about for decades and never delivered. Other governments have looked at them and walked away from them because they’ve been too hard. If you consider that just the Metro Tunnel and yes, that is a project that we have added additional investment to but this is going to transform Melbourne and Victoria’s public transport network. At a time when our population is growing. We need to add more train services not just to get people in and out of the city, but also to get them to key destinations like the university and health area around Parkville … This is an investment that is going to prove benefits for decades to come just like the City Loop did. The City Loop is a central part of our transport system today.
Epstein:
How much debt is too much debt?
Allan:
There’s the debt and there’s the investment that is made in the infrastructure projects that is productive. And again, governments around the country, around the world do use the strength of their balance sheet to invest in productive infrastructure.
Updated
Allan hopes to be judged on ‘actions, deeds and words’ rather than gender in new role
A good question to Allan from ABC Radio Melbourne host, Raf Epstein - do we have different expectations of female politicians?
Allan replies:
Well, yes I think I think we do … if you just look at the numbers, because there have historically been so few women in parliament, in ministerial and leadership roles. There is, I think, a sense of what will a woman look like as a minister? How will they perform as a leader? So yes, I think there are different expectations simply because it has been unusual in history. Thankfully, that’s changing. And yesterday we added another woman to our cabinet in Vicki Ward. We have more than 50% [women] - probably now with the addition of Vicki heading towards 60%.
Epstein:
You said yesterday [in your press conference] before you got emotional, you said you did not want to get emotional. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. Genuine question, do you fear you will be held to a different standard?
Allan:
I hope that … I’m judged on my actions, my deeds and my words. I intend to bring to this role the values that have driven me. I’ve been in parliament for 24 years, the values that have guided me over that period of time, the work ethic that has driven me over that period of time.
She says she hopes to lead her colleagues in a “collegial” and “collaborative” way.
Updated
New managing director of Guardian Australia: Rebecca Costello
And in news about the Guardian itself, Rebecca Costello has been announced as the new managing director of Guardian Australia.
She arrives after 17 years as the first chief executive of Schwartz Media, and replaced Dan Stinton who spend five years in the role.
Costello will be driving growth and strategic direction of Guardian Australia locally, after helping manage Schwartz Media’s catalogue of platforms including 7am, one of the most popular podcasts in Australia.
Updated
New Victorian premier Jacinta Allan was ‘taken aback’ by Daniel Andrews’ call to resign
Was she surprised by Daniel Andrews’ resignation? Allan replies:
I will say I was quite taken aback as when I got a call from the now former premier, from Daniel. He gave me the courtesy as his deputy to give me a heads up ... I have played this back a few times. [He said:] It’s time. It’s today, I’m going. And yeah and it was, look, I’m rather than you would appreciate it was a really really personal conversation.
Daniel and I have known each other not just for that time we’ve served in parliament together – we go back quite away. I first met him in the early to mid 90s. And he has been a tremendous friend and has been a tremendous colleague and I think you know we all should just wish him and Catherine and the family all the very best.
Updated
‘A lot of work to do’: Allan on task ahead
Allan says she intends to hit the ground running:
“It is a settling in period, but I want to really be very clear, I intend to hit the ground running. We’ve got a lot of work to do. And as you mentioned in your introductory comments, we’ve got a big building agenda. We’ve got a big reform agenda. There was the housing statement that was released just a week ago. There is a big body of work that we need to continue and that’s what Victorians should expect us to do.
She adds that she is planning a cabinet reshuffle, which will be announced in a couple of days.
Updated
Jacinta Allan speaks on first day as new Victorian premier
Victoria’s new premier, Jacinta Allan, is speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne this morning with Raf Epstein. She says she had a moment to celebrate her promotion with her friends and family after she was sworn in last night:
Yes, I did take a moment to spend time with family and some of my, my dearest closest friend and her family. Last night, it actually had been pre-arranged. We were all going to be heading off as families to the show later today so they’re still doing that, and I’m delighted to be here with you this morning.
Updated
Man charged after allegedly hitting cyclist with Porsche in Melbourne
A Queensland man has been charged after allegedly hitting a cyclist with his Porsche in Fitzroy North in Melbourne yesterday.
Police allege the 39-year-old driver struck a cyclist near the intersection of St Georges Road and Park Street about 4.15pm.
The cyclist, a 39-year-old Brunswick woman, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
There were three passengers in the car, but they were not injured.
The driver was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, disobey red light and unlicensed driving.
He has been remanded to appear at the Melbourne magistrates court later today.
Updated
Federal government has no plans for fuel subsidy amid price jump
Chalmers also declared the government is not “currently contemplating” a fuel subsidy, as prices continue to rise.
It comes after new data released yesterday showed cost of living is still increasing, with fuel costs jumping 9.1% in August, gas up 12.9% and electricity 12.7%.
But Chalmers said the government already had a cost of living plan, and that addressing fuel prices would be too expensive.
It’s not something that we are currently contemplating. And one of the reasons for that is we’ve got I think, a much better way of providing cost of living help for people.
Asked if the increased inflation would result in increased interest rates next week, Chalmers said he wouldn’t preempt their decisions.
Historically, what the Reserve Bank tries to do is to understand the overall direction of travel.
And the direction of travel has been really clear, inflation is moderating overall, we’ll get these bumpy and lumpy figures month to month from time to time, but it’s moderating overall.
Updated
Jim Chalmers rejects criticism of RBA changes
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has hit back at former Coalition treasurer Peter Costello, who has criticised the proposed changes to the Reserve Bank’s structure.
Costello said in reports that the changes to the RBA board won’t deliver better outcomes, and Chalmers rejected that on RN Breakfast this morning:
I’m not going to reflect on Peter Costello personally or his motivations here.
I’ve got a good, respectful working relationship with him. I talked to him from time to time including … in the last few days, but his intervention here is quite bizarre and quite wrong.
Updated
Thomas Mayo responds to no campaign provocation
Leading yes campaigner Thomas Mayo has given a response (of sorts) to a challenge from boxer Anthony Mundine - saying “the only fighting I’m doing is for a better future for all Australians, using words, patience, understanding and acts of love and solidarity.”
Anthony Mundine, a no supporter, recently said he wanted to “beat [Mayo] up real good because he needs to be taught a lesson”. After Anthony Mundine’s comments were reported by the Daily Mail, no campaign leader Warren Mundine tweeted a screenshot of a Daily Mail Facebook post of the article with a boxing glove emoji alongside the caption: “I want to see that!!!”.
The language was criticised by Labor minister Murray Watt.
Mayo and Yes23 declined to comment yesterday. But Mayo tweeted last night, from the campaign trail where he’s been travelling nationwide to raise awareness of the voice.
“I want this to go viral,” Mayo tweeted, echoing part of the language Anthony Mundine used.
“I’m sending my heartfelt thanks to all who are helping to make this possible by deciding to vote ‘yes’ with us.”
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Send your questions to Noel Pearson on the voice to parliament
Do you have any questions about the voice? Our Full Story podcast is interviewing Noel Pearson this morning and wants your questions on the referendum. Please email voicequestions@theguardian.com by 9:30am.
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Bridget McKenzie says Qantas has ‘level of disrespect’ for senate inquiry
Nationals senator and shadow transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie has slammed Qantas for their “arrogance” at the the parliamentary hearing into the aviation sector.
Speaking on the Today Show this morning, McKenzie said while the new Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson had apologised, there was still a “level of arrogance that our once-beloved national carrier shouldn’t be displaying”:
When you come to a senate inquiry, we ask the questions, you’re supposed to come with the answers.
A bit like failing to hand in a submission, not having details … when you had made significant decisions … just shows the level of disrespect.
We were trying to get to the bottom of the Qatar Airways decisions and the lobbying that they [Qantas] had done into the government.
Later on in the day, we heard from former transport ministers that said Qantas CEOs, [the ]Qantas chairman [going] back 20 years have had those ministers’ mobile numbers on speed dial.
Updated
Public servants from PM’s department among those to front Qatar inquiry today
Senior public servants are set to be hauled over the coals as the decision to block Qatar Airways’ bid for more flights to Australia continues to be probed, AAP reports.
Representatives from the prime minister’s department along with others from treasury and both the transport and foreign affairs departments will front the parliamentary committee today.
The inquiry examining what role Qantas played in the transport minister’s decision to knock back their application delivered a warning shot to the departments on Wednesday night, declaring they are desperate for answers.
“If you’re not prepared tomorrow, and you just take (a question) on notice, I would flag an expectation to call you back until we get those types of answers,” Liberal senator Simon Birmingham told the inquiry.
“So come prepared is the warning.”
The committee is due to report by 9 October.
Good morning, Mostafa Rachwani with you from rainy Sydney to take you through the day’s news.
Army presence in Townsville to be expanded
Daniel Hurst has more on that military shakeup.
Townsville is set to become “the home of our armoured vehicles and army attack and medium lift aviation” and the army’s overall presence there will grow.
Government sources said Brisbane would be home to a motorised combat brigade, while Darwin would see minor changes “with a focus on light forces that are agile and quick to move”.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, will be accompanied by the acting chief of the army, Maj Gen Richard Vagg, to make the restructure announcement in Townsville late this morning.
In a statement issued in advance, Marles said the changes involved “some hard decisions” but these moves were “necessary to build the army Australia needs”. Marles said:
Our army has always played a vital role in the defence of our nation and will continue to do so as it adapts to the challenges of our times.
This will mean army has a concentration of people and capabilities in Australia’s north, making it easier to deploy for training, major exercises or to support our partners and allies in the region.
The government is expected to argue it will try to minimise the impact of the changes on soldiers and their families, by not moving personnel between regions outside of the normal posting cycles.
Postings of personnel to Adelaide to establish the long-range fire capabilities will begin in 2025.
Adelaide will be base for long-range missiles, defence shakeup to reveal
Adelaide will be the base for Australia’s long-range strike capabilities under an army restructure to be announced today.
While the restructure involves a number of changes, the government will say Adelaide will become “future-focused, with key future long-range strike capabilities consolidated here”.
This will include being a base for accelerated and expanded long-range strike (Himars) and integrated air and missile defence capabilities (Nasams). The location is influenced by access to testing ranges.
The government will argue the changes are needed to reflect the new strategic environment. It is expected to say the army has, until now, been structured with broadly similar combat brigades that allowed it to provide rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the government will say it is acting on calls from the recent defence strategic review that the army should be optimised for littoral (coastal) manoeuvre. The changes will focus on having specialised combat brigades.
The government is still considering the calls to accelerate and expand its acquisition of littoral manoeuvre vessels, but it is understood these vessels could be located in Darwin, north Queensland and Brisbane.
The changes include designating the 1st Armoured Regiment as “an innovation and experimentation unit to deliver and integrate emerging technologies”, but it will remain at its current location in Adelaide.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our rolling news coverage. I’m Martin Farrer and I’ve got some overnight news for you before my colleague Mostafa Rachwani steps up to the plate.
Australia’s leading universities have dropped down the world rankings thanks to the pandemic lockdowns depriving the sector of international brainpower. Only the University of Melbourne (37th) remains in the top 50, with Monash falling 10 places to 54th and the University of Sydney down six spots at 60. According to the list’s compilers at Times Higher Education, it’s a “red-light warning”, with more money needed for research especially.
Anthony Albanese says he will do more to accelerate the country’s transition to low emissions, declaring the “right decisions” are needed to ensure Australia emerges a winner in the global race to renewable energy. And as the campaign for the referendum continues, Yes23 co-chair Rachel Perkins has told our Full Story podcast that opponents of the voice are “doing their best to create division” after Warren Mundine claimed the Uluru statement from the heart was a “symbolic declaration of war”.
We also have a scoop that Canberra bureaucrats have agreed to hold to clear-the-air talks with Qatar over the government’s “unfair” decision to deny the Gulf state’s airline extra flights. It comes after Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson told a Senate hearing yesterday it was “an important part of democracy” that its plea to the government to block extra air rights for Qatar Airways be kept private.
In other news breaking this morning, the army is in for a big shakeup, which will include establishing a long-range missile base in Adelaide, and moving tanks and helicopters to Townsville. More on that coming up.
And the inquiry into the government’s decision to block an expansion of Qatar Airways’ flights to Australia is due to grill public servants today.
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