Welcome, readers, to the Afternoon Update.
Clive Palmer’s mining company, Mineralogy, has again topped the list of political donors, donating $7.1m into his single-senator United Australia party in the year following the federal election.
Annual political returns released today by the Australian Electoral Commission show Palmer gave 10 donations totalling $7.1m to the minor political party over the course of the year.
The major parties reported $210.7m in donations and other receipts – which include fees to attend the parties’ business forums, public funding from the AEC and other payments.
The Albanese government has previously pledged to introduce spending and donation caps and real-time donation disclosure.
Top news
Nikki Haley targets Biden and Trump’s ages | The Republican presidential candidate has launched a new attack on her rivals in the 2024 election – fellow party member Donald Trump and the US president, Joe Biden – with an ad campaign targeting their age. In a new series of political ads, under the theme of “Grumpy Old Men”, Haley’s explicit strategy is to go after the age of the two men likely to secure their respective parties’ nominations for president.
Investigation launched into claims of fake patients | Victoria’s health department is investigating allegations staff and family members at a regional hospital posed as patients during a visit from the state’s health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas. The Colac Herald on Wednesday reported allegations that at least 10 people who were not unwell were inside Colac Area Health’s urgent care clinic during Thomas’ visit in August 2023.
Images leaked of Sydney shark-attack victim’s injuries | St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney says it is investigating how an image of shark attack victim Lauren O’Neill’s injuries were leaked from inside the hospital. In a statement, a spokesperson for St Vincent’s said it had “become aware of photos in the public domain” of a patient’s injury, appearing to be taken from within the emergency department.
Police in Sweden destroy ‘live’ device outside Israeli embassy | The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, condemned “an attempted attack” against the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, after an object found outside it was destroyed by the bomb squad on Wednesday. The prime minister said that surveillance of the embassy and of Jewish institutions in Sweden had been tightened.
Mother issues plea to bring children home from the UK | The Aboriginal mother of two children who are stranded in England without passports – one of whom is already in the UK foster care system – has spoken out about the situation. “I don’t want them to be part of the UK child protection system. That is not right. They don’t belong in the UK. They need to come home.”
Nine injured in corrosive substance attack in London | Nine people have been injured after a suspected corrosive substance was thrown at a woman and two young children in south London. A further six people – three members of the public and three police officers – were injured after coming to their aid. Five of those involved were taken to hospital.
Three-year-old rescued from Hello Kitty claw machine in Brisbane | An adventurous three-year-old has been rescued from a claw machine in a Queensland shopping centre after crawling up the prize dispenser in search of toys. Police video of the scene shows Ethan, who was wearing a Power Rangers shirt, appearing unfazed and in no rush to be rescued.
One-third of outsourced Australian aged care home inspections rejected as substandard | The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has revealed one-third of all safety and quality audits conducted by consultants over a 12-month period – affecting about 350 homes – were initially rejected because they were not up to standard.
Full Story podcast
What’s gone wrong at Boeing?
A terrifying mid-air blowout of a door plug left passengers fearing for their lives on an Alaska Airlines flight. It’s just the latest crisis for the Boeing brand. Jeff Wise and Gwyn Topham report.
What they said …
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“It’s time for Labor to come to the table and work with us to ensure politicians work in the public interest, not the interest of their donor mates.” – Larissa Waters, Greens senator
The release of political donations data this morning showing the millions poured into the major political parties has renewed calls for major reform.
In numbers
Royal Life Saving has predicted this summer will be one of the worst summers for drownings.
Before bed read
After her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Meg Herrmann decided to get genetically tested for a hereditary cancer-causing gene. Twelve weeks ago, the 25-year-old underwent a preventive mastectomy. As a carrier of the BRCA2 gene, the surgery has reduced her chance of developing breast cancer by more than 95%. But while she has taken life-changing steps to benefit her health, her financial future hangs in the balance. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, she can be denied life insurance as she took a genetic test that revealed her cancer risk. Read more.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: TBA. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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